The War

by Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan (Artist), Tamra Bonvillain (Colorist)

It’s the end of the world as they know it, but the worst is still to come.

From the pages of the breakout horror anthology Hello Darkness comes a chilling tale of apocalyptic dread from Eisner Award–winning creators Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan.

When the unthinkable becomes reality, a group of friends in New York City must confront their worst fears—the outbreak of nuclear war. As society collapses around them, each must choose a different plan for survival at the end of the world. But with the fallout of nuclear destruction unfolding in real time, survival may be the most terrifying fate of all.

The War delivers a raw, unflinching look at modern annihilation and human desperation in the face of global catastrophe—just as timely as it is terrifying.

Collects The War #1–3.

Genres: Comics, Horror, Graphic Novels, Apocalyptic, Dystopia

112 pages, Paperback

Published February 24, 2026

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

[Jess ❈Harbinger of Blood-Soaked Rainbows❈ · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dystopian comic about the end of the world. It was apparently a part of a larger anthology, but this was a standalone arc I received from Netgalley, downloaded soley for the interesting cover.

This was very bleak and very political and was very much not for me. I found myself only starting to get (kind of) engaged with the characters and the story about midway through when literally everything went to shit. There is so much political brouha and arguments and talking during the first half that I was confused. It took me awhile to figure out who was who, who was with whom, and what all of their names were. And then the world ended and I found it didn’t much matter. These characters were not present enough for me to really connect with anyone and I found the ending to have come out of nowhere and was quite bizarre (not in a good way). I liked the premise very much and if this was a more fleshed out story rather than a short I may have rated it higher. The art was lovely which is the best thing I have to say about it.

2.5 stars

I received an ARC of this short graphic novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Only reason I didn’t rate this lower was I loved the concept & the art was on point! Totally worth the quick read for that alone. I think pacing/story structure is what kept me from truly connecting.

Plus he eats the baby for no discernible reason. Felt like Ennis wanted to shock just for the sake of it. It’s too bad because the moment where David kills Nikki was totally supported. It felt like the inevitable end to their story was one of them killing the other. Im into the idea of the baby being eaten it just wasn’t grounded in anything.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Note: this review was originally published at my website in December 2025.]

Holy shit, The War.

This trade edition of Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan’s The War, collects the three-issue miniseries (previously published in installments in Boom! Studios’ anthology series, Hello Darkness), into this single volume that AIPT has smartly called “the feel-bad book of the decade.” Honestly, I don’t have much more to add to that! Their review nails it perfectly.

But I suppose I need to add my own two cents anyway. The War feels like a spiritual predecessor to Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, following a group of friends as they each confront the rapidly changing world around them as a global cataclysm draws perpetually closer. Ripped straight from the headlines, Ennis scripts an apocalyptic scenario involving a nuclear exchange with Russia following their invasion of Ukraine. The 2024 election looms large over it all, and takes our present-day dystopian reality to the next level. Off-panel, London falls, and our twenty- or thirty-something-year-old NYCers each face the realization that wiser, cooler heads will not prevail, as they did during the Cuban Missile Crisis back in the ‘60s.

One characters rhetorically asks his friends, “Who’s going to do that? Push a button and render ten thousand years of human existence irrelevant — every child that’s ever been born, every life that’s ever been lived, every cultural or intellectual achievement, all just… wasted?” All of their political science classes and intellectual and philosophical discussions have posited smarter, less selfish men at the helm, but in the wake of the 2024 US election, how do all those games of brinksmanship look when you have nothing but pure, unbridled childish id and selfish, dementia-addled, power-hungry madmen who care for nothing but their own unquenchable wants and desires in charge? With Putin and Trump caught in a spiral for supremacy, the only sure thing is death. Personally, I was surprised we made it through Trump’s first presidency without some kind of nuclear arms exchange, particularly as he spent one Christmas trying to drum up World War III via Twitter. Will we be as lucky a second time?

