303

by Garth Ennis, Jacen Burrows

Deep in the mountains of Afghanistan, a dozen Russian special forces soldiers race their British opponents for a secret neither of them can imagine. The Russian leader, a war-weary colonel who knows no other life but conflict, carries old ghosts that refuse to let him be. But the battle that awaits him deep in this ancient land will change his life forever, and send him on a violent journey no sane man would contemplate. The ultimate soldier meets his destiny, in a tale from Garth Ennis, the creator of PREACHER.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, War, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Politics

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 6, 2003

About the author

Ennis began his comic-writing career in 1989 with the series Troubled Souls. Appearing in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed British anthology Crisis and illustrated by McCrea, it told the story of a young, apolitical Protestant man caught up by fate in the violence of the Irish 'Troubles'. It spawned a sequel, For a Few Troubles More, a broad Belfast-based comedy featuring two supporting characters from Troubled Souls, Dougie and Ivor, who would later get their own American comics series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.

Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.

Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.

Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.

While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.

Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.

After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.

In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.

Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.

In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.

In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis

Reviews

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

Garth Ennis does NOT like George W. Bush or his administration or seemingly America in general really and he basically uses 303 as his hate screed to show why.

Our anti-hero is a grizzled Russian vet with an affinity for the classic .303 rifle whom Ennis drops into Afghanistan to show the effects of America’s (then-current) actions on the civilian population as well as highlighting what the Russians did historically. We’re then in the American heartland where Mexican slave labour is alive and well, working in fast-food slaughterhouses, being policed by suicidal cops, and then… well, that final page tells you what Ennis thinks someone should’ve done to Dubya!

303 is an immensely grim read, a lot like some of Ennis’ Punisher MAX run, that unfortunately wasn’t nearly as entertaining. Instead it was mostly boring and gratuitously violent (it’s an Avatar book so it gets very graphic and gory at times) with disjointed, flat storytelling and two-dimensional characters.

The sniper in Afghanistan and the sheriff chasing the Russian in the desert were pretty exciting scenes and Jacen Burrows’ art is dependably solid but 303 isn’t one of Ennis’ better comics. Pointless and forgettable, I wouldn’t even rec it to Ennis fans.

[Antonio Fanelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Il solito Ennis, ma questa volta con un paio di personaggi così dolenti da far male.
Mentre però il protagonista giganteggia nella cupa violenza, lo sceriffo trascina il proprio dolore rinviando il suicidio ogni volta di quel tanto necessario a compiere un dovere in cui non crede più.
C'è il solito attacco agli USA senza troppa retorica.
Uno degli Ennis migliori, senza dubbio, splatter compreso.

[Cem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being my all-time favorite writer in the graphic novel tradition after Alan Moore, Ennis is right in his element in this mini series. Ennis is well-known for his extreme, sarcastic and cynically witty style as displayed in books like Preacher, The Pro, The Boys etc. but to me, his true calling lies in war stories. The series Battlefields, the two volume War Stories and even the farcical Adventures of the Bollock Patrol demonstrate his strange and creepy fascination with war machinery, strategy, weaponry but without an obsessive, fascistic and militaristic point of view. In fact what makes Ennis' stories so poignant is the balance he is able to draw between the truly heroic (!) essence of human battle as been practised for centuries in its various forms and paraphernalia along with the inescapable paradox that it creates, which is the cruelty that man exacts upon man. Ennis is fascinated by war (especially the two world wars) but no matter how much guts go flying around the panels and limbs are torn to pieces in multicolor, Ennis never leaves the reader without a deep sense of sadness about [the misery that man hands upon man / that deepens like a coastal shelf] all the while praising some indistinct innate glory that physical conflict between bodies carry with them. This is why Ennis is a good writer: he doesn't try to solve the paradoxes of human existence nor does he pretend to have any ambitious certainties in mind, he just marvels at them with a compassion that is cynical enough to be seriously down-to-earth - thus to be taken seriously....

