This isn’t the dramatic conclusion or frenetic final act of DMZ, we have already had that. From page one this feels like the epilogue. It is a quiet and reflective look back at everything we have learnt. A chance to catch our breath and take stock of where were have come from and the road we have taken.

There is one dramatic payoff that you have probably forgotten about and fair play to Wood for sticking to his guns and doing it his way. This isn’t a volume you have to read but if you are a long term fan and you really “get” DMZ then you defiantly should.

The art meets its usual high standard with Burchielli drawing the whole book. There is nothing innovative or spectacular but big mute panels do a great job of slowing the pace right down. This also has one of the most perfect sunsets ever seen in comics. The final page is also a fitting sight, if a little cheesy.

A calm and peaceful end to this turbulent series. Thumbs Up!

291/74

Tomorrow: Half Dead – Barb Lien-Cooper & Park Cooper

As DMZ is winding down the trademark hot topic of the week theme is receding into the background. We are moving from education to entertainment as we begin to wrap up the characters we have been following for so long.

This volume sees a back story for a supporting character and the reappearance of someone we thought gone for good. A third story sees a catch-up of what has been happening with Zee. There are some nice surprises and some questions answered.

The art is great with some really inspired palette choices making fantastic use of colour. This might be down to the addition of Martinbrough as co-artist. There are a lot of TV screen snippets giving us clues as to how it all began.

A solid Thumbs Up!

291/74

Tomorrow: DMZ (12): The Five Nations of New York – Brian Wood

DMZ has changed. It looks like the lengthy shock and awe exposé style of the initial volumes has gone for good, or at least for a while. What we have instead are short pieces of life writing that take us, quite briefly, into the heads of real fictional people.

We revisit a few supporting characters that, you have to admit, you were wondering what happened to. Some of these stories get a little abstract but if you have made it this far Wood suspects you are robust enough for a little weirdness.

There is a collection of artists once again, as has become the norm, but this time Burchielli is nowhere to be seen. Some quite abstract styles are at work as one would suspect when you ask an artist to draw a story about an artist drawing and some subtly creative flashbacks.

You might get the feeling this isn’t what you signed up for but the stories are still powerful and you don’t doubt they aren’t, in some way, relevant or true.

For the bravery of the creativity this maintains a Thumbs Up!

285/80

Tomorrow: The Highwaymen – Marc Bernardin & Adam Freeman

This volume is in two parts. The first is a collection of micro-stories. Some just single page, single paragraph, character studies; some are a little longer. These are all the neat, quirky ideas that Wood was sensible enough not to try and shoehorn into the main storyline. But, for the most part, they are worth telling.

Then we return to the main story for a very indulgent and melancholy slice of Matty’s mental state. This a protracted whine that although becomes grating very quickly really forces the reader into our protagonists head. You will love it or hate it but it does end on a very interesting note.

Continuing the collaborative art style we have ten different artists at work, thanks to the micro-stories, including Dave Gibbons. Some blend in, or even try to exceed the DMZ elegance, but two brave souls offer us some stunning black and white work. Both are perfect for the stories they tell and click neatly into the DMZ ethic. Full marks must go to Burchielli for allowing interlopers into his world with good grace.

Not to everyone’s taste possibly but it still doesn’t drop below a Thumbs Up!

283/82

Tomorrow: DMZ (10): Collective Punishment – Brian Wood

This book contains three different stories. First a two part look at what soldiers get up to when they aren’t being shot at. It isn’t what you think. Next is a major plot development in the ongoing storyline and finally Zee gets another issue to herself.

These have all the elements you have come to expect. Real world insight, twisting storyline and rounded, unpredictable characters.

This is another book with multiple artists all of whom embrace the DMZ style wonderfully. Burchielli keeps pulling neat little tricks out of the bag showing his passion and investment in this work. There are some minor digital appearances with a bit of motion blur and some snowfall. Both of these whilst unexpected are expertly executed.

You are getting used to DMZ so the shock and awe is wearing off but you are still engrossed. A solid Thumbs Up!

282/83

Tomorrow: DMZ (8): Hearts and Minds – Brian Wood

The Beginners Guide to Warzones that is DMZ rumbles logically into the territory of elections. It is frank and opinionated and lets you know just how corrupt it thinks these practices are. Our hero has less of the spotlight in this volume.

The art, the colours, the lettering are all high quality which is very impressive for what ran as a monthly title. This isn’t just by the numbers stuff, there is style and flair in what you are seeing. This doesn’t quite hit some of the previous highs but the layouts and panelling do an expert job keeping things fresh and interesting.

This is perhaps the most blunt and inelegant of the series to date but it is still a worthy read. Thumbs Up!

281/84

Tomorrow: DMZ (7): War Powers – Brian Wood

This volume contains six separate stories focussed on minor characters – some known and some new. This is a stark change from the heavy reading of the previous books. This may seem like a light interlude but all are part of the bigger picture and connected to the plot. One of these is a shocking twist indeed and all are expertly told.

There are guest artists for two of the stories but they both keep to the established conventions. This has the same high standards and it is great to see the art is given as much weight and freedom as the words.

An excellent Thumbs Up!

280/85

Tomorrow: DMZ (6): Blood in the Game – Brian Wood