The War doesn’t think so. Here, Ennis posits a frighteningly realistic End of Days scenario. The War is hopeless and nihilistic, chockfull of despair and a presentation of mankind that leans heavily toward the desperate and disgusting. It’s heartbreaking and soul-crushing in equal measure, and Becky Cloonan’s artwork puts the reader into some seriously claustrophobic confines. Even in the middle of the city streets, one can’t help but feel hemmed in by the toppled ruins of shattered skyscrapers and overturned busses. Her panel-work is tight and unsettling. Tamra Bonvillain’s coloring really helps sell it all, particularly the shocking image of two figures being caught in a nuclear blast, their features lost to the white hot fire of armageddon washing over them. There were multiple scenes throughout The War where I had to pause to take it all in, so haunting were the moments, and times where I simply didn’t want to turn the page because I knew it was only going to get worse. Should I take a cue from Luke and Stefan and make an early exit from this nightmare, or carry on with it all as best I could, like David and Nikki? Obviously, I took the latter route and closed the book feeling like I needed a shower to wash away the muck and grime of its grisly final chapter.

Ennis’s latest is certainly of the moment, and feels far too relevant given where we’re at politically as we near the end of 2025. The War is a raw, open-wound of a book, one that is horrifying simply because of how human it is. Due out in February, I don’t think it’s too early to already call this one of 2026’s best reads.

[Paul W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bleak, but expected. I like it but didn't enjoy it.

[Mohan Vemulapalli · Rating 3 out of 5]

"The War" seems to heave been meant as a cautionary tale about global nuclear war. Unfortunately, it reads as cheap disaster titillation and is more derivative and out right gross than actually prescient. This book is not recommended for those who are easily nauseated or actually knowledgeable in nuclear proliferation and civil defense issues.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher, BOOM! Studios, for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Danijel Jedriško · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book hit me hard. Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan's "The War" is a comic that feels less like a story and more like a profound, sinking feeling. It's a gut-wrenching experience that left a bitter taste in my mouth and a cold knot in my stomach.

It starts with a sense of denial that feels all too real. We're on the edge of global tension, and there's this shared, whispered delusion that a nuclear war can't happen. It'll be fine, right? We'll have a couple of reasonable people on the phone, just like in '62. But this is an Ennis comic, so you know that comforting lie is about to get shredded. The book's central question—are we reasonable?—receives a brutal, unambiguous answer: hell no. We're not.

From there, the story spirals into total, hopeless ruin. It reminded me of reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road, evoking the same sense of utter loss. Hope flickers and then… goes out. You're left with the most fundamental questions. What's the point of humanity once everything is lost? What do you trust in when there's nothing left? The final, biting thought is the one that really sticks: was it worth it for those who pushed the button?

Becky Cloonan's art is the perfect partner for this journey. Her style is raw and heavy, with thick lines and deep shadows that make everything feel gritty and oppressive. The limited, muted colors emphasize the desolation, making the world feel exhausted and drained. She captures the quiet despair and the profound grief in the characters' faces with a stark honesty that truly hits home.

"The War" is a comic you should absolutely read, even though you won't enjoy it. It's a chilling, unforgettable warning about the lies we tell ourselves and the terrifying end of our self-delusion. A tough read.

[The Blog Without a Face · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone said ‘It’ll be fine’ and then it wasn’t fine at all.

BWAF Score: 6/10

TL;DR: The War is apocalypse horror with no monsters, just the sick click of systems failing and people failing faster, told with page-turn guillotines and colors that make daylight feel unsafe. If you like plausible end-of-the-world stories that hit like a headline and read like a thriller, this lands hard, bleak, human, with craft sharp enough to leave a mark.

The first nasty trick The War pulls is how ordinary it starts. People are drinking, gossiping, talking politics like it’s a sport, casually tossing around “it won’t happen” like a warding spell. Then the book tightens the noose in tiny, believable increments. News becomes background noise. Background noise becomes an alarm. An alarm becomes the whole fucking world.

We follow a small circle of people in Britain as an international conflict escalates into direct catastrophe, and the story tracks what happens to their relationships and bodies when “normal life” evaporates. The book bounces between domestic interiors and public collapse, showing how fast the safety net snaps and how ugly people get when the rules stop applying. It’s less about heroes than about what a person will do, or fail to do, when the countdown clock stops being abstract.

