The Other Side is an aptly titled graphic novel because it tells two parallel stories about the Vietnam War, one from the point of view of a U.S. marine soldier and the other view being that of a native Vietnam soldier. The Other Side, which came out in 2006, is the comics writing debut of Jason Aaron, who's the cousin of Corporal Gustav Hasford USMC, who was a Vietnam Veteran and wrote The Short-Timers, which was adapted by director Stanley Kuberick in his excellent Vietnam War movie Full Metal Jacket. Actually, I think The Other Side works as well as it does because it is essentially an ode to Full Metal Jacket. 
The other half of The Other Side creative team is artist Cameron Stewart (he of Vertigo's Seaguy fame, of which there will be another installment later this year with Grant Morrison), who puts so much humanity into his art that it would be hard for any book he's drawing to not be at least good - so here on The Other Side, coupled with a strong story, Stewart's art really gets a chance to shine. In the extra features in the back of The Other Side, Cameron Stewart presents some photos and a journal of the trip he took to Vietnam in the summer of 2005 before he started this project (and there's sketches also).
I also wanted to give another early heads up for Free Comic Book Day which is next Saturday, May 3rd (I'll have a bigger blog entry on Free Comic Book Day next Tuesday) and in celebration (and in addition to the free comic books) I'll be having a 20% off sale on graphic novels (for which The Other Side is applicable of course)!
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