TET #1 (of 4)
“” (24 pages) [no ads]
Written & Lettered by: Paul Allor
Artwork by: Paul Tucker
Covers by: Paul Tucker
Publisher: IDW/Comics Experience
Cover Price: $3.99
Happy New Year!!! No, you’re not reading this wrong. Who’s to say that NYE always has the same date?!? Tết from the term Tết Nguyên Đán is the Vietnamese New Year occurring between the last week of January to the third week of February. The backdrop of this story is 1968, thirteen years into the Vietnam War. The protagonist is an American officer of the MACV (Military Assistance Command, Vietnam) who is reassigned to a more peaceful place after a major massacre. Lt. Eugene Smith is now a translator and liaison between his government and that of the land where he’s planted.
There is comfort and joy in Eugene’s new position. He has an established daily routine, made some new friends, and most importantly is engaged to local girl Hà.
The exotic beauty’s head and heart are focused on the usually attractive but ever-elusive American Dream. She definitely has stars in her eyes as she fantasizes of a fairy-tale wedding and utopian existence with her main squeeze. Eugene tries to ground her but she won’t hear of it. Her abundant aspirations give the soldier a glimmer of hope.
Fast forward sixteen years. Eugene finds himself back on his stomping grounds. He is lame and alone. Looks like things didn’t pan out. He receives a letter from V.A. (Veteran Affairs) that leaves him even more bitter and disheartened.
Love in the time of war is both a testament and a trial. Eugene’s world starts to turn on its head a bit when he is recruited to aid MP officer Nguyễn Bảo in the murder of Eugene’s buddy Chip as well as Lô Cadeo, a high-ranking Vietnamese official. Eugene has to put his personal feelings aside and deal with Bảo’s relentless pursuit as the 20-year veteran executes an intensive and extensive investigation. The world is small. Hà reacquaints herself with Bảo much to Eugene’s surprise when the two take a break at a local bar. This causes Bảo to bite his tongue but look upon the union with disdain. Strain begins to build between the happy couple. Eugene is idiotically insensitive to Hà’s ordeal, not realizing the horrors she has experienced since the breakout of the never-ending conflict. He apologizes and the couple make up.
Things are going to worsen as the fireworks for the celebration are actually a cover for the Tết Offensive, the cleverest and most extensive military campaign by the Viet Cong and the People’s Army of Vietnam.
Paul & Paul (hey, that’s my name as well!) get into the specifics about the genesis of this mini-series. Hold the phone!! I just found out that the second Paul is Canadian!! Three cheers for my fellow countryman! The other one is a fixture at IDW having worked mostly on TMNT with Mr. Tucker on STRANGE NATION.
I never cared much for war as a genre in any medium but I have made exceptions to that dislike with M*A*S*H, Saving Private Ryan, Marvel’s Agent Carter and DC’s Sgt. Rock to name a few. What I find off-putting is that most stories always focus on the infamous WWII. I’ve asked myself as well as family, friends, students, colleagues, and acquaintances: “What about WWI, the Korean War, the American Civil War, the Hundred Years War, the Vietnam War…?” BAM!! There you go! Finally, a portrayal of two decades’ worth of bloodshed and strife on the other side of the world!! Despite American presence interference, the true victims were the Vietnamese from both sides of the divided country.
I have American relatives and I’m not a hater of my neighbours down south. Nevertheless, the Empire that is America is beyond saturated in cultural contributions. That being said, I really warmed up to Eugene. His reluctance to be drawn back into the ugly side of warfare as well as his remorse and recuperation of a past trauma make him painfully humane.
Hà is deserving of a Utopian existence. She has very valid reasons for wanting to escape the pain and strife suffered by her as well as her people. By far, she is superiorly stronger than her American fiancé. She may be the strong silent type but she has accepted the losses and carried on. Eugene will soon head down a road that leads him to an unexpected outcome.
The art is standard in terms of the pencilling. The faces are given solid lines with thick shadows over the eyes indicating hardened lives for the cast presented. Every panel is awash in a particular colour: red, pink, grey, purple, green, blue. Each is reflective of mood, setting, and character development. The softer colours are warm and visually comforting; the darker colours alternate between serenity and seriousness.
The lettering is bolder than usual and tighter. The envelope addressed to Eugene from the V.A. is authentic and true to its time.
This book was produced in conjunction with Comics Experience, an outlet for budding creators.
There is no glory to war. There are no real victors. The casualties always outweigh the medals. That being said, for the twenty years that this polarizing event occurred, I give this book 17.5 out of 20 (85%).
This review was made possible due to my purchase of said book at my fave local comic shop:
