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Battlefields #1
Battlefields, Volume 1: Night Witches
Late summer, 1942. As the German army smashes deep into Soviet Russia and the defenders of the Motherland retreat in disarray, a new bomber squadron arrives at a Russian forward airbase. Its crews will fly flimsy wooden biplanes on lethal night missions over German lines, risking fiery death as they fling themselves against the invader - but for these pilots, the consequences of capture will be even worse. For the pilots of the 599th Night Bomber Regiment are women! In the deadly skies of the Eastern front, they will become a legend, known to friend and foe alike as the Night Witches. Featuring two covers, one by John Cassaday and the other by Garry (Dan Dare) Leach!
96 pages, Paperback
First published February 15, 2009
14 people are currently reading
401 people want to read
About the author
Garth Ennis
2,621 books3,169 followersEnnis 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 13, 2019
The best Ennis I've read in a while. This is the story of the Night Witches, a Russian all female squadron that fought during WWII. The crazy thing is they made nighttime bombing raids in WWI biplanes. They'd have to shut their engines down and glide in so they couldn't be heard. Warning, there are some very brutal moments in this. Ennis doesn't pull any punches on what would happen to women who crashed behind enemy lines. The art and color are fantastic. This is the finest work of Russ Braun's career.
January 30, 2022
4 stars Battlefields Graphic Series
A short volume 1 graphic of the female pilots in WW2.
German pilots bombing the Soviet Union in 1942. Based on the truth, the 599th Night Bombers are women. They flew at night in flimsy wooden bi-planes. Ignored, threatened and humiliated by their male counterparts, these women were smart, courageous and legends in the making.
This series is spot on, no holds barred, and verbally truthful. There are 8 graphic novels in the series and I plan on reading them all.
A short volume 1 graphic of the female pilots in WW2.
German pilots bombing the Soviet Union in 1942. Based on the truth, the 599th Night Bombers are women. They flew at night in flimsy wooden bi-planes. Ignored, threatened and humiliated by their male counterparts, these women were smart, courageous and legends in the making.
This series is spot on, no holds barred, and verbally truthful. There are 8 graphic novels in the series and I plan on reading them all.
July 8, 2014
I happened upon the obituary of Nadezhda Popova and learned of the existence of the Night Witches. Thereafter, I discovered that Garth Ennis had written a series of war stories called Battlefields, with the Night Witches appearing in the first volume. Sometimes, it’s hard to reconcile the writer responsible for such atrocities as Crossed (DO NOT CLICK if you value your sanity. Definitely NSFW), but other than the violence and depravity of war, Ennis’ stories in Battlefields are quite tame and well written in comparison. And they serve the all important purpose of telling us a little bit about the oft times unsung heroes of war.
The most interesting aspect of this comic is that while Ennis is focusing on the women, he parallels it by following a troop of German soldiers during the Russian invasion. Inevitably, the two groups meet, with unexpected results. Otherwise, the comic doesn’t go into a lot of detail and really doesn’t give you too much depth on the subject, even watering things down a bit with a superficial love story. A Wikipedia entry would serve better to detail their lives. Still, I went from not knowing anything about these brave Russian women, to discovering that Dynamite Comics had at least recognized their worth enough to let them figure prominently in this war series.
www.BiblioSanctum.com
The most interesting aspect of this comic is that while Ennis is focusing on the women, he parallels it by following a troop of German soldiers during the Russian invasion. Inevitably, the two groups meet, with unexpected results. Otherwise, the comic doesn’t go into a lot of detail and really doesn’t give you too much depth on the subject, even watering things down a bit with a superficial love story. A Wikipedia entry would serve better to detail their lives. Still, I went from not knowing anything about these brave Russian women, to discovering that Dynamite Comics had at least recognized their worth enough to let them figure prominently in this war series.
www.BiblioSanctum.com
July 16, 2017
Ahhh! So good! My new favorite Ennis book.
The story is awesome and Ennis is great at writing an engaging and brutal war story.
It managed to make me care about the characters despite being a pretty short book which is pretty awesome.
The action scenes are fantastic.
The art is SO GREAT! Every panel looks amazing.
The narrative is great, showing both sides of the story.
This is one of the few books that does feminism right. I 100% think equality is right but sometimes this topic is ruined. Good job, Ennis, you know how to write about this topic!
A must-read, highly recommended!
The story is awesome and Ennis is great at writing an engaging and brutal war story.
