Can't miss comics: "Light Brigade."

Cover of "Light Brigade" from DC Comics.

Originally released in 2004, DC Comics' "Light Brigade," written by Peter Tomasi with art by Peter Snejbjerg, is one of the best comics of the last decade. High praise I know, but trust me, if you pick up "Light Brigade," you'll find it deserves every bit of it and then some.

The story begins in the Belgian woods of war torn Europe, the year is 1944, and a group of American GI's are hunkered down in a snow-covered cemetery. It's clear from their personalized foxholes that they've been there awhile. Most of the guys chatter amongst themselves, but one soldier is noticeably separated from the group. His name is Chris Stavros and he just got a Western Union informing him that his wife has been killed in a car accident and his son remanded to foster care until he returns home from the war. With his wife gone, his one consuming thought is to somehow survive long enough to return home to his son.

Unfortunately for Chris, he's not just going to have to survive the Nazis. A war that has raged for millennia is fast approaching its climax and Chris and his squad have just been drafted.

What follows is a fast paced, expertly crafted, and beautifully illustrated story that is an indefinable mix of horror, action, Biblical epic, and war drama.

It seems like an unwieldy combination of genres but Tomasi pulls it off with intelligent, confident writing and characters so alive and human that they anchor the story no matter how fantastic circumstances may become.

Along with Chris we get his squad mates, who at first blush seem like the typical war drama supporting cast. There's the wise guy, the big brother, and the kid, but Tomasi's skilled dialogue and characterization makes them anything but typical. He gives each and every one of them a soul and a personality that makes them much more than the usual cannon fodder.

Every character quickly endears themselves to the reader and before you know it, you're firmly invested in their story.

A few characters in particular stood out for me. Hal, the all American baseball lover who is as courageous as he is kind hearted was a definite standout. Simon, the eager young man who turns to the pages of his beloved comic books for inspiration was even more endearing. His innocent unyielding belief in a world where men can fly and good always conquers evil is both touching and infectious. In his youthful idealism, he embodies the underlying theme of hope that pervades "Light Brigade." Of course anyone so overtly idealistic and innocent is bound to catch some flak from the more hard boiled members of the squad. And that's where David comes in. He's Simon's self-appointed older brother and while he may give the kid a hard time occassionally, if anybody else does, they have to deal with David.

It's those kinds of dynamics that give Tomasi's "Light Brigade" so much heart and humanity. While it has plenty of gore and violence, at its core "Light Brigade" is all about humanity and faith and all the good things in the world that keep the darkness at bay.

Coupled with Tomasi's incredible writing is absolutely gorgeous artwork from Peter Snejbjerg. Snejbjerg has a definite style all his own and he uses it to great success in "Light Brigade." From the countryside to the GI's and their adversaries, Snejbjerg gives everything and everyone a distinctive look without ever coming off as overly stylized or distracting. In fact, the action scenes that Snejbjerg provides are some of the most exciting and terrifying I've ever seen. As with the writing however, there is an underlying beauty that permeates the art in "Light Brigade." From an angel silhouetted against a night sky to the wide, hopeful eyes of Simon, there is plenty of beauty to be found in the pages of “Light Brigade.”

It is a phenomenal book that is a must read for all and because it is a standalone book, readers don't need to worry about continuity or a complex back-story. All they have to do is pick up the book and enjoy it.

DC Comics' reprint of "Light Brigade" hits shelves July 15th, 2009 and if you're a fan of great writing, beautiful art and a totally original story, I highly recommend picking it up.