Kevin Knodell reviewed Katusha creator Wayne Vansant’s latest non-fiction graphic novel, Battle of the Bulge, on the Medium.com blog “War is Boring”. Knodell praised Vansant’s in-depth exploration of one of histories great battles:
Vansant’s enthusiasm for history is apparent. His renderings of soldiers’ equipment and uniforms are painstakingly detailed. His research is impeccable, accurately capturing the battle’s sweeping scope. His script moves easily from soldiers fighting and dying in the snow to generals laying complex plans and politicians crafting grand strategy. Vansant’s comic shows how military campaigns rarely go as planned, owing to logistical snarls, poor weather and personality clashes between commanders. Meanwhile on the ground, the fighting is brutal and bloody—and Vansant’s art never lets you forget it. Both sides in the Battle of the Bulge executed prisoners, but the German crimes were particularly cruel. The book shockingly depicts the Malmedy Massacre, in which the Waffen SS gunned down 80 American prisoners. The Battle of the Bulge is a fine work of comics. And it’s pretty great as history, too. I highly recommend it.
Vansant is in good company. Other “war comics” creators that have been reviewed by Medium.com include Jacques Tardi and Jean-Pierre Verney, Shigeru Mizuki, and Harvey Kurtzman. Grand Design Communications packaged Battle of the Bulge and five other non-fiction graphic novels by Vansant for publisher Zenith Press’ “Graphic Histories” series. GDC represents worldwide rights to Vansant’s graphic novels Katusha Book One: Edge of Darkness and Katusha Book Two: The Shaking of the Earth, and published both books in digital and print-on-demand editions in 2014.