DMZ, Vol. 10: Collective Punishment

DMZ #10

by Brian Wood, Andrea Mutti (Illustrator), Nathan Fox (Illustrator)

In this collection of five single-issue stories, citizens and soldiers – new characters and old – weather the storm of a brutal “shock and awe” bombing campaign on the DMZ. Includes a story concerning the enigmatic Wilson, the self-professed protector of Chinatown and confidant to series star Matty Roth who has always said he’d own the DMZ in the end. Now, with the U.S. poised to steamroll its way into the city, it’s do-or-die time for the old man. In another, Matty lends his Liberty News secure phone line to DMZ citizens to reach out to loved ones outside the city – a direct violation of his contract. Is this the beginning of a new, compassionate Matty looking to atone? Or are more cynical motives at play? Find out in this newest collection of the acclaimed series.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, War, Comic Book, Dystopia

128 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Tanabrus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gli Stati Uniti d'America lanciano la grande offensiva per riprendersi New York, e lo fanno nel loro inconfondibile stile. Si inizia quindi con un bombardamento a tappeto, preceduto da istantanee che ci mostrano alcuni personaggi.
Chi è impegnato a curare nei rifugi (e magari, chissà, a redimere dei guerriglieri), chi ha deciso di salvare la "sua" gente consentendole di andarsene da Chinatown scegliendo però di rimanere fino all'ultimo a casa propria (mi ha rattristato non poco questo...), chi vivendo la sua vita secondo i propri dettami, chi vivendo una nuova vita dopo che la precedente era stata stravolta da Matty.

Istantanee di parti diverse della Grande Mela, di vite e routines che l'attacco avrà stravolto (o terminato).

E in tutto questo Matty, che usa i privilegi appena concessigli per salvare persone (l'area libera da bombardamenti incentrata su di lui, il materiale fornitogli da Liberty News, lo stesso tesserino della stampa che un tempo era il suo più grande tesoro).

Bello ma leggerino, spero si torni a storia vera e propria nel prossimo volume.

[Timo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am not at all sure why I keep buying these DMZ collected editions.
Like this one. Nothing much happens in these short stories about the life in DMZ during the bombings-that-is-going-to-make-all-better and nothing really moves the original plot line forward. Bombs drop, people hide in cellars and think and talk alot. Book finished.

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say I found this one of the weakest volumes of DMZ. The story seems to have stagnated, and I'm not sure I'm connecting with it. I hate to think what it would be like reading this in five parts over five months, since barely anything happens.

With luck the next volume returns to actually moving the story forward, as I can't help feeling the series is living on borrowed time.

[Tobin Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

The individual character studies are coming a bit more often now (then again, there's only two more volumes to go, so I assume this is the last) and I'm part of this is to allow the regular series artist an opportunity to catch up a bit.

These are interesting stories and, in a couple of cases, actually shocking developments. I enjoyed this, but I'm now really invested on where Wood's going to take it as he completes the series.

[Guy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early in DMZ, Wood clearly doled out an increment more of hope along with all the death, decline, and tragedy. Dismantling preconceptions about life in the war zone, he depicted cooperative networks, community pride, and above all, collective survival. Amidst the regressions of gang violence, military brutality, and individual opportunism, many of those in the DMZ survive because they do so together. But as the series progresses (and the so-called war on terror that inspired its creation persists and mutates), story-lines grow increasingly bleak, problems increasingly intractable. Wood is perhaps holding a mirror up to our own sense of the insurmountable. This reader only hopes that some of that early humanism returns as the series comes to a close, offering not just the bitter survival of a few but solutions for the many. That is the power of imaginative fiction, right?

[Zedsdead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another collection of shorts.

Five Hours Under Fire
A spy for the US Army infiltrates the DMZ to guide bombs. While pretending to be a frightened local, he is recognized for what he is by Zee. When another Manhattan woman absolves him of his crimes against the locals, he runs guilt-stricken off into the night. Not one of the better stories but it reminds the reader about Zee's utility and courage and adds a bit more depth to the already impressive level of detail Wood has created in this conflict.

Ghost Protector
Wilson is informed by a smug, abusive messenger that he has three days to clear Chinatown before the Air Force bombs it flat. He lets his people leave but stays behind on the third day. The captain goes down with his ship. Humanizes Wilson and provides a bit of closure on one of the most colorful characters in the series.

Amina, Mother of One
Amina, now a functional human being, saves a baby left alone in the street. She ruminates on the phases of her life and how dramatically she's changed. When the baby's mother (and some heavily armed militia-mates) come to take the child back, Amina confronts her. Some excellent backstory on an intriguing character, and a good peek at the everyday trauma life in a warzone can inflict.

