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Sgt. Rock
Sgt. Rock: The Prophecy
Rock and Easy Company parachute into Nazi-occupied Lithuania to rescue a young rabbi so they can bring him to America and make the horrors of the Holocaust known to the world.
144 pages, Paperback
First published April 7, 2007
63 people want to read
About the author
Joe Kubert
715 books57 followersJoe Kubert was a Jewish-American comic book artist who went on to found the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art. He is best known for his work on the DC Comics characters Sgt. Rock and Hawkman. His sons, Andy Kubert and Adam Kubert, have themselves become successful comic-book artists.
Kubert's other creations include the comic books Tor, Son of Sinbad, and Viking Prince, and, with writer Robin Moore, the comic strip Tales of the Green Beret.
Kubert was inducted into the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1997, and Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998.
Kubert's other creations include the comic books Tor, Son of Sinbad, and Viking Prince, and, with writer Robin Moore, the comic strip Tales of the Green Beret.
Kubert was inducted into the Harvey Awards' Jack Kirby Hall of Fame in 1997, and Will Eisner Comic Book Hall of Fame in 1998.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
July 5, 2014
After reading a bunch of superhero comics this weekend, I picked this series out of my pile. Definitely a refreshing change of pace from the superhero stuff.
Joe Kubert is a great artist, and he's really at the top of his game here. I remember enjoying his work on many of the war comics I read when I was a kid. It's great to see him back on a classic character like Sgt Rock, but with modern printing and coloring. The art here is really great.
The story is a little weird, and it seems like the kind of thing that could go horribly wrong, if it's not handled very carefully. But I think it works. Kubert manages to tell a very serious story with characters who (let's face it) are kind of corny. And, rather than go "dark" with it, and re-imagine the characters, he generally sticks with the kind of dialog and personality that we expect from these characters.
Joe Kubert is a great artist, and he's really at the top of his game here. I remember enjoying his work on many of the war comics I read when I was a kid. It's great to see him back on a classic character like Sgt Rock, but with modern printing and coloring. The art here is really great.
The story is a little weird, and it seems like the kind of thing that could go horribly wrong, if it's not handled very carefully. But I think it works. Kubert manages to tell a very serious story with characters who (let's face it) are kind of corny. And, rather than go "dark" with it, and re-imagine the characters, he generally sticks with the kind of dialog and personality that we expect from these characters.
March 26, 2018
Thin story, BEAUTIFUL art.
Rock and Easy drop into Lithuania to save a young Jewish rabbi. I think Kubert does a good job allowing the kid to grow on Rock, and Easy's initial misgivings about the importance of the mission work for me. I don't feel like we ever really got to know the Easy guys very well though. Given my relative unfamiliarity with the characters, I would've liked more depth, but I did feel a ping of regret when three of the Easys were killed.
That said, while the story is simply passable, the art is AMAZING! Kubert does a brilliant job capturing the worn-down, burned-out quality of the Eastern front in WWII, and the men all come across as distinctive and real. But Kubert's clothing and settings are second to none. I felt like I was there. Incredible art.
Rock and Easy drop into Lithuania to save a young Jewish rabbi. I think Kubert does a good job allowing the kid to grow on Rock, and Easy's initial misgivings about the importance of the mission work for me. I don't feel like we ever really got to know the Easy guys very well though. Given my relative unfamiliarity with the characters, I would've liked more depth, but I did feel a ping of regret when three of the Easys were killed.
That said, while the story is simply passable, the art is AMAZING! Kubert does a brilliant job capturing the worn-down, burned-out quality of the Eastern front in WWII, and the men all come across as distinctive and real. But Kubert's clothing and settings are second to none. I felt like I was there. Incredible art.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 12, 2023
I'm a big fan of Bob Kanigher and Joe Kubert's work on this character. I don't think anyone else has been able to do it as well as they do. But I must admit I was a bit worried that Kubert by himself, without the guiding hand of Kanigher, might lose some of the magic. I'm very happy to say that those fears were unfounded. This is yet another Sgt. Rock classic. As with the best of DC's war comics, the brutality and action are all centered on human emotion. The perspective is never lost, and the momentum is never misdirected for cheap thrills or shock.
I can definitely see why Kubert wanted to write this one himself. It's a bit more of a personal story to him, I imagine, as it deals more intimately with the nightmare of the holocaust than any Sgt. Rock story before or since (that I am aware of). It's a risky move, involving a comic book character in something that grim and serious, but it's handled pretty effortlessly.
If I have to nitpick, I do think the art is not quite as incredible as it was in his previous Sgt. Rock outing, "Between Hell and a Hard Place", but the demands of a monthly miniseries are a bit different from those of a standalone graphic novel. It's hardly a real complaint though, because Joe Kubert on his worst day is miles ahead of the average comic artist on their best day. He never lost his touch over the decades, and in fact only got better with time.
If you're a fan of war comics in general, or Sgt. Rock in particular, or if you're just looking for a good, human story, definitely check this one out (and if you like it, you will like all other Kubert and/or Kanigher war comics).
I can definitely see why Kubert wanted to write this one himself. It's a bit more of a personal story to him, I imagine, as it deals more intimately with the nightmare of the holocaust than any Sgt. Rock story before or since (that I am aware of). It's a risky move, involving a comic book character in something that grim and serious, but it's handled pretty effortlessly.
