The aspect of real world conflict and the perceptions of an era can sometimes be caught in art but it is always the texture of perception that determines through what lens the emotion and drama is captured. in "6 Days: The Incredible Story Of D-Day's Lost Chapter" [Robert Vendetti/Vertigo/148pgs]", the author examines a small piece of Operation Overlord (which was used for a different effect in the movie of the same name). In this story, when many regiments are dropped over France, they miss their target but converge on the small town on Graignes. The story is of them trying to hold off the German assault until they can be relieved from the American forces coming from the coast. While some of the imagery, especially during the firefights is quite good with out being gory, it is the intersection of the small moments that connect, whether it be some of the young woman listening outside a church to the men inside who take initiative themselves to the simple happiness inside a mess hall just to get some warm food. There is an essence to the humanity. One part that works very well though it tends to play a little melodramatic is the aspect of the families back in America praying in a church in sadness while the soldiers and the local villagers in Graignes convene in the church in hope. The hope doesn't last long and the texture of war and just surviving takes hold. In all actuality, the actual overrunning of the troops is more alluded to rather than shown as an overall stampede of German troops. But what the battle does offer is the perspective of war but also the psychological toll at points on a textured level. "6 Days" shows a direct and plain view of the lost memories of war before everything was laser guided. World War II was a war unlike any other and even a brief glimpse into the minutiae of the day allows for a window into the time. B

By Tim Wassberg

I learned all about a pretty amazing story in Six Days. The illustrations did a great job bringing this tale to life. War is always pretty gruesome, and this graphic novels leaves nothing out. This was a really amazing story and although it won’t be for everyone I can see most people enjoying it.

I can’t recall too many dramatizations of actual historical events from World War II in comics. I was really fascinated to see one crop up, especially with the likes of Robert Venditti attached to it. With great hope for the rebirth of the Vertigo imprint and an interest in World War II, I dove into this brand new OGN (original graphic novel).
In preparation for the assault on the beaches of Normandy, American troops were dropped behind enemy lines with the intention of preventing Nazi forces from being able to join up and overwhelm the Allied troops trying to gain a foothold in Nazi-occupied France. Unfortunately, the American planes came under heavier-than-anticipated anti-air fire from the Nazis and got off track. A small group of American paratroopers land outside the small town of Graignes, and must dig in and prepare to fight off the Nazi army that desperately wants to pass through the town on the way to the battlefront.
Six Days is a gripping war story. The chaos and dynamics of war are on full effect here, drawing the reader into the overwhelming whirlwind of combat. Far from glorifying war, Six Days presents it as chaotic fear and reaction followed by waiting. The reader sees heroism in both the American soldiers and French civilians as the war comes to the small village.
The art is mostly strong in this story. Mutti does an excellent job showing both peaceful scenes and the freneticism of battle. One difficulty comes in many of the American troops looking very similar, and needing to pull from the dialogue which is which. Overall, though, the art does a fantastic job of expressing the emotions of the story.
Six Days is highly recommended for fans of World War II history and war stories. This is not a happy chapter of history, but it is a powerful one, and I hope this graphic novel finds a large audience.
CONTENT NOTE: Given that this is about war, there is violence and death aplenty. Parents should consider reviewing this title before handing it to younger readers.

Review will be available at the provided link on May 16, 2019.

02:30 hours on June 6th, 1944: After heavy flak from German anti-aircraft guns, part of the US 82nd Airborne is "mis-dropped all to hell," miles from any other regiment and behind enemy lines. 182 soldiers regroup and find the town of Graignes in the Normandy region of France. With the help from the local french citizens, they gather their lost equipment and provisions, and fortify the town in advance of the German attack. 

The acting mayor and a group of priests convince the townspeople to risk their lives to assist the men. They support the effort with camaraderie, food, and the spirituality of a Sunday mass. Six Days is the story of a last stand in the face of evil. 44 civilians were executed by the German troops and dozens of buildings burned from a fire set by the SS. Many of the Americans made it home, but were deeply affected knowing that their actions brought this death upon the village.

Written with an attention to detail and a good balance between the American and French perspective, this book also features the humanism needed to portray the whole view of the war. Friendships, flirtations, and humor. Yet, also the despicable fighting and the atrocities of an evil enemy. The artwork shows this shifting of tones most notably in the lighting and the color. Bright and hopeful, and dark and bleak. 

On the 75th anniversary of D-Day, Six Days is an important homage to the coming together of peoples for a life and cultural-enduring fight.

4.5 out of 5 stars

I really wanted to like this graphic novel more than I do. I found it hard to engage with from the beginning. The artwork didn't reach out and grab my attention and neither did the text. I think this title will do fine with readers who are already interested in the topic, but don't feel the book will stand out in people's memories for long after they read it.

This book shows the horrors of war in reality. There are overtones of religion that mostly works as a unifying theme, yet at a few points is too overt. The uniting of diverse peoples is claimed as a theme and is well accomplished

This was a awesome graphic novel and I can't wait for more of it to come out, if this was out when I was a kid I might have liked history much more. This is the story of the 82nd Airborne and how they got dropped behind enemy lines far from where they should have been, and how they and the villagers battled together for six days in Graignes, France to keep it from the Germans. The illustrations are phenomenal and the story line even though non fiction is awesome and engaging. I really have loved these new DC Vertigo comics a lot, all of them, so I will keep trying them as they keep coming out.


review will appear on publish date

Part of the 82nd Airborne Division landed way, way off target the night before D-Day. This group was 15 miles farther south than intended in the town of Grainges. The townspeople vote to aid the Americans at the risk of German retaliation. For six days, the paratroopers and townspeople supported each other, worshiped together, and fought together until the weight of German forces finished the battle. A very interesting look at little covered part of D-Day.

This is a really interesting Graphic novel. I am not a huge fan of the superhero stuff so titles like these are really interesting to me. This one is very well written and drawn. I've ordered it for my three libraries!

It has bee a while since this old man has looked at a graphic novel (comic books). They are certainly a quick read and in the case of 'Six Days' this tells an obscure story related to Operation Overlord. This book has well written dialogue but the graphics were roughly drawn and so not clearly descriptive. Good for a quick moment of entertainment.