Garth Ennis writes this like he’s incapable of comforting lies. The dialogue early on has that sharp, social bite where everyone is a little funny and a little unbearable, which gives the later horror something to chew on. When the world starts to tilt, the arguments don’t stop. They just get drowned out by sirens, bad decisions, and the kind of silence that makes your stomach drop. The dread mechanic is escalation through interruption. A conversation gets cut off. A plan gets cut off. A city gets cut off. Even when the page is full, the feeling is that the story is yanking pieces away from you.

Cloonan’s paneling is doing a lot of the heavy lifting here, especially in the way the book accelerates. Early pages lean into readable grids and talky rhythms, with enough facial acting and body language to make the interpersonal friction feel real. As the situation fractures, the pacing starts to lurch on purpose. You get sudden scene transitions that feel like falling down stairs, then a breath of decompression when the book needs you to sit in the awful. Page turns become little guillotines. You flip and the next image is the consequence, not the warning. The silent beats are where the book hits hardest, because it knows war isn’t constant explosions. It’s waiting, listening, and realizing you cannot un-know what you know now.

Cloonan keeps action spatially coherent with clear sightlines and consistent geography, so when bodies are moving, you can track who’s where and what’s happening. That’s important because the book is not interested in balletic violence. It’s interested in violence as an intrusion. People get hurt fast, in spaces that were supposed to be safe, and the choreography often emphasizes what’s withheld. You see the moment before. You see the aftermath. Sometimes you get the act itself, and it is not glamorous. It is ugly, quick, and devastating, like somebody slammed a door on your hand.

There’s a grounded palette for the “before,” then the book starts bleeding into harsher contrasts and sickly atmospherics as the world tips. You’ll get these stretches where the sky looks wrong, where the environment feels bruised, where black negative space eats the edges of the page. It’s not neon apocalypse. It’s a kind of grim clarity, punctuated by color choices that make you feel the air has changed. When the book leans into darkness, it uses it as pressure. Big shapes of shadow swallow rooms. Small shapes of light turn into targets.

When characters talk too much early on, it feels like denial dressed as cleverness. Later, the captions and sparse lines of dialogue land like thoughts you’re trying not to think. The dialogue “sounds” like people who are scared but trying to keep their dignity, right up until they can’t.

Preparedness is mostly a fantasy, and moral certainty is the first luxury you lose. The book keeps asking what we owe each other when the systems that enforce “owing” are gone. It’s about denial, responsibility, and the private bargains people make to survive the day, even if they can’t survive the consequences. It’s also, quietly, about how love and loyalty don’t disappear in catastrophe, they just get stress-tested until they either break or turn into something uglier.

The War is almost too effective at being a bleak machine. The craft is strong, the escalation is smart, and the emotional punches land, but the experience can feel intentionally punishing in a way that narrows the range. It’s less “wow, I can’t wait to reread that” and more “holy shit, I need to stare at a wall for a minute.” Also, if you want the horror to feel uncanny or wild, this is not that book. It’s horror by plausibility, by proximity, by the awful sense that you already know how this could happen.

If you love grounded apocalyptic storytelling where the horror is baked into the geopolitics, infrastructure failure, and human panic, you’re going to eat this up. If you like your horror with a little more weirdness, metaphor, or cathartic release, you might respect The War more than you enjoy it.

Still, as a comic, it’s a strong piece of work. It uses page turns like traps, color like weather, and silence like a weapon. It’s not trying to be fun. It’s trying to be honest in the ugliest possible way, and yeah, it mostly succeeds. You will finish it feeling rubbed raw, which is sort of the point.

Read if you enjoy apocalypses that start as “well, that’s concerning” and end as “oh cool, society just liquefied.”

Skip if you read horror to relax and not to stare at a wall afterward like you just saw God’s browser history.

[Reading Xennial · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This was a great graphic novel. I appreciate how it described itself as “modern horror” because this is something that really could happen at any point in our current world. It touches on many facets of what we would do in the event of a nuclear bomb. It brings up many thoughts on the before and after of this type of event and makes the reader consider what they would do if they were in this specific situation. The artwork was great and really set an intriguing vibe to the book. The dialogue also was well done and helped the reader get connected to the characters in such a short span of time. I’m not usually an emotional reader, but a few parts in here had me choked up. The very last panel felt unnecessary and didn’t add anything to the story, but I wouldn’t deduct a star based on this one panel. I will be purchasing a copy of this when it’s released. I think this is a graphic novel I would reread in the future.

