In a rush of great public resistance to an oppressive and excessive government, a homegrown militia movement is formed in rural America. This is not 2015, but 1775. With the war for independence playing out across the colonies, young Seth and Mercy Abbott find their new marriage tested at every turn, as the demands of the frontlines and the home front collide.

Rebels, out April 8, continues writer Brian Wood‘s habit of exploring politics and the notion of right and wrong through engrossing storytelling in comics. In this new series he’s doing that by taking us into the past and the American Revolution. This is a period piece in comic form and goes all in using language from the time, which may sway you’re interest.

To me, it seems like Wood did his research, not just showing it in the language, but events and issues that were faced during that time period. I can’t say how historically accurate it all is (I’m not an expert in that area), but it’s absolutely entertaining, and thought-provoking. In today’s world where wer’re still debating liberty and tyranny, Rebels is yet another timely relevant comic, much like his previous series Demo, Channel Zero, Mara, The New York Four, DMZ, and more. If anything, Rebels feels like a sister book to Wood’s DMZ which explored many of the same themes in a future during the Second American Civil War.

It’s not just themes the two books share. Each hones in on individuals through their eyes and experiences the story is told. The first issue is mainly about Seth and Mercy, a young couple, embracing independence and love in the midst of war, and that small touch of romance keeps the comic from just being a straight up “war comic” in an early time period.

Wood is joined by Andrea Mutti, whose art is fantastic giving every individual a distinct look, and bringing the dirty grittiness of the world to life. It continues Mutti’s solid work, and his style that’s been shown off in other works like Evil Empire, The Returning and more. The style just fits the series content and setting quite well.

In the first issue, the focus is the smaller community, and the individual, and by the end we’re reminded that those smaller communities provide incredible insight, but also the greatest change. The smallest voice can have the biggest impact, and that enough of those small voices together can help shape the world for the better. In just the first issue, Wood reminds us of that, and at the same time questions how far we’ve truly come as a nation.

Story: Brian Wood Art: Andrea Mutti
Story: 8.25 Art: 8 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review