DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock Vs. The Army Of The Dead #6 - DC Comics

DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD No. 6, April 2023

Doubtless ensuring many a cadet will be stood to attention ramrod straight on account of Sergeant Franklin John Rock sensationally going toe-to-toe against a chemically enhanced Adolf Hitler in a twenty-two-page long slugfest, Bruce Campbell’s storyline definitely delivers upon its pre-publication promise of being a “fear-soaked finale”. Indeed, many a fan of Joe Kubert’s “steelworker from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania” will doubtless struggle to recollect a time when the veteran soldier has come quite so close to being sent home in a flag-draped coffin.

Happily however, that ultimately is not the case as this comic’s “horror and comedy icon” captivatingly pens a series of standout moments which ably demonstrate “The Rock” can genuinely back-up his tough talk when it comes to a bout or two of fisticuffs with Nazi Germany’s Fuhrer. Furthermore, the increasingly fatigued American infantryman shows just how quick-witted his instincts for survival have made him, by employing a series of last second solutions to a plethora of Hitler’s utterly insane attacks; “Holy hell, is he tryin’ to..? You ain’t gassin’ my ass… Ugh… You should see the other guy!”

Intriguingly though, this book isn’t simply about Easy company coming face-to-face with the Third Reich’s ghoulish undead either. But also hints at its conclusion, following Frank's Skipper handing him a mysterious folder labelled the Division of Anomalous Phenomena, that the likes of Four Eyes, Bulldozer, Long Round and Short Round are probably destined to “come face-to-face with something far more horrifying than zombies” in a follow-up mini-series. Such a tantalising move debatably smacks of something from Mike Mignola’s “Hellboy”, yet it should certainly be enough to get any weird war fan frothing in anticipation at the prospect of the “just peachy” Sergeant having similarly unholy future adventures.

Equally as enjoyable as this periodical’s writing are Eduardo Risso’s pencils and Kristian Rossi’s colours, both of which help sell the bone-crunching impact of every punch Rock throws. In addition, this tale is not short on devastating, landscape-shaking explosions, and resultantly the creative duo do a first-rate job of fooling the reader into believing they can actually hear the violently loud bangs and odd “Wha-Boom” with their ears.

The regular cover art to "DC HORROR PRESENTS: SGT. ROCK VS. THE ARMY OF THE DEAD" #6 by Gary Frank