Thank you, NetGalley and BOOM Studios for allowing me to read this graphic novel early. The opinion in this review is my own.

[Bin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nobody wants to think about nuclear war so that part was a bummer but I did like how graphic it was

[Thom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Note: I received access to read this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

The War started off easy to follow and had a great build to catastrophe, but after the shit hit the fan it turned into monologuing and an absolutely unearned ending that exists purely for shock value.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book opens with a group of hipsters sitting around in a New York apartment explaining to each other how nuclear war will never happen. London is wiped from the map later that night.

I found this book almost painful to read not because of the depictions of life after, but because the book follows the same group of unbearable hipsters as they're still in complete denial as the world is literally ending around them.

The only positive things I have to say about this are about the art and lettering. Becky Cloonan's illustrations, Tamra Bonvillain's colors, and Pat Brosseau's letters are stellar and worthy of a far better book.

Received via NetGalley.

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are comics that allow you to escape the world we live in and those that bring the fictional worlds eerie close to home, The War by Garth Ennis and artist Becky Cloonan falls squarely in the latter. The War is a poignant, raw, bleak, and sadly realistic end of the world comic that strikes a chord.

When the unthinkable becomes reality, a group of friends in New York City must confront their worst fears—the outbreak of nuclear war. As society collapses around them, each must choose a different plan for survival at the end of the world. But with the fallout of nuclear destruction unfolding in real time, survival may be the most terrifying fate of all.

Ennis is known for similar work, but The War is timely and eerie close to what could happen in the near future. A story which began in the pages of Hello Darkness , the horror anthology from BOOM! Studios, expand to craft a story that is horrifying in both the fictional story and the close-to-home feel of the comic. We have leaders in this world that would likely do the unthinkable just to prove their strength, even if that means ending the world as we know it and it's scary as hell.

While The War is scary in the sense of its realism, it does have more heart to it than I expected. You feel for the characters and their decisions made in order to live in the world that has been force upon them. The dialogue is honest and genuine, with characters arguing and deciding between those who want the quick out, or lose trying to make it post-nuclear explosion.

Cloonan's artwork brings more of the emotion to the page that Ennis has scripted. You can feel the fear with the characters facial expressions and can almost hear the world crumbling around them. The muted red-orange color pallet throughout most of the book gives off this eerie post-apocalyptic vibe that adds to the story at hand. This partnership for The War is extremely fitting and meshes so well together.

The War is not for the faint of heart, or those looking for a superhero romp. Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan craft an all-too-realistic end of the world comic that has real-life horrors mixed with heart leading to an incredible ending. Expanding The War outside the pages of Hello Darkness is just what this story needed, as well as the story I hate to read (as it could be real...sadly). A must-read comic.

The collected edition of The War hits local comic shops and bookstores everywhere on February 24, 2026 from BOOM! Studios.

[Fellow Introvert · Rating 2 out of 5]

The war is on its way. You can deny it, run away, and you can even go crazy, but that doesn't make it any less so. How will you handle it? Could you move forward?

The War by Garth Ennis is a depressingly realistic story about a looming war that becomes too real too soon. No one is safe, not even the people who survive the initial bombs.

I knew this story was going to be a serious, gloomy one when (well, first, the title being "The War", but then...) the first conversation of the book is a political one where David says it's not going to be a nuclear war. Which usually means it's GOING to be a nuclear war.

The art style is impressive, blending realism with artistic flair. The comic really shows you the dread everybody is going through with their faces and the vibes of the story. The characters each have very strong, difficult personalities, and most aren't really likable. That was probably the point, but it was an even more difficult read because of that. The only people that weren't so bad were Stefan, Maggie, and Spencer.

