Death to Dragons

In 1908, on a farm in the western United States, a young boy, a herdsman, witnesses the sudden appearance of a gigantic dragon. Terrified, his cows panic, flee, and fall into a ravine. For his family, the accident means ruin, debt, and eviction. Chased by bankers, his father commits suicide. While his sister and mother are taken in by an uncle and rebuild their lives, the young boy joins the U.S. Air Force with one goal: to kill dragons.

Meanwhile, across the Atlantic, war is raging. The Germans have invaded France and Belgium, and dragons are involved, especially the Schwartzlord, a terrifying creature wreaking havoc among the Allied forces. The former farmer, now part of the La Fayette squadron, has only one thing in mind: to take down the German dragon, turn the tide of the war, and seek revenge. But what seems like a suicide mission doesn’t sit well with his fellow soldiers.

Wars and Dragons: A Bold Reimagining

This second installment of the series draws inspiration from a famous and brutal chapter of World War I: the story of the Red Baron. His real name was Manfred von Richthofen, and he was a German air force pilot who shot down at least 80 British and French planes. Torn between fear and respect for such a pilot, his enemies quickly nicknamed him the Red Devil and then the Red Baron.

In the album, the Red Baron is portrayed as a red dragon capable of altering the course of a battle with his mere presence. No matter what aerial forces the Allies deploy, they fail and are forced to retreat if they don't want to be destroyed. Thus, a bold and risky plan must be devised, using all available air and ground forces (much like the real story of the Red Baron's death) to defeat this monster.

Total Immersion

The change in illustrator for this album doesn’t affect the visual quality—in fact, it enhances it. The depiction of World War I is striking, from the brutal combat to the sweat, mud, and terror. Bodies are burned, mangled, and mutilated for life. The dragons, terrifying enemies, are merely symbols of industrial death, which destroys everything, crushing and grinding indiscriminately.

Alongside this unflinching portrayal of the Great War, the album immerses readers in the world of aviation mechanics. The planes are fragile biplanes. Several panels highlight the complexity of these rudimentary machines, whose wings threaten to snap with every sharp turn. The mechanics are unsung heroes, constantly dismantling and improving these planes. The character Tonio, an Italian mechanic with golden hands, is inspired by Miyazaki’s Porco Rosso and the Piccolo family, legendary engineers capable of fixing any aircraft.

Wars and Dragons: A Fight to the Death

Unlike the previous album, which presented dragons in a more positive light, this second volume takes the opposite perspective. Our hero hates dragons. He tolerates those fighting on the Allied side, but he harbors a deep hatred for the species. And he's not alone. The album reveals others traumatized by this draconic invasion. Defeating the Schwartzlord is about exorcising personal demons and healing old wounds.

The story is structured as a near-suicide mission led by a group of pilots and mechanics. The characters are well-written and distinct, each playing a role in an operation that could decide the war’s outcome. The tone of the volume becomes reminiscent of the film The Dirty Dozen, where breaking the rules is essential to achieve the objective. Many know they won’t return, but the stakes are worth it: to break the Germans' ultimate weapon.

A change of tone and era makes for a stunning second volume. Season 1 of Wars and Dragons continues its flawless run. The next episode arrives at the end of October.