A Decade on the Wall
Legendary graffiti artist Decade Later is arrested by...some group...and tortured and maimed. After silent dentists reconstruct his mouth, he is utterly broken by his tormenters. He clings to a single bit of rebellion, his own 'four lights'. The graffiti in this one is brilliant, the stylistic changes impressive. Great ending for the character.

Matty's War
Matty joins a community of DMZers in a bunker while the Army flattens Manhattan. He is confronted by a former friend of Soames. Then by a bodyguard of Parco. He's accepted--forgiven?--by a deaf musician who feels the notes of her guitar with her abdomen. And he's courted by a former millionaire investment banker who sneers at the poor locals and wallows in self-pity for what he's lost.

Wonderful bridge to the series' endgame. Some important character closure while the book reminds us about the momentous happenings above and what those cost the civilian inhabitants of the island. This is good writing.

[Mike Romanowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

It takes me time to pick up volumes and so I do forget what has happened in the previous volume. NYC is getting bombed now in this volume and we look at 5 characters waiting it out. They reflect on what it means to be a New Yorker, what it means to stay in a city being destroyed, the hope they have for New York City, how New York/the war has changed them... it's what I do like about this series. NYC is a character as much as any other person drawn and talking. The artwork is amazing, different from what I'm used to in Marvel Comics. And while the emotional impact is there, it doesn't push the story further so it feels too drawn out.

[Robert Hudder · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, when the stories are kept to a single character and super small focus, they can have a large emotional impact.

This volume contained some such stories. There were also less words and that let the pictures breathe with a lot of space for thinking. Maybe it is how some have described war. A lot of waiting and boredom and then a lot of action.

This is the quiet moments where you can see what the characters are about and it explains a lot more than some of the more busy times.

[M. Ashraf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collective Punishment
Five Single Stories, different people different point of views
The Ending of the War, The Bombing of the city, Raise it to the ground to have a fresh new start!
We meet again with Matty Roth at the fifth story to see the city for the last/first time!
Not that bad of a volume!
Waiting the end in two volumes!

[Jeff Mayo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Early on, this series was very good. It always just missed greatness. Now it is just average. The artwork isn't as good as it once was. The story is now fractured. This was five stand alone stories about people in the DMZ, as the entire island of Manhattan is carpet bombed. They are all very loosely intertwined. Even the characters are now asking how the war will end.

[Harley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never read a dmz before now. It was a goodset of stories

Pros
Good amount of violence
Good stories
Great artwork
Cons
The story of the street artist was boring and not intresting.

Conclusion
Would of got 5 if the book was perfect for it is 4.5 very close. Justdidnt like the street art story

[Gary Maginnis · Rating 2 out of 5]

easily the weakest so far. doesn't advance the story. hoping the last collected editions get back to DMZ properly. the last collection was a step down as well. if you're following the main story you can easily skip this one and miss nothing

[Adam Šilhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Opět výplňový arc ukazující život lidí v DMZ po posledním vývoji událostí.

Tím, že je to číslo na příběh, tak se Woodovi nedaří předat proč by mě to mělo víc zajímat - jen střípky příběhů. Špatné to ale imo není - jen nemají dostatečný prostor.

[Fr. Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not crazy about these short story collections usually, but most of these stories really stand out this time.

[Bosco Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Shit. All hell breaks loose.

[Neville Ridley-smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok. That is all.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to gain trust back once you've lost it.

[Marissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Better? I mean, literally every story without Matty Roth seems to be better than stories with Matty Roth.

[Rayo Vallekno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out standing.

[Brendan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The standalone stories in this volume are heartbreaking, most featuring some sad ends for some of my favorite DMZ characters. A great setup heading into the final run.

[Martijn Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

This could've been another volume filled with filler stories (just like volume 5). But the short stories in this volume capture the soul of the city torn by war and rises above being just filler.

[Brad Pretty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love vignette volumes. Unfortunately only a couple are actually interesting.

[Dkolacinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent tale and graphics. Highly recommended.

[Jake Fuller · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Great volume. It’s getting better as it progresses. Excited to see what happens moving forward. Art work is amazing in this volume

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Every volume is just ok

[PMoslice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This installment of DMZ is was excellent. The series has its ups and downs, this was absolutely and up. An amazing anthology of the citizen of the DMZ. Tales of heroism, sacrifice and loss. One of the best books in the series.

