“Convoy of Corpses” is set in Kandahar, Afghanistan three years prior to the death of Osama Bin Laden. The U.S. military base “Eagle’s Nest” is playing host to some correspondents from the BBC covering the war in nearby Naw Abad. Unpleased by the notion of having to cater to the journalists, the commander lays down his strict ground rules of their compliance to heed the orders of his men.
The reporters are partnered with Captain Petrie, who refers to his team of soldiers as “a convoy of corpses traveling on Hell’s highway,” a title appropriately given as there are more casualties on this stretch of road than all of the highways of the United States combined. Though the news crew claims to have experience in war-torn nations such as Serbia and Yugoslavia, the captain avows that they have never experienced anywhere like this… a road “paved in blood, war and death.” The reporters are supplied with protective military gear for their own safety; the Taliban will pay two year’s worth of wages to any citizen who captures and turns in a reporter.
From here, writer Kelly Bender reveals the troubling and tense conditions the military face: improvised explosive devices (IEDs) left as traps, the bribing of locals for their cooperation, the leaving behind of fallen soldiers, terrorists, snipers, the unthinkable training of children by the Taliban, the abuse imposed by the regime for disobedience or a lack of willingness to be recruited, and the horrible use of kids as suicide bombers all for the promise of martyrdom.
Convoy of Corpses #1 was the first full-length comic book for the collaborative team. From the harsh reality of war-torn regions penned by the talented Kelly Bender, to the use of detailed imagery and natural colors employed by the artists, this creative team truly comes together to deliver an enticing story that will immerse the reader onto the battlefield with the story’s characters.
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From Insane Comics:
Highway #1 in Afghanistan from Kabul to Kandahar is the world’s most dangerous highway.
It is often referred to as the “highway to hell” or “hell’s highway”.
A United States military convoy is assigned with transporting a BBC news crew from Kandahar to Naw Abad, the BBC news crew wants to report on the war in Afghanistan and they quickly realize that the real story of the war is the Highway itself.
Between Taliban attacks, Car bombs, treacherous narrow corners and roadways, the BBC news crew find out first hand why it’s called the world’s most dangerous highway.
Created and written by Kelly Bender (@KellyBender17)
Illustrations by Van Choran (@AndiSupriyono8)
Inks: Ivan Miranda
Colors: Amitabha Naskar
Letters: Nic J Shaw (@nicjshaw)
Cover: Tom Kelly (@Tomkellyart)
Pinup: Ken Perry (@kenwperry)
Purchase Convoy of Corpses in print or digital format directly from Insane Comics!