This is not the type of story you want to read in dark times in your life. It's bleak, gory, sad, and there's no promise that anyone will survive. It's very The Walking Dead. So if you're a fan of those comics, then you'll get the same vibes from this one. Except worse because of the last scene. I'd say skip the last page if you don't want to be grossed the hell out. This comic really teaches you that war, the end of civilization, brings out the worst in people. When a story tells you, "Not for the faint of heart." Believe it.

I'd have to give this comic 2.5 out of 5 nuclear bombs. While the story was okay overall, its tone was very depressing, and the pacing occasionally felt rushed, especially in developing the other characters’ storylines. I do wish the story wasn't revolved around David, because while I know it was to make a point about even the smartest guy not being prepared and going crazy, I did not like the character. And the ending was very traumatizing. It would have been a more interesting story if it weren't so gloomy and focused on the more interesting characters like Luke & Stefan or Spencer & Maggie. Although I didn't like the story so much, the art was unique, and it got the point across that we should care more about the world so that it doesn't end up going to shit.

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: The War by Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan

The War opens with a small cast of ordinary New Yorkers just trying to keep their lives stitched together. Errands, jobs, relationships, anxieties. The usual. Then nuclear war hits, and the entire illusion of stability evaporates. One minute you’re navigating crowded streets, the next you’re navigating fallout. It’s abrupt, cruel, and exactly the kind of narrative Ennis refuses to soften.

From that moment forward, the story doesn’t indulge in hope. It escorts the characters through the collapse of infrastructure, communication, and basic humanity. Sheltering becomes a gamble. Trust becomes a luxury item. Every decision feels like it was sponsored by catastrophic consequences. Cloonan’s art doesn’t offer mercy either. The visuals hit with the grim clarity of someone saying, “Yes, it really is that bad.”

The most unsettling part is how recognizable these characters are. They aren’t action heroes, freedom fighters, or apocalypse-ready survivalists. They’re just people trying to figure out if staying put or running for their lives is the worse option. Spoiler: both are terrible. There’s no triumphant arc waiting around the corner, no rallying cry to reclaim society. This is a story about the slow, grinding unraveling of the world and the people stuck in the gears.

By the time you reach the later issues, the emotional toll has settled in like a permanent resident. Families fracture. Morality bends until it snaps. Every choice feels like an indictment of what survival even means. Ennis and Cloonan aren’t here to soothe you. They’re here to remind you that nuclear winter is not a vibe, it’s a nightmare.

If you’re looking for uplifting post-apocalyptic fiction with inspirational speeches and a plucky band of survivors discovering the power of community, kindly keep walking. This book is not that. But if you want a brutally honest, tightly crafted, and unnervingly plausible story about collapse and the messy instincts people cling to in the void, The War delivers with surgical precision.

It’s devastating. It’s harrowing. It’s Ennis doing what Ennis does best: holding up a mirror you’d really prefer to avoid.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. This is my honest and unbiased review.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Selling Pitch:
It’s horrible and perfect, an absolute must read. It’s the modern horror in the back of your throat.

Pre-reading:
The colorwork on the cover is really pretty.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
No, because this is literally my whole generation’s fears and what we’re dealing with. Like this is it.

I think about that all the time. Like they’re gonna go after the East Coast because that’s where everything is.

I actually don’t know if I can read this. This is so depressing.

This is horrifying and so needed.

Thia is so sad. I’m like tearing up.

Dude, every time I think it’s gotten the worst that it can get, it gets worse. Oh my god, I don’t know how you read this without bawling your eyes out.

Post-reading:
That was absolutely brutal and so painfully relevant. I think everyone should read it. The art’s gorgeous. I think a lot of people in their late 20s and 30s will see their friend group in this. It’s super bleak. There's no happy ending. Make sure you're in an okay headspace when you pick this, but I think it's absolutely worth the read.

Who should read this:
Political commentary fans
Dystopian fans
Horror fans

Ideal reading time:
Anytime but it's going to ruin your day if not your whole week.

Do I want to reread this:
Yes.

Would I buy this:
Yes.

Similar books:
* Animal Pound by Tom King-graphic novel, classic retelling, political commentary
* I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman-dystopian, social commentary
* Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin-dystopian, horror, queer, trans, social commentary
* Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir-sci-fi, thriller
* How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu-short story collection, dystopian, sci-fi, horror, social commentary

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss. Content warning for violent and grotesque imagery, including cannibalism.)

