You think we have it bad as a country? Try living in Africa. An area of the world that has suffered for so many centuries thanks to slavery, civil war, disease, and a whole lot of other problems. It’s an area of the world where people are trying to reach out for help, but get shunned down by their own leaders. The continent has been a topic for many tv series, films, and a bunch of other related media. Now comics enter the fray as Vertigo reintroduces a character that hasn’t been around for over a decade.

Dr. Moses Lwanga (or Patrick for his U.S. name) is a pacifist and a big name philanthropist who decides to go back to his native homeland for relief effort. During the mission he starts to slowly lose his mind with a second voice telling him to kill everyone. After witnessing a group of milita children kill others, he eventually injuries himself so badly that he wakes up much later with bandages all over his face. What comes next is a mind numbing ride of action as Lwanga, now calling himself Unknown Soldier, tries to right the wrongs he’s witness.

As far as the plot goes it’s pretty intriguing to read. It’s a bit tough to watch some of the actions that happen in this story. It’s suppose to be an uncomfortable ride as Joshya Dysart brings out the worst of Africa with murder, rape, and brainwashed children into the mix. An uncomfortable sight for most, but a reality for the most part. Patrick is literally killing children and young teenagers because those are the enemies. Brainwashed by militant leaders to do what they want, they are the fodder for the Soldier. It’s tough to really see some of the bloodshed in this. But when you try and get away from that, the story is complex and there is much more going on then a man trying to redeem a whole continent.

It’s the art that ruins some of the experience in this. Alberto Ponticelli is not a regular comic book artist, and he’s known more for his European work then anything else. His style is just too sketchy for me for the most part. His landscapes can be beautiful at points, especially when we see an overview of the jungles. But the characters themselves are a pain to look at points. Faces are not as detailed and it can be so sketchy at times it feels like it’s unfinished. It’s not the worst art I’ve seen in a comic, but I would not recommend this for anyone who appreciates it.

If there’s one positive thing to say it’s that I am intrigued to continue this story. Maybe not in issues, but collected in a whole trade it’s definitely worth continuing. I don’t know where Dysart is taking this story or how far he’s going to go with the violence. It’s enough questions to make me like to know where this is gonna go. Shame that the art isn’t as up to par as the story is.