Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco's "So Smart in Their Fine Uniforms" (Wildstorm, 2004) takes readers on a journey through World War I in an alternate reality. Young American Fletcher Arrowsmith enlists as a volunteer in the air forces, which stay in the air through a combination of some sort of magic and dragons.

He goes to war with the noblest of intentions and a clear mind, aiming to defend the free world from a monstrous enemy. However, it soon becomes evident that heroism is far from the trenches on the Western Front. Fletcher's best friend is killed right at the beginning, and it quickly becomes clear that his own side is not fighting "with pure weapons for a pure cause" either.

Pacheco's artworks beautifully. If such a meeting between Erich Maria Remarque and J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired goings-on interests you, then also give Kim Newman's novel "The Bloody Red Baron" a try. It offers a unique and engaging take on the war, filled with supernatural elements and a captivating storyline that will keep you hooked from start to finish.

Supongamos un mundo alternativo donde las naciones no coinciden exactamente con las de nuestro mundo, pero donde aún así, hay una Primera Guerra Mundial. Europa es azotada por Prusia, y algunos jóvenes de los Estados Unidos de Columbia deciden unirse a la guerra a pesar de la pasividad de su gobierno. Estos jóvenes no son el Escuadrón Lafayette de nuestro mundo, sino el Cuerpo de Voladores Transatlánticos. Y no hacen la guerra en el aire montados en biplanos, sino a espada y ballesta, cuerpo a cuerpo con hechizos para volar conectados a sus pequeños dragones asignados.

Puestos a decirlo todo, Prusia no asola Europa solo con sus tropas regulares, sino también con trolls, vampiros, zombies, necromancia y magos de guerra capaces de provocar devastadores efectos en las tropas enemigas. Este es el telón de fondo de Arrowsmith, una historia de guerra con magia, magos, hechizos de poder destructivo impensable y ejércitos no exclusivamente humanos.

El joven Arrowsmith se dirige a esta guerra, dejando atrás su destino como herrero, atraído por el Cuerpo de Voladores, junto con un amigo y una joven de alta cuna que aporta su propia ambulancia. Hay magia y magos, duelos en el aire, trolls de las cavernas, escuadras de vampiros controladas por los magos para que no se coman a sus propios aliados, etc.

Pero es la guerra al final y al cabo. Aunque Busiek la presenta con colores brillantes y bonitos uniformes con la ayuda de Pacheco, a medida que avanzamos, lo que encontramos es guerra cruda y deshumanizadora. No importa que en vez de gas alemán tengamos niebla creada por magos de batalla prusianos, el efecto es similar... caos, terror, barbarie y muerte. Y esto es para ambos bandos, como aprende el joven Arrowsmith.

Es un tebeo más que disfrutable, en la línea escasa de las ucronías bélicas del siglo XX con magia o poderes como “The Royals“, pero que deja un sabor ácido, por no decir que te mete un buen palo. Quizás no esté muy considerado porque no es muy conocido y tampoco tuvo mucho éxito en su momento, pero ahora que vuelve a estar reeditado, yo os lo recomiendo. Y si no estáis muy seguros, seguramente tengáis en las bibliotecas la anterior edición de Norma, así que no hay excusa para no leerlo y ver esta guerra mágica pero de horrores reales.

Very good read. The art is truly a testament to how powerfully we can tell stories through visual means. It has the ability to engage the reader on a deep level and bring the narrative to life.

The dialogue in the story is a prime example of how less can indeed be more. Every word is carefully chosen and exactly what is needed is said. There is no fluff, no filler, and nothing seems left out that is essential to the plot. This makes the reading experience both efficient and highly engaging.

However, there is a slight drawback. The text mentions that the French and German forces are presented in French and German. While this adds an element of authenticity, it may pose a challenge for some readers. Thankfully, the artwork is so vivid and detailed that it almost serves as a teaching tool, helping the reader to understand the foreign languages to a certain extent. Overall, it is a small flaw in an otherwise excellent piece of work.

The reflections on the war presented in this work are rather decent, yet they remain somewhat shallow.

It brings to my mind a Zack Snyder movie. However, this is by no means a compliment.

In a Zack Snyder film, there is often a visual spectacle that can be quite captivating on the surface. But upon closer inspection, the depth of the themes and the exploration of the human condition may not be as profound as one might hope.

Similarly, the reflections on war here seem to scratch the surface without delving deep into the complex emotions, consequences, and moral dilemmas that war inevitably brings.

To truly understand the horror and the impact of war, a more in-depth and nuanced examination is required.

Perhaps the author could have explored the individual experiences of the soldiers, the families left behind, or the long-term effects on society.

By doing so, a more powerful and thought-provoking piece could have been created.

As it stands, while the work has its merits, it fails to reach the level of depth and significance that a topic as important as war demands.

In an alternate World War I that is filled with magic and fantastical creatures, a young man makes a daring decision. He stealthily sneaks off to volunteer, filled with the anticipation of attaining honor and experiencing thrilling adventures. However, once he is thrust into the reality of war, he quickly discovers that it is far from honorable.

This is a classic setup, which is duly acknowledged in the supporting material. The story is told in a compelling manner, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.

But what truly stands out is the remarkable art by Carlos Pacheco. His talent knows no bounds as he can draw anything with incredible precision and detail. Moreover, he has an amazing sense of drama, which he expertly weaves into every panel. The art adds an extra layer of depth and emotion to the story, making it a truly immersive experience for the reader.

