In December 1986, Marvel comics released The ‘NAM, a groundbreaking war comic that offered something rarely seen in comic books: a gritty, realistic depiction of the Vietnam war from the perspective of the soldiers who lived it. I was 14 years old at the time when it debuted, still new to comic collecting, and like many fans of the era, I was grabbing every number one issue I could find. But The ‘NAM wasn’t just another #1 issue – it was something different, and Marvel made sure we knew it. The book had a strong promotional push, and I still remember picking up a free poster for it at my local comic shop, The Land of Nevawuz. The series was written by Doug Murray, a Vietnam veteran himself, with art by Michael Golden and ink by Armando Gill. Golden‘s artwork during this era was a revelation to me. His style had a dynamic, expressive quality, reminiscent of Will Eisner, with exaggerated facial expressions, tight, composition, and jaw dropping detail. Just take a look at the promotional art, especially the helicopters. The attention to mechanical accuracy and layout was unusual for the time, and it still holds up today.

According to Wikipedia, The ‘NAM followed the fictional Private First Class Edward Marks as he navigated real events from the Vietnam War. Sometimes it would spotlight major moments like the Tet Offensive of 1968, and other times, it focused on more personal, grounded, interactions between the soldiers, with the Vietnam people, or with loved ones back home. The book offered a blend of documentary realism and emotional depth that was rarely attempted in the mainstream comics of the 1980s.

I have to say, the art is what really made an impression on me. Golden‘s influence on modern comic artists is undeniable. Looking back now I can see clear echoes of his style in the work of Tony Moore, known for The Walking Dead and Fear Agent. A few years ago, I had the chance to meet Michael Golden get that old Nam poster signed. It was a full circle moment that brought back a lot of great memories. Golden only did the artwork for 12 of the first 13 issues, but it remains some of the most stunning war themed artwork ever produced by Marvel. The issues are now over 35 years old that can be tough to find in high grade. The ‘NAM was not a hot collectors item when it was published, which makes high-quality copies rare today. But if you’re a fan of  Golden’s art or just want to experience a uniquely grounded comic from Marvel’s past, this series is worth revisiting. Happy hunting, and here’s to rediscovering hidden gems from comic book history.

Rob Pillsbury