Soldiers collects the first six issues of Jack Staff published through Image. It jumps straight into action, switching between the present day and twenty years ago with Grist's trade-mark expert playfulness. In the past, a military weapon called the Hurricane is accidentally unleashed on Castletown, and the only person standing in his way is Jack Staff. Today, violent attacks of uncontrollable rage are on the increase, and it won't be long before the whole town explodes.

Everyone's here: Jack, Becky, Tom-Tom, Maveryk, Morgan and the guys from Q, all running around ferociously fighting and exploding and making barbed comments at each other. The colours by Phil Elliot are a joy and the whole thing is so skillfully done and full of sheer unrestrained energy it leaves the reader giddy with happiness. Never mind Watchmen. I just wish more comics were like this. ( )