[Top 15] Best War Comics of All Time

War is a serious topic to deal with, and one that's very easy to mess up.

Fortunately, these comics make it clear whether they're mocking the common troupes of war comics or if they intend to provide a serious depicition so readers know what they're getting themselves into. The realistic portrayals of war are not glorified, and are thought out pieces that emphasize war's terrible nature. If you're interested in gaining new perspective on wars--ranging from WW2 to the Vietnam War to the Iraq War--then you won't want to miss the reads on this list.

15. The Haunted Tank

In this series we can see how the views of the past clearly don't align with the modern day perspective.

The ghost of Confederate general J.E.B. Stuart has been assigned to watch over and support a M3 Stuart tank by the mighty Alexander the Great in order to atone for his slavery supporting past. Funnily enough, the tank’s commander shares the name Jeb Stuart, and he’s the only one who can see and talk to the ghost. After the original series finished its run, it was revived by Vertigo with a story featuring Jeb’s descendant and his crew. This series is loved for its unique story and interesting perspectives.

You'll like The Haunted Tank if… 

• You like comics with fresh ideas
• You like comics that mix the modern and old
• You like stories set in WW2

14. Adventures in the Rifle Brigade

If you're looking for a war comic that'll give you a good chuckle, look no further.

As you’d expect from the title, this series is all about the Rifle Brigade, a British special forces commando unit headed by the one and only Capt. Hugo "Khyber" Darcy. This action packed series doesn’t take itself seriously at all, which is reflected in its cast of supremely stereotypical characters, for instance the American Hank the Yank whose name tells you pretty much all you need to know about him. The plots of each issue aren’t any different, with one even focused on finding a certain part from Adolf Hitler’s lower regions.

You’ll like Adventures in the Rifle Brigade if… 

• You like lighthearted, comedic satire
• You like comics with action in them
• You like dirty humor

13. Sgt. Fury and His Howling Commandos

This action packed series is a fun, not-so-serious take on the war genre.

This comic is described as “the war mag for people who hate war mags” and for good reason. Unlike the other comics of its time that either depicted the horrors of war or glorified it, this series takes an unrealistic, comedic approach. If that’s not enough, then perhaps the fact the iconic Stan Lee is one of this comic’s authors and the fact that it features the also iconic NIck Fury will make it worth checking out.

You’ll like Sgt. Fury and HIs Howling Commandos if…

• You like comics that focus on action and comedy
• You like racially diverse casts
• You like comics about WW2

12. War is Hell

This series reminds you that death isn't always the worst part of war, though the main character dying over and over certainly doesn't making things more pleasant.

Up until its 9th issue War is Hell featured reprints of old war comics and Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos. However, starting from that issue, the series began following dishonorably discharged U.S. marine John Kowalski as he was forced to inhabit bodies of those about to die and better their fates before they passed in order to repent. This series effectively highlights the horrors of war as Kowalski is shown having to die again and again.

You’ll like War is Hell if…

• You like stories set during WW2
• You like stories with a variety of settings 
• You like stories that portray the suffering in war

11. Sgt. Rock: Between Hell and a Hard Place

Fans of Sgt. Rock are reminded that in war there is more ofthen than not no black and white.

When Sergeant Frank Rock learns his prisoners have been brutally killed, he’s tasked with figuring out if it was the members of his company, the Easy company, that killed them or an enemy. This raises questions about morals during war and the difference between a soldier and a killer. Fans of the original Sgt. Rock comics as well as readers interested in a murder mystery with a unique setting should definitely give this work a read.

You’ll like Sgt. Rock: Between Hell and a Hard Place if…

• You like murder mysteris
• You like comics with a WW2 setting
• You like stories that poke at moral questions

10. The ‘Nam

"The 'Nam" has been acknowledged by veterns as a generally accurate portrayal of the Vietnam War.

Private Ed Marks is a soldier during the Vietnam War, and this comic follows the journey of him and his soldiers. Illustrated are famous events such as the Tet Offensive but also the soldiers facing the resentment of anti-war civilians. Furthermore, heavy topics such as war profiteering, prisoners of war, and more are addressed as well. This comic checks all the boxes for a war comic that has aged well with quality plot, characters, and dialogue that tackle the challenging subject of the Vietnam War.

You’ll like The ‘Nam if…

• You’re interested in portrayals of the Vietnam War
• You’re interested in the perspective of lower ranked soldiers
• You like realistic war comics

9. Weird War Tales

If you've never read a comic with robots, vampires, Nazis with horror-themed endings, it's not too late to try this one.

This comic series is really a collection of self-contained stories about war, with Death being the primary recurring character who would be introducing the story. The stories themselves encompass a broad range of genres from horror to mystery to fantasy to science fiction. For a unique, generally war-themed comic from the past, this comic is a great pick.

You’ll like Weird War Tales if…

• You like comics with supernatural elements
• You like stories that cover a lot of genres
• You like self-contained stories

8. Enemy Ace

Hans von Hammer abides to his moral code as he fights, and he continues to fight no matter how much he despises doing so.