The opening scene of THE WAR is as cozy as the rest of the book is disquieting. Picture: a small but well-loved NYC apartment; eight friends crammed around a coffee table for drinks and hors d'oeuvres; debating politics and collectively rolling their eyes at that one know-it-all, the mansplainer who is forever so impossibly and infuriatingly rational. The topic du joir is the Russian invasion of Ukraine, now (then) in its third year, and whether the conflict might escalate to full-on nuclear war. David, the mansplainer, keeps insisting that humans are too reasonable to ever let things get that far.

The next morning, he awakens to the news that London is gone: wiped off the map, along with the 9+ million people who call it home. Including his pregnant partner Nikki's entire family.

THE WAR follows each of the four couples as they navigate the threat of global nuclear war. The result is a visceral, horrifying story that's all the more affecting for its timeliness. I write this on January 25th, a day after DHS and ICE executed Dabiel Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse at the VA, after he tried to help two women being assaulted by federal agents. With federal agents invading our cities, it feels like the US is on the brink of a civil war. Trump is threatening or engaging in war with everyone, including our allies: Mexico, Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Greenland, and (apparently) Iceland, all while feeding intel to Putin.

I guess the last thing I needed to read today was a book about nuclear war. But also maybe it's something we should all read, before the world really goes to shit.

There are some scenes that will stay with me forever: a very pregnant Nikki destroying their apartment in grief and anger; Spencer, trying to figure out what's wrong with Maggie's legs in the darkness of the collapsed subway; Luke attempting the euthanize Stefan with a brick to the head, only to injure a body already ravaged by radiation; and, of course, that last panel.

[Theediscerning · Rating 3 out of 5]

The adult comic to ask "if there's a nuclear war tomorrow, how much interest will we show in unlikeable characters like these?" Basically, the Ukraine war has escalated, and nuclear weapons have been used in anger – by more than one side – for the first time since 1945. There is a gem of an idea here, that should exist in all our minds and not just the pages of a dodgy comic like this – the idea asking us whether we can really trust our fellow man to NOT LET THIS HAPPEN.

But here it has happened, and unfortunately things just play out as an exercise in the dismal, seeing what will goad us into disliking the book enough. For many it is the final splash page, but for too many it is the tacky yacky talk of the characters we suffer in the earlier pages. I found both choices to be huge mistakes.

And I know there is a bigger issue here – the author must have written this glumness from a state of helplessness, as he and the likes of us are not those able to make sure our fellow man DOES NOT LET THIS HAPPEN. But that really seems to be self-defeating when he makes humanity, as he does here, a completely sympathy-free zone. Oh, the inrony.

Hard to rate, this one, for it does have some oomph and then some, and is wonderfully pictorial, but it also gloats in misery. Plus when the night falls and the bomb falls, will anybody see the stars?

[Sam Quixote · Rating 2 out of 5]

A group of young New Yorkers sit around discussing the Ukrainian war - it would never escalate to all-out nuclear warfare, right?

… but in this reality it does. And everyone gets nuked - Russia, America, Europe. Human civilization is done. What happens next?

I was always going to read The War - Garth Ennis is one of my favourite comics writers and Becky Cloonan’s art is always quality - but I’m a little disappointed that it’s not as good as I expected it to be, given the creative team.

Ennis indulges in the worst case scenario for the Ukrainian war and nuclear fallout in New York is what you’d expect it to be: massive death toll followed by a total breakdown of society amongst the rapidly declining survivors. And…? I kept waiting for Ennis to give us something unpredictable but there are no surprises here, just one horribly realistic thing (if they were to happen) after another. It’s not entertaining, thoughtful or imaginative storytelling. So what’s the point? No idea.

Ennis has done this kind of thing before in books like Crossed, except The War doesn’t have the zombie aspect, and so it feels played out and unimpressive to read.

The book is well-written and well-drawn but I got nothing much out of this gratuitously grim story. For fans of these creators, keep your expectations low if you’re going to check out The War.

