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DMZ #7

DMZ, Vol. 7: War Powers

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NEW YORK CITY... a no man’s land in the second American civil war and the place that rookie photojournalist Matty Roth calls home. Originally a journalist reporting on the daily life of civilians struggling to get by in a war zone, Matty has found himself increasingly being pulled into the complex politics of the city.

In WAR POWERS, the populist hero Parco Delgado, with Matty’s help, has assumed the office of City Governor. His first order of business is to cancel all existing deals and contracts and expel all peacekeepers, troops, NGO’s and observers.

The DMZ is now a sovereign nation.

But despite riding into office on a huge wave of popular support, Parco finds himself lacking the necessary money and political strength to run the city the way he promised. Matty is enlisted to carry out a mission that would immediately elevate Delgado’s administration to the global stage, ensuring all the power he could possibly need, and perhaps more than he earned.

Faced with this prospect, will Matty continue to blindly support his buddy Parco? Or is it finally time for Matty to start calling some of the shots himself?

Also in this volume is the two-part THE ISLAND, focusing on a group of bored troops stationed on Staten Island who chose to write their own rules of engagement, and the short story ZEE, DMZ, which highlights a moment of tenderness in a city filled with violence.

168 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2009

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About the author

Brian Wood

1,174 books961 followers
Brian Wood's history of published work includes over fifty volumes of genre-spanning original material.

From the 1500-page future war epic DMZ, the ecological disaster series The Massive, the American crime drama Briggs Land, and the groundbreaking lo-fi dystopia Channel Zero he has a 20-year track record of marrying thoughtful world-building and political commentary with compelling and diverse characters.

His YA novels - Demo, Local, The New York Four, and Mara - have made YALSA and New York Public Library best-of lists. His historical fiction - the viking series Northlanders, the American Revolution-centered Rebels, and the norse-samurai mashup Sword Daughter - are benchmarks in the comic book industry.

He's written some of the biggest franchises in pop culture, including Star Wars, Terminator, RoboCop, Conan The Barbarian, Robotech, and Planet Of The Apes. He’s written number-one-selling series for Marvel Comics. And he’s created and written multiple canonical stories for the Aliens universe, including the Zula Hendricks character.

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5 stars
907 (34%)
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1,023 (39%)
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536 (20%)
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103 (3%)
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45 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
Profile Image for Tanabrus.
1,981 reviews204 followers
December 18, 2022
La prima storia di questo numero ci porta a Staten Island e ci mostra un esempio di utopia nella DMZ, cioè i rapporti tra i soldati americani e quelli degli Stati Liberi incaricati dai rispettivi governi di tenere d'occhio il nemico e invece accordatisi per diramare falsi rapporti e fare amicizia tra loro, in previsione di un futuro post guerra dove si ritroveranno a essere di nuovi tutti concittadini. Bello e lodevole, finché non sparisce una fialetta di arma chimica proibita e tutti allora si ricordano a un tratto di essere in guerra, e su fronti opposti. Carina, la parte migliore del volume.

La seconda è il fulcro del volume, e vede il rientro di Matty nel cuore della DMZ dopo aver aiutato Delgado a vincere le elezioni. E Delgado subito si è mostrato molto irruento nelle dichiarazioni, camminando sulla sottile linea che separa il presidente eletto dal popolo e intento a salvarlo in una situazione impossibile, dal dittatore che elimina i nemici e ammassa le risorse.
Ha cacciato le forze occupanti di due nazioni e della Trustwell, ha dichiarato di essere stato a sé stante... e dopo averlo ignorato a lungo, cerca Matt perché ha bisogno di favori.
Deve sfruttare le sue conoscenze per ottenere soldi, necessari per poter tenere in piedi la baracca. E con quei soldi deve anche prendere l'asso nella manica che Delgado sta cercando per potersi sedere da pari ai tavoli dei potenti, il deterrente finale contro invasioni e attacchi, sia interni che esterni.
Fa impressione vedere Matty precipitare sempre più velocemente nel baratto etico e morale da cui inizialmente si era tenuto ben distante: ora è pronto a tutto per fare le scarpe alla madre e ottenere prestigio e indipendenza, un cinismo che spaventa.

Il che ci porta alla terza mini storia, che ci mostra Zee ormai fuori dalla DMZ direttamente controllata da Delgado e ancora fedele ai propri principi, al punto di aiutare i mercenari nemici quando li trova feriti e moribondi vicini a casa sua.
Comprensibile che non possa più avere niente a che fare con Matty al momento.


