“…We have the unique opportunity to deliver a critical blow to the Nazis.”
Armed to the teeth with excellent narration, dialogue, and action set pieces, DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead #3 is pure horror B-movie bliss. Unfortunately, Campbell’s reliance on style over depth means this issue lacks the bite necessary for staying power. As a result, the final product feels like a by-the-books Call of Duty mission. Sure, it is incredibly fun to light Nazi zombies on fire as hell rains down from above, but chances are I will forget about it by the time the next installment comes out.
Picking up shortly after the events of the last issue, we find Easy Company ready to deliver a massive, coordinated one-two punch to the Nazis. Armed with cutting-edge World War II technology, the company divides into two teams. One to track down Hitler’s doctor, Morell, and the other to destroy the Narcotics responsible for animating the undead army. Bruce Campbell’s narrative here is relatively straightforward, as Easy Company marches from one checkpoint to the next in accomplishing its objectives. It is important to note that Campbell executes the characters’ dialogue in a manner that nails the B movie vibes. This is a surprise to no one, given Bruce Campbell’s history in cinema.
The true star of DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead #3 is the art team consisting of Eduardo Risso’s artwork and Kristian Rossi’s colors. This issue oozes gorgeous yet horrifying action sequences. From the close-quarters combat with shotguns to the flaming Nazi zombies, Risso and Rossi flawlessly execute each panel. Their work during the flamethrower sequence does an excellent job of capturing the action. Their work also gives the reader an important action movie staple: the heroes walking away from a massive explosion.
A large portion of what makes the duo’s work so powerful is that they perfectly capture the pulp aesthetic of Silver Age comics. Given all of the creators’ work, this book feels as though it’s been dropped off by a time traveler from the past. As a result, I am excited to see what action sequences all the creators will concoct for the next issue.
DC Comics
“Gotta put an end to this sh*t show…”
Unfortunately, by relying on style over depth, Campbell’s narrative lacks relevant themes that may make the story stick with the reader. That’s not to say there isn’t a place for comic book stories that are fun without thinking. Campbell, Risso, and Rossi accomplish their goal in DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead #3 by providing a form of escapist entertainment as they flawlessly execute incredible action sequences.
However, without relevant themes to elevate the narrative, the action sequences feel fun yet hollow. Hopefully, future issues add more depth by playing on Campbell’s reveal during this book’s opening pages. I am excited to see how the creators will twist history, given Hitler has been taking the same serum as his undead soldiers.
DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead #3 is pure horror B-movie bliss. All of the creators involved have armed this book to the teeth with excellent narration, dialogue, and action set pieces. Campbell, Risso, and Rossi accomplish their goal of providing escapist entertainment. Unfortunately, Campbell’s reliance on style over depth means this issue lacks the bite necessary for staying power. As a result, the action is fun but hollow. Hopefully, future installments will elevate the narrative above the run-of-the-mill Call of Duty mission.
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