It managed to make me care about the characters despite being a pretty short book which is pretty awesome.
The action scenes are fantastic.
The art is SO GREAT! Every panel looks amazing.
The narrative is great, showing both sides of the story.
This is one of the few books that does feminism right. I 100% think equality is right but sometimes this topic is ruined. Good job, Ennis, you know how to write about this topic!
A must-read, highly recommended!
December 21, 2020
I have to say, sadly, that I was disappointed in this. It wasn't the art, that was find. I also think it is great that we finally are getting stories about the Night Witches. But, the plot is just cliched. Instead of focusing on the Night Witches and their deeds, it is a focus on a busty blonde Night Witch and her romance (she and her gunner spend more time talking about romance then anything else). What is worse, the gunner is the more interesting character but is not developed at all. Additionally, large sections of the volume are toward via a male viewpoint, so the woman's voices are quiet. (In fact, when the women fight back in one section we don't even see the battle).
And I am very, very tried about this "women love men so they go crazy during war" crap. It's true that women fought for love - of country, though. Maybe more of that and less "oh no, handsome colonel whathisface might have been shot down, let me weep".
And I am very, very tried about this "women love men so they go crazy during war" crap. It's true that women fought for love - of country, though. Maybe more of that and less "oh no, handsome colonel whathisface might have been shot down, let me weep".
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 8, 2019
I just don't really know what to say about this one. I just didn't like it.
Ennis's art style was just not for me at all. To make matters worse, I didn't think that the story really did justice to the Night Witches. It seemed that the story heavily portrayed the romantic relationships that the main character was in, stereotypes about women and random male side characters stories more than the actual history of the Night Witches. We just never really delve into the history of this Regiment and get weird snippets of other stories instead.
I am happy that graphic novels are being created about these types of subjects and shedding light on more obscure parts of history. I look forward to it being done in a better way in the future.
Ennis's art style was just not for me at all. To make matters worse, I didn't think that the story really did justice to the Night Witches. It seemed that the story heavily portrayed the romantic relationships that the main character was in, stereotypes about women and random male side characters stories more than the actual history of the Night Witches. We just never really delve into the history of this Regiment and get weird snippets of other stories instead.
I am happy that graphic novels are being created about these types of subjects and shedding light on more obscure parts of history. I look forward to it being done in a better way in the future.
April 2, 2019
"What's for supper?"
"Squad mutt"
Wow.. Tohle bylo překvapivě strašně dobrý.. Nečekál jsem od toho vůbec nic a nebýt #kncelendz bych si to asi nikdy nepřečetl, a nakonec to bylo moc fajn. Kresba je slabší ale nic hroznýho.
"Squad mutt"
Wow.. Tohle bylo překvapivě strašně dobrý.. Nečekál jsem od toho vůbec nic a nebýt #kncelendz bych si to asi nikdy nepřečetl, a nakonec to bylo moc fajn. Kresba je slabší ale nic hroznýho.
April 1, 2024
I thought it was gonna be empowering but instead i got whatever this was. The rape scene was also completely unnecessary and disgusting. I couldnt care less about the characters and their romance. I liked the artstyle but the storytelling couldn’t keep me in.
May 14, 2019
'It isn't the blood. [...] But really it's the stupidity, Anna. That's what's got me so sickened.' One of the most fitting things you can say about war. That and the fact that the soldiers on both sides were manipulated into outright hating the enemy. They don't see the ebemy as human, but filth that needs to be destroyed.
The chaos of battle is the thing that always touches a chord with me. When the fighters or soldiers return home - victorious or not, but certainly thankful to be alive - and find that some of their comrades and friends didn't make it. This is in stark contrast with the brief moments of humor or romance which soldiers take advantage of just to stay sane.
The Night Witches were a squad of Russian female fighter pilots during the Second World War. Though they are seen as inferior to the male squads and assigned inferior planes, they are risking their lives just as much as every other soldier.
The German soldiers are mostly what you would expect from Nazis. They consider themselves superior while they view the Russians as animals. There are exceptions that manage to show that not all German soldiers are mindless conquerors. The Night Witches have a serious effect on the enemy morale. So much so that a captured Night Witch is abused by all the men at their commander's orders. The losses on both sides have different effects on individuals: some go on killing sprees while others risk their own lives to try to save another, even it's a member of the enemy army.
