Drafted: An Illustrated Memoir of a Veteran’s Service During the War in Vietnam

by Rick Parker

From noted cartoonist Rick Parker comes his long-awaited graphic novel memoir about his time in the United States Army, when he was drafted to serve during the Vietnam War

Drafted is a graphic novel memoir by Rick Parker, a shy, inexperienced, and overly protected teenager who gets drafted into the United States Army at the height of the Vietnam War. The looming threat of deployment informs every aspect of his life, from the most ludicrous experiences to the grimmest tests of endurance. Initially determined to do his patriotic duty, Parker gradually comes to the realization that he is just not cut out for a military career and wants nothing more than to serve his time and return to civilian life to pursue his dream of becoming an artist. In telling this story, he shows how the Vietnam War was the last war in the United States that instituted the draft; how the draft affected those who served; and how we as Americans think of war and our soldiers once they return from service. Parker also describes how being an artist helped him to survive his time in the Army. Drafted is a compelling and unique graphic novel memoir, perfect for fans of Joe Sacco and Derf Backderf, and is sure to appeal to Parker’s dedicated followers and new fans alike—already proven by the response to the award-winning short film Rick Parker, I’m Afraid .

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Memoir, War, History, Biography, Graphic Novels Comics

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 24, 2024

Reviews

[Alexander Peterhans · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly excellent graphic memoir of Rick Parker's time in the US Army, mid 60s, during the Vietnam War. I think I should note that Parker was never actually sent off to Vietnam; the memoir all takes place in the US.

The story switches effortlessly from the poignant to the funny to the harrowing, and perfectly illustrates army life, from the moments of dull busywork to the frankly insane standards the Army asked of him. Above all, what brings the memoir to life is the amount of detail Parker manages to provide.

There is a story towards the end of the book, when Parker has to make sure a fellow soldier who was killed in Vietnam gets a proper military funeral, including 21 gun salute. The flag on the boy's coffin is to be offered to his 4-year-old daughter, which is of course brutal. I found it incredibly moving, and told with a very delicate touch.

Beautiful.

(Thanks to Abrams ComicArts for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)

[Rod Brown · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long time comic book artist and letterer Rick Parker tells about the time he was drafted into the United States Army during the 1960s. Despite his constant concerns about being deployed to Vietnam, he never leaves North America as his basic training rolls over into officer training, artillery training, and guided missile training. Instead of harrowing or hilarious war stories, Parker finds the zone of mundanity that hides somewhere between the extremes of Full Metal Jacket and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. and dwells in it for way too long. He comes off a bit dumb and naive as he provides not-quite-humorous, slice-of-life details about military life.


FOR REFERENCE:

Contents: Prologue -- Chapter 1. Called Up -- Chapter 2. Boot Camp -- Chapter 3. Candidate Zilch -- Chapter 4. Xin Loi -- Chapter 5. Blast Off -- Chapter 6. Getting Short -- Chapter 7. Getting Out -- A Few Thoughts -- Glossary -- Recommended Reading and Viewing

[James DiGiovanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting! Parker captures something about loneliness that I don't think l've ever seen addressed. The images and floating captions somehow evoke more of what's it's like to feel disconnected, awkward and unsure of one's worth than any ten "literary" attempts at it. I think that's because so much of that feeling is beyond words: it exists in part because of what isn't said, who doesn't talk to us, and what we don't say. But with facial expressions and crisp prose that elicits rather than directly talks about it, Parker finally gives voice to the quietness of the feeling of not being right for the world.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of the types of details that history rarely records.

[Julia P · Rating 2 out of 5]

It wasn't for me. While I appreciated the honesty of the main character's thoughts, he didn't have any overarching motivations. Instead things happened to him and he reacted.

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drafted is the story of Parker as a shy, inexperienced, and overly protected teenager who suddenly finds himself swept into the Army at the height of Vietnam. The looming threat of Nam deployment informs every aspect of his service and ‘volunteering’ and/or assuming various positions and responsibilities.

My take: Drafted dragged a bit at times, but it reminded me of the same raw, unvarnished feel as a Derf Backderf book. It’s also kind of sad—after witnessing death, gore, nuclear weapons, and the messy realities of adult life, Parker is still basically the same aimless sad sack he was before the Army. That honesty makes the memoir compelling, even if it’s bleak, and says a lot about his personal experience after the promise of life after serving in the military.

[Sandy · Rating 1 out of 5]

An unexamined life.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not what I thought it would be. Was hoping for insight into my father’s own experience being drafted and shipped off to Vietnam, which he never talked about much during his life due to trauma and tragedy. This story never leaves the U.S., as the author bumbles around between boot camp and officer training before bouncing back home after his two years were up.

[Geve_ · Rating 1 out of 5]

I got this off a recommendation list somewhere, and the library had it, so I thought id check it out.
So boring. This feels very much like a book written for the author himself. I don't know what I was supposed to get out of it, it wasn't interesting or compelling or funny or even slightly entertaining. I don't read many memoirs or autobiographies if I can help it, but I would think there would be something to take away from them. Not here. The author seemed like a very lonely and awkward young man who somehow managed to get through years of service without making any friends.
The art is quite meh. It's not terrible I guess, but it's far from good, but at least every woman has giant jugs. That certainly made up for everything.
Did i find it creepy that when he's going home after discharge, and stopping by a friend's who has an 18 year old sister, he is excited and hoping to make a connection or more, but she has a boyfriend so he's lonely again. like this is like over fifty years ago and this guy put an anecdote about how he didn't get to fuck this teenager back in 1969 or whatever.
I dunno, I don't think I would recommend this for anyone except maybe the author's family.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiographical graphic memoir tells the story of cartoonist Rick Parker who was drafted into the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1969 during the Vietnam War era. Although reluctant at first, Parker soon qualifies for Officer’s Candidate School and becomes a lieutenant. Luckily for him, he is not sent into combat in Vietnam but rather into the US Missile Command stateside. Although a conscientious and dedicated soldier, he is not exactly “gung-ho” and remains introspective as he takes things as they come. A couple of funny screwups include him mistakenly having to crawl through a tunnel feet first as well as his poor mathematical skills leading him to direct a cannon to fire on his own position during a training exercise (they did not follow his order!). In telling his story, Parker gives a pretty good feel to the reader of what it would be like for your average draftee to be in the Army at that time.

