Title: Sara.
Writer(s): Garth Ennis.
Artist(s): Steve Epting.
Colour Artist(s): Elizabeth Breitweiser.
Letterer(s): Rob Steen.
Publisher: TKO Studios.
Format: Paperback.
Release Date: December 11th 2018.
Pages: 163.
Genre(s): Comics, Fantasy.
ISBN13: 9781732748538.
My Overall Rating:
War often demands an unequivocal loyalty towards your country from its soldiers. Indoctrinated to do everything in their power to foil an enemy’s plans to invade, there is little room for selfish desires under such pretenses. However, every single person is burdened by their own understanding of ongoing events, of their own individual history with war, and of their own desire for justice. Writer Garth Ennis (Punisher, Preacher, The Boys), artist Steve Epting (Captain America, Velvet), and colourist Elizabeth Breitweiser (Batman, Outcast, Kill or Be Killed) join forces to deliver an astounding World War II tale exploring the ruthless predicament of an all-female sniper battalion confronted to the raw truth regarding armed conflicts and the governing state.
What is Sara about? In the year 1942, Russia is occupied by Nazis. During the second winter of the siege of Leningrad, seven women snipers are gathered together in an effort to shut down marching German invaders. Among them is Sara, the deadliest shot in the squadron, capable of unleashing a strategically sound execution without any remorse whatsoever. In the midst of this freezing war, no life is safe with death prowling under the blanket of snow. With Sara fighting her own inner demons, having lived through a terrible emotional ordeal as a result of this war, it is up to her to find a reason to fight that goes beyond what her comrades believe in and what they are willing to do for their country.
“For the Motherland, I used to say. The rest still do. Believers all. ‘Rina as a matter of faith. Lydi with all her brave young heart. Vera growls it aloud with every shot. For the Motherland. I recall the flare of warmth it brought, the comfort on each step through hell. But those days are behind me now. The words I need I cannot speak. To accompany a bullet I can never fire.”
— Garth Ennis
Writer Garth Ennis delivers a remarkably poignant story through Sara. In this self-contained event, he swiftly explores the psychological state of mind of actively participating soldiers and captures the bone-chilling circumstances that represent their reality. Not only does he succinctly portray the frightening context of war, but he also defines the political landscape through authentic characters who each justify differently their raison d’être and embrace their fate as pawns of war with varying fervour. He also juggles both past and present narrative threads with fascinating ease, allowing him to brilliantly build up all the brewing turmoil in Sara that ultimately leads her to become the cold-blooded, meticulous, and resolute protagonist of this story.
Artist Steve Epting also elevates the game with his exquisite art. While perfectly drawing Sara’s passive-aggressiveness whose own personal trauma scarred her into a merciless assassin who doesn’t show a hint of emotion, he also does an incredible job in penciling the rest of his characters, effortlessly displaying a whole spectrum of emotions. The rough environmental conditions are also flawlessly designed, whether it’s debris or snow, there isn’t a moment throughout the story where the reader isn’t reminded of the brutal nature of their lives during this period. Elizabeth Breitweiser’s colouring also merits equal praise, gorgeously transforming the visual medium with masterful shading and fantastic colour-coordinated hues.
Sara is a narratively and visually striking World War II tale featuring an all-women sniper squad and the complex and grim conflict they face.
Thank you MediaLab PR for sending me a copy for review!
Roars and Echoes 
Well coming back from one week in Normandy where I vidited many WWII hot spots I think I’d really love that book! Also the art is wonderful!
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That’s so cool! Glad to hear your interest in it. Thanks for reading, Sophie. 😀
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Fantastic review Lashaan!
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Thank you so much, Nicki! 😀
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This is always a hard period to read. Looks like author did amazing job with characters and their situation. Fantastic review!
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He sure did! A fantastic and beautifully drawn piece! Thanks for reading, Yesha! 😀
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How much does this get into the politics of the day for what was going on in Russia during this time?
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Not much really. 90% is left to the reader to interpret and contextualize. Like… You see figures who look like known dictators but they are never named, for example. 😉
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One normally associates Stalingrad with snipers, not Leningrad. I don’t think the Nazis ever made it into Leningrad, but the city was effectively blockaded. The Finns as co-belligerents blocked the north side of the city but did not push to enter. Barbarossa, the German invasion of Russia, was in the summer of 1941 and I don’t think the city was relieved until the winter of 1943. That was a hard, dark time, and those people endured starvation and hardship beyond our understanding.
I enjoy these stories of female heroes of Russia. Battalions of female snipers and female pilots. Do you know the story of ‘The Night Witches’, or the tank named ‘Fighting Girlfriend’?
It is odd to see historical battles in comic form. Do you think this is a good medium to tell these stories?
Happy Trails!
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Ah ha! And this story, although probably mostly fictional, might explain why Nazis didn’t make it in Leningrad. 😉 Impressive knowledge you got there, Icky! It does sound like you prefer hunting down ultra-accurate-to-history stories! I can’t blame you there. 😛 And nooo, I don’t think I’ve heard of those stories! Might have seen “Fighting Girlfriend” in a video game or a movie though. Sounds truly fascinating. 😮 And yes, I think any medium, including comics, is fantastic to tell these kinds of stories. 😉 There’s so much that can be achieved if done right. 😀 Thanks for reading, Icky! 😀
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such a fantastic review!!
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Thank you so much for your kind words, Erin! 😀
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When much younger and first getting into comics I had no interest in anything that wasn’t superhero, sci-fi or fantasy. But I’m glad to say I eventually outgrew that and opened up to these sorts of stories set in something closer to the “real world.” Granted, I didn’t find many of them, but I did really enjoy what I found. And I think you have found another story I just might enjoy. Great review, Lashaan!
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I too started off with superhero stuff first but that’s mostly because I “knew” they existed and that there was A LOT to discover but then I expanded into indie stuff and other publishers besides Marvel and DC. There are so many fantastic stories but you just have to dig a bit to find the really good ones! Glad to put this on your radar though. It really is worth checking out! 😀 Thanks for reading, Todd!
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Yeah, Ennis is a master of war stories – that’s why his Punisher is soo good. This one is still ahead of me, so I’m glad you had such a blast with Sara, Lashaan! 😀
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If this is a glimpse of what he can achieve on that matter, then I definitely can’t wait to dive into some Punisher stuff! Hope you enjoy Sara when you get the chance, Ola! 😀
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this sounds good! Not only story wise, but graphics and illustrations too. Great review, my friend!
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It is indeed fantastic on so many levels! Thanks for reading, Jee! 😀
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It sounds like this would make a good movie.
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I think so too. I would fear that the director would add a feminist agenda to it though… That would kill the whole premise of this story that didn’t have a hint of that, in my books.
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