The chaos of battle is the thing that always touches a chord with me. When the fighters or soldiers return home - victorious or not, but certainly thankful to be alive - and find that some of their comrades and friends didn't make it. This is in stark contrast with the brief moments of humor or romance which soldiers take advantage of just to stay sane.
The Night Witches were a squad of Russian female fighter pilots during the Second World War. Though they are seen as inferior to the male squads and assigned inferior planes, they are risking their lives just as much as every other soldier.
The German soldiers are mostly what you would expect from Nazis. They consider themselves superior while they view the Russians as animals. There are exceptions that manage to show that not all German soldiers are mindless conquerors. The Night Witches have a serious effect on the enemy morale. So much so that a captured Night Witch is abused by all the men at their commander's orders. The losses on both sides have different effects on individuals: some go on killing sprees while others risk their own lives to try to save another, even it's a member of the enemy army.
March 5, 2017
a fun little war story detailing the woman only flying regiment in the Soviet Union during World war 2.
Read
November 5, 2009I just like comic books, I think.
This is a tragic, heroic little vignette highlighting the Russian women pilots of the second world war... a little-known piece of history which for some reason has been kind of foregrounded for me lately (there was a review of a biography of one of these women in my last 99s newsletter, and I want to read it very much; there was also a story on BBC Radio 4 a few days ago). Garth Ennis wrote my absolutely favorite episodes of Hellblazer in the early 90s (the Dangerous Habits storyline) so I was very eager to get Battlefields, Volume 1: Night Witches in my hot little hands, and I wasn't disappointed.
Russ Braun's illustrations deserve a mention, too, since it's the marriage of words & pictures that makes a graphic novel so effective. These are perfect--evocative and detailed, with just the right amount of whimsy to keep the characters individual and distinctive, while still maintaining a certain "action man" machismo/sveltness. Actually, kudos also to Tony Avina, the colorist. The colors are ACE.
This is a tragic, heroic little vignette highlighting the Russian women pilots of the second world war... a little-known piece of history which for some reason has been kind of foregrounded for me lately (there was a review of a biography of one of these women in my last 99s newsletter, and I want to read it very much; there was also a story on BBC Radio 4 a few days ago). Garth Ennis wrote my absolutely favorite episodes of Hellblazer in the early 90s (the Dangerous Habits storyline) so I was very eager to get Battlefields, Volume 1: Night Witches in my hot little hands, and I wasn't disappointed.
Russ Braun's illustrations deserve a mention, too, since it's the marriage of words & pictures that makes a graphic novel so effective. These are perfect--evocative and detailed, with just the right amount of whimsy to keep the characters individual and distinctive, while still maintaining a certain "action man" machismo/sveltness. Actually, kudos also to Tony Avina, the colorist. The colors are ACE.
August 25, 2016
Considering this series is about the night witches (soviet all female pilots) it still feels male focused particularly at the start. Maybe because we don't have much time with the women this book basically only focuses on Anna (with some time for Zoya her friend) and they don't get much characterisation or growth. As much if not more time is dedicated to a romance plot than is to any comradery with the women (outside Anna and Zoya's friendship).
Perhaps that's the reason this didn't sit right with me although I'l be the first to admit that I also just don't think Garth Ennises writing style is for me. For what it's worth I definitely enjoyed these volumes more than I liked the volumes of The Boys I've read because I find the subject matter more engaging. (I've read a few volumes of The Boys which I got in the same humble bundle as this, if you are a fan of his other works this feels similar enough that I'm sure you'll enjoy it).
Perhaps that's the reason this didn't sit right with me although I'l be the first to admit that I also just don't think Garth Ennises writing style is for me. For what it's worth I definitely enjoyed these volumes more than I liked the volumes of The Boys I've read because I find the subject matter more engaging. (I've read a few volumes of The Boys which I got in the same humble bundle as this, if you are a fan of his other works this feels similar enough that I'm sure you'll enjoy it).
May 10, 2019
Good but not great. The best part of this is the incredible true history it covers of the women who flew planes for the Soviet Union during WWII. Unsurprisingly, they were treated like second-class citizens by their own army and faced especially horrifying fates if they were captured by the German Army. The actual story is pretty featherweight and relies pretty heavily on tired tropes (one of the Night Witches is sleeping with her commanding officer! He hates them at first but comes to respect them!)
The illustrations are also good but not great, but they do really capture what the Night Witches faced - the violence, the old, rickety planes (that contrast sharply with the newer machines flown by their male counterparts), etc.
