As difficult as the past is, it must be passed on.
Creative Staff:
Story: Garth Ennis
Art: Simon Colby
Colors: John Kalisz
What They Say:
Inspired by true events, Dreaming Eagles tells the story of the first African American fighter pilots to join the United States Army Air Force in WWII and whose humble beginnings in Tuskegee, Alabama propelled them into the deadly skies above Adolf Hitler’s Third Reich. Not only were they instrumental against the Nazi war machine, but also braved an equally great challenge, overcoming everyday bigotry amongst their fellow American soldiers as well as civilians at home. High in the heavens, they fought a battle that would change their country and their world forever.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
It’s been far too many years since I read anything from Garth Ennis, though I read a wide range of his works in my younger (and his younger) days. Dreaming Eagles has him working with artist Simon Colby and colors John Kalisz for a new six issue miniseries that certainly separates itself from the other books that AfterShock is coming out. With its subject matter of the segregation during World War II for fighter pilots combined with events in 1966 as Doctor King is making his rounds throughout the country to raise the profile of the struggle, there are certainly flashpoints that can be tackled while telling a very personal story.
The 1966 storyline is one that’s certainly interesting all on its own and could make for an engaging work all on its own. It’s here that we meet young Lee Atkinson, a man who is captivated by the work of King and what he’s doing to bring about awareness of what they’re struggling with. The problem is that his father, Reggie, doesn’t want him getting involved in this because there are so many uncertain costs to pursuing the freedoms they’re looking for. Lee is dealing with some of that in the way he’s getting into fights and that just sets Reggie to be even sterner with him. The father/son dynamic here is definitely interesting to watch play out since they’ve both had their struggles as African American men but are unable to understand each other because of how different those experiences are. What Reggie has to do is to try and connect with his son amid all of this by talking about his own past.
And therein we get the main story, one that’s definitely engaging as we go back to World War II in 1942 with the formation of the first African American fighter pilot group in Tuskegee, Alabama. Reggie delves into what they faced in being a part of the war and it’s filled with things that Lee has a hard time understanding being believed, though Reggie makes it clear that the higher-ups had their beliefs and pseudo-science to prove it. All of this is mixed in with some pretty good material between Reggie and his wife about how he has to really talk about this in detail with their son so they he understands it. Of course, he’s kept it all from her as well because so many men did not talk about what happened in the war, so there’s some interesting tension that exists there as well.
In Summary:
Dreaming Eagles is going to some interesting territory that I’ve seen some of before through various movies and Ennis and Colby are able to bring a good angle to it through Reggie Atkinson. There are standard opening elements going into play here at the start and Ennis brings some good detail and character to it with Reggie and Lee. Reggie is where it’s all at right now and there’s a lot to like with it as you really find yourself wanting to know his story and what he experienced and went through. His time with his son is a big part of the appeal for me with how he’s trying to connect with him works the generation gap aspect combined with such vastly different experiences to work through. Ennis makes this a very engaging read as it goes on and we see how it’s unfolding and I’m beyond glad that he’s working with Simon Colby on this as he brings to life the home moments and that of aerial combat in a fantastic way. I’m definitely in for this miniseries in full.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 15+
Released By: AfterShock Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: December 30th, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
THIS should’ve been the “Red Tails” movie!!!!!