I can clearly observe that Busiek exercised extreme caution when drawing the parallels between fantasy, emigration, and WWI during this particular era. He went to great lengths to incorporate elements such as chemical warfare and present them as magic. This was done in a very masterful manner. I highly recommend this work, especially because it does not romanticize the war. It provides a unique and thought-provoking perspective on these complex and often overlooked aspects. By drawing these connections, Busiek is able to offer a fresh take on a historical period that is often overshadowed by the more well-known aspects of the war. It is a testament to his skill as a writer that he can bring these elements together in a way that is both engaging and informative.

Wow, what a great book!

The setting of this book is truly remarkable. It transports the reader to a whole new world, filled with unique landscapes and interesting characters.

The writing is also excellent. The author has a way with words that makes the story come alive. The descriptions are vivid and detailed, allowing the reader to fully immerse themselves in the narrative.

The art in this book is another standout feature. The illustrations are beautiful and add an extra layer of depth to the story. They help to bring the characters and the setting to life in a way that words alone cannot.

Overall, the story is engaging and entertaining. It has a great plot that keeps the reader hooked from beginning to end. I can't wait to find more books like this one!

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves reading. It's a must-read for fans of fantasy, adventure, and great storytelling.

So, what are you waiting for? Go out and find this amazing book today!

I was engrossed in reading the individual issues of this story and providing reviews for each one. However, I encountered a snag as I couldn't locate issues 5 and 6 in the database of Goodreads.

So, instead, let's take a comprehensive look at the entire tale as a unified whole.

This narrative offers a truly enjoyable escapade through an alternate realm where magic and mythical creatures are the norm. It explores how these elements impact the conflicts, all seen through the eyes of the titular character. He is a boy with a burning desire to make a difference, far removed from his humble little town.

It's a gorgeously illustrated coming-of-age odyssey, bolstered by excellent worldbuilding throughout its entire run.

Busiek leaves the door ajar for more stories. But since his finale over a decade ago, the author, who has crafted numerous other captivating stories blending fantasy elements, has remained silent.

I hold onto the hope that one day, I'll get to read a thrilling continuation of Artowsmith's adventures. However, if that doesn't materialize, this six-part series is still a gem that is likely to delight fans of fantasy intertwined with historical events.

Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco have constructed a truly fantastical world that is deeply immersed in both realism and magic.

It is truly impressive, to say the least. At its core, this is a war book, but it is made unique by the inclusion of magical elements.

The remarkable aspect of it, however, is that Busiek has crafted it so skillfully that if the supernatural elements were to be removed, the book would not necessarily be diminished.

Pacheco's art is a thing of great beauty. It is truly stunning. I do wish that some of the characters could have been more fully developed and given more time to breathe or perhaps even take the side of the other in the war.

Overall, this is a very, very good book that combines the best of both worlds - realism and magic - to create a captivating and engaging story.

There is truly nothing overly special about this. It is an engaging and well-conceived alternate history war story. In life, we need reads such as this to add some excitement and variety. The art within it adheres to the generic WildStorm standard. However, the character designs are really very nice. Busiek writes quite well, and at times, extremely well. The world that has been created is finely-textured, with many details and nuances. I truly hope that the team behind it gets around to revisiting this world some time in the future. This is because there is a whole lot of story that simply doesn't get told within the current framework. There are likely many more adventures, conflicts, and character developments that could be explored and expanded upon. It would be a shame to leave this richly imagined world and its untold stories behind.

An interesting "concept" idea, imagining that World War I was fought with magic, is presented. It is filled with pleasant details that initially draw the reader in. However, the story itself, which is about the coming of age of an idealist farmboy, turns out to be very dull. It is full of all the available stereotypes and compulsory figures. We have the death of the best friend, the heroic paternal figure's death, and a sex scene with a rich girl, among others. These elements seem overused and lack originality.

On the other hand, the art of Carlos Pacheco is truly remarkable. I wasn't familiar with his work until now, but I am impressed by its beauty and the wonderful coloring. The illustrations bring the story to life in a way that the text alone cannot. Pacheco's attention to detail and his ability to create a vivid and engaging visual world are truly outstanding.

Overall, while the story may disappoint, the art of Carlos Pacheco makes this a worthwhile read for those who appreciate beautiful illustrations.

I embarked on this reading journey with the anticipation of delving into a simple and uncomplicated adventure story. However, to my great surprise, what I discovered was a rather scathing and hard-hitting indictment of war.

The pacing of the narrative is truly remarkable. It flows smoothly, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish. The author has masterfully crafted a story that builds tension and excitement at just the right moments, making it difficult to put down.