Violent and grim, but fascinating when it focuses on the history.
The illustrations are also good but not great, but they do really capture what the Night Witches faced - the violence, the old, rickety planes (that contrast sharply with the newer machines flown by their male counterparts), etc.
Violent and grim, but fascinating when it focuses on the history.
March 5, 2016
Fictionalize imagination of similar events based on a real women only Soviet bomber regiment (Night witches) in WW 2. The art is good, sticking to the actual tactics and equipment used by those daredevils. The writing & storytelling is great, loved the way the story follows a squad of German soldiers and the Night witches in parallel. The author covers all aspects of war including the ugly side of it. Another well covered aspect is the way war changes people over time. The ending is an unexpected gem.
September 6, 2019
Having learned about the Night Witches through the role-playing game of the same name, I was looking forward to this and it was disappointing. The fictionalized parts felt kind of silly, given the amazing stories these women have to tell and the Nazi POV in the first issues were frustrating.
At times it felt like the writer was looking for a white guy to shove out in front rather than make the women pilots the main characters.
A lost opportunity...
At times it felt like the writer was looking for a white guy to shove out in front rather than make the women pilots the main characters.
A lost opportunity...
November 17, 2011
This is a tragic, heroic story highlighting the Russian women pilots of the second world war....
Like the best war stories of Garth Ennis they feel much more real,you feel more for the characters than in the sentimental,melodrama that is war movies in Hollywood,Europe.
Like the best war stories of Garth Ennis they feel much more real,you feel more for the characters than in the sentimental,melodrama that is war movies in Hollywood,Europe.
September 11, 2019
Un cómic bélico sin muchas pretensiones.
Tenemos una historia de pilotos femeninos sovíeticos durante la segunda guerra mundial. Parece que la historia está basada en tácticas usadas durante la guerra. Pues nos cuenta la historia de varias dotaciones de aviones, piloto y cañonera, de cómo eran los raids y de cómo, más o menos, vivían. No entra mucho en las historias personales, cosa que se echa de menos, y tampoco es un comic de acción sin historia.
Si la comparo con As De Pique o con Ministry of Space sale perdiendo en casi todos los frentes. Este es más bien una historia de hazañas bélicas a la antigua usanza con unos toques, que lo tenían ya los de hazañas bélicas, para humanizar a los personajes. Eso sí, con un final inesperado.
He intentado verlo con buenos ojos porque las heroínas eran féminas luchando contra estereotipos. Pero este apartado es muy flojo. Al no dotar de gran profundidad las historias personales y empezar en un in media res que obvia la lucha previa para llegar donde están se me pierde el trasfondo de crítica.
En definitiva. Lo leí pensando que Garth Ennis no podía hacer una historia que me aburriera y me equivoqué.
No sé si recomendarlo. Al que le gustaran Hazañas Bélicas este seguro que le gusta. Pero si esperas un cómic de Garth Ennis o algo con más significado... no, defintivamente, no.
Tenemos una historia de pilotos femeninos sovíeticos durante la segunda guerra mundial. Parece que la historia está basada en tácticas usadas durante la guerra. Pues nos cuenta la historia de varias dotaciones de aviones, piloto y cañonera, de cómo eran los raids y de cómo, más o menos, vivían. No entra mucho en las historias personales, cosa que se echa de menos, y tampoco es un comic de acción sin historia.
Si la comparo con As De Pique o con Ministry of Space sale perdiendo en casi todos los frentes. Este es más bien una historia de hazañas bélicas a la antigua usanza con unos toques, que lo tenían ya los de hazañas bélicas, para humanizar a los personajes. Eso sí, con un final inesperado.
He intentado verlo con buenos ojos porque las heroínas eran féminas luchando contra estereotipos. Pero este apartado es muy flojo. Al no dotar de gran profundidad las historias personales y empezar en un in media res que obvia la lucha previa para llegar donde están se me pierde el trasfondo de crítica.
En definitiva. Lo leí pensando que Garth Ennis no podía hacer una historia que me aburriera y me equivoqué.
No sé si recomendarlo. Al que le gustaran Hazañas Bélicas este seguro que le gusta. Pero si esperas un cómic de Garth Ennis o algo con más significado... no, defintivamente, no.
October 18, 2019
This is a good read for anyone who likes historical fiction in comic book form. Ennis has successfully woven in true stories including with his main narrative arc.