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

A group of friends in their thirties hang out at a dinner party in New York City debating current political events and wondering how close World War III might be. As they split off and return to their homes for the night, events catch up to their conversation, and we follow the various couples as they hear about initial nuclear strikes around the globe and scramble to come up with survival plans.

Garth Ennis adds some horror story overtones to what is already a terrifying scenario, generating some real nightmare fodder.

Unfortunately, we don't get to know most of the characters very well, so I did have a feeling of detachment as I watched them go through the grinder. And then the final chapter is just plain ludicrous, leaving a . . . . bad taste in my mouth . . . with an over-the-top final image that is meant to shock but just leaves me wondering why I bothered if that was all this was building toward.


Disclosure: I received access to a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contains material published in single magazine form as The War #1-3, previously serialized in the Hello Darkness anthology in issues #1-6 and #8.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The War is about the unthinkable, but unfortunately not impossible, scenario of global thermonuclear war. What happens to a group of erudite New Yorkers when a bomb drops? Do any of their decisions ensure their survival?

Written in cinema verite style, this graphic novel stays close to home with its horror setting. Which is more likely to occur in our lifetimes? A zombie apocalypse? Or two megalomaniacs trying to grasp power using a deadly weapon? Clearly, it is the second choice.

In The War, four couples fight for their lives, or drink themselves into oblivion, while their world collapses. It is a frightening idea that makes the reader think about how they would deal with a similar situation. The terrific artwork really brings the gory, and scary, scenarios to life. One scene set in a pitch dark train car is particularly captivating.

Overall, The War is disturbing in all the best ways. However, the trigger warnings would be off the chart. If you are already depressed, this comic is not the best choice. However, if you want some real life chills, it is an intriguing look into what could be coming at any time. 5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley and BOOM! Studios for providing me with an advanced review copy.

[Danielle Hardie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It’s too insane to think about. And that’s why it won’t happen.”

Do you ever just read something that’s so terrifying because of how horribly realistic it is? The ideas and the premise are so relevant that you consider how real this fictional outcome is. That’s what this graphic novel did to me.

The War follows a group of friends who start out arguing about the likelihood of a nuclear war and the consequences if it came to past. Some of the friends argue that it’s stupid to be afraid that political arguments would come to that conclusion, because who would really cause the almost total destruction of humanity just to prove a point? Of course we all want to believe that nobody would really start a nuclear war, but is it ever a nonexistent threat?

We follow this group of friends as the unthinkable happens and bombs are dropped. The horrific outcome is artistically shown on the page, which is what made the graphic novel form such a perfect medium for this story. We are given a visual look at what a nuclear event could look like.

The art was beautiful, even in its gritty and gory portrayal of these events, and the stories shown almost anyone can relate to. It also shows each couple considering what they should do as the threat escalates. Do you abandon your home and seek refuge elsewhere? Do you doomsday prep? Do you live your life as if nothing will change in hopes that the unimaginable doesn’t happen?

This graphic novel was a powerful read and asked a lot of important and relevant questions in such a short time. I fell in love with Becky Cloonan’s artwork when I read By Chance or Providence and The War delivers on the same dark and gritty art style.

[Lucsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was my fault for reading this, after seeing it described as "the feel bad book of the year". But in my defence, I didn't know this was by the same author as "The Boys" and "Preacher".

This starts with a conversation about the Russian illegal invasion of Ukraine, and it just goes downhill from there until it eventually ends in cannibalism. And somehow, the scariest part about this is how it highlights our shortcomings and failures through the different characters, showing us that we have absolutely no power to do anything but harm those in our immediate vicinity, even when we try to help.

I hope the author had fun writing this, because I didn't have fun reading it.

The only joy you'll find here is Brian K Vaughan's bitchy blurb.

Thank you to NetGalley, Edelweiss and BOOM! Studios for this DRC

[Holly Gonzalez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very dark story andI truly mean dark. As someone who has read Berserk and loved it, I’m no stranger to heavy or disturbing content, but this one still felt especially messed up with what happened to certain characters.

The story was confusing at first, as there was little to no context for what was happening in the opening, which made it difficult to stay grounded in the narrative. The dialogue also didn’t flow very well and could have been more polished.

