Graphic Novel Review: THE 'NAM Vol. 1

The late ‘80s were dominated by superhero comics. All other genres were pushed aside to make way for the latest Spider-Man or Batman title or the latest debut of an all new Marvel or DC character but war comics were seen as something that was dead and buried. Then in ’86 Marvel debuted what was thought to be an oddity and a gamble with the very real and very gritty title The ‘Nam, which depicted events during the Vietnam war in a very realistic manner from the grunts point of view. Although not an instant success, The ‘Nam became one of the most ground breaking titles of the ‘80s. This first volume collects the first 10 issues of the series.

When the title was originally released, I didn’t catch on to it until the issue 8 or 9 and I was hooked immediately. It was unlike any other title I had ever read. Trying to pick up back issues was extremely hard as they became immediate collector’s items but Marvel (the company that released the title) was smart enough to reprint back issues in the form of The ‘Nam Magazine (covers of which are included at the end of the graphic novel). This graphic novel is a reprint of an earlier version just rebound and recolored (the original graphic novel covers are also included). This is a very handsomely presented collection of one of the greatest war comics.

Reading the series in sequential order is a revelation as the stories were designed to be in real time and there be a month of time that goes in between each story (the release date of each issue) so reading the series in which it was meant gives you a whole different perspective on the events and characters of the series especially when very well liked main characters are killed off at a moment’s notice (similar to that of the real war). People coming to the title for the very first time will benefit from this and those (like me) who haven’t read the series since it was originally released will be given a new perspective on one of the greatest of all war comics.
 

Retrospect: Jacob's Ladder

I was 14 years old when I first saw the film JACOB’S LADDER on the weekend that it was released to the box office. I was a huge horror film fan even at that age and the trailers for the film made it appear like a film I definitely couldn’t miss. Well, at 14 years of age I had no clue of what the hell was going on in the film and walked out at the end completely enraged. I remember this well as this was the first time me and my family (I had parents that supported my love of horror films) ever walked out of a film wanting our money back. None of us knew just what we were watching and what a gem this film truly was.

As I grew older I actually learned what the Vietnam war was as well as how it affected our nation. I didn’t watch the film until years later after hearing great praise for the film and I wanted to know what the fuss was about considering it was a film up until then that I had thought was horrible.

Boy, I’m glad I changed my mind about this film as it has truly become one of my favorites over the years. Written by Bruce Joel Rubin JACOB’S LADDER is a drug infused trip down horror lane as Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a Vietnam vet suffering from visions of demons everywhere. It seems that the government were doing experiments during the war and the after effects are just now starting to kick into over drive which means bad things for Jacob and the remaining soldiers of his unit. The film is about Jacob’s inability to move on from both the events that were the war and from the death of his son and how the guilt can eat away at a person’s psyche.

The film has strong performances from Robbins as well and Elizabeth Pena (as his girlfriend) and Danny Aiello as his physical therapist and “angel” (who steels every scene he is in). Director Adrian Lyne crafted another great psychological drama like his other films NINE ½ WEEKS, FATAL ATTRACTION, and UNFAITHFUL.