DMZ

Matty Roth, a naïve young man and aspiring photojournalist, lands a dream gig following a veteran war journalist into the heart of the DMZ. Things soon go terribly wrong, and Matty finds himself lost and alone in a world he's only seen on television. There, he is faced with a choice: try to find a way off the island, or make his career with an assignment most journalists would kill for. But can he survive in a war zone long enough to report the truth?

With the horrors of the previous day’s events still resonating in his head, Zee takes Matty on a walking tour of war-torn Manhattan, where he sees both the tragedy and triumph of daily life in the DMZ. However, the experience is short-lived as Matty gets his first news “scoop” — one that may ultimately silence this rogue reporter.

During a surprise attack on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Matty is captured by the government army who plan on taking him out of the DMZ. However, when he inadvertently winds up on the wrong side of a shoot-out, he once again finds himself alone in a warzone, only this time without his trusty “tour guide,” Zee.

Left to his own devices in war-torn Manhattan, Matty stumbles into Central Park, where he comes face to face with a crew of armed and dangerous environmentalists. Are these the mysterious “Ghosts” who protect the once beautiful park, or is Matty at the mercy of a gang of psychotic tree-huggers?

After a few weeks of covering day-to-day life in the DMZ, Matty finally gets his first big news break: an interview with a notorious local tribal boss. However, when Matty arrives to the interview, who he finds sitting next to the crime boss could make for an even bigger scoop.

With his star power as a wartime reporter on the rise both within and outside the DMZ, Matty soon lands the break of a lifetime: an interview with the infamous leaders of the Free Armies.

DMZ, and as the temperature rises, so does the body count. And unless Liberty News can keep a lid on the story, it'll boil over, endangering the lives of everyone in the DMZ - including Matty.

The big story's broke, and now the whole world is focused on Matty as he struggles to pull a deal together to not only save his life, but the lives of everyone close to him. And to pull this off, he's going to need the help of his old guide, but will Zee even give him the time of day?

Zee's holding a grudge, the Free Armies are blackmailing him, the Network's using him as bait, some other crazy girl is manipulating him, he's battling a really bad intestinal infection and his paranoia's getting the better of him. And that's just the start of Matty's problems…

In the mind-bending conclusion of the 5-part "Body of a Journalist" story arc, Matty finds himself in a very different place than when and where he began, and the very nature of his status in the DMZ could be changed forever.

Follow Zee from her humble beginnings as a med student through the day the second civil war hit Manhattan.

In this special stand-alone issue, Brian Wood supplies both script and art and gives readers an in-depth look at life, culture and the unique neighborhoods within the DMZ. Think of it as a tourist guide to one of the most dangerous destinations on Earth - Manhattan, New York City…the DMZ.

Now that he's a free agent after severing his contract with Liberty News, Matty goes undercover as a day laborer on various construction sites around the city. And it doesn't take long before he stumbles on some shady business with Trustwell, Inc., the corporation behind most of the reconstruction.

Matty has infiltrated a terrorist cell determined to disrupt any and all construction sites owned and operated by the shady Trustwell, Inc. In the process, he also develops a close friendship with a female member of the group. But when he discovers her plans - as well as who is funding them, Matty soon realizes he's once again in over his head.

Matty risks his undercover status by foiling a terrorist cell's suicide bombing operation, thus turning away the mysterious girl who'd been helping him. Meanwhile, he uncovers who the terrorist's main backers are, and once again realizes that things are never what they seem in the DMZ.