[Michael J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Known for his heavily researched and gripping World War II comics, Garth Ennis deals with more modern warfare here, specifically the war in Afghanistan. An American warplane crashes and Russian special forces and their British counterparts race each other across the craggy Afghan landscape to discover the secrets that may be found within the plane. Ennis focuses on a Russian Colonel leading his men to battle. It's brutal and graphic and a simple story, but only on the surface. Ennis has a way of probing into his character's and their point-of-view/mindset, and the Colonel is war-weary and discouraged by the younger members of his force who seem to have lost their smarts as well as dedication to the mission. There's also a deeper undercurrent to the tale concerning the atrocities of war, and the willingness of governments to give perceived gains a higher priority than the lives of their expendable ground forces.
The second part of the story occurs in the United States where the Colonel, the ultimate soldier, has illegally immigrated and learns of corporate atrocities in the name of profits as southwestern immigrants are subjected to horrific working conditions in a slaughterhouse. Ennis introduces another character, a local sheriff (also an ultimate soldier) who's also weary of a government and a town that expects him to look the other way. When the two ultimate soldiers confront each other, sparks begin to fly. While the story can be broken down into its simple parts, it leaves a message behind that readers may be thinking of long after the final pages are read.

[Shankar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered graphic novels and comics with a POV. This was a truly gripping novel about life in Afghanistan about a hardened soldier. Wonderful graphics and equally interesting “screenplay”.

[Jennifer Juffer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Comics offer debate. It is necessary. Fundamental.

I just don't understand why the medium is so completely left. Where's the middle ground?

Hence, I guess, the debate.
I'm NOT offering TO debate, by the way... just WRITING that comics are a great medium FOR debate and should NEVER be censored!

I'm just OFFERING my personal perspective. Something I rarely do.

When I opened the book, the words where riveting. They were great! Then... it was like this ugliness spread. This concept. Completely one sided and jaded.
It WAS the creepiness in the book.

There is a lot to debate within the book.
A lot I agree with. A lot I don't. I'm always somewhere in the middle.
Maybe just not with you.


I simply don't despise America. That's the concept.

The art was fantastic. The words eloquent. The prose exquisite!
The words will probably always stay with me. Truly. That great!

However the book, simply stated, made it sound like America is the epitome of EVERY evil; from its conception to the present.

Forgot about history.
Forget about what happened on the land that was here before colonialism.
Forget about any land that happened before colonialism.

The book made it sound like the world had never known war before that term...Before the Americans created their own existence.

I hate to say it.
There is no utopia.
I wish people could barter for what was needed.
I wish we could all have peace.
Human nature dictates otherwise.

Story of the world.
Story of the human race.
Ennis's creation of "303" proves this theory.
I almost wish it were a love story, instead... because...

We live with our ghosts in "303".
We live with our ghosts, anyway.


Anyone every read up on the histories of Russia or European colonialism?
SMH... Please... write a few more books about the evils of those countries.
As a reader, I'd feel more comfortable. (That's a joke.)
I'm not politically polite.

All Nations commit hideous atrocities. It's the nature of government.

Perhaps, Ennis is trying to wake up the populace?
The book brings to the forefront important issues that DO need addressing.
Humanity and individuality should never be confused with commodity.
Socialism taught me that.

However, I find it hard to believe that Ennis would beat a dead horse to drive Nietzsche crazy...
I've been through higher learning.
Everything reeks of the hatred of the "Man".
Ironically, it seems, though, so many want to be Him.

'Stitched', with Wolfe, reminded me a lot of the first half of the book.

I rarely write about politics or religion. I don't care much what people believe, as long as they have their freedom. I believe -let people be. (Yes, it's grammatically incorrect.)
I try to believe in fairness, though.
I didn't think the book that fair to America.

Although... I got the message. It was blunt. It was in your face. And... if you're into this message... I guess, it would be perfect.
Just not for me.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

This was deep. It was released only a few years after 9/11 and you could feel the emotion in it even if Ennis did take a different route in the story.

The first half is set in Afghanistan and is a pretty straightforward war story. The second half really shifted gears and honestly the two halves of the story didn't mesh well. The second part also felt a little rushed. The ending was quite shocking and I'm surprised there wasn't more controversy about this one when it was released.

The art was good and fit the story well.

Overall good if a little unbalanced, but worth a read if you like any of the Ennis war comics.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I love Ennis, and the majority of his work, I'm not such a fan of his attitude that resembles, "Politics is politics, but soldiers get the work done" (my made up quote).