This story takes a different route from the norm and tells the story of WW1 from the German perspective: the eyes of fighter pilot Hans von Hammer. Von Hammer is an honorable and dutiful man who cannot escape feeling haunted by the death around him and caused by him. Being surrounded by war takes a toll on him, as expected, making this a grim series to follow. Von Hammer is brought back in two later issues, one that focuses on him after the war, and one that includes him serving in WW2.

You’ll like Enemy Ace if…

• You like stories about fighter pilots
• You like characters who follow a code of honor
• You like characters who are against their duty

7. Two-Fisted Tales

For a collection of comic that strongly conveys an anti-war message and references multiple wars, this comic checks all the boxes.

Another anthology, this comic series offers a realistic portrayal of war across time periods. Though most of the stories are set during the Korean War, others take place in other eras such as WW2 and the Revolutionary War. These comics are strongly anti-war, made evident by their depictions of brutality and dehumanization, in strong contrast to the comics of the time that glorified the battlefield.

You’ll like Two-Fisted Tales if…

• You like anti-war stories
• You like short but impactful stories
• You like self-contained stories

6. War Stories

It's said the bigger the issue the smaller you write, and this series does just that by focusing on the details that underscore war's terrible nature.

This is another popular compilation of war comics that uses details to bring the horrors of war to life. The stories illustrated in this series are drawn from real life conflicts, with most coming from WW2. Another noteworthy aspect of this series that adds to its grim tone is that it is told from multiple perspectives, including bombers, refugees, and foot soldiers. Pick up this serious, dark series at your own risk.

You’ll like War Stories if… 

• You like dark, harrowing comics
• You like realistic comics
• You like comics set in more recent times

5. Onward to Our Noble Deaths

"Onward to Our Noble Deaths" is an important read crucial to fighting anti-Asian sentiments that may have spawned from WW2.

This particular comic is based on real life events, specifically the author’s experiences. In it, he writes himself as the fictional private Maruyama and tells the story of his final weeks of infantry service. For those interested in an accurate portrayal of events during WW2 from an Asian perspective, this comic is a must read.

You’ll like Onward to Our Noble Deaths if…

• You like historically accurate comics
• You like realistic comics
• You like deep comics with meaningful messages

4. Charley's War

Charley being thrown into the battlefield at such a young age does well to demonstrate the unforgiving nature of war.

A British comic strip about WW1, this series follows the story of Charley Bourne, an underaged British soldier, thrown into the Battle of the Somme. Not only does this work offer a well-researched perspective of life in the trenches and other aspects of WW1, it also features art that reflected the horrors of war so well it was later censored in some reprints. This comic gives insight into war’s tragic nature and is only made better by it’s great artwork.

You’ll like Charley’s War if…

• You’re interested in works about WW1
• You like accurate portrayals of history
• You like comics with art reflective of its plot

3. Sheriff of Babylon

This series has been praised for its excellent portrayal of the complexities of the Iraq War and the many facets of the struggle.

It’s Baghdad 2003 and Chris Henry, an ex policeman who’s now a military consultant,  is supposed to be training a new police force in Iraq. However, the death of one of his trainees requires him to work with Nassir, Baghdad’s last cop, and Sofia, an American-educated Iraqi with plans to take control of the city’s criminal underworld, to investigate. Written by an author with first hand experience about the Iraq War, this comic offers a look into the many intricacies of the conflict presented from a knowledgeable perspective.

You’ll like Sheriff of Babylon if…

• You like comics with political aspects
• You like noir mysteries
• You like stories with emphasis on moral complexities

2. Our Army at War

Turn to this comic for an older read that presents a realistic depiction of war.

One of the early war comics, Our Army at War is the series that introduced popular characters Sgt. Rock and Enemy Ace to the world. Like many others at the time, this series kicked off as an anthology, though it was eventually renamed to Sgt. Rock due to the overwhelming popularity of the character. For one of the earliest stories about war that does not make it out into a grand tale worth joining and instead offers a realistic portrayal, this comic is the one to turn to.

You’ll like Our Army at War if…

• You like older comics
• You’re interested in the origins of popular characters
• You prefer realistic war stories

1. Maus

Spiegalman's decion to illustrate certain races as certain animals has drawn criticism, but that does not diminish the important message behind this piece.

This story alternates between timelines as it tells two tales: the story of Art Spiegelman interviewing and trying to understand his father Vladek and his father’s story before and during WW2. To maximize its effect, this story shows no humans, but rather portrays every character as an animal, be it a mouse, cat, or pig. There are many heavy themes present in this graphic novel, as expected since it covers the Holocaust, and it is ultimately a moving portrayl of a tragedy and its victims.

You’ll like Maus if…

• You’re interested in Holocaust literature
• You enjoy mature, heavy stories
• You enjoy complex, thought and emotion provoking reads

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