[Gavin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 10 gives us 5 separate stories about 5 different people in the DMZ, and their experiences during the USA's heavy bombing of Manhattan in the aftermath of the nuclear detonation.
First up we have the story of Cal Foster, a new character, a sort of new 21st Century urban soldier I suppose? He works for the USA, infiltrated NYC, and 'painted targets' for the bombing campaign. He then seems shelter underground and runs into Zee and some others waiting out the bombings. Here he runs into Zee, who sees through him instantly, but keeps her mouth shut about it; and another woman, who leads him into a flashback of everything he's done. The flashback really gets to Cal, and we see yet again, more shades of Grey in a character in the DMZ.

The 2nd story is about Wilson, and how he makes his final stand for Chinatown...

The 3rd story is about Amina, who we haven't seen in some time, and how she's survived, and how she comes across an abandoned baby in the DMZ. This also explores the shades of Grey surrounding herself and the mother of the baby, and how Amina won't judge anyone after everything that she's been part of and done in her life in the DMZ.

The 4th one follows Graffiti artist Decade Later, who finds himself released from internment in Shea Stadium after suffering torture at the hands of the US captors. It shows his dedication to his art above all else, and how his holding onto the art gives him the strength to make it out alive and to keep on going in the DMZ.

The final story involves Matty seeking shelter from the bombings, and offering the others in the shelter use of his cell phone (the only one working in the whole DMZ) to call loved ones, and he also offers up everything else he has to those sheltered. It may not be much, but it is the start of making up for his involvement in the war escalating to this level of violence. The last panels show him looking out over the city after another night of bombings, hoping for a last look at the city in case it doesn't make it...

This was a very good follow up to Vol 9, as it gets back to the people in the DMZ and all the shades of Grey they live their lives in. The ones who pay the price for all the politicking and deals and power plays.

[Joni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Otro tomo de unitarios que complementan el trasfondo de la historia central, casi sin presencia del protagonista hasta el final, las últimas páginas recién lo traen de vuelta para meter otro coletazo en la historia. Como que abren el camino para tener un final en los próximos dos tomos a todo culo!

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

It seems to be a fairly common occurrence in comics to, in the ramp up to the final blowout ending of a page-turner series, suddenly take a hard left turn out of the central plot and publish a bunch of one-off stories, almost as an attempt to stall for time. Fables does this quite often, as did Scalped. But somehow, I almost always like these stories, as I did in this volume.

After the events in vols. 8 and 9 of DMZ, it's pretty damn clear we're in the final stages of this story. Pieces are being positioned, things are heating up. So then in volume 10, we get 5 single-issue stories further exploring the various characters we've met along the way. I found every story to be sharper and more affecting than in volume 5, the other one-offs entry in this series. As the horrors of this war continue to pile up, it feels very cool to check in with people we haven't seen in quite some time. Some are better off. Some are in much worse shape. But each story is very solid, proving that Wood can really nail the single-issue plot.

The only one of these I was less keen on was the story of Decade Later, a graffiti artist who we last met in vol. 5. His whole deal is that he's completely willing to die and get his ass kicked for his art, which is presented as being very noble and idealistic, but in reality just seems super selfish or obsessive or something. No one is going to see his art. His art isn't helping anyone, it isn't changing the world. It's just drawings of buildings and stuff. So seeing him "sacrifice it all" for some graffiti when so many people in this series have sacrificed much more to help their communities or families, feels a little stupid.

That said, the rest of this volume is Grade A, and a great reprieve before the final push.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Unforgiving is how these stories hit me. Like Wood wants to make sure no one gets out of this series alive or with any black/white thinking or comfort left.

I get that this stage of the "war" was pretty much inevitable, but wow do I wish it could go some other way. Not the war we want but the war we deserve, or something like it.

I found that once I knew this was a collection of single-issue stories, it was hard to motivate reading them. Like this would just be a series of short, sharp barbs that I was willfully sticking in my eye. However they weren't nearly as hard to read as I'd thought, in fact they were actually helpful - taking stock of the story and the island just once more before we dive deep in the next book or three, hurtling towards a deadly conclusion (or do I imagine Wood is setting up with this volume).

The last story was the best - best art and the most compelling reading. Every time Matty Roth shows up and thinks or interacts, things get sharper - more in focus. I learn more not only about the universe of DMZ but also about humanity. Very much like Transmetropolitan - every time Spider Jerusalem shows up, the story just gets that much better and more rewarding.

I started out thinking this was a waste of a book, but now I feel like it was critical to keeping DMZ cohesive.