Arrowsmith is a six-issue comic series that was originally published by Wildstorm in 2003. In fact, the issues were released by Cliffhanger, which was an imprint of Wildstorm. At that time, Wildstorm was an imprint of Image Comics before it became an imprint of DC and then was dissolved. Comics, I guess.

To coincide with a sequel series that has been running since 2022, now at Image Comics, the original series has been reissued in a beautiful oversized hardcover.

Arrowsmith describes an alternative world history during World War I, in which magic, as well as dragons and other fantasy creatures exist. The main character is the young Fletcher Arrowsmith, and we follow him on his journey to becoming a mage-soldier.

Busiek and Pacheco manage to create a consistent world that, although full of magic and fabulous creatures, never feels overloaded. The magical elements are implemented unobtrusively. The war is depicted in its various aspects, so that the youthful euphoria of wanting to serve the country collides with the harshness of war in the further course.

Visually, it is extraordinarily beautiful to look at. Pacheco's drawings are clear, structured, and detailed. Overall, it reminds one of his work on Avengers Forever, which was published a few years before the original release of Arrowsmith. Sinclair, however, chooses more subdued colors and saves colorful outbursts for the use of magic.

It is a pity and not understandable that volume 2 has so far only been announced as a trade paperback. I hope that a suitable hardcover will also be published. One would think that this would be the only logical thing. But: Comics, I guess.

Pues al principio me costó entrar en esta historia. Pero a partir del tercer capítulo, cuando ya empiezan a marchar para la guerra, no pude dejar de leer.

¿De qué se trata esto? Pues de una primera guerra mundial con elementos mágicos. Los aviadores llevan dragones, hay trolles, vampiros, magos... El gas mostaza se convierte en una niebla que enloquece y hace que se ataquen entre sí. El mundo descrito es sublime, pero cuando no se encuentra en Europa, es mucho más aburrido.

Fletcher Arrowsmith, el protagonista, es un joven confuso e ilusionado por la guerra que vive en los Estados Unidos de Columbia. La historia es su viaje de desencanto con la guerra y con ser un aviador. Es realmente sublime.

Y por último, la razón principal por la que vine a leer esto fue el dibujo de Carlos Pacheco. Aunque no es un estilo único, sí es la supremacía del estilo "mainstream" que tanta gente quiere imitar. Su trabajo de arte añade un toque especial a la historia y hace que sea aún más atractiva.

Every Busiek comic I've read feels like a workshop for telling stories in the comic book medium.

He fills his books with an abundance of character and charm, skillfully weaving both long and short plot arcs. What's more, he always focuses on the psychological progression of the characters. It's truly remarkable how he makes it all look so effortless.

In this collection, there is something rudimentary, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a negative aspect. Busiek remains extremely faithful to his sources, liberally borrowing from War Stories and Fairy Tales and using all the clichés. However, he manages to make us care about them once again.

This is a solid little piece of storytelling that is well worth studying if you have the inclination to try plotting some comics. It's all streamlined, with nothing superfluous, and yet he doesn't hit us over the head with it.

While some authors might be tempted to rush through a story like this, adding their own unpredictable twists to the familiar to prevent it from feeling dull, Busiek instead presents it to us straightforwardly, trusting in the depth of his characters and world to carry us through a story that we may have seen before.

It just goes to show that you don't have to be wacky and mind-bending to write a good story in comics these days. Just because yelling is the loudest way to say something doesn't mean it's the best. Sometimes, a quiet tone can carry more force, depending on what lies behind it.

\\n  My Suggested Reading In Comics\\n

Magic & dragons meets World War I - what an amazing concept for a story!

This is truly a great read that combines the elements of fantasy and historical warfare in a unique and captivating way.

The use of the comic format adds an extra layer of interest, making it accessible and engaging for a wide range of readers.

The story itself is beautiful, filled with rich characters and a plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

The art is equally stunning, bringing the world of magic and dragons to life in vivid detail.

