US publisher Transfuzion is re-publishing Vietnam Journal by Don Lomax – an epic re-telling of the Vietnam War through the eyes of a freelance reporter with the kind of gritty storytelling that might appeal to fans of Charley’s War and Battle Picture Weekly.
The hard-hitting story chronicles the lives and events of soldiers on the front line and is now also available to read as an ongoing webcomic on warstories.com
Vietnam Journal, the comic, was introduced by Apple Comics in 1987. Written and drawn by Vietnam veteran Don Lomax – whose other comics credits include later issues of Marvel’s The ‘Nam and work for First Comics on American Flagg, Starslayer and The Black Flame – Vietnam Journal quickly acclaimed the most hard-hitting and brutally honest depiction of the Vietnam conflict in comics bar none.
Since its first publication the title has progressed from a black and white comic, to graphic novel collections by Apple and IBooks, to a colour strip in Gallery Magazine and, like the Vietnam War, it drags on, seemingly, with a life of its own. Now it’s being re-published by Trasfuzion as graphic albums – books one to six are on sale now – and in a new incarnation; the web comic.
The story follows Scott Neithammer, a freelance reporter the troops have nicknamed “Journal” with his obsession to report the war from the “grunt’s” point of view and to hell with the consequences.
“Even today, Vietnam Journal is one of the most gritty and brutally honest war stories ever published.” enthuses Brian Cronin over at Comic Book Resources.
A page from Vietnam Journal Volume 4: MIA. © Don Lomax
“Lomax bases his fictional work on his real experiences in Vietnam in 1966,” said Publishers Weekly of the series, ” with powerful results. It is Lomax’s concern for average soldiers that, in the end, makes his work significant.”
Don says he intends to continue the comic series free of charge to his loyal fans. New pages will be posted regularly for you to view or download, with no membership or registration fees.
• Readers wanting to read Vietnam Journal online are warned the material is clearly identified as not being for Under 18s. View Vietnam Journal here online
Vietnam Journal Graphic Novels now available include:
• Volume One: Indian Country
• But it from amazon.co.uk
• Volume Two: The Iron Triangle
• But it from amazon.co.uk
• Volume Three: From, the Delta to the Dak To
• But it from amazon.co.uk
• Volume Four: MIA
This volume completes the original 16-issue series published by Apple Comics
• But it from amazon.co.uk
• Volume Five: Tet ’68
• But it from amazon.co.uk
• Volume Six: Khe Danh
Includes “High Shining Brass” the complete series
• But it from amazon.co.uk
• Vietnam Journal on the Transfuzion web site
• Read an interview with Don Lomax in the Boston Herald (August 2011)
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.
Categories: US Comics
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