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I noticed a few reviewers took umbrage with Ennis getting overtly political. So, yeah, if you don't like your comics angry about what's happening with the world, and the idiots in charge, you'll absolutely want to stay away.

This one is a weird one, and Ennis himself states quite clearly at the beginning that it takes a major left turn halfway through. It's really two stories mashed together and...it's bleak. There's not a single good guy to be found here, only really bad people, or really broken people.

But there's also a really important message here, if one cares enough to forget they're reading a simple comic book. Ennis seethes on the page.

And Jacen Burrows? I've always enjoyed his art, but in these six issues, I think he may have produced his finest work. The art is starkly, horrifyingly gorgeous.

This is not a one-and-done read. This is one that demands some time and some reflection.

[Mr. Stick · Rating 4 out of 5]

"...KEEP BRINGING IT UP IS THAT VIETNAM IS STILL RELEVANT: BECAUSE ITS TRUE COST HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED, BECAUSE ITS LESSONS HAVE PATENTLY NOT BEEN LEARNED. TO 'DO VIETNAM' ONCE IN A FORTY YEAR PERIOD IS DREADFUL, TO DO IT TWICE IS ABSOLUTELY UNSPEAKABLE..."
- Political talking head on American television.

A six-issue series published 9/04-10/05, during UK operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. this is clearly political. An atheist, humanist, conspiracy theorist piece. Masterfully crafted. Thoroughly researched.
Garth Ennis is a history buff with a serious appreciation for details. Noting the fire selector of a Kalashnikov versus NATO standard. His firearms' knowledge likely contributed to his success writing Punisher.
I won't speak much on the plot, but if Punisher, Ennis, or war stories appeal to you, read this War/Political Thriller.
Damn good. Four stars!

[Graham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am generally a fan of Ennis but this is a boring and unbelievable story that relies too heavily on graphic violence in the absence of plot or characterization, whose only saving grace is the artwork (which is great). It demonizes America and lauds Russia, which is not a bias that ages well (at least not the Russia part). There’s not a lot of comics where I wish I could have the time back but this is one. The art kept me going but was not enough to redeem it.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

How can you not love a comic book about the .303 Lee-Enfield Rifle?

Starting from an old Soviet Spetsnaz leader in Afghanistan, leading a bunch of modern men in search of a wreckage, and the respect shown to enemies, all the way up to a piece of history being used to produce even more history.

10/10 Read it for the gun discipline at least.

[Ricardo Nuno Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Disclaimer: read this series in speed reading mode)

Interesting tale about a war-hardened soldier.
Violent, explicit scenes of combat.
Narration and thought bubbles that leave you thinking about rules of engagement, honor and corruption running rampant in the world.
And what matters in the end.

[Dvamain · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty cool, it is a good critique if not overly generalized view on the war on terror

the weirdest thing is the use of a Russian. since well, the Russian govt is guilty of the same crimes America has done, if not more.

just not as popular cause they mostly fight their own people

[Brian · Rating 5 out of 5]

More great writing by Ennis superbly illustrated by Burrows.

Read date is an estimate.

[Ilaria F · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤

[Giacomo Girolimetto · Rating 3 out of 5]

riletto dopo tanti anni mantiene ancora il carattere originario di Ennis, sporco, rude.

[Paolo Antonio Livorati · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un aereo USA precipita nelle montagne dell'Afghanistan. La segretezza paranoica delle operazioni di recupero insospettisce Russia e Gran Bretagna, che inviano una squadra speciale ciascuno per prededere gli americani e capire che cosa ci sia di tanto segreto. Scopertolo solo dopo un bagno di sangue, uno scafato colonnello russo inizia un viaggio lunghissimo per portare a termine una missione inimmaginabile e folle.