In addition to the excellent pacing, the detailed illustrations add another layer of depth to the book. They bring the story to life, allowing the reader to visualize the scenes and characters with greater clarity. The illustrations are not just decorative; they enhance the overall reading experience and help to convey the emotions and themes of the story more effectively.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. It is a powerful and thought-provoking work that offers a unique perspective on the horrors of war. Whether you are a fan of adventure stories or simply interested in exploring different literary themes, this book is well worth your time.

In this truly captivating alternate history of World War I, a fantastical and terrifying realm unfolds.

Magic weaves its way through the battlefields, adding an otherworldly dimension to the conflict. Monsters lurk in the shadows, emerging to wreak havoc and strike fear into the hearts of soldiers on both sides.

Dragons soar through the skies, their powerful wings beating the air and their fiery breath incinerating everything in their path.

And yet, amidst this chaos of magic, monsters, and dragons, the hellish atrocities committed by both sides continue unabated. The war becomes a nightmarish landscape of destruction and horror, where the line between reality and fantasy blurs.

This alternate history of World War I takes us on a thrilling and unforgettable journey into a world where the impossible becomes possible and the consequences are truly dire.

This is a fairly capable book.

The premise is both novel and entertaining, although it may not be entirely original.

I suppose it unfolds just as one would expect a World War I story that involves magic to play out.

Busiek has managed to create a lush fantasy world.

I truly enjoyed the alternate political names and boundaries he presents to us, such as The United States of Columbia, Arcadia, Gallia, and so on.

The story seemed to be laying the groundwork for some interesting conflicts in the future.

It's a great shame that nothing else followed after this volume.

It would have been fascinating to see how the story developed and how those potential conflicts would have been resolved.

Despite this, the book still offers an engaging read with its unique setting and premise.

It leaves the reader with a sense of what could have been and a desire for more.

Overall, it's a book that has its strengths and weaknesses, but it's definitely worth a read for those interested in a different take on the World War I era with a touch of magic.

I have really enjoyed rereading the comic, to the point that it has seemed better to me than I remembered. Not so much the drawing, which was already fantastic 20 years ago and still is now, but the script by Busiek. Back then, I thought it was a bit of a bore because of the way it was told as an epistolary story, but now I like it better (despite the typography used by the comicbooks edition of Planeta Cómic). It feeds well on the loss of innocence of the protagonist, a bit clichéd but brilliantly enriched with all the fantasy context that reconstructs World War I in a magical key. And it is here where Pacheco brought out his versatility: in the narrative but, above all, when it comes to representing very different scenes from each other. We already knew about the action. However, we were not entirely aware of his ability to depict the everyday, the extraordinary and their intersection. Perhaps it fails in some illustration (the first image of the German town in the fifth issue is too much like a postal drawn with a ruler and cardboard), but his talent beyond the superheroic is beyond any doubt, in a comic that is, moreover, 100% his (and Busiek's). It was really great.

I was particularly impressed by how Pacheco managed to create such a vivid and engaging world. The details in the illustrations added so much depth to the story, making it feel almost real.

The way he captured the emotions of the characters was also very impressive. You could really feel the pain and confusion of the protagonist as he struggled to come to terms with the events around him.

Overall, this rereading has been a wonderful experience, and I would highly recommend this comic to anyone who loves great storytelling and beautiful illustrations.

I really liked the art a lot.

It was truly captivating and held my attention from the moment I laid eyes on it.

The colors used were so vivid and harmonious, creating a visually stunning experience.

The details were intricate and well-crafted, showing the artist's great skill and attention to detail.

Each piece seemed to tell a story or convey a certain emotion, which made it even more engaging.

I found myself lost in the art, imagining different interpretations and meanings.

It was a wonderful escape from the ordinary and a chance to appreciate the beauty and creativity of the artist.

Overall, it was a great experience and I look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.

ArrowSmith: So Smart in Their Fine Uniforms

ArrowSmith: So Smart in Their Fine Uniforms is an engaging alternate history war story that takes place during World War I. In this unique world, which is filled with Gods, monsters, and wizards, young Fletcher Arrowsmith has a burning dream of flying. He believes that if he travels to Europe to fight the enemy, his dream can become a reality. So, he毅然 joins the war effort. Along the way, he meets a girl, forges friendships, and unfortunately, loses some of his friends. As the war progresses, he becomes disillusioned with the reality of war.

This book pulls out and explores every post-modern war trope, giving them a fresh and interesting once over. There are excellent little details scattered throughout the story that add depth and authenticity. The art in the book is truly phenomenal, bringing the characters and the world to life in a vivid and captivating way. However, the story itself is one that has been told a hundred times before. It follows a somewhat familiar path, and while it is well-written and engaging, it may not offer anything truly new or revolutionary to the genre.

Overall, ArrowSmith: So Smart in Their Fine Uniforms is a solid read that will appeal to fans of alternate history and war stories. It has its strengths in the details and the art, but the story may feel a bit too familiar to some readers.