Vietnam Journal #3

Vietnam Journal #3 was published in 1987 as part of a gritty, realistic comic book series written and illustrated by Don Lomax. The series emerged during a late 1980s shift in comics toward more mature, historical, and journalistic narratives, moving away from caped superheroes to examine the psychological toll of the Vietnam War. Lomax drew extensively upon his own personal experiences as a combat infantryman in Vietnam, utilizing a stark, journalistic visual style intended to strip away the glorification often associated with war media.

This issue continued the episodic journey of the series protagonist, Scott 'Journal' Nielfeld, a combat correspondent tasked with documenting the infantry's experience. The work was noted by critics for its refusal to take a definitive political stance, instead focusing on the day-to-day survival and moral ambiguity faced by soldiers on the ground. By centering the story on the observer's perspective, Lomax provided a visceral look at the conflict that helped establish the series as a significant, albeit niche, contribution to the medium's exploration of modern history.