Raccontare di russi e britannici in Afghanistan fa venire subito in mente il Grande Gioco ottocentesco e non a caso la sceneggiatura è piena di rimandi alla storia coloniale e militare dei due paesi. Quando l’azione si sposta in America, invece, sono i fantasmi del passato bellico statunitense a prendere vita. Garth Ennis è di solito a suo agio quando scrive di guerra e qui ne approfitta per costruire un racconto di combattenti in territori nemici (dichiarati e non) che arriva a un finale ucronico idealmente simile a quello del film di Tarantino che ho citato nel titolo di questa recensione. Peccato che a volte le varie voci narranti non si amalgamino benissimo e che i disegni di Jacen Burrows, bravo nella costruzione delle panoramiche ma spesso poco abile nel rendere distinguibili i tratti somatici, a volte complichino pure la comprensione. Ennis come sappiamo ha scritto di molto meglio, ma non si può pretendere che tutto sia all’altezza di quello. Il lato positivo è che 303 si legge comunque bene e sta in piedi che è una meraviglia, cosa che ultimamente non si può dire di tante storie a fumetti magari più conosciute e osannate.

[Nate · Rating 2 out of 5]

303 marks a change of pace from Garth Ennis’ usual war comics, taking place during the war in Afghanistan circa 2004. World War Two is his favored setting, so I was curious to see where he went with this one. Unfortunately it’s one of his lesser works. First off, while 303 is broadly a war comic, it’s more a vehicle for Ennis to critique the Bush administration and United States in general. Our protagonist is a seasoned Russian colonel who investigates a shady plane crash in Afghanistan, later going to America where he witnesses harsh conditions for migrant workers. I respect Ennis for not pulling any punches here. There are some powerful scenes in both sections, brought to unflinching life by Jacen Burrows. But Ennis tries to do too much, resulting in disorganized storytelling. The main character doesn’t stand out either – he’s another righteous badass we’ve seen time and time again. There’s mention of his past and relationship with his father, but it’s glossed over. Also, the third person narration doesn’t work quite as well as first person would, I feel.

Compared to Ennis' typically excellent war comics, 303 falls short. I'd recommend it only to Ennis diehards.

[Zedsdead · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character strongly echoes the Saint of Killers from the author's Preacher series, right down to his ghosts. They even look similar.

I very much enjoyed the first half of the book; it was focused, gripping, and unpredictable, with interesting characters and amazing landscapes.

In the second half, the plot lurches forward unsteadily; it feels like chapters were torn out in several places. Logic takes a back seat to expediency. The protagonist has an absurdly easy time accomplishing what he sets out to do...even for a comic book.

It's worth reading for the first half alone, but the ending disappoints.

[Matthew Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough meat to be either a great story or a great polemic, the stand out segments of this work, the ones I still hear in my head, are the odes to the Lee Enfield rifle and the .303 British cartridge (in UK service 1889-1950)which Ennis, correctly in my opinion, lifts to a position of talisman and avatar of the forces of British imperialism, civilisation and values - it's the bullet that kept the world in the chokehold of a small wet island, saved the world from Nazism and stepped out of service as Britain went from ruling and leading the world to just being part of the post-war western world order.

[Stuart Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

Russian special forces officer takes on a personal mission of revenge and redemption. Plot takes a few strange turns and the political angle could perhaps have been a little more indepth but overall this is powerful stuff. Ennis's spare writing style and his love of all things military lends the tale a mythic quality.

[Nocheevo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Occasionally Mr Ennis gets his stories right when he rains in some of his more "try hard edginess". In this case he almost gets there.

Essentially a musing on a soldier's lot with the instant moment on the ground contrasting somewhat with the political motives. The 303 rifle of the story is used to link the current warrior to his Brothers in arms (to use the obvious) of the last 100 years.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

A schizophrenic work. A promising first half with a great setting and an interesting protagonist is dragged down by an absurd jump in setting, a ridiculous change in tone, and an insultingly unbelievable ending.

[Ming · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of the more thoughtful Garth Ennis works out there - you get the sense that he really does care about the issues discussed. However, it doesn't quite work as a story, which is really unfortunate.

[Fugo Feedback]

Raramente me decepciona Ennis, y cuando lo compro barato menos que menos. Veremos cuánto vale este 303...

[Tyson Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very powerful comment on the war in the middle-east. This story pulls no punches and is very good.

[Timo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much talk, not enough story.

[John Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, compelling character, great art and the mythos of one of the greatest Rifles in the British army is brought to life in this war on terror set book

[Dony Grayman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tomo único de la efímera colección Popcorn de la difuna editorial Glénat.