Buono ma vuoi per il tema (la discesa nell'oscurità di Matty) vuoi per il ritmo o per la mancanza di grandi colpi, cattura meno dei volumi precedenti.
Profile Image for James DeSantis.
Author 17 books1,205 followers
June 18, 2019
This chapter didn't fully capture me. It's a lot of focus on Matty but he's dealing with mostly a military off base and it's kind of just okay. None of the character's really spoke to me or had anything interesting to say. The second half is Matty choosing what to do to get the upper-hand and the good graces of the "new" president. It also deals with Zee being on her own which is the best part of the book. Overall, this one was just decent. A 2.5-3 out of 5.
Profile Image for Joshum Harpy.
64 reviews16 followers
September 26, 2009
The latest installment of Brian Wood's DMZ series continues to impress. The series as a whole deals with the personal side of war, focusing on those stuck in the demilitarized zone in between a speculatively fictional civil war in the united states in the near future. Wood excels at telling exceptionally human stories under exceptionally inhuman circumstances, and this volume is no exception to the high standards set by the previous six.

The compelling war scenarios of DMZ are all consistently top-notch, bursting with action and intrigue in and of themselves, but over and over these astoundingly clever stories serve only as a backdrop, a canvas for exploring the emotional toll of war on the invisible victims, the "collateral damage" of those lives caught in the middle. Following the war journalist gone native, Matty Roth, DMZ delves into the rage, pain, hope and unbreakable spirit of the people most often neglected in war stories, civilians caught in the middle of someone else's war. It is a poignant and often brilliant reversal of the traditional approach to war.

From the start, DMZ has been a thinly veiled allegory for the U.S. occupation of Iraq, taking the daily headlines of human rights abuse in "the war on terror" and recontextualizing it in a scenario that will bring the reality home to an audience of 20-something American middle class white hipsters. As a reluctant member of that loathsome category I can personally attest that the formula works. At times it can feel heavy handed and bogged down in current events, but the quality of writing and visual storytelling assures that this story will have a lasting value at the very least as a historical document, chronicling a new generation of American kids' reaction to the mind-numbing brutality of the military industrial complex of the United States.

This volume finds the DMZ transitioning into a new phase as the newly elected representative of the DMZ, Parco Delgado, comes to power and ejects all foreign forces including the notoriously brutal security/reconstruction firm, Trustwell inc.(Halliburton...duh). The story then explores what appears to be the corruption of Parco Delgado as he takes control of the DMZ, power corrupts absolutely, apparently, as though we didn't know. Although this volume is exploring themes that have been explored at length in nearly every story ever told, from the bible to Where's Waldo (citation needed), it is still a gem of visual storytelling and nuanced enough to be fresh, poignant and distinctly it's own. If you like war history, war fiction, dystopian fiction, or comic books at all I suggest you get your ass off the computer and check this one out.
Profile Image for Aaron.
1,098 reviews112 followers
November 15, 2013
Another solid if fairly predictable volume. After all the buildup and hero worship Matty had for Parco Delgado in the previous volume, in this one we start to see some of that start to unravel here. It's further proof that you can't take anyone at face value in the DMZ, but that's kind of what I thought was going to happen from the very moment Parco was introduced. That said, I do respect Wood for not just flipping a switch and suddenly turning Parco into some kind of evil mastermind. He's still a human being doing what he thinks is best, though a lot of what he's said so far ends up being duplicitous at best. It's realistic even though you can see it coming.

This volume is broken up into 3 smaller stories, all of which are enjoyable, each very different from the last in scope and tone. The first follows Matty as he follows a group of US soldiers who pal around with a group of Free Army soldiers, a la the World War I film "Joyeux Noel." However, things take a turn and everything gets pretty intense, with all sides acting unreasonably in a completely believable way. It's actually pretty upsetting thanks to its realistic approach, and was definitely my favorite part of this one.

