The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The Extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy’s Finest Hour

Solid on its facts but falling short of the energy and vivacity a war comic demands, this graphic adaptation of Hornfischer’s 2004 prose account of WWII’s Battle of Samar disappoints. Facing off against the powerful Japanese Pacific navy in October 1944, the American Third Fleet is outnumbered, outgunned, and suffers tremendously large casualties, ultimately winning but at great cost. Murray (The ’Nam series) scripts the comic adaptation, breaking down the battles into easy-to-digest historical scenarios and moments, solidly detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the ships and fleets. But art by Sanders (the Uncanny X-Men and Wolverine series) is technically accurate but lethargic. His simple straight-lined grid of rectangular panels on every page robs the combat of dynamism, leaving talking head sequences interspersed with static portrayals of (well-detailed) ships and planes. For students daunted by dense history texts, it’s a suitable primer to this campaign, but it doesn’t meet the bar set by classic war comics by Joe Kubert or Sam Glanzman. It’s a very optional supplement compared to Hornfischer’s original history. (Nov.)