Just as satisfying as the script is the artwork from industry veteran Scott Hampton. We don't see nearly enough of his work these days, and his efforts here will be please newer readers who might not be as familiar with his work. I love how he brings a sexy quality to the main female character without sexualizing her. It's her confidence and swagger that are attractive, not her physical form. Hampton also separates Carmen from the rest of the characters (almost entirely men) with a brighter, softer color palette, but it's not a means to lessen her, to portray her as weaker somehow. Instead, it instills her with energy and draws the reader to her. Read Full Review

Star Spangled War Stories: G.I. Zombie #1 was a pleasant surprise.  Instead of flag waving and guns ablazing, Palmiotti and Gray give the reader a dark crime drama with two characters I really want to get to know better.  Scott Hampton's art really helps with the mood of the book.  This book looks to be very different from any other book in the New 52 and hopefully a destination for readers looking for a mature, character driven drama. Read Full Review

By the end of issue #1, we have a fair bit insight into the personalities of each character, but with little to no background other than their current assignment. Normally, this would be an area of concern for me reviewing a first issue, but given how much this title will likely stand apart from others in its line, it's a factor worth overlooking. If you're a fan of independent noir or horror comics, Star Spangled War Stories (such an odd name) is certainly something you'd want to check out. Read Full Review

One issue this comic has is endemic to the industry as a whole - it ends just as its getting started, spending so much time introducing the characters and their dynamics that they don't really get a chance to start their investigation until the last few pages. The other challenge - I don't say it's a bad thing - this comic will have is marketing. Despite the marketing copy, it's not Walking Dead or Sgt. Rock, it's NCIS meets True Detective, starring a zombie who occasionally goes off the reservation. There are worse high concepts to work with. But while that unpredictability may result in lower sales, it also results in a more surprising, more entertaining read. It's rough and it's crude and it's occasionally quite bloody, but that helps make Star Spangled War Stories a brand-new kind of animal from DC Comics. Count me in for Issue #2. Read Full Review

Star Spangled War Stories Featuring GI Zombie #1 is a comic with a lot of potential to grow and improve. It has a good setup, intriguing characters, moody artwork, and it's pretty dang original. It may not be exactly what everyone is looking for, but I do recommend it for those wanting to try something different. Read Full Review

If you can take a chance on a book you wouldn't usually pick up this week, Star-Spangled War Stories is definitely worth considering. Read Full Review

Days after reading the issue, there are a number of moments in "Star Spangled War Stories" that stick with me. However, while the debut of "G.I. Zombie" has these noteworthy, thought-provoking, and occasionally powerful moments, it fails to come together as a worthwhile whole. The in media res approach works to build a sense of mystery, but it ultimately limits any sort of attachment to the characters. Furthermore, the approach is nearly undermined by the reliance on exposition to catch the reader up on the book's status quo. The book's tone is almost surprisingly grim, but in a way more accustomed to Vertigo or indie books than that of the New 52. Gray and Palmiotti set up an intriguing dynamic between Carmen and Jared, giving the characters a unique chemistry and instantly placing them on a sort of level playing field. I look forward to seeing their relationship develop, far more than I yearn for a group of terroristic goons to seek justice. It's not quite wha Read Full Review

Reminiscent of Palmiotti and Gray's collaboration with Phil Winslade on "Monolith," "Star-Spangled War Stories" #1 is a strong successor of that lineage. Another creation attributed directly to Palmiotti and Gray, G. I. Zombie isn't as recognizable as their most recent subject of Jonah Hex, or even Batwing, but it is hitting the collective pop culture consciousness at the right time to make an impression. As unapologetic as their work on "Jonah Hex" and "All-Star Western," this series puts its best foot forward, giving readers a new world to explore with the creators and characters. Read Full Review

Not bad, just disappointing. Some glaring shortcomings make the book feel a little C-tier when the concept is fun enough to make it the biggest sleeper hit of the year. Hopefully now that the groundwork has been laid down, the book will start digging into some good storylines and visuals. I'm going with a 3/5, but I gotta admit, it's a pretty lukewarm 3/5. Read Full Review