Dog Tag # 2 Cover A First Printing 2026 BN

Dog Tag #2 is the second installment of a 6-issue historical fiction miniseries published by Mad Cave Studios, scheduled for release on June 17, 2026. Written by Eisner-nominated author Mark Russell with gritty art by PJ Holden, the series follows the life, psychological toll, and heavy thoughts of Corporal Tom Fuller as he navigates the final year of World War II.

Plot Summary

• The "Casserole Unit": Following the high-casualty chaos of D-Day, protagonist Tom Fuller is reassigned to a ragtag "casserole unit"—a squad hastily cobbled together from the shell-shocked survivors of various decimated divisions.
• The Mission: The makeshift unit is handed what appears to be a routine reconnaissance assignment: enter the tactical French town of St. Lô and officially confirm that the occupying German forces have abandoned it.
• The Twist: Upon arrival, the squad quickly discovers that not everyone has left. A lingering, dangerous enemy presence remains behind, turning a simple sweep into a high-stakes, claustrophobic battle for survival.

Core Themes

• Witnessing History: Rather than romanticizing the conflict, the creative team focuses heavily on the ordinary, unpolished human perspective of combat.
• Grounded Perspective: Heavily inspired by real-world events and diaries, the series tackles the massive moral questions of war while emphasizing that survival itself is a form of victory. It draws tonal comparisons to classic anti-war literature like Slaughterhouse-Five and Catch-22.