If the scuttlebutt is to be believed,DC Comics’gruffest, toughest solider is set to make his feature film debut. Many DC fans know about Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, but how many arefamiliar with Sgt. Rock? Discover Rock’shistory in the DC Universeand what the publisher should be doing with him now.
Everyone’sbuzzing about James Gunnand Peter Safran’s DC Universe, which will officially begin with next year’s Superman film. But perThe Guardian, the creative minds are looking ahead at other characters to bring onscreen, including a name few saw coming, Sgt. Rock.
While there are no concrete details, much less an official announcement, reports indicate thatQueerdirector Luca Guadagnino is re-teaming withQueer’slead actor Daniel Craig for a feature film starring Sgt. Rock. Again, there’s nothing official just yet, but the report of Sgt. Rock’s upcoming movie appears to be corroborated by Deadline.
Sgt. Rock: A Different Kind of DC Hero from a Different Time
Sgt. Rock WasTheWartime Hero in the DC Universe
Sgt. Rock was created by Joe Kubert and Robert Kanigher and first debuted inG.I. Combat #68, though he wasn’t officially named untilOur Army at War #81several months later. Rock was the most popular character featured in the army-focused comic, so much so thatOur Army at Warwas retitledSgt. Rockand stayed that way until the book’s cancelation in 1988. Sgt. Rock and his stories were largely contained in the World War II-era, butSgt. Rock was a part of the DC Universe all the same, even leading an early incarnation of Task Force X.
To DC Comics' credit,it has attempted to revive Sgt. Rock several times over the years. DC Comics has put out stories and one-shots set during the height of Rock’s time in action, likeSgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion. It also tried modernizing the character a bit during the New 52 by reviving itsMen of Warcomic (though this particular comic starred Rock’s grandson rather than a rebooted version of the original character). DC’s most recent attempt brought the military man into the horror genre withDC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock vs. The Army of the Dead.
It’s Time For DC to Bring Back Sgt. Rock with a New Story
DC is Going All In, Why Not Go All In on a Classic like Sgt. Rock?
Granted, war stories just aren’t as popular as they used to be, but if the rumors are to be believed, the powers at be think that there’s something special about Sgt. Rock (and frankly, they’re right). Sgt. Rock isn’t a superhero, no, but he once held a commanding presence in the DC Comics line and that should be honored with a new comic. After all, DC is knocking it out of the park with its All In initiative. Why not show committed it is by going ‘all in’ andbringing Sgt. Rock back to help hype a movie?
Sure, there’s nothing concrete regarding a Sgt. Rock movie. But the fictional soldier is no small part of DC Comics' history and if the rumors are to be believed, then DC owes it to the character to refamiliarize readers with Sgt. Rock and show what made him such an engaging soldier.DC Comics’specialty nowadays may be superheroes, but if Sgt. Rock can possibly get a movie made, then he should easily be able to hold down a comic book once again.