[Kelsey Dangelo-Worth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A powerful memoir of a young man drafted into the army in the 1960s, during the Vietnam era (he never serves in combat or in Vietnam). A story about growing up, America in the 1960s, and the clash of the ideas of manhood and military and the grim, often senseless brutality of that world. It's a memoir, so you feel as if an older relative is telling you stories about their life. It very much reminded me of my father and grandfather telling military stories.
My father enlisted in the army in 1962 in order to escape the draft and combat (he was a poor kid from inner city Boston, so college was not an option). He served a tour of Vietnam, and left the army in 1970 in order to go to college on the GI Bill. Although much of his experience was different, this was an enlightening and fascinating look at military life during this time.

[K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not realistic for enlisted men

This wasn't a bad It just showed how a guy was able to And get An officer's position Yes he went through Induction basic Some AIT but it was from an officer's viewpoint and he still managed Not to serve In Vietnam Not trying to be critical Of him 'm glad that I'm glad that his experience came out with him actually being alive But This was not the same as for the enlisted troops Most of them were Fodder to be chewed up He did state That most of the enlisted troops Unfortunately from the less privileged Class of people AKA the wrong side of the AKA the wrong side of the tracks They got shipped off My husband Does not Does not realized Lucky How lucky he was That the war ended before he completed his infantry training he doesn't get thru his head that it wasn't boy playing war that could get up and go home to mom for supper

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

A memoir from Rick Parker, longtime letterer and cartoonist for Marvel comics. He's written and drawn his first comic, about when he was drafted during the Vietnam War after flunking out of college. Somehow he never got sent overseas, getting transferred from base to base all across the U.S. It's a story about how naive and dumb he is as he entered the Service, like pretty much everyone is at that age. How he fumbled through 3 years in the military. It's really interesting. It can also be pretty sad, like when he led the contingent sent to a fallen soldier's funeral and had to present the flag to his 4-year-old daughter. But most of it is how he faked it as he struggled through his time in the Service.

[David Goldman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This exceptionally crafted novel by Parker delves into his two-year stint in the Army during the tumultuous Vietnam War. Parker, an awkward and aspiring artist, finds himself unable to fit in with the life of a soldier. Moreover, he struggles as a mediocre soldier. The novel effectively portrays the intricate details of military life, highlighting the honor, camaraderie, bureaucracy, and brutality that characterize it. There are scenes that could easily be found in Kafka’s “The Trial.” Despite never reveling in the extreme violence, the novel concludes with a powerful scene where Parker must deliver the flag to the family of a fallen soldier, effectively summarizing the violence, sensuality, and honor of military service, particularly in the context of a senseless war.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a no nonsense look at what OCS was like during the Vietnam War. Rick Parker takes us through the often surreal world of young men having to put their life on hold as they prepare to become officers. I have to say that I do not think some of the 'training' would be allowed in the military today (I could be wrong) due to the harsh emotional and physical nature of the practices.

[Christiana Robey · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slice of life graphic novel detailing the three years the author spent serving as a drafted US Army Soldier during the Vietnam War (circa 1966-1969). This was not exactly what I thought it would be when I picked it up, but at the same time I couldn't put it down! It was definitely a new perspective, and I appreciated the glossary and the suggestions for further reading/viewing.

[David Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It did offer a pretty vivid depiction of what boot camp and basic training were like in the Vietnam era. I wanted to see how he'd handle being in "The Shit" so to speak, but he never saw active duty. He never even left the country. A bit disappointing. Still, boot camp seemed like a hellish experience.

[Frank Hablawi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profoundly humanizing tale of panic, perseverance, and stumbling through what will turn out to be a magnificent life from acclaimed comic artist Rick Parker. Feel the pathos! Cringe in fear of being DRAFTED!!!

[Ralph Carlson · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting memoir.

[Patricia Damron · Rating 5 out of 5]

happy

A pleasant read. Brings back lot of memories
Some good some not so good.
Glad I took the time to read it.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐. Interesting, but not as mind-boggling as it had been hyped to be.

[Aaron VanAlstine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic story and illustrations. Five stars does not do it justice.

[Jessica Nish · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked how the author showed what the process was like when a man was drafted during the Vietnam war.

[JessicaMHR · Rating 3 out of 5]

This guy got lucky and never actually made it to Vietnam.

[Seutonius X]

Good interesting details in his story

[Kendall Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

At some points hard to follow if you don’t understand military lingo it’s educational and a quick read but a bit slow at times

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are looking for a graphic memoir from a draftee veteran of the Vietnam War era, look no further. Rick Parker invites you to follow him on hi hapless journey into the United States Army where you can experience book camp, the drudgery of basic training, the joy of being selected as an officer candidate and then the weird life of being in a wartime military, yet never being sent into harm's way. You also learn how petty the military can be. And how quickly you can switch your life around. Overall, Rick Parker provided the reader with a look into a particular period of history and a peculiar institution. An interesting title.