Since Heroes began last year, NBC has introduced weekly online graphic novels, designed to further the show’s backstory. It’s a great idea…to use comics to accent the obviously comic-influenced television series. Looking around, though, it doesn’t seem like anyone is really recapping this largely overlooked source. Well, no more! Starting today, and regularly appearing on Tuesdays, we will take a look at this innovative avenue that NBC has taken to further develop the Heroes story.

Even though Heroes went on break oh so long ago, the online novels have continued, publishing the story arc “War Buddies”. While a few of the past stories have been nothing more than filler, this six-story arc has turned into something really special. Below is a summary of each installment thus far, which can be seen in their entirety here.

Part One : The Lonestar File : The story starts with Hana Gittelman, who you may remember from her brief appearance in an episode several weeks ago. She has the ability to ‘hear’ and manipulate any electronic message, such as cell phone signals and emails. She has been recruited by Bennett (HRG) to find a file, which is, unfortunately, stored in paper form in the Pentagon. Using her electronic abilities, she manages to forge credentials that allow her to get into the file room and locate the file…

Part Two : Unknown Soldiers : The file tells the story of a top secret mission during Vietnam. A group of four soldiers are recruited to recover a downed bomber plane that had been assigned to destroy a targed known as Au Co. Each are known to the others only by their code names: Laredo, San Antonio, Amarillo, Austin, and Dallas, who is telling the story. On their journey, the soldiers fall under attack by Viet Cong soldiers, and are picked off one by one until only Austin and Dallas remain. Dallas is wounded, shot in the stomach. He lies dying, bleeding out, when Austin rushes to his aid. He covers the wound with his hands, and when he removes them again, Dallas is completely healed.

Part Three : Unknown Soldiers : Five days later, Dallas and Austin are continuing their mission alone. They have captured an enemy soldier, and Dallas is in the process of beating him severely, eventually breaking his jaw…for the ninth time. Austin heals the soldier, reluctantly, every time, so that Dallas can continue to torture him. He finally cracks, telling them where the plane has crashed. They find it, right on the front doorstep of its target, a small village that is growing miraculously large crops. Dallas says that they will continue the mission and destroy the village, since it could be used to feed thousands of enemy troops. Austin, again, very reluctantly, agrees.

Part Four : No Turning Back : As Dallas and Austin observe the camp, they see a young girl who holds her hand out and causes the crops to grow. Austin is amazed, and feels an instant connection to her. Dallas snaps him out of it, and they proceed to rig C4 from the downed aircraft to destroy the village. It is detonated, and the entire village bursts into flames. Dallas opens fire on the fleeing civilians. The young girl from earlier runs by, with her mother chasing after her yelling “Au Co!” Realizing that their target is the girl, and not the entire village, Dallas turns to fire at her. Austin tries to stop him, but Dallas manages to get a shot off…

Part Five : Introductions : …which kills the girl. Austin immediately runs to her, ready to heal her, but Dallas catches and restrains him. They both watch her die. Austin is horrified, but Dallas tells him that great men must make sacrifices. The soldiers then return to their base camp, where Dallas is ready to tell the whole story. Austin plays dumb, however, and Dallas is discharged.

We flash forward several years, and now an older Dallas is at home with his wife and baby son. The doorbell rings, and Dallas finds a much older Austin there. He tells Dallas that he owes him an apology, and that he has come to agree that great men must be willing to make sacrifices. He has a plan, and wants Dallas to join him. Dallas is reluctant, saying that he doesn’t even know his name.  Thus, the big reveal.  Now, while I wouldn’t say that the last panel is spoiler-filled, it does have a pretty HUGE revelation, so you’ll have to click here if you want to see it.

Check back tomorrow for the final installment of ‘War Buddies’!