From Image Comics, Shadowline, Kurtis Wiebe, Tyler Jenkins, Alex Sollazzo, and Ed Brisson.

On one level this book is Peter Pan in World War II.  On another level its, well, so much more.

The story is narrated in the present day by “lost boy” Gilbert.  He is telling a reporter all about the adventures with Peter.  And what adventures they are.  In one issue there are explosions, shootings, and death defying escapes.  So much is meant to be a mystery, most of all who is Peter.  There is plenty of time for such a question to be answered though, for now lets all enjoy what is here.

It is classic adventure.  Not because of using the Peter Pan name.  It is excitement on every page.  This rapid adventure is up there with pulps, Indiana Jones, and as I said to Kurtis himself – Doctor Who.  There’s your pull quote.  “The Doctor Who of comic books.”  Peter makes these boys into men.  They are orphans, already living with the world against them, and then that world goes to war.  Peter makes them believe.  They believe they can live, can survive, can escape, and can have something better.  He inspires by seeming to be so much more than human while never actually doing anything beyond the abilities of men.  “He loved a grand entrance.  That was Peter’s way.”  Every adventurer hero needs that grand entrance.  From the aforementioned Doctor and Indy to the rugged Mr Panzerfaust.

Rugged is the word for Tyler Jenkins’s art.  Peter debuts and he is at once dirty and majestic.  He is young and experienced.  He is innocent and hardened.  This is something special.  The whole book is special.  To be two things at once is a rare feat and that is exactly how you’ll feel reading Peter Panzerfaust.  The darkness of war brightened up by this beacon of light.  Every month my money is going to this Neverland.