We Stand On Guard has been one of the surprise highlights for me the past few months, and this issue was no exception. Brian K Vaughan and Steve Skroce continue to explore a world where one hundred years into the future the United States of America has rather successfully invaded Canada using giant mechanized robots in retaliation for an unprovoked attack. Whilst there, the United States have decided to make use of Canada’s prodigious fresh water supply.

If you have been reading the series so far then by now you’ve probably noticed that there are some interesting, and not always subtle, parallels to other conflicts in our more recent history. The shades-of-grey nature of this story adds another layer to the conflict and occupation of Canada. The story has been gradually expanding beyond the initial group of Canadian Resistance characters we met in the first issue (the superbly named Two-Four) to take in commanding officers of the US military of gradually increasing seniority, giving us new layers to the military fiction. By doing this, Brian K Vaughn pulls the reader past the futuristic technology on display here and into a commentary that’s pretty indicative of the current state of affairs.

I mentioned in my review of the last issue that series hasn’t explicitly identified the good or bad guys in this series, which is something that really encourages the reader to think about where their sympathies lie; neither side has been entirely wholesome, and as the story proceeds the grey areas mentioned earlier only deepen, allowing readers to get a fuller picture of the world in which this war is taking place, and the factions involved.

Steve Skroce is on top form with this issue, as he has been all series, and the layouts he gives us are superb. There’s a level of detail in his panels that is easy to miss unless you really stop and admire his artwork, and as easy as it can be to want to read the comic for the story, don’t forget to drink in the work of Skroce and colourist Matt Holingsworth; it’s fantastic. We Stand On Guard is a great comic book that does ask some interesting questions of it’s readership, but if they’re not questions you want to answer, then it’s still enjoyable as the creative work that it is; a story of two sides – one side seeking retribution for an unprovoked attack on their home land, and the other side fighting back from what they perceive as an unjust invasion as they seek to free their country from an oppressive regime.

It’s good stuff, and well worth reading, but as the six issue mini series is starting to wind to a close, this issue is not a good jumping on point; if you’re not reading We Stand On Guard by now, then you should start at the beginning. However that being said, whether you wait for the trade or pick up the individual issues, this is a series that you simply must read.

Story: Brian K Vaughn  Art: Steve Skroce Colours: Matt Holingsworth
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation:  Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review.

Also posted on Ramblings Of A Comics Fan

Brian K Vaughan and Steve Skroce have delivered two fantastic issues in this series so far, set one hundred years into the future where the United States of America has rather successfully invaded Canada using giant mechanized robots. With the third issue of We Stand On Guard, we find out what interrogation looks like in the future.

If you have been reading the series so far then by now you’ve probably noticed that there are some interesting, and not always subtle, moments  where Brian K Vaughan is showing us that war isn’t exactly pleasant. The series has also been very cagey of explicitly naming a hero and a villain in this series, and while my sympathies lay primarily with the Canadians thus far, there have been moments in both issue #1 and #2 where I understood the other point of view. Brian K Vaughan has framed this story in such a way that he is able to tell the story without giving us the typical good verses evil nature of typical fictional conflicts. This story is told in shades of grey, and by doing that it allows us as the reader to get a fuller picture of the world in which this war is taking place.

We Stand on Guard #3, however, may cause readers to drop off the fence in many ways; if you’ve read any of the previews, or even the opening paragraph of this review, then you’ll have a good idea of what I’m talking about. The scene in question is uncomfortable, and yet very well done. Steve Skroce captures the emotions involved expertly, and (thankfully) we get to understand just enough of what is going on without explicitly seeing anything – which the begs the question; just how far should we be willing to go to get information?

Brian K Vaughan and Steve Skroce have a story here that isn’t shying away from the horrors of war; and the parallels to more recent conflicts in our history can’t be ignored. By using a comic book to tell the story of a fictional war, and one much closer to home for many of us, the creative team are asking us some hard questions of where each person stands regarding conflict, and the occupation of a nation. We Stand On Guard is a story of two sides defending their nation, and both sides are doing what they think is right; one side bringing justice for an unprovoked attack on their home land, and the other side fighting back from what perceive as an unjust occupation and defending their home.

This issue is not a good jumping on point; if you’re not reading We Stand On Guard by now, then you should start at the beginning. This is a series that you should absolutely read.

Story: Brian K Vaughn  Art: Steve Skroce Colours: Matt Holingsworth
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation:  Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review.

We Stand On Guard #2  is the second issue of a new  series published by Image Comics that is set just over one hundred years into a future in which the United States of America has rather successfully invaded Canada, and using giant mechanized robots the American troops are patrolling the Canadian land. But although the Canadian military has been defeated, there are still groups of resistance trying to fight back for their country.

Written by Brian K Vaughn the second issue explores what it’s like when you’re a civilian and your country is invaded, and what lengths you’ll go to in order to fight back, and remain free. In the same issue, though, we also start to see glimpses of the other side to the conflict, and how they’re handling the Canadian insurgency after twelve years of invasion. Steve Skroce‘s art work is, again, very solid. Without giving too much away, the Canadian landscape he captures is very evocative of those you would be familiar with (if you live in the Great White North, or if you’ve ever googled it). Matt Holingsworth continues to bring life to the series, and his ability to capture the cold of the Canadian winter with his colouring is really nice touch.

This was one of the comics I was most looking forward to reading this week, and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. We Stand On Guard #2 can be read as an introduction to the story, but you may be a little bit lost with some of the characters, but nothing that’s going to drastically loose you in the story. I wouldn’t wait much longer to jump on board, though, and I highly recommend  adding this comic to your pull list in the very near future. I’m really taken with this series, making it the first non superhero comic book series in a long time that I’ve been looking forward to each month. There’s something about the underdog nature of the series Canadian resistance, and almost impossible uphill struggle they face that I’m really enjoying. I hope you do too.

Story: Brian K Vaughn  Art: Steve Skroce Colours: Matt Holingsworth
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation:  Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review