Matty makes a call from a pay phone to his friend Jamal, asking for some help in dealing with Amina. Amina overhears the conversation and becomes angry. Jamal comes out to see Matty and updates him on the situation, letting him know that Trustwell has been acting as if they have free reign to do as they please in the DMZ. Jamal asks about Amina and Matty lies and tells him that she's an important source for his story. Jamal says he can take care of her for about a week, but no longer. Amina emerges from a room with one of Jamal's friends, sporting newly cropped hair. Matty sends Amina off with Jamal. On his way out, Jamal tells Matty that Zee says "Hi." Scenes of violence erupting in the streets of the DMZ between the now unchecked powers of the Trustwell Corporation and the residents of the DMZ are shown while experts and pundits on a news show discuss the implications of Trustwell being the only security force residing in the DMZ. Matty goes to a subway to meet the Free States Army commander who he met during the Viktor Ferguson situation. Matty has called in a favor he felt the commander owed him, and the commander introduces him to a man named Danzinger. Danzinger is a double agent, a member of the Free States Army while working for Trustwell. Matty and Danzinger discuss the situation at hand, that Trustwell is funding amateur terrorists to create damages so that Trustwell will continue to get reconstruction contracts. Danzinger's comments are all strictly off the record, so Matty needs more verification. Matty calls Kelly on his cell phone. This is the first time he's talked to a friend in weeks, so he tells her everything that has happened. Later that night, Matty is attacked by a knife wielding Trustwell terrorist. The two wrestle, and Matty is wounded, but in the end he manages to stab his assailant with the man's own knife and end the attack. Matty tries to figure out how they found him and realizes that his phone has been tapped. He then remembers that he told Kelly about Jamal and Amina and so their lives are now in danger as well. Matty runs from the building.

With tensions between Trustwell, Inc., the United Nations, the terrorist cell and, of course, the residents of the DMZ at fever pitch, it's once again up to reluctant hero Matty Roth to quiet the storm - but when he finally exposes himself as an undercover journalist, things get so much worse.

Matty Roth reluctantly landed an interview for Liberty News with an enlisted U.S. solider who's found guilty of a massacre within the DMZ. What follows is a look at how the DMZ came to be, from the perspective of a kid who came from the Midwest and walked right into a nightmare.

After hearing the young Grunts' version of the infamous Day 204 Massacre, Matty Roth interviews his commanding officer, who gives a much more "sanitized" version of the day's events. Meanwhile, a military tribunal plans to release the charges on all those involved with the massacre, throwing the DMZ into chaos.

While everyone anxiously awaits the verdict on the "Day 204" trial, Matty takes to the streets and visits the site of the massacre, the memorial, and talks to residents who got caught in the crossfire.

Matty is called in for an exclusive, on-the-record interview with a top-level commander who was in charge the day of the brutal "Day 204" massacre. But given what Matty already knows about the day's events, he's less than impressed with the commander's version.

With the verdict on the Day 204 massacre hitting the headlines, the eyes of the world are once again on the DMZ. And just as tensions reach a boiling point, the military give the people of Manhattan a gift - the soldier "responsible" for it all.

In the aftermath of the Day 204 trials, Matty Roth turns his attention to "the hidden war" — the thousands of ordinary people living under fire inside the DMZ. His first subject is the underground arts scene — and one guerrilla artist in particular planning a huge stunt unseen in the city since the 1970s graffiti days.

Continuing his investigation into the "hidden war" of the thousands of people stuck in the DMZ, Matty Roth turns his attention to Amina, last seen blaming Matty for ruining her life at the end of "Public Works." True to her word, Amina now lives worse than a homeless person, which takes on a whole new meaning in a warzone.

From the start of the war, the man known only as Wilson has been a powerful force within the DMZ underground. In this issue find out how he came to power at the beginning of the war, and how his shady organization controls the warzone.

The object of Matty Roth's affection - independent media correspondent Kelly Connolly - returns to the DMZ, only everything's no longer sweetness and light since Matty hooked up with Zee.

One wild night in the life of the DMZ! We follow DJ Random Fire as he spends a rough day - dodging bullets, ex-girlfriends, and rivals in the club scene - in preparation for a show that night.

Early in the war, a Free States Soldier went AWOL in a botched attempt to defect to the other side. He was presumed K.I.A., but Soames is alive and leading the Ghosts in Central Park. So how did a rogue insurgent fighter become the city's most infamous eco-warrior?