Busiek and Pacheco have crafted a very solid alternate history/fantasy series. At its core, it is a war story, which means there is an abundance of darkness, especially in the second half. However, Busiek also brings that innate sense of humanity to his books. The pacing is excellent, making it a fine example of how to write a six-issue comic. You may have read this type of story before or at least be familiar with the tropes, but Busiek presents it in a straightforward manner that is both charming and appropriate. My only gripe is that we receive little background on the magic beyond asides. Nevertheless, if you read the new hardcover edition, it includes the series proposal where Busiek details the finer points of the story, as well as a history of the world written by Lawrence Watt-Evans. That's really cool stuff. Additionally, there is a follow-up series being published currently, and you can bet I'm going to read it.

In these days, I have reread Arrowsmith. I hadn't picked it up since its first release and I have really liked it a lot again. But I have noticed something that until now I had overlooked, as incredible as it may seem. As you know, it is a story about World War I in a parallel reality where magic exists. Well, beyond the fact that magic in reality serves no purpose at all. It is curious to see spells and magical objects replacing technology, a world of 1915 but with frontiers similar to those of the Middle Ages, mythical creatures participating in the conflict, etc. But all these are accessory elements. If they were removed and the story were set in the real World War I, the story would be exactly the same. I don't know if we can consider this a defect, if it was something sought by Busiek or if, as it seems, he had planned to continue the story and finally left it hanging, but the truth is that the presence of magic has no incidence on the plot.

That said, what a great drawing by Carlos Pacheco. I think it is the best work of his career, even more so than Always Avengers. What a narrative, what a display of resources, what a cool design, of backgrounds, of facial expressiveness... The magical atmosphere is worth it just to see his drawings.

Arrowsmith is a beautifully produced World War I fantasy comic book series that takes readers on an exciting journey. Set in an alternative Earth filled with magic and mythical creatures, the story follows the protagonist, Arrowsmith, as he becomes an "airman" and battles for the Allies. Through his experiences, he discovers the uncertainties and futility of war.

The comic is a well-told tale, with engaging characters and a captivating plot. The illustrations are simply stunning, bringing the story to life in vivid detail. The creators have done an excellent job of creating a unique and immersive world that readers will love.

This comic book series is well worth a look, especially for fans of fantasy and historical fiction. I can't wait to see what the future instalments have in store. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, highly recommending this series to others.

I have a deep passion for alternate history, and this particular book truly captured my interest.

As I was reading, I couldn't help but wonder about the origin of all the items that were incorporated into their heels. My mind drifted to the possibility of them obtaining these things by slaying Trolls or perhaps through some other mysterious means. However, this aspect was never delved into further in the story.

Despite this minor curiosity that remained unanswered, I am still eagerly looking forward to the next installment. I have a feeling that it will continue to take me on an exciting journey through an alternate world filled with unique and captivating elements.

I can't wait to see what new adventures and revelations await in the next book.

An alternate history filled to the brim with magic, dragons, and a plethora of other enchanting creatures awaits within the pages of this captivating work. Kurt Busiek and Carlos Pacheco have reunited, and together they have crafted a world that is truly fascinating.

The story unfolds in a way that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to discover what lies around the next corner. The vivid descriptions and imaginative concepts bring this alternate reality to life, making it a joy to explore.

This has been an absolute delight to read, and there is a strong hope that the subsequent volumes will maintain this high level of quality. It's a world that one can easily get lost in, and it's a journey that is well worth taking.

Loved the art work. I have been a big fan of Carlos Pacheco and his amazing pencils since his run on X-men and Fantastic 4 years ago. His illustrations show a keen eye for anatomy and a homage to his forebears like Alan Davis, who has clearly influenced him.

Whilst the production values in this comic are exemplary, I found the story to be so-so. The characters are flat and their interactions felt superfluous to what was going on.

Unfortunately, the comic as a whole is mostly style over substance. The main protagonist, Fletcher Arrowsmith, is at the centre of the story, but I found him boring. I was expecting a heroic journey that would transform Arrowsmith into a chivalrous heroic figure. Instead, he arrives in the story as an idealistic youngster with dreams, and the story ends with him jaded by the realities of a war that I am still scratching my head about in regards to its motivations and purpose.

The story is set in an alternate universe where magic and magical creatures are real and being utilised by both sides in the war. Arrowsmith goes into battle with flying pet dragons. There are trolls, burning salamanders, goblins, and many other mythic creatures. All of the magic occurs on a backdrop in a world very similar to our own, with real world places featuring like Paris.

This definitely deserves a re-read based on the production values alone. The art, from the pencilling to the inking, is really special. Check this graphic novel out; it's a fun caper, just don't expect anything deep.

It’s 1915 and World War I is raging in Europe. Meanwhile, America is sitting it out.

However, this is no ordinary world. Here, weapons are thaumaturgical, possessing magical properties. The volunteer Overseas Aero Corps manages to fly without planes, defying the laws of nature. The Bosch call up trolls and demons, adding a supernatural element to the already chaotic conflict. Even the Northern Gods are growing increasingly disgusted with the whole affair.

Fletcher Arrowsmith, the son of a small-town blacksmith with isolationist tendencies, has a burning desire. He seeks not only glory but also the opportunity to make a difference, to actively participate in the battle against evil. Along with a friend, he leaves the comfort of home, enlists in the military, enters training, and is eventually shipped off to the front lines.

It is here that they discover the true nature of war. They learn that even those on the side of good are capable of committing bad deeds. This graphic novel is a remarkable blend of thoughtful and profound storytelling, a detailed setting (with the back story expertly crafted by Lawrence Watt-Evans), and artwork that truly shines and captivates the reader.