Tag Archives: Ivan Brandon

I wouldn’t say I enjoy reading Brandon’s comics—he’s not a good writer—but at least there’s always something funny to say about his writing. Some snide remark, whatever. But not this issue of Men of War. I think it’s goofy he’s got Sgt. Rock Jr. Jr. meeting up with a Greek goddess (Circe), but Derenick draws the heck out of the scene.

But the reason I’m not mocking Brandon isn’t just because he had the better artist this issue, but because Jonathan Vankin’s scripting on the backup story is laughable. It’s unbelievable an editor let this kind of dialogue pass in 2011. Vankin’s truly incompetent. It’s hard to describe; someone should sit down and study how not to write dialogue. And Winslade’s artwork is weak on the backup too but it’s not like good artwork would make a difference.

Still, I’m mildly impressed at Brandon’s atypically not terrible script.

I realize DC’s got to have something to sell to their pro-war readers, but come on… they couldn’t do any better than Men of War?

First up is Sgt. Rock’s grandson. Now, it’s iffy on the years when people are born and all, because Sgt. Rock III isn’t fighting in Iraq or Afghanistan, he’s cleaning up after superhuman Army agents. But that aspect isn’t the silliest. Or even Ivan Brandon introducing first person narration halfway through.

It’s just a stupid character. Brandon’s got a stereotype handbook and he uses it step by step—smarter than the West Point guys, but no formal education, check… invalid mother, check. It’s painfully unoriginal.

Tom Derenick’s art isn’t good, but he does spend time on it.

Jonathan Vankin and Phil Winslade’s backup suggests again the U.S. is paying DC to produce pro-war propaganda. It doesn’t go any deeper.

Men of War stinks.