I think most Americans don't really understand the scope of the Great Patriotic War (WWII) for Russia, and how much of an impact it still has today. Putin's parents lived through the horrific siege of Leningrad, where cannibalism was so common that the dead could not be buried without the desperate living digging them up. Russia, lacking the cutting-edge 1940s technology, defended themselves with sheer numbers in ways that most Western countries would consider unconscionable.
Like a lot of historical fiction that relies more on setting and historical context than on the individual characters, this book suffers a little of the "Forrest Gump effect" wherein the main characters go through so many exemplifying experiences that they become slightly absurd with the sheer numbers of things they encounter. Still, a good introduction to one of the most memorable chapters in female aviation, WWII history, and the Eastern Front. The all-female Soviet air division flew night raids-- using biplanes-- to drop minibombs on the advancing Nazi forces. The constant nuisance raids earned them the name "Night Witches."
I think most Americans don't really understand the scope of the Great Patriotic War (WWII) for Russia, and how much of an impact it still has today. Putin's parents lived through the horrific siege of Leningrad, where cannibalism was so common that the dead could not be buried without the desperate living digging them up. Russia, lacking the cutting-edge 1940s technology, defended themselves with sheer numbers in ways that most Western countries would consider unconscionable.
Like a lot of historical fiction that relies more on setting and historical context than on the individual characters, this book suffers a little of the "Forrest Gump effect" wherein the main characters go through so many exemplifying experiences that they become slightly absurd with the sheer numbers of things they encounter. Still, a good introduction to one of the most memorable chapters in female aviation, WWII history, and the Eastern Front. The all-female Soviet air division flew night raids-- using biplanes-- to drop minibombs on the advancing Nazi forces. The constant nuisance raids earned them the name "Night Witches."
May 16, 2020
This is a gritty comic about Russian women pilots who fought the Germans during WW2. The story focuses on Lieutenant Anna Kharkova and her battles against the Germans, and later on when she falls from grace, struggles with her own country and the Russian secret service.
The story is based on the real "Night Witches" which was a German nickname for the all female military aviators of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, known later as the 46th "Taman" Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, of the Soviet Air Forces.
The story tells how Anna fights against the Germans, losing her colleagues and her friends and lover. Her adventures see her being captured, rescued and then villfied. Anna is hardened but the one thing she loves is to fly. It is quite a good story although I found the time jumps a bit confusing. It is the kind of comic that you need to read over and over again so that all the different characters and nuances fall into place.
A gripping story with excellent graphics. Definitely worth investing in a hard copy.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
The story is based on the real "Night Witches" which was a German nickname for the all female military aviators of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment, known later as the 46th "Taman" Guards Night Bomber Aviation Regiment, of the Soviet Air Forces.
The story tells how Anna fights against the Germans, losing her colleagues and her friends and lover. Her adventures see her being captured, rescued and then villfied. Anna is hardened but the one thing she loves is to fly. It is quite a good story although I found the time jumps a bit confusing. It is the kind of comic that you need to read over and over again so that all the different characters and nuances fall into place.
A gripping story with excellent graphics. Definitely worth investing in a hard copy.
Copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
December 2, 2022
Garth Ennis knows how to tell really good war story and the brutality and the numbness that comes from war. It’s about these two women Russian air pilots who do bombing missions while at the same time a Nazi unit in Russia dealing with their affects of the bombing. Some people probably don’t like the cartoon art style, but I like The cartoony art style makes the characters more expressive And can ease the Reader into a very heavy and depressing subject. If you like war stories, especially about the eastern front you’ll like it, but go into this book, knowing that It’s unflinching about war and there is sexual violence
May 2, 2025
Wow, wow, wow!
I to jest prawdziwa sztuka - na kilkudziesięciu stronach zrobić pełnowymiarową opowieść o zaprzysięgłych wrogach, gdzie nikt i nic nie jest czarno-białe, a ludzie prezentują pełne spektrum człowieczeństwa: od wszystkiego co jest najlepsze po najgorsze w człowieku postawionym w ekstremalnej sytuacji wojny i walki o życie. A do tego historia o prawdziwym pułku rosyjskich lotniczek - "Nocnych Wiedźmach", które wykonywały loty bojowe w czasie drugiej wojny światowej i siały przerażenie w szeregach nazioli! Wszystko tu jest co trzeba - wojenne tragedie, potworności, miłość, ale też siostrzeństwo między lotniczkami i pokazane trudy bycia kobietą w armii.
