Review- '68 VOL. 2: SCARS

'68 VOL. 2: SCARS (Image, 2013; Softcover)

Collects '68: Scars Nos. 1-4 and '68: Hardship (cover dates November, 2011- February, 2013)

Writer: Mark Kidwell

Artists: Nat Jones and Jeff Zornow ('68: Hardship)

Colorist: Jay Fotos

This second '68 mini-series has the same premise as the first one: what if the events in Night of the Living Dead really happened in 1968? And what if those events weren't an isolated incident, but occurred simultaneously around the world with no real explanation? This could go on for a thousand issues, really, just hitting different locales around the world. So far these '68 series and one-shots have focused on the Viet Nam War.

The Scars mini-series focuses on the parents of an American Vietnamese soldier, and their son's time over in Nam. Scenes switch back and forth between New York and the jungle. Nat Jones' artwork seems overly scratchy compared to the first mini-series. Maybe I am mistaken, I dunno. It just doesn't seem to be the same quality as the other series. The story itself is still really good, crammed with tons of real Viet Nam locales and events.

Artwork from the '68: Hardship one-shot by Jeff Zornow.

The '68: Hardship one-shot is great. It's a story about a shell-shocked Viet Nam vet who comes home to the farm because of a family emergency. The army were considering releasing him on a Section 8 anyways, but were presented with this case. He is given a hardship release because the Section 8 requires more paperwork. Once home, he has a difficult time returning to civilian life, as did so many other veterans. Then the farm becomes overrun by zombies. In his crazed mind, he sees the zombies as Charlie and gives them a what-for.

This book was a good read but was marred by the scratchy, subpar artwork in most of it. It's not my cup of tea. I liked the artwork in the Hardship one-shot a lot. I'm not sure if I'm in for the '68: Jungle Jim series, which will be collected in Vol. 3.

Junk Food For Thought rating: 3.5 out of 5.

The OCD zone- Image makes top quality trade paperbacks.

Paper rating: 5 out of 5. This book has a heavyweight glossy coated stock paper.

Binding rating: 4 out of 5. Glued binding. Move along.

Cardstock cover coating rating: 4 out of 5. Image uses that dull matte finish coating, although certain areas (such as the red on the front cover) have a separate screen print coating on them.

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