As yet another round of reconciliation talks begin between the U.S. government and the Free States, a new player emerges, combining political charisma and military cunning. Could the DMZ's answer to Che Guevara be the key to healing the DMZ, or does he have other intentions?

After years in the DMZ, Matty Roth has been faced with numerous challenges, but for the first time ever, he's faced with rejection, as his story on a revolutionary named Delgado is rejected by all news agencies. Rejection he can handle, but it's a surprise phone call that just might send Matty over the edge.

As the pro-Delgado movement expands, the P.R. firms of both the United States and of the FSA attempt to get the revolutionary on their sides. But Delgado has plans of his own.

All hell breaks loose in the DMZ as an assassination attempt is made on Delgado during an impassioned speech. Before the dust even settles, officials from all sides try and spin the shooting in their favor - with even Matty Roth taking advantage of the situation.

Where's Delgado? After the shooting, he hasn't made a public appearance, but only issued statements through proxies. Is he even alive? With the election right around the corner, everyone's in a frenzy.

The dramatic conclusion to the 6-part "Blood in the Game"! Election day. The very future of the DMZ rests in the hands of the voters. The stakes are massive, and Matty and the Delgado Nation are out to keep the peace and bear witness to any intimidation or violence. Will Delgado show? Will it be "by the people, for the people" or just the same old same old?

As the city begins its post-election healing process, Matty takes advantage of the relative lull and accepts an invite to embed with the small group of American soldiers holding Staten Island down. But he'll learn first-hand what a ceasefire can do to bored troops with too much time on their hands!

The mysteries of Staten Island are revealed to Matty Roth, who quickly realizes things are worse than he was told. And when the situation goes from bad to worse, the secluded residents naturally turn on the "visitor" who just happened to show up in the thick of it. Looks like Matty chose the wrong time to pay a visit.

The status quo's tossed out the window as Matty, back from his misadventure in Staten Island, finds Parco Delgado in office as provisional governor of the City of New York. This first issue of the "War Powers" 4-part arc rips through Parco's first 100 days at breakneck speed redraws what you know about DMZ.

Matty's first task under the Delgado regime involves tracking down the source of one of the DMZ's greatest urban legends.

Deep in Chinatown, Matty strikes it rich - at least for his bosses. Now he has a long fight back through the war-torn streets of New York. What's the money for, anyway? And what 'game changer' does Parco have planned?

“War Powers” part 4 of 4. For all of Parco Delgado's tough talk, his military posturing, his brazed declarations and his dismissal of his enemies, what's his insurance policy? What protection does he have to back him up? What the hell has he got buried in the ground in the middle of Central Park? Find out here!

Having rejected the relative safety and stability of Parco Delgado's government enclave (as well as a relationship with Matty Roth), Zee ventures out into the wilds of the DMZ. What is she seeking? Peace of mind? A greater truth? Or does she see Parco for what he truly is and would rather be alone and drifting than a part of it?

You've seen them countless times in the pages of DMZ. Violent killers – anonymous and silent – behind gas masks and heavy clothing. Always the vanguard of death and destruction. But who are they and where do they come from? What would cause a man or woman, even in a warzone, to completely surrender themselves to oblivion? "No Future" is a 3-part story probing an infamous DMZ death cult housed in the city's tallest building.

"No Future" continues, tracking the inner workings of the DMZ's notorious death cult from its more mindless and random street actions to the more sophisticated operations that betray its thug exterior. After witnessing the crash-landing that placed Matty in the city in the first place, our anonymous street killer starts questioning the ultimate point of the organization.

The conclusion of "No Future" sees our nameless hero sent out on a mission he has no plans to return from. But is that by design of his masters – or initiative on his own part? Let out in daylight for the first time in years, he sees aspects of the DMZ that tweak his long-repressed conscience, and he's forced to make an impossible choice.

