DMZ: Body Of A Journalist Graphic Novel Review by Mark Broderson

Brian Wood writes all of this and it's pure dynamite. Vertigo is arguably one of the best and most recognized imprints in the industry and this is yet another reason why. The whole premise is enticing and has parallels with today's political climate. Liberty News, Independent World News and the military's said policies and actual procedures all have eerie similarities to right now. I haven't read too much of Wood's other work, though I have heard his name in high regard. A year or so ago I bought Demo and was blown away by it.

Riccardo Burchielli is a new name to me. Apparently he's an Italian artist. His work has kind of a sketchy quality to it that reminds me heavily of Keith Giffen with kind of a Scot Kollins look to it. I also saw flashes of the Kuberts now and then. None of that is bad. I really dug the style and it really drew me in.

The final single issue story of Zee is drawn by Kristian Donaldson. Again, an unknown to me, but wow what great art ! Two different styles were used for Zee and her environment. Zee has a very smooth alluring European artistic style while her world has a very violent dark look reminiscent of Paul Pope's work.

There's an extra section in the back entitled "New York Times" by Brian Wood that is kind of a visitor's guide to the DMZ giving little notes about the Lower East Side, Thai Time, Central Park, Anatomy of a Street Battle, Chinatown, Washington Heights, Street Art, Street Culture, Dining Out, Music, Books / Zines, Galleries, Ground Zero, and Stuy - Town. There are profiles on Booles the "ageless raceless hipster claiming an entire building on lower Eldridge; the Ghosts "protectors of the park, the trees, the zoo animals"; Jamal, Delo, Annie, Jenny, Cesar, Angie, Jin, Sue, Mike, Magnus, Debbie, Alex, Kelly Connolly, and Zee.

Great stuff. Highly recommended.

- Mark HONDO Brodersen