draft
Written and illustrated Rick Parker
Editor Charles Kochman
Designer: Josh Johnson
Posted by: Abrams Books
The absurdity of war is well documented in popular culture. Full metal casing, apocalypse now, Catch 22, Waltzing with Bashirand charles wars These are just a few examples that best capture the bizarre nature of military culture and conflict. Even the most patriotic war narratives depict some of the most absurd aspects of war, whether through the vitriol of instructors in basic training or through short-sighted tactics that lead to senseless death while on the battlefield There was almost nothing to gain (remember from Saving Private Ryan?). in his book wartime (1989), e.g., World War II veterans Paul Fussell Talking about military bullshit is when orders given by superiors either make no sense or are completely illogical. Irrationality is the norm, and most of those serving today will attest that this is still the case.
cartoonist Rick Parker Through his graphic novel memoir, he adds his own two cents to this truly ridiculous and confusing world. drafttells the story of the author’s experiences in the Army after being drafted into the Army during the height of the Vietnam War. However, Parker’s experience does not fit the expectations of this type of narrative, in which the protagonist first goes through boot camp and then is deployed to an active combat zone. exist draftwe see the story of a soldier who, through cleverness, luck, and absurdity, manages to stay in his hometown and become an officer. But as the book makes clear, avoiding Vietnam did not mean immunity from the absurdities of the war.
First and foremost, this is a story about finding your calling, defining your purpose. For Parker, it was about his desire to paint. In fact, it could be argued that his love of art determined what his military experience ultimately meant to him. This is actually the beginning of the book.
Beginning with a brief introduction to his family history and feelings of awkwardness growing up, Parker explains the slightly strange path that led to his love of painting, a path that included pausing at important moments of personal discovery that provided him with Opportunity of a lifetime. playboy Magazine. Soon thereafter we get a good idea of who the United States decided to draft. From that moment on, we can see how the artistic mind navigates new realities based on command and rigid behavior.
draft It’s a masterclass in timbre. Visuals are an important part of this as they can be very effective at conveying a wide range of emotions when needed. For example, Parker’s comic style is great for satire and humor, sometimes with a bit of “Sunday morning cartoon” exaggeration to capture the absurdity of the situation and ground it in the world he steps into. The drill sergeants look like sticks of dynamite, ready to respond to the slightest provocation; the new recruits seem indifferent to the alpha male energy the Army wants to project; and the more experienced officers seem to have successfully shrugged off the bullshit they have to deal with on a daily basis. Become indifferent.
When the tone becomes darker, the art adjusts accordingly. In these parts of the story, the focus turns to ideas of tragedy, trauma, and chaos as an inherent part of the military experience. In fact, these things affect everyone, whether or not they end up in a jungle surrounded by the Vietcong. Some of the things Parker witnessed were truly horrifying, and they showed that services on the home front could also become quite dark and overbearing. The point, however, is not to compare or equate with those draftees who went to Vietnam. It’s about exploring different aspects of military life and how it comes with its own challenges.
draft It is an important supplement not only to Vietnam War literature, but also to war literature as a whole. It shows the idea that war is something that does not begin and end with a battle. Instead, it is presented as a living organism at odds with itself. Rick Parker has a lot to say about that last point, especially as it relates to the institutional madness that comes with military service. Since it often accompanies madness, you either admit it or go crazy trying to understand it. Parker solved the problem brilliantly, finding that pen, ink, and paper had always been his most reliable soldiers.
