One of the most powerful aspects of art and comic books is the ability to reach out and inform those of important causes that need to be addressed. Memorial, The Great War Centennial Anthology does just that: using art, this story aims to bring forth the horrors of war and the incredible loss people, especially children, suffer because of it.
Memorial is, as the title suggests, an anthology to honour those who fought and died during World War I. It aims to aid children around the world who are unfortunately still caught in the middle of wars around the world. The comic does this by donating all its proceeds to Warchild UK.
The stories this anthology offers are often centred around children who suffer through war. Whether they be drafted into the war, children of parents who fight in wars, etc., there always seems to be a child involved in a story at some point. This thread weaves through each story, making these tales all the more horrifying. This technique is also done in such an elegant way and never takes a cheap punch to tug at your heartstrings. These story beats are deliberate and gut-wrenching each time.
The artwork, for the most part, is grotesque in the best way possible. It reflects the ugliness of war, these stories people are forced to face every time conflict arises. Characters are never drawn out of flattery. Lines are messy. Sometimes, it feels as though a young person could have drawn this art. But then, that’s the point. To see the war through a younger’s person’s eyes, both in terms of art style and story. There is art that doesn’t go down this route and those are a nice change of pace sprinkled throughout the comic as well. It’s a good balance to keep readers engaged.
Overall, this comic was crafted together for a good cause and should be recognised as thus. While it may not be for everyone, it offers poignant depictions of war and the horrors that go with it. If you want to help donate to a good cause, this is a comic you should look in to. It’s a simple, inexpensive way to assist those who are currently suffering through the injustices of wars.
You can discover more about Memorial here. And, if you feel as though this comic may not be for you, feel free to donate to Warchild UK. If you liked what you read, be sure to let us know in the comments below or give us a shout on Twitter!
