Oh my! The first graphic novel I've read from the Dead Reckoning imprint of the Naval Institute Press that is actually about the U.S. Navy! They are building quite the broad catalog of war history and historical fiction.

As a history buff, I was very interested in all the small moments shared about the various men who fought and died during the small section of the Battle of Leyte Gulf covered here. But the adapter has trouble paring down the 500 pages of what must be a very detailed history, cramming in dozens of officers, sailors, and ships into this 200-page graphic novel, even if they only get a panel or two at times. There is just not enough room for the epic scope they are attempting to achieve.

The art is fair, but too many of the men in uniform and caps look alike and I got a little lost regarding the positions of the various ships over the course of the battle.

Regardless of the technical flaws, I'm grateful for a chance to visit this moment in history and appreciate the heroism and sacrifice that led to American victory in the war. ( )