That said, the artwork was fantastic and easily the strongest aspect of the book. Unfortunately, the characters themselves felt bland, and there wasn’t enough time to build any real connection with them before they were gone.

Overall, it was an okay story, but ultimately it just wasn’t for me.

[Ije the Devourer of Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this is timely and entirely plausible.

Described as the ‘Feel bad book of the decade’. This is about what happens to a group of friends after a nuclear war. They gather before the war starts to explore and discuss what they think might happen in the event of nuclear war.

Of course when it happens nothing they discussed actually happens, but their city is destroyed and suddenly some of them do not survive. This is a rather gruesome and horrific graphic novel. Great if you like dystopian novels or horror with your illustrations.

After reading it, I did think given current events and the state of our world that this is entirely plausible. It is not a very comfortable book to read but it is a good one and a great warning.


Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

“The War” is a dark graphic novel from the legendary Garth Ennis about nuclear war.

We are introduced to a group of friends talking about the escalation of the war in Ukraine. Things are escalating between the United States and Russia. The friends are debating how things will turn out. Will the worst come about, or will cooler heads prevail?

Even after a first strike, surely the devastation and loss of life will bring common sense to the forefront. Or will it?

This is the grim tale of worst-case scenario. Just when you think it is bleak, Mr. Ennis turns it up a notch.

It’s not pretty. It’s not fun. But it is worth the discussion.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an unbiased review.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

The War starts off feeling like it might be a political commentary on the state of the world, but Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan quickly pivot into something much more visceral and disturbing. It transitions from a slow-burn back and forth about conflict into a chaotic, breakneck sprint toward the apocalypse.

Cloonan’s artwork is a highlight, capturing the dark atmosphere perfectly. However, while the middle chapters are excellently paced, the final two chapters felt like a frantic bloodbath. By the time I reached the final pages, it felt like the story chose shock value over a meaningful conclusion. It’s a well-executed, deeply fucked up ride, even if the ending feels a bit cheap.

Rating: 3/5

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2, rounded up to 4 stars.

It's been a few since I've read a graphic novel, and this one collects issues 1-3 to tell the story of the beginning of a nuclear war in the present day. The story starts with a party of friends in New York City discussing the current state of affairs - it's very present day, as it's year three of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. By the end of the evening, London will have been destroyed by a nuclear attack, and most major western cities will fall soon afterwards.

Once the story gets going, it's brutal, graphic, and intense. Despite this being such a grim tale, I enjoyed it very much.

My thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the creators for the opportunity.

[Tintaglia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Efficace e attualissimo, The War è la cronaca di cosa succederebbe ai civili occidentali - informati, colti, industrializzati, intellettuali - se l'incredibile (per noi) accadesse: vengono rilasciate dalla Russia testate nucleari che distruggono le maggiori città europee e americane.
Ennis non perde tempo a mostrare il conflitto a livello globale: porta la lente vicino, analizzando le coppie, gli amici, i legami familiari spazzati via dalle bombe, l'incredulità, l'impotenza, il dolore; l'incapacità di credere che uno scenario così incredibile si stia realizzando, l'impossibilità di vivere in quello che resta.
Crudele, doloroso, credibile.

[KA Vickers · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork in this one is fantastic and really tells so much of the story on its own. The story itself I started out a bit unsure of as it's just a bunch of people getting together and talking about the end of the world pretty much but then it kicks off.

This was a very vivid imagining of what could happen if the world heads in a certain direction. I liked the characters even though I didn't get to know them that well but the actual events and plot were what pulled it together for me. Going into it I had some idea of what to expect but if you like end of the world, bleak, dystopian tales I highly recommend it.

[Kay West · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story let's the intrusive thoughts win.

I love the story idea of taking a group of friends discussing the possibility of a global nuclear war to very quickly them each facing the reality of that. This is a dystopian look at humanity. It's dark, upsetting and heartbreaking. I love how raw it is. The story moves quickly between each couple in the friend group as they try to grapple with this new reality.

Becky Cloonan's art is stunning and emotive. The story has great pacing and the characters are unique in how they interact with the world around them.

This book is best read in a nuclear shelter, with the windows wide open.