Overall, this is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy, history, or comics. It's a wonderful example of how different genres can be combined to create something truly special.

I highly recommend this story to anyone looking for an interesting and enjoyable read.

"Arrowsmith: So Smart in Their Fine Uniforms" is indeed a remarkable graphic novel.

Although not flawless, it is well worth the read. The artwork is truly outstanding. Pacheco has done an excellent job of creating dynamic images that enhance the story. The art gives the impression of a "normal" World War I, yet with fantastically elements added, which is quite captivating.

All the main characters are likable, especially Rocky. The story is interesting and progresses smoothly, with good emotion and character growth. However, it sometimes feels a bit too safe and familiar, similar to other World War I "loss of innocence" stories, just with dragons and werewolves thrown in. I believe the magical premise could have been better exploited to make the plot more unique.

The world-building is good, and the appendix at the end that explains the alternate history is enjoyable. However, it could have delved more into how that alternate fantasy influenced events. For example, the conflict between Gallia and Prussia didn't seem significantly different from that between France and Germany.

Overall, it is an enjoyable read and definitely worth checking out for fans of this genre.

The artworks presented within this comic are truly beautiful, and the universe that has been crafted is extremely pleasing to the eye. It offers a more contemporary take on the fantasy genre, departing from the commonly seen medieval setting.

However, I couldn't help but notice that the portrayal of the realities of war seemed rather superficial. Perhaps it might be suitable for a younger audience. The progression from young men longing to make a difference and break free from their mundane, routine-based lives to becoming heroes and having an impact on the world, and then to the gruesome reality of horrific battles and witnessing friends die senselessly, is executed quite well.

Nonetheless, when it comes to dealing with the impact of deadly conflict in daily life, I tend to seek something more. In a narrative like this, it truly deserves more in-depth exploration. Additionally, the main character lacked a distinct personality, and his relationship with the dragon warranted a much deeper examination.

Overall, while the comic is an enjoyable read, it left me desiring more in several aspects. It has the potential to be even greater if these areas were further developed and refined.

I didn't like it as much as I had hoped.

There is indeed some truly gorgeous artwork within it. However, and I firmly believe this is the crucial point, adding an element of magic to World War I does not in any way alleviate the inherent depression and horror of that conflict.

Moreover, it seemed to me that the youth of the main protagonist should have been given more significance. He began his journey at a young age, having to flee in order to enlist. But as the story progressed, he appeared no different from any other, older recruit.

In contrast, some of the other characters were far more interesting. Their personalities and storylines added depth and nuance to the overall narrative.

Perhaps if more attention had been paid to the unique aspects of the main character's youth and the implications it had for his experiences in the war, the story would have had a greater impact.

As it stands, while the artwork is beautiful and some of the secondary characters are engaging, the overall concept and execution left something to be desired.

Como ucronía is a very beautiful and interesting concept.

I really like dragons and alternative futures/pasts, which are presented very well in this story. The development of the plot also appeals to me. Although the characters and the story itself seem a bit more typical, it's still okay.

However, what I can't accept is that it's an incomplete story. In a sense, when it comes to the evolution of the protagonist, it could be said to end, but neither the story, nor the world, nor anything else has a proper conclusion. This greatly reduces the impact that the comic leaves.

It would be much better if the author could provide a more definite ending to make the whole work more complete and satisfying.

Arrowsmith: So Smart in Their Fine Uniforms is an awesomely entertaining graphic novel by Kurt Busiek.

The story is set during World War I, a time of great turmoil and conflict. What makes this graphic novel truly unique is the presence of tons of fantastical creatures on both sides of the fighting.

We have wizards with their magical powers, vampires lurking in the shadows, zombies rising from the dead, trolls with their brute strength, and many more.

But the best part has to be the flying wizards. These remarkable beings get their power of flight from the dragonets that perch on their shoulders.

They take to the skies, engaging in intense battles with both guns and swords. It's a thrilling and action-packed adventure that will keep readers on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

The combination of historical setting and fantastical elements makes Arrowsmith a must-read for fans of both genres.

