Roll Hard

by Robert Young Pelton, Billy Tucci (Editor), Tom Novak (Illustrator)

"Based on journalist Pelton’s Licensed to Hired Guns in the War on Terror, about the role of security contractors in the “war on terror,” this graphic novel comes as something of a surprise. Instead of the expected action-figure heroics and G.I. Joe pyrotechnics in a Middle Eastern setting, the story focuses on a disparate group of hardened military contractors who make the daily eight-minute security run down an extremely dangerous stretch of road that runs between the Baghdad International Airport and the Green Zone in the heart of the city. While their heavily armored vehicle provides some protection against the sniping and rocket-propelled grenades of local insurgents, the men remain tense and wary, as every passing second could be their last. While that’s a prime setup for endless scenes of action-movie carnage, the narrative instead focuses on the men as professionals and what makes them put their lives on the line for a daily payout of around $600. It’s that spotlight on the humanity of the contractors that makes this an engaging read, and artist Tucci (Sgt. The Lost Battalion) turns in understated, realistic artwork that is among the finest of his career. While the role of contractors in the Iraq conflict is controversial, this gives it a human face. (Jan.) - PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "It took weeks and several shared near-death experiences on the bomb-blasted Route Irish for T-Boy—a surprisingly gentle soul—to open up to Pelton. And the story he told was heart-breaking" - WAR IS BORING "At a time when comics are still dominated by busty babes, zombies and superheroes wearing tights, Pelton and Tucci's gritty, journalistic portrayal of America's fighters-for-hire is a profound departure... exciting, funny and simply gorgeous to look at." - WIRED MAGAZINE

64 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2013

About the author

Robert Young Pelton is an author, journalist, and documentary film director. He is known for his conflict reporting and interviews with military and political figures in war zones. He reported from the Battle of Qala-i-Jangi in Afghanistan, the Battle of Grozny (1999–2000) in Chechnya, the rebel siege to control Monrovia in Liberia, and the siege on Villa Somalia in Mogadishu. He spent time with the Taliban, the Northern Alliance (pre-9/11), the CIA during the hunt for Osama bin Laden and with both insurgents and Blackwater security contractors during the war in Iraq. He also hosted the Discovery Travel Channel series "Robert Young Pelton's The World's Most Dangerous Places" from 1998 to 2003.

Reviews

[Nate Granzow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although brief, the artwork and writing are first-rate. "Roll Hard" is an intimate snapshot of the lives of Blackwater contractors who regularly ran Route Irish—one of the most deadly passageways in Iraq in 2004, affectionately referred to as "RPG Alley." Pelton, himself portrayed as a character in the graphic novel, rides along with the crew, sharing the constant danger and narrowly surviving more than a few close calls.

What elevates this work from merely an action-packed comic to a poignant novel are Pelton's efforts to understand the motivations of the contractors he's embedded with beyond their obvious monetary gain. What he and the reader eventually unearth is the revelation that these men are not bloodthirsty mercenaries as one might initially think, but are instead driven by a sense of patriotism, honor, and loyalty to family and their comrades. Tucci's artistic talent only magnifies the sense of unrelenting danger and clearly portrays the unforgiving environment Pelton and the men from "Mamba Team" must overcome to survive.