"Hearts and Minds" part 1 of 5. Following the tumultuous events of the past year, Matty Roth is redefining his role in the DMZ. No longer content to be merely a citizen journalist or a mouthpiece for Parco Delgado's struggling city government, he now rolls with his own private security force and self-defined mandate to heal the city. Is this the start of a brand-new day via the barrel of an gun - or will this "Rise of Matty" end with the fall of just another petty warlord?

"Hearts and Minds" Part 2 of 5! The world struggles to come to grips with Parco Delgado's nuclear revelation, and while he's shooting hoops and avoiding the press, Matty is out there forging new alliances and advancing his own agenda. But with spyplane overflights and rumors of search-and-destroy teams being deployed, how long can any of this last? Not even the city's own new media outlet, Radio Free DMZ, has the answers.

"Hearts and Minds" part 3 of 5! The past comes back to haunt Matty in the form of both family and friends. To blow off some steam, he goes after a Trustwell sleeper cell. Of course, this is not Matty Roth, "naive observer." And while Zee never liked that Matty so much, what would she make of him now?

"Hearts and Minds" part 4 of 5! The USA, in the name of global stability, is abandoning all manner of negotiation, peace talks, ceasefires and diplomacy and moving forward unilaterally in its goal of a nuclear-free Manhattan. But surely this was an eventuality that Parco Delgado saw coming a mile off, right? Hey, where is Parco, anyway? And in the middle of the violence, Zee and Matty reunite.

"Hearts and Minds" 5 of 5. The entire future of the DMZ pivots on this issue, with horrific events unfolding not only for Matty and those close to him, but the city that's taken him under its wing. It's an issue so monumental, we had to redact the cover in order to not spoil a single thing...

Celebrate 50 issues of DMZ with "Notes from the Underground," an oversized collection of short stories gathered by stranded rookie journalist Matty Roth on location in the heart of America's Second Civil War. Featuring art from talent spanning the entire industry including Ryan Kelly (Local) Fábio Moon (B.P.R.D., DAYTRIPPER), JP Leon (STATIC) and more! This is a must-not-miss celebration of a pivotal Vertigo series. Story Titles NGO - Rebekah Isaacs Matty + Zee - Jim Lee Little Plastic Toy - Fábio Moon Looted - Ryan Kelly Snoozer, The Ghosts - Lee Bermejo Heart of North Jersey - Riccardo Burchielli Kelley - Philip Bond Wilson's Kitchen - John Paul Leon Wilson - Eduardo Risso Decade Later - Dave Gibbons

After the shattering events of issue #49, we start to pick up the pieces with "M.I.A.", a four-part story taking Matty to a remote and desolate section of the city. With no phone, no computer and no contact at all with any of his friends, what exactly is he doing there, and why?

Self-exile is forcing Matty to take a good, hard look at himself and his conduct since he entered the DMZ, and he's not liking too much of what he's seeing. His discovery from the last issue, though, presents him with an opportunity that he's tempted to take, but the price is high, very high. What's the going rate on redemption, anyway?

"M.I.A." part 3 of 4! In his trek through the urban wastelands, Matty runs into some old friends: The Delgado Nation. The campaign was a long time ago, and now Parco's a war criminal with a price on his head. So what can Matty possibly offer them in exchange for his life?

The conclusion of "M.I.A." sees Matty arriving at the 59th Street Bridge and into the control of the U.S. military who could conceivably charge Matty with war crimes. Oddly, Matty seems okay with that. In a pivotal moment that helps define the series, the fog of war is lifted and the truth behind Parco Delgado is made clear.

The first of five single-issue stories begins here with art by Andrea Mutti (THE EXECUTOR)! "Collective Punishment" deals with five inter-connected storylines starring citizens and soldiers, new characters and old, weathering the storm of a brutal "shock and awe" bombing campaign on the DMZ.

This second in a series of five one-shot stories concerns the enigmatic Wilson, the self-professed protector of Chinatown and confidant to Matty Roth. Wilson's always said he'd "own" the DMZ in the end, and now, with the U.S. poised to steamroll its way into the city, it's do-or-die time for the old man. Artist Nathan Fox (Pigeons from Hell) returns to DMZ for another gorgeous, detail-rich issue.