This really brought to my mind a great deal of a graphic novel that I had read several years ago. It was titled "War is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle."

The book centered around an American individual who enlisted in the real-world RFC during WWI and engaged in the extremely bloody and seemingly senseless air campaigns of that war.

This current work is essentially a fantasy rendition of that very story, although there are some differences.

I most definitely do not intend to imply any sort of plagiarism here. It's just that the stories share some similarities.

Overall, it's a rather good piece of work.

It has its own unique charm and manages to draw the reader in with its engaging narrative and interesting characters.

Despite the similarities to the graphic novel I read earlier, it still manages to stand on its own and offer a fresh perspective on the theme of war and its consequences.

I think that perhaps the individuals who are griping about the "clichés" or "stereotypes" present in Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco's remarkable series Arrowsmith might be missing the essence. Busiek has established his reputation by revisiting classic tales and concepts and presenting them with a novel perspective. Remember, he was instrumental in launching a comics imprint known as "Homage Comics."

In Arrowsmith, Busiek takes the classic narrative of a "fresh-faced boy who ventures off to war to engage in the noble fight and make a difference, while simultaneously learning about life, love, death, and the true nature of war" and thoroughly shakes it up. Firstly, the world inhabited by Fletcher Arrowsmith closely resembles ours, yet the history is somewhat divergent. A map depicting the United States of Columbia, Gallia, and Prussia serves as an indication that things are not as we are accustomed to. Additionally, this is a world where magic and the ordinary coexist. The scene where a New York City street teems with activity as humans, trolls, dwarves, and other fantastical beings go about their daily affairs vividly illustrates this particular twist. Finally, although this is very much a World War I story, the trappings have been significantly altered. Gruesome battles still claim the lives of thousands of young men, but instead of traditional chemical weapons, the armies utilize magical weapons that vampirize soldiers or incinerate entire towns. And the members of the Overseas Aero Corps are hotshot aerial fighters, but instead of piloting planes, they soar through the air with the assistance of magical dragons.

When these twists are added to a classic story, and Busiek's talent for revealing the humanity of even the most "stereotypical" of characters is factored in, something truly special is created. It doesn't harm that Carlos Pacheco's artwork is simply breathtaking. His vivid style is as well-suited for a World War I epic fantasy as it is for a sprawling superhero saga, and effectively establishes the look and feel of the period, comparable to any artist I've witnessed since Paul Smith's work on the Golden Age.

All in all, I was extremely satisfied with Arrowsmith. Given the creators involved, I had high expectations, and I was not let down. Arrowsmith should appeal to fans of Busiek's other works, particularly the highly acclaimed Astro City, and is a series that fans of quality comic books should give a chance.

This was an absolutely wonderful find.

Story wise, it presents a very interesting and terrifying amalgamation of fantasy and history. Just imagine a world where deadly spells and creatures are unleashed to wreak havoc on the battlefields of the already bloody conflict known as WW1. The increase in horror and bloodshed, the pure terror that would ensue, is almost unfathomable.

We follow our protagonist, Fletcher Arrowsmith, as he joins the air force for idealistic reasons. However, he quickly gets acquainted with the ugly nature of war. Losing friends and comrades in arms becomes an almost daily occurrence. Additionally, he will slowly come to realize that not everything his side says or does is necessarily true or noble. After all, it is war, and everyone is doing their best to win, at any cost.

The art in this book is breathtaking. Especially the two-page spreads that are brimming with details. I'm glad I came across yet another volume that uses color to enhance the already fantastic pen and ink depictions. We see various magical and demonic troops battling it out in a frenzy, along with the nerve-wracking atmosphere associated with trench warfare. The air battles are epic in themselves. Our young pilots engage in battles like knightly duellists in the sky, using sword and pistol, yet losing lives at a pace that is reminiscent of the attrition in WW1 air battles.

This is an excellent book and is highly recommended to fans of action and adventure. I'm definitely looking forward to the follow-up books.