Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Sean Phillips

Arguably, the best crime/noir comics book ever written returns and not nearly the hubbub it deserves is being made. Criminal is an inspired masterpiece and if you like Brubaker’s work on Daredevil, Captain America, Uncanny X-Men, Detective Comics, or anywhere else you owe it to yourself to pick up what is almost assured to be his seminal work. The book re-launched with a new self contained story that’s the perfect jumping on point.

This book is pure, unabashed noir. Every cliché is played with here to turn into its own, intense ride. The characters are tough and ready to live hard in a hard world. When a potential champion fighter realizes what his best friend has become, he tries to save a woman who it’s already far too late for. Trust, mistrust, shame, anger, and race all play important roles, as our protagonist never has a prayer. This isn’t, as he says, his world, but of course, the emotionally scarred, not quite perfect Jake “Gnarly” Brown is the perfect noir lead.

Criminal 2 # 1 is a teaser for all that this book offers. It has the villains, trapped by their own villainy, the femme fatale, the strong, but tragically flawed hero, the heist, and the air of mystery and revelation. This could certainly have used more room to breathe, even at 30 pages, but with one intense ride Brubaker lets you know exactly what this series is about. You simply have to try it and see this for yourself.

If you are usually someone who waits for the trades, with this book, don’t. Every issue comes with a backmatter by Brubaker himself discussing what went into the issue and is good in noir culture currently, while announcing a num. There is also a rant about a noir book or movie by a guest. This month it’s Duane Swierczynski about his favorite author. This is pulp fiction perfection.

8/10

Tags: MAX