Victoria Cross

    (Crusade, 2002)
™ and © William Elliott Tucci

Between this title and Some Trouble of a SeRRious Nature, it is evident that William Tucci loves aviation. Victoria Cross is set at the time of the Spanish Civil War, a period which has not been touched much in comics and has certainly not been done to death.

This preview introduces us to the relevant history and personalities, including Franco, Hitler, Churchill, Picasso, and Hemingway. It also gives us Victoria’s back story and leads readers to a cliffhanger ending.

Sixteen of the 24 pages of the inaugural "1/2 issue" are black and white, text with sketches. The middle eight pages are a brief comic-book story. Several shortcomings become evident.

First, why does Tucci use this issue to tell Victoria’s story, when he could show it? Second, Franco and Mussolini are real historical figures; Victoria Cross is presumably fictional. What about characters such as Air Marshal Hugh Dowding and anarchist Pablo Garcia? Is Victoria the only invention? The line between history and fiction is blurred.

While the background is helpful, the story interesting, and the art beautiful, the package doesn’t justify the cover price.

— Jack Abramowitz
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