for Darryl

Sgt Rock stories were always pretty grabbing even though they all seemed to start out the same way. The above cover I came immediately across whilst Googling for an image of Sgt. Rock. The strange thing is, it the cover of my all time favorite Sgt. Rock story ever. The cover art appeared on the second page of my search. How weird is that? So as I was saying, most of the Rock stories I remember started pretty much the same way. Here...I'll make one up for you and sure it will take you into that familiar world again.

First frame takes the reader in a mission underway...Easy Company somewhere trudging behind enemy lines. No one's talking but every one's thinking unhappy thoughts as the rain gushed down making their boots sink even deeper into the red mud. The faces beneath the helmets are inked in black - but the avid Sgt. Rock reader can effortless make out each of the weary cast as they pass the dark wet comicbook frames. Rock was guessing that Easy was covered by the dark of night and the heavy rain might turn out to be a blessing. "What idiot would be out on a night like this?" Only Easy.

Unfortunately the moon gave enough light for the two Nazi gun emplacements to find their Easy target. Rock and his men were caught in a burning crossfire. Red lines rained down on Easy from what seemed every direction. Each man caught off guard as they simply fell into their deep tracks. Even the battle quickened Sargent fell without releasing a command or a shot. Into an unconscious daze...into the shadows... limply rolled into a stream as German voices yelled and random shots fired into the still kill zone.

The mud enveloped his form. He slept as the earth gave way beneath him, carrying him into a cold place that became his saving grace...that is...for now.

Most of the Sgt. Rock issues I read started off something like that...always with Easy getting gunned down except for Rock. I am not surprized by Darryl's preference. Most of my play-army pals preferred Rock over Fury. I never turned a Rock, The Losers, or Haunted Tank down but I don't recall spending much of my hard earned dimes toward them. I guess most of the Rocks I read were perused while at a friend's house. Two kids quietly reading the other's WWII comic stash while little green army men or G.I. Joe's scatter the floor waiting for the next mission that only a boys imagination could send them.

I am a die hard Fury fan but I'll give this to Sgt. Rock. There was always a grittiness to the stories. Rock wasn't a funny-tough guy like his Marvel counterpart. Joe Kubert didn't draw it that way. Kubert drew Rock-hard, his face etched deep by the weariness of war. Rock reflects the hardships of real soldiers. the men that find themselves in distant places and at war...men who become focused with their task at hand, willing to do whatever it takes to get the job done before returning home.

The Rock would probably be the first to tell you how much he loathes war but will fight to the death for a neccesary victory. I believe that Rock saw a lot of bad things and had at countless times...seen the face of evil...the things the devil in man could do. Nothing's easy.