We stand on guard

Canada has often had a rocky relationship with the United States, from the colonial era to the War on Terror. American writer Vaughan (Saga) and Canadian artist Skroce (Doc Frankenstein) take this occasionally hostile friendship to its fictional conclusion with the tale of a devastating war, which changes the shape of North America. After a drone strike on the White House in 2112, the United States declares all-out war on Canada, plunging their northern neighbors into a police state and viciously exterminating all resistance. Twelve years later, a fugitive named Amber stumbles upon the last vestiges of Canadian resistance and joins their fight. Vaughan is in top form as he peppers the blood-soaked pages with just enough uniquely Canadian wit (likely gleaned from his wife, a native Ottawan) and characteristic pathos to avoid another mindless war story, while Skroce and colorist Matt Hollingsworth stun the reader with their brutal military sci-fi imagery, propelling the tale to its explosive conclusion. (May) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.

One hundred years in the future, the White House is destroyed in a drone attack, and the United States retaliates (or instigates?) with massive air strikes-into Canada! Hollywood talents Vaughan (Saga; writer, TV's Lost), storyboard artist Skroce (The Matrix franchise), and colorist Hollingsworth (Hawkeye) create a dreadful war in which the Americans seem to be stealing all of Canada's water and pumping it back into the United States. Bands of Canadian heroes are fighting this invasion. At the center of the action is a motley assemblage of freedom fighters called the "Two-Four," who save a young girl, Amber, from certain death, and almost immediately Amber begins to show true leadership as they continue to counter the oncoming assault from the U.S. invaders. The images might be too realistic for younger readers as vicious deaths and torture scenes are numerous; however, this only adds to the emotions this story will conjure. Verdict A violent vision of a possible tomorrow, this volume, which gathers all six single issues of the miniseries, will prompt readers to contemplate political and environmental choices. Recommended for adult graphic novel collections.-Jason L. Steagall, Gateway Technical Coll. Lib., Elkhorn, WI © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.