I to jest prawdziwa sztuka - na kilkudziesięciu stronach zrobić pełnowymiarową opowieść o zaprzysięgłych wrogach, gdzie nikt i nic nie jest czarno-białe, a ludzie prezentują pełne spektrum człowieczeństwa: od wszystkiego co jest najlepsze po najgorsze w człowieku postawionym w ekstremalnej sytuacji wojny i walki o życie. A do tego historia o prawdziwym pułku rosyjskich lotniczek - "Nocnych Wiedźmach", które wykonywały loty bojowe w czasie drugiej wojny światowej i siały przerażenie w szeregach nazioli! Wszystko tu jest co trzeba - wojenne tragedie, potworności, miłość, ale też siostrzeństwo między lotniczkami i pokazane trudy bycia kobietą w armii.
November 26, 2017
Garth Ennis knows war stories, loves war stories, so I had high hopes. He does humanity well on a good day, and history.
I didn't expect Garth to tell diametrically opposed personal narratives with honesty and conviction, or to break my heart. This story of a Russian woman's air squadron is one of the best works of his career, of any writing. The synthesis with artist ... is magnificent, drawings of full bodied men and women, marvelous machines, ink and color emoting that might make you weep.
I didn't expect Garth to tell diametrically opposed personal narratives with honesty and conviction, or to break my heart. This story of a Russian woman's air squadron is one of the best works of his career, of any writing. The synthesis with artist ... is magnificent, drawings of full bodied men and women, marvelous machines, ink and color emoting that might make you weep.
April 8, 2018
PL
Dobrze narysowana historia osadzona w realiach Drugiej Wojny Światowej zarówno z perspektywy nazistów jak i sowietów. Wciąga i jest jednym z niewielu komiksów na faktach jakie miałem przyjemność czytać.
EN
A well-drawn story set in the realities of the Second World War, both from the perspective of the Nazis and the soviets. Draws and is one of the few comics on the facts I had the pleasure to read.
Dobrze narysowana historia osadzona w realiach Drugiej Wojny Światowej zarówno z perspektywy nazistów jak i sowietów. Wciąga i jest jednym z niewielu komiksów na faktach jakie miałem przyjemność czytać.
EN
A well-drawn story set in the realities of the Second World War, both from the perspective of the Nazis and the soviets. Draws and is one of the few comics on the facts I had the pleasure to read.
April 14, 2020
Great story and illustrations. I love the history of the Night Witches and was excited to see material in graphic novel format. Unfortunately, I don't feel as if I can add it to my middle school collection due to the excessive number of f-bombs. I understand, though, when you are in a wartime situation they are often called for.
April 15, 2022
Based upon the real life Night Witches, Soviet female pilots during World War 2 flying biplanes from World War 1. Gives more of an overview more than anything else, the volume is pretty thin, but puts faces and names to both the Nazi invaders and the Soviets protecting their homeland.
TW: Rape scene halfway through.
TW: Rape scene halfway through.
July 22, 2022
Garth Ennis does it again. I loved Born, the Vietnam war origin story that Ennis penned for his run on Punisher, so I expected something special from Battlefields, but the Night Witches arc exceeded my expectations. The story is at once brutal and uplifting, exploring the best and the very worst of human nature. It’s a story that will stay with me a long time, I think.
March 30, 2024
The craziest part about this whole story, is that it's actually based on a true Regiment of the Russian armed forces. When I heard Torunn Grønbekk talk Her admiration for innocent and this story I had to read it. While it doesn't do much, war is hell, and it just re-enforces my belief that Russian women are the toughest around.
July 2, 2018
Me parece maravilloso el tema que trata, muy poco conocido. Aún así creo que toca muchos clichés de las películas históricas y de guerra, incluso con el final. Pese a todo creo que es una lectura recomendable.
August 17, 2018
Coyer Summer Bash
This book does a great job of capturing the time period and the struggles the female pilots faced during the war. The pilots had an intense loyality to their country but faced sexism from their fellow soldiers. An interesting read.
This book does a great job of capturing the time period and the struggles the female pilots faced during the war. The pilots had an intense loyality to their country but faced sexism from their fellow soldiers. An interesting read.
May 7, 2019
It was alright. I enjoyed the story, but I don’t really feel like I learned a lot about the night witches. Perhaps it veered too much into telling a fictional story (which says a lot coming from me). Still, end of the day I’m glad I read it.
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