Aces: Curse of the Red Baron

Written by Shannon Eric Denton and G. Willow Wilson
Art by Curtis Square-Briggs
This is a simple but enjoyable book. It tells the story of an American soldier and British fighter pilot in the first world war, both of believe they have shot down the Red Baron, and one of whom holds a map to a secret island where they believe he has stashed his treasure. Off they go, only to find some science fiction plotline along their way.

This book is very much in the Raiders of the Lost Ark style, minus any love interest, and with slightly less humour and more futuristic technology. It works as a quick read buddy movie set during the war, so long as you don't think too much about it (I could be wrong, but I thought that the airplanes they are flying held only enough fuel for a couple of hours of flight, not the limitless range shown here).

As someone who has read a great deal about the Great War, the implication that the Black Hand was guiding everything from behind the scenes is ridiculous, but it does make for a good story.

I think I would have been much harder on this book had I paid full price for it, but seeing as I found it for $2 in a used book store, it's perfectly acceptable as a lazy Sunday afternoon read.