Once again, we see Amina, the famous casualty from Matty's infiltration of the Trustwell cell back in DMZ Vol. 3. Since being rendered homeless and alone, she's been the very picture of tragic survival in the DMZ. In this third installment of 'Collective Punishment,' in the middle of the heavy bombing campaign, something quite unexpected enters her life.

Last time we saw the legendary street artist "Decade Later," he was in cuffs and headed to a detention camp. Years have passed, and the man is back, walking the streets like he never left – a symbol of art defiant in the face of violent oppression.

During a hellish night of bombing, Matty lends his Liberty News secure phone line to DMZ citizens to reach out to loved ones outside the city – a direct violation of his contract. Is this the beginning of a new, compassionate Matty looking to atone? Or are more cynical motives at play? "Collective Punishment" ends here, setting the stage for the final year of the war in Manhattan.

The final year of DMZ begins here! In part 1 of "Free States Rising," we revisit the origins of this Second American Civil War and see just how a dangerous idea can ripple through a population and result in one of the most infamous wars in world history. Issue #60 kicks off this 2-parter, illustrated by guest artist Shawn Martinbrough (THE LOSERS, BATMAN)!

The final year of DMZ continues! The Free States army, equally vilified as insurgents and praised as patriots, gains more and more ground as the fabric of American society comes apart. Finally stopped at the Hudson by veteran U.S. troops, the glittering prize of the city of Manhattan is rapidly reduced to a wartorn slum, a.k.a the DMZ.

"Free States Rising" continues as the final battle in this Second American Civil War kicks off in a big and bloody way. Matty Roth's newest mandate, to be the world's eyes and ears, is a heavy burden to bear, and every associate from recent years, both good and bad, is coming out of the woodwork.

For close to six years, the DMZ has been a no-man's-land where armies feared to tread – but not any longer. The rival armies of the USA and the FSA clash in the streets of the city, and Matty Roth watches his adopted city bleed – but is it for the greater good? "Free States Rising" continues here!

Note: Official solicit doesn't exist and the one used is actually for the following issue, #65.

"Free States Rising" concludes here as the final battle for the city of Manhattan, as well as the fate of the entire country, begins to unfold. Matty Roth, the ultimate embedded journalist, reconnects with his on-again off-again friend Zee, who finds Matty a very changed man since she last saw him.

Zee Hernandez has always been the soul of the city, and the one person who could keep Matty's ego in check – most of the time. In her final solo issue of the series, we check back in with Zee, last seen in issue #59, and discover what secret she's been holding on to all this time.

Is the America about to emerge from its second civil war going to be the same America that went into it? Will it be even remotely similar? The 5-part story "The Five Nations of New York," the final arc in the DMZ saga, will tell you.

With only five issues of DMZ left, "The Five Nations of New York," the final arc in the DMZ saga, continues! As New York City starts the healing process, the political realities on the ground are impossible to ignore. Matty's seen to it that everyone's voice is being heard, but will the social order devolve into anarchy, or is there a new New York to be discovered somewhere underneath the rubble?

Only four issues left in the DMZ saga! Way back in issue #1, Zee met Matty with a loaded weapon pointing to his face. Now, almost six years gone, are they any closer to finding peace and happiness with each other? Matty is the voice of the city and Zee its soul . . . can they come together to help build a new New York?

Only three issues of DMZ left! As Matty continues his tour of the recovering and the rebuilding of New York City, the secret he's carrying around can't be held in any longer. He confides in Zee, just days before his life will change forever. Will he ever see the city again?

Only one more issue of DMZ to go! After six years of adventures – and misadventures – across the DMZ, Matty Roth's story is near its end.

In a city that once seemed to be in a permanent state of war and despair, peace has reigned for a decade. What has become of the city that Matty Roth, Zee and so many others fought to preserve?