Garth Ennis returned to his roots of creating compelling and gripping war comics with Dreaming Eagles from US publisher Aftershock Comics, drawn by Simon Coleby. The collection was published last year and if you missed it, then track a copy down because it’s a darn fine read.
(Regular downthetubes readers may recall we highlighted the series on its original launch, but I was glad to have a chance to re-read this as a collection recently).
Dreaming Eagles tells the story of the first African-American fighter pilots to join the United States Army Air Force in World War Two and whose humble beginnings in Tuskegee, Alabama propelled them into the deadly skies above Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich.
Not only were they instrumental against the Nazi war machine, but also braved an equally great challenge, overcoming everyday bigotry amongst their fellow American soldiers as well as civilians at home.
High in the heavens, they fought a battle that would change their country for all time.
The story begins in the 1960s when Reggie Atkinson’s son, Lee, gets involved in a fight over Lee’s views on the burgeoning civil rights movement. Reggie tells Lee about his time as a fighter pilot, and the story cuts between Reggie and Lee on the porch and dogfighting World War Two action.
Several real-life characters and events pop up in the story, courtesy of Ennis’s interviews with veterans, which not only proved a thought-provoking, and deservedly well received book but was graced by some great covers by the marvellous Francesco Francavilla.
Well-researched, Dreaming Eagles Volume One collected all six issues of the limited series and is well worth tracking down if you missed the original release (despite our urgings not to!).
• More about Dreaming Eagles on the Aftershock Comics web site
The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.