COMIC BOOK REVIEW: We Stand On Guard #5

THE ULTIMATE GAMBIT

The creative team of WE STAND ON GUARD never ever fails to disappoint both readers and Vaughan-Skroce fans around in delivering and executing a great possible futuristic scenario of American imperialist pursuits, particularly towards the northern neighbor, Canada. As the series reaches to its dramatic finale, Brian K. Vaughan and Steve Skroce brilliantly give us the penultimate chapter that reads and shows why the wounded beast is more dangerous, deadly, fearsome, savage, and vicious than ever before. Indeed, Vaughan presents readers another glimpse of military history that superior tactics and advance technological edge are not the only factors of winning a complete (and sure, absolute) victory, it is the collective spirits united of the determined and the underlining forces that can undermine the overall objective which can also sway the favor. Just look what happened in the infamous Tet Offensive of the Vietnam War in the late 1960s. And Skroce continues his fantastic artistic mastery ever.

This time around, there are no more flashbacks nor the origins of the female protagonist since it’s already suffice that the author’s intent of tracing the roots of her sufferings and antagonism to the American imperialists from the first four issues. Instead, this penultimate (and most probably the finale) part follows up the cliffhanger moment from the last one, with surprising results. We are actually witnessing a true revolutionary counterattack here, folks!

Anyways, Vaughan also highlights the fates of the femme fatale’s elder brother, and the captured and tortured boss last seen in the traumatic and gut-wrenching third chapter. The scribe narrates with the confidence of a true high caliber storyteller in clarity, cadence, and pacing that make this mini-series reads like a great comic event. What more when we read the deciding issue next month? Unlike last one, this chapter litters with more dialogues and interactions on the thoughts and plans for the final push; but in Vaughan’s minds, there is nothing to worry about for he is one of the most consistent comic writers in his own game right now. He even pulls another unexpected surprise that may or otherwise factor in/out in the concluding part if one really cares to read his entire wordings in this one alone. Moreover, the end part moments clearly give readers a sense of “hope” in this gripping, suspenseful chapter. He even puts a sublime message to the ruling media establishment, which is now experiencing in America right now, in the likes of Bill Maher, John Oliver, Stephen Colbert, and Jon Stewart, that comedians are (and will be) more potent than so-called news media. Similar to virtually all of Brian’s body of works, the indomitable human emotional spectrum of “hope” is his clear message of getting through even in the most terrible situations possible yet. Vaughan truly masters this kind of human experience, especially in bringing out the worst and best of our feelings, and WE STAND ON GUARD is no exception here.

Naturally, Steve Skroce walks the talks in illustration and execution this time around. If one was totally awed on his painstakingly drawn battle sequences last issue around, please be behold once again on how he once more illustrates the true confrontation of the depleting ragtag guerilla force and the American imperial forces that is similar in spirit and felt watching a beautifully well-choreographed battle scenes in many great historical films, like 300, Braveheart, The Last Samurai, Gladiator, and Saving Private Ryan. As always, Steve follows the conventional paneling sequences to maximum effect, making this viewing experience lucid, accessible, and even more mesmerizing to view, most particularly some of his breathtaking splash pages. Additionally, virtually every panel he executes here is highly detailed, even the vegetations are no exemption here either. No spaces are wasted for the Canadian maestro. The facial features of every cast, including the canine hybrid pet, are more defined, realistically grounded, synchronize so well with Vaughan’s witty, powerful, and graceful dialogues, and significantly emotional at best. This issue alone has plenty of facial executions than probably most of the previous chapters, mostly anxieties and fears, and Skroce demonstrates why he knows how to properly illustrate human emotions more effectively and realistically than many comic illustrations around, seriously speaking. And what is a Skroce-moment without his hyper-detailed drawn mechas and other mechanical structures around? Similar to last chapter’s adulation, the Headquarters’ interiors are minimalist but illustrated with great precision. The vehicles are also aesthetically breathtaking to view, if not inspired. Even in far angular perspective, he still finds the time and space to draw the giant robot with laser-like accuracy rarely seen with other artists nowadays. In terms of gore and body counts around, he applies a cleaner approach, but nevertheless his bloody executions of imperial troops and some major characters (sniff) are equally devastating to view. What more to expect in the ultimate and deciding chapter where Vaughan says Skroce will show all of the latter’s blazing artistic glories! This is indeed a glorious moment to view the Canadian’s artworks.

On the flip side, however, I still have a slight difficulty understanding LePage’s French lines. Actually, this said character has more dialogues utter than most of the series. Heck, even the Dunn character couldn’t understand what the so-called “Public Enemy Number One” is trying to say (or, is this considered another subliminal way Vaughan try to tell readers that we must study and read French at all?). Good thing though that Skroce’s brilliant illustrative paneling and interpretations make up the French’s body languages and the comprehension of his verbal signifiers. And, is it really possible to survive a little longer with a virtually slice brain, as Steve masterfully drawn in the early part of the story? Is that also part of Brian’s twisted and bloody script? That scene actually is mind-blowing itself, to be honest here.

But nonetheless, We Stand On Guard #5 is one of the best penultimate chapters this year. Brian and Steve never rest their respective artistic laurels and maintain the kind of artistic integrity and professionalism they are truly known for. The finale is fast approaching, and the teaser and the cover art are the encapsulations of what is the true power of hope and determination possess. In short, GO CANADA!!!