Then in the middle we get the Parco stuff I already mentioned, and we close with a story of Zee (arguably the only other thoroughly explored character in the entire series?) running away from all the politics and violence being sparked by Parco's control of the DMZ. I have to say, I don't really get Zee's decisions in this volume. She's always been a very distrustful person thanks to her time in this war zone, and who can blame her. But she's built an actual relationship with Matty, who she's grown to respect despite his outsider status. So for her to just pack up and disappear into the night, leaving only a note for Matty that says "You lied" (which, he didn't?), seems a little stupid. So, pair that out-of-left-field decision with the cliche "I guess I have to save the enemy even though he is my enemy" war story she falls into, and I was not into her solo story.

However, this wasn't enough to damage the overall positive direction this volume took. Wood's really figured out how to keep this series dynamic and engaging, so it's definitely worth working your way through the mediocre volumes 3-5 to get here.
Profile Image for Zedsdead.
1,380 reviews83 followers
October 8, 2021
The Island
Matty Roth visits Staten Island, where the USA and FSA contingents have reached an open-ended Joyeux Noël détente, to the extent that they trade drugs, weapons, and porn and party together regularly. Until the incompetent US commander loses the vial of ricin he'd been keeping as a trophy. At which point détente devolves into detention, camaraderie into torture and murder.

Another indictment of the stupidity and waste of war, while Wood wraps up the geographical loose end that is Staten Island.

War Powers
And back to the main plot with the first few days of the Delgado administration. Parco evicts both armies from Manhattan, as well as the Trustwell mercenary organization. First he sends Matty to negotiate with Wilson for the urban legend Chinese gold. He next taps Matty to take delivery of an actual bona fide nuclear weapon from Soames in the park. Matty delays the delivery in order to extract concessions: full advisorship, diplomatic credentials, hand-picked security detail, expense account. Delgado accedes.

Both the ability to obtain a loose nuke and the willingness to wield it, even just as a threat, strain credulity. It's a jump-the-shark moment.

Zee, DMZ
Another single-issue character vignette. Zee, upset with Matty's transition from journalism to politics and unhappy with Delgado for reasons that aren't clear, moves out to the DMZ boonies. (I suppose it's in keeping with her character's idealistic purity demands, but it doesn't make a lot of logistical sense.)

She stumbles across a Trustwell merc unit and treats one for a gunshot wound, then protects the girl when locals come to finish off the cell. All the while, she muses on her apparent need to take on charity cases.
Profile Image for Joni.
820 reviews46 followers
November 15, 2018
Atención de spoiler,.. si lees esto considero que has leído integro el tomo anterior, de lo contrario no leas a continuación.
Ganadas las elecciones por Delgado este le pide a Matty que se retire un tiempo de la escena y este tomo arranca con él exiliado, meses después del evento anterior, en una isla medio entre un limbo en la guerra. A tal punto que conviven soldados de los dos bandos, en un mundo sin reglas o por el contrario, con las peores reglas posibles.
Historia corta de dos números, muy oscura.
Continua con el protagonista de vuelta en DMZ donde debe encontrar un lugar lleno de oro y todo deriva en una confrontación entre facciones con el regreso de personajes anteriores.
Matty sigue siendo un personaje mas bien bajón, dubitativo con amagues de grandeza que nunca se definen. Quizá esté pensado como justamente un imperfecto como cualquiera.
Cierra con una historia corta basada en Zee.
En general es una gran serie salvo que se va estirando bastante.. aunque sin llegar a ofrecer un producto de baja calidad.
Profile Image for Marissa.
888 reviews44 followers
September 2, 2018
I suspect this is so well rated because only people who are genuinely enjoying this would be seven volumes deep in it, everyone else having abandoned ship long ago. Luckily, I'm an idiot with access to her local library, so here I am. Nothing makes sense at this point - not the players, not Matty's choices, not his relationship that he's let curdle to dust over the last several volumes, not even Wood's choice to never reveal the name of the leader of the Free States outpost. But hey, someone found a nuke.
789 reviews7 followers
May 12, 2022
Matty goes to work for Delgado, but doesn’t like what he sees.

These books at this point just go around in circles, and they don’t make a lot of sense anymore. Really disappointing as I was very much invested at the beginning. This is the last volume I got at an estate sale, I don’t think I’ll go out of my way to get any more at this point.
Profile Image for Eric.
1,509 reviews6 followers
September 11, 2017
I guess I'm just reading this as a completionist. It never does anything for me but I used to like the series so I keep hoping something will click with me. I'm fully aware the low stars are because of me and not the book.
Profile Image for Michael.
3,394 reviews
April 3, 2018
Very intrigued by these developments. Matty seems to be losing his objectivity and plunging into some questionable dealings. I enjoyed the political gamesmanship of V.6, and the window back into the neighborhoods of the DMZ in V.7. Looking forward to more.
Profile Image for Sam.
57 reviews
June 13, 2021
I enjoyed the shorter stories in this collection about Staten Island and Zee (although I don't care for the cleaner art style and much prefer Burchielli's deliberately ugly art in the War Powers arc). Like the "Blood in the Game" series, "War Powers" introduces interesting ideas - hidden Chinatown gold, nukes, Parco's agenda, Matty's evolution from journalist to big player in the DMZ - but the pacing and character development don't hit the mark. Most of the arc is just Matty shouting "What the fuck is going on?" at everyone in sight, with the inevitable reply of "You mean you don't know?" dragging out the mystery for another issue. On the other hand, this arc reminded me why Wilson is one of my favorite characters in the DMZ, and we do get to see the Central Park Ghosts do their thing. Good, not great.
Profile Image for M. Ashraf.
2,399 reviews132 followers
July 23, 2019
I am here to just finish the series :/
Volume 7, it begin with 2 meh issues at the beginning with different artwork style and meh :/ story
then the main story "War Powers" which was a bit O.K with Iraq plot style with the Gold and the nuclear Weapon, a bit of a shocking ending to the story and then the final issue without matty and again a different artwork style.
Not that great but still not that bad!
Profile Image for Ross Vincent.
346 reviews27 followers
September 12, 2020
After the controversial election in the previous volume, Matty finds himself once again investigation life in the DMZ. From a Christmas Day like Armistice between the United States military and the Free States militia that takes an ugly turn, to the urban myth of China Gold in the city and what it can buy, to a solo story and Zee making her way in this new city, it is balls to the wall crazy in this latest collection.
Profile Image for Ben.
37 reviews2 followers
November 12, 2016
Illustrations of the first and final parts are too cartoony for the tone of the storyline. Characters have devolved into two main types: badass major players with big talk and background cannon fodder cardboard cutouts. The overall story has promise, but the execution in each volume leaves a lot to be desired.
Profile Image for Tobin Elliott.
Author 22 books179 followers
November 10, 2024
This story has me utterly captivated. Just when I'm thinking the concept is possibly getting played out, along comes a storyline like this one that offers up a couple of solid gut punches. I'm actually scared (in a good way) to see where these current developments lead to...
Profile Image for Jamil.
636 reviews59 followers
October 1, 2009
John Paul Leon is just killing it on the covers. I think if this series alternated between stories about Wilson & stories about Zee, I would truly love it.
Profile Image for Jeff Mayo.
1,706 reviews7 followers
May 7, 2023
Protagonist/photo journalist Matty Roth finds himself becoming increasingly disillusioned with Manhattan governor Parco Delgado. In the wheelings and dealings of the political arena, he continues to find himself as a pawn. The artwork in this volume is not as good as it has been in previous volumes.
Profile Image for Brendan.
1,594 reviews26 followers
September 20, 2019
War Powers may be my favorite storyline within DMZ. It’s the point when all of Matty’s flaws and mistakes reach critical mass, and the point of no return for his objectivity and morality is reached, and crossed.
Profile Image for Patrick.
1,297 reviews4 followers
January 23, 2017
Matty becomes a less likable character as he gets more deeply involved in the politics of the DMZ. This was another issue that seemed it could have come right out of today's headlines.
Profile Image for Scott.
Author 1 book6 followers
June 9, 2019
The set up for the downfall.
1,924 reviews5 followers
November 15, 2019
So, political intrigue...

Yeah, this arc hasn't enthused me so far. But it seems necessary to get us to the next place.
Profile Image for Martijn Van.
Author 5 books5 followers
May 2, 2020
After a dip and reshuffling the cards by introducing the Delgado nation DMZ is back on track.
1,669 reviews5 followers
July 3, 2024
Excellent tale and graphics. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Jake Fuller.
12 reviews
January 8, 2025
wow

Interesting to see how Matty develops and changes over time. They really should make this a movie or tv show!
Profile Image for Adam Šilhan.
683 reviews8 followers
June 21, 2019
Island skvělý, War powers velmi slušné. Zee - DMZ by byla ok pocitovka a doufám, že byla zařazená jinde než na konci booku, ptž kazí vygradování.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews

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