Dogs of War

In one of this graphic novel’s three short stories, Henry, a lonely African-American boy, befriends a Vietnam vet named Lanford. With difficulty, Lanford tells Henry about Sheba, his scout dog patrol mate. “Army rules,” Lanford recalls bitterly. “Dogs are equipment, like your gun or your ammo.” All three of the story’s dog heroes make it through combat alive, as do their handlers. Yet Keenan (Greetings from the 50 States) doesn’t flinch from the terrors they face, and neither does Fox’s traditional comic book–style artwork. The first episode is set during WWI, as a 16-year-old orphan and his border collie survive trench warfare; the second follows new recruit Cooper and feisty Husky Loki as they are chased by Nazis through a blizzard; the third belongs to Lanford and Henry (and Sheba). All are crammed with action and emotion. Ages 8–12. (Nov.)