Signature Wound: Rocking TBI (Volume 32)

Wounded Warrior #3

by G.B. Trudeau

Signature Rocking TBI is Pulitzer Prize-winner Garry Trudeau’s third collection of Doonesbury comics examining the effects of combat on soldiers in Iraq.

Signature Rocking TBI completes a trilogy of Doonesbury books that examines the impact of combat on American soldiers in Iraq.

A twist of fate brings B. D. to the bedside of SFC Leo Deluca (a.k.a. Toggle), a young HUMV driver and headbanger whose love of ear-bleed battle music had sonically distracted him enough to get his vehicle blown up. Missing an eye and suffering from aphasia, Toggle fights to recover from traumatic brain injury (TBI), a journey of recovery that brings out the best in B. D., his former commander. Toggle's tattooed, metalhead mom initially has reservations about his improbable Facebook romance with an MIT tech-head named Alex, but love blooms. As this engaging story unfolds, Toggle finds himself drawn toward a career in the recording industry, undaunted by the limitations of the New Normal that now defines his life.

Crafted with the same kind of insight, humor, and respect that prompted the Pentagon and the VA to host signings of the two previous books in the trilogy, Signature Wound is a perceptive and timely look at the contemporary soldier's experience.

Genres: Comics, Humor, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Disability, Politics, Comic Strips

120 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2010

About the author

Garretson Beekman "Garry" Trudeau is an American cartoonist, best known for the Doonesbury comic strip. In 1970, Trudeau's creation of Doonesbury was syndicated by the newly formed Universal Press Syndicate. Today Doonesbury is syndicated to almost 1,400 newspapers worldwide and is accessible online in association with Slate Magazine at doonesbury.com. In 1975, he became the first comic strip artist to win a Pulitzer, traditionally awarded to editorial-page cartoonists. He was also a Pulitzer finalist in 1990. He was nominated for an Oscar in 1977 in the category of Animated Short Film, for A Doonesbury Special, in collaboration with John Hubley and Faith Hubley. A Doonesbury Special eventually won the Cannes Film Festival Jury Special Prize in 1978. Other awards include the National Cartoonists Society (NCS) Newspaper Comic Strip Award in 1994, and the Reuben Award in 1995. He was made a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1993. Wiley Miller, fellow comic-strip artist responsible for Non Sequitur, called Trudeau "far and away the most influential editorial cartoonist in the last 25 years." In addition to his work on Doonesbury, Trudeau has teamed with Elizabeth Swados and written plays, such as Rap Master Ronnie and Doonesbury: A Musical Comedy. In 1988, Trudeau joined forces with director Robert Altman for the HBO miniseries Tanner '88 and the Sundance Channel miniseries sequel Tanner on Tanner in 2004. In 1996, Newsweek and The Washington Post speculated that Trudeau wrote the novel Primary Colors, which was later revealed to have been written by Joe Klein. Trudeau wrote the political sitcom Alpha House, starring John Goodman and Bill Murray. The pilot was produced by Amazon Studios and aired in early 2013. Due to positive response Amazon has picked up Alpha House to develop into a full series.

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best examinations of coping with TBI I have read so far. This book hits hard; so many of our vets are suffering out there, so little in the way of proactive engagement. It never ceases to amaze me - how much money our government wastes when there are so many vets who need help.

[Clark Hallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doonesbury: Signature Wound: Rocking TBI by G.B. Trudeau is the third and last volume of Trudeau’s “Wounded Warrior” graphic novel series. This one focuses on one of B.D.’s brigade friends in Iraq. Leo, who is known by his nickname - Toggle, is into music and just has a knack for creating mixes for other people. He provides iPod mixes for almost everyone in his brigade. Unfortunately, Specialist Toggle was driving when his vehicle was blown up by a VBIED (Very Bad IED). Toggle suffered a TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury). B.D. travels to visit Toggle at Walter Reed Medical Center near Washington DC and learns that Toggle suffers from aphasia, which affects his speech. He can think clearly, but has trouble expressing his thoughts in a coherent manner. Toggle’s long and arduous recovery is helped by his girlfriend, who is the daughter of one of B.D.’s old friends. Trudeau includes more humor in this story, but certainly does not belittle the frustrating recovery that Toggle must endure. Together with “The Long Road Home” and “The War Within”, this volume caps an amazing graphic-novel series that realistically portrays the pain and suffering, and the heroic struggles toward recovery, endured by wounded soldiers. I highly recommend all three of these graphic novels to any adult.

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read and a good mix of humor and seriousness. Toggle is a soldier who gets a serious TBI in Iraq; this is about his recovery and life at home.

It turns out that these comics are a lot easier to understand when you read them in a volume rather than in the Sunday paper, because it's easier to get to know the characters and follow the story arcs.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a curated collection of comics focusing on the character Toggle, a wounded vet. It highlighted the "signature wound" of the word in Iraq and Afghanistan: traumatic brain injury. It made me think about the sacrifices that our vets have made that don't necessarily show on the outside.

[Scotty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, but way to damn short. If you are a Doonesbury fan you will dig this quick look into one of the characters that came back from Afghanistan with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trudeau captures the price of war and the ability of love and determined individuals to overcome it.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The third and final installment of the Wounded Warrior series. And again, Trudeau presents a very skillful rendering of a difficult topic. This series is a must-read for everyone.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looks like I've missed some interesting books in the Doonesbury series, having only read this one rather randomly. I'd like to read more.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Doonesbury takes a look at recovery - from the point of view of a soldier and the family, friends and comrades around him. Funny while being real.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2024 bk 107. Another look at how the veterans of Iraq/Afghanistan have made the transition to civilian life, often with catastrophic damage to themselves. Toggle still loves his music, but learns to adapt his career goals as he deals with traumatic brain injury. Everyone should read this. TBI isn't 'fixed', rather life becomes adapted, to accepting changes, and certain limitations. Trudeau does a good job of featuring some of the process of adapting.

[DOUGLAS J BERRY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and sad.

Good black and white artwork in a sequential form. Doonesbury goes from humor to serious subject of brain surgery. It's a realistic treatment but f de feels a little uneven. Good job dealing with difficult subject.

[Ken Bruss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A humorous account featuring BD and Toggle detailing an Iraqi vet’s recovery from a TBI

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don’t read these comic book style graphic books, this one is by the author of the Doonesbury comics, about TBI

[Lorelei · Rating 3 out of 5]

In terms of the quality of the writing and the humour definitely not Trudeau's best - but as I tend to loathe his politics and his social commentary often leaves me feeling a bit slimed, it was a pleasure to read something from him with which I could whole-heartedly agree. He handles the subject matter with knowledge and tact. I've come over time to really love the character 'Toggle,' and that made this book all the more pleasant to read. I can't think of anyone for whom this wouldn't be a good book to read.

[Trevor Dailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art's ugly, but story is decent.