If I have to nitpick, I do think the art is not quite as incredible as it was in his previous Sgt. Rock outing, "Between Hell and a Hard Place", but the demands of a monthly miniseries are a bit different from those of a standalone graphic novel. It's hardly a real complaint though, because Joe Kubert on his worst day is miles ahead of the average comic artist on their best day. He never lost his touch over the decades, and in fact only got better with time.
If you're a fan of war comics in general, or Sgt. Rock in particular, or if you're just looking for a good, human story, definitely check this one out (and if you like it, you will like all other Kubert and/or Kanigher war comics).
March 15, 2020
I grew up reading Sgt Rock and Easy company comics. Some of my favourite early stories and all the war action a young fellow could get. This was an early 2000’s mini series about Rock and Easy being dumped into Eastern Europe to retrieve and deliver a special package. Well done, interesting story and some history added in. Kubert’s art is as good as always. Some old time fave members of Easy join Rock. Bull, Wildman, IceCream Soldier, Sureshot, Four Eyes and more. If you know it ain’t easy being in Easy then this is for you.
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June 10, 2019One of Joe Kubert’s final Sgt. Rock stories, written in the last decade of his life. The straightforward storytelling and rugged realism give it the feel of Kubert’s old Rock comics. But I don't think many of those stories directly reference and depict the Holocaust as The Prophecy does. In that respect, this is undoubtedly a personal story for Kubert, and I’m glad he was able to tell it. A solid read.
May 6, 2017
Serviceable but uninspiring; a too-forced plot puts Easy company in the background of their own tale.
August 23, 2013
Sgt Rock by Joe Kubert brings for many of us a trip back to our childhood as he presents Sgt. Rock and Easy Company in a graphic novel.
Rock and Easy Co. have been to North Africa and the Rhine,now as the allies are entering Europe, Easy find themselves in the North of Europe in No Mans land. This area is first pummeled by the Germans and then by the Russians with neither side maintaining a hold on the area.
To this area Rock and Easy come, seeing a glimpse of the horrors that are yet to come. Their mission to retrieve and return with a very special item an item so special and important that it could end the war much sooner.
The secret weapon to end the war? A boy named David, a Jew, one who carries a prophecy that will enrage and encourage his people. Though not sure of this mission Easy only knows one choice to pack em up and head out.
Rock and Easy Co. have been to North Africa and the Rhine,now as the allies are entering Europe, Easy find themselves in the North of Europe in No Mans land. This area is first pummeled by the Germans and then by the Russians with neither side maintaining a hold on the area.
To this area Rock and Easy come, seeing a glimpse of the horrors that are yet to come. Their mission to retrieve and return with a very special item an item so special and important that it could end the war much sooner.
The secret weapon to end the war? A boy named David, a Jew, one who carries a prophecy that will enrage and encourage his people. Though not sure of this mission Easy only knows one choice to pack em up and head out.
November 4, 2013
Kubert, the author, teacher, editor, educator, is much missed. Thankfully, in his last decade, he returned to some familiar characters of his, like Sgt. Rock and Tor.
I look on this tale as visiting subjects editorial strictures might not have allowed before the 1970s or the time Kubert left DC editorial offices. Like: messianic Judaism, the Holocaust, and mortality in wartime.
I am curious about the historical background here, as the Baltic city of Riga is referred to constantly as in Estonia, when I always thought it was in Latvia. More, in the first chapter, or DC miniseries pamphlet issue, "Baltic" may have been confused with "Balkan", as writer/artist/historian Wayne Vansant writes. Was this a promotional bungle, or more? Again, I'm curious.
The story is worthy, a fictional tale of Easy Company, told by a master craftsman.
Highly recommended.
I look on this tale as visiting subjects editorial strictures might not have allowed before the 1970s or the time Kubert left DC editorial offices. Like: messianic Judaism, the Holocaust, and mortality in wartime.
I am curious about the historical background here, as the Baltic city of Riga is referred to constantly as in Estonia, when I always thought it was in Latvia. More, in the first chapter, or DC miniseries pamphlet issue, "Baltic" may have been confused with "Balkan", as writer/artist/historian Wayne Vansant writes. Was this a promotional bungle, or more? Again, I'm curious.
The story is worthy, a fictional tale of Easy Company, told by a master craftsman.
Highly recommended.
June 25, 2012
This was more of a trip down comic book memory lane than the previous Sgt. Rock book that I had read. This was the artwork and characters that I remembered from my days as a comic book reading youngster. And match that with a decent story with plenty of action to make for a fun little trip down memory lane.
March 14, 2014
Frank Rock y su Easy Company son asignados a una particular misión: Servir de escolta a un particular joven a través del fiero invierno del este europeo. Alianzas incómodas, crueles enemigos y más de una amarga sorpresa espera al grupo en el carnicero frente ruso. Otra acertada pincelada de la guerra y su horror gracias al talento experimentado de Joe Kubert.
May 9, 2014
God damn, Joe Kubert was awesome. PROPHECY has a rather lackluster ending, but when Kubert draws a war comic, there's hardly anything that could make it unenjoyable. He was the greatest war comics artist without a doubt and this return to Sgt. Rock, Kubert's most famous character, shows an artist still at the top of his game clear into his twilight years.
August 2, 2016
My first Sgt. Rock started off very strong and the muted colors do an interesting job of emphasizing the ugliness and boredom of war but couldn't maintain the intensity throughout. I also never really had a handle on all the soldiers of Easy company. It is still a strong story but I wanted a lot more.
November 19, 2012
First-rate graphic storytelling from a classic comic book artist.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews