CRIMINAL (BOOKS 1-6 & ANNUAL) review
(Reviewed by Melody Werner)
Criminal is a critically acclaimed crime thriller book series originally published by Marvel's Icon imprint and recently (at time of writing) rereleased in TPB format by Image. They're each standalone but they're set in a single continuity, so if you read all of the books, there are clever ties between one another. Written by superstar writer Ed Brubaker with art by Sean Phillips, and six Eisner and Harvey's awards under its belt, Criminal looks to build expectations from the outset that really can't be matched. But here's the thing: Criminal actually matches and surpasses those lofty expectations.
The art isn't the grandest but Phillips still makes Criminal look pretty cool with a distinct style that lets you know immediately that you're reading Criminal. Besides, it fits the theme, tone, and subject matter perfectly. And not only that, but in some of the books (specifically 1, 4, 6, and the one-shot) they'll vary up the art style to convey a change of perspective or flashbacks, and the one they swap to often in "The Last of the Innocent" for flashbacks is a pretty faithful homage to the classic Archie aesthetic, except with the demented nature of Criminal, which is a juxtaposition I found relatively funny. The action is pretty cool too, and adds an adrenaline rush when implemented.
One of the strongest suits for Criminal is the narrative in each book. They're messed up with some cruel and heavy subject matter, and that's what makes them so great--it's fucked up shit that's exceptionally well executed. You have people put in terrible situations, and every single book has death, sex, drugs, nudity, profanity, and more in overabundance. This darkness also adds to the atmosphere, I feel, but more on that later. The way in which each story's told is always clever and done in a way that feels like you're unraveling the series but as you do there's always a twist that sucker punches you, subverts you, and that's a feeling I always love.
The characters are all extremely memorable, especially the main characters. Everyone is an absolute bastard too, and anyone who isn't either ends up with a bullet in their brain or something revealed that puts them on a whole 'nother level of crazy. If you like someone in Criminal because they're a good, decent person amongst the damned, don't expect to hold onto that after you finish that book basically. This adds to their complexity and the overall shock value when someone turns out to be a thorough basket case, as well as making it either extremely gratifying or saddening when they eat a bullet or get their brain skewed.
Another major win in Criminal's favor is the world it's set in. As I mentioned in the preface, there is a continuity to these books, and that continuity is given innumerable layers by each passing book. I felt, while I was reading, that I was learning more and more about this world--the Hydes, the Lawlesses, the history of the Undertow bar--and this all builds up to something phenomenal. And the way different events tie into one another so seamlessly, I mean, Criminal's already a masterpiece just for that alone. The atmosphere is so dark and rich that it's practically unparalleled for its genre. Nobody's ever safe in the land of Criminal, there are always battle scars any character walks away with, whether seen or unseen.
But let's not forget that Criminal still holds up outside of the realm of grimdarkness. The dialogue is superb, there are some fantastic lines that you leave with eating away at you like a tick. There's dark comedy too, and while it's not always in stock, when it is it hits bullseyes. The pacing is also expertly done, with time devoted to building up the world at the same time as smoothly detailing some exposition. It speeds up and slows down where necessary and that's an overall sign of smart pacing. Nothing feels rushed or outstays its welcome, it all goes off without a hitch.
Criminal pretty much blew my mind, in just how damn good it is. Once I got through with the first book, I had a nagging feeling that I should read the second, then that turned into the third, and suddenly I was done and wanted some more Criminal. The fact that I'm perpetually wanting more done is just a testament to how incredible the series is. Brubaker really nailed this one. Criminal gets a 10/10.
Masterful
Summary:
Criminal is a thoroughly engaging and compelling read, bursting at the seams with extreme quality. Pushed to this upper echelon thanks to exceptional stories, excellent characters, an amazing universe, smart pacing, a wonderful atmosphere and use of tone and subject matter, great art, pristine dialogue, great dark comedy, extraordinary storytelling, and neat aesthetic swaps.
Criminal is a critically acclaimed crime thriller book series originally published by Marvel's Icon imprint and recently (at time of writing) rereleased in TPB format by Image. They're each standalone but they're set in a single continuity, so if you read all of the books, there are clever ties between one another. Written by superstar writer Ed Brubaker with art by Sean Phillips, and six Eisner and Harvey's awards under its belt, Criminal looks to build expectations from the outset that really can't be matched. But here's the thing: Criminal actually matches and surpasses those lofty expectations.
The art isn't the grandest but Phillips still makes Criminal look pretty cool with a distinct style that lets you know immediately that you're reading Criminal. Besides, it fits the theme, tone, and subject matter perfectly. And not only that, but in some of the books (specifically 1, 4, 6, and the one-shot) they'll vary up the art style to convey a change of perspective or flashbacks, and the one they swap to often in "The Last of the Innocent" for flashbacks is a pretty faithful homage to the classic Archie aesthetic, except with the demented nature of Criminal, which is a juxtaposition I found relatively funny. The action is pretty cool too, and adds an adrenaline rush when implemented.
One of the strongest suits for Criminal is the narrative in each book. They're messed up with some cruel and heavy subject matter, and that's what makes them so great--it's fucked up shit that's exceptionally well executed. You have people put in terrible situations, and every single book has death, sex, drugs, nudity, profanity, and more in overabundance. This darkness also adds to the atmosphere, I feel, but more on that later. The way in which each story's told is always clever and done in a way that feels like you're unraveling the series but as you do there's always a twist that sucker punches you, subverts you, and that's a feeling I always love.
The characters are all extremely memorable, especially the main characters. Everyone is an absolute bastard too, and anyone who isn't either ends up with a bullet in their brain or something revealed that puts them on a whole 'nother level of crazy. If you like someone in Criminal because they're a good, decent person amongst the damned, don't expect to hold onto that after you finish that book basically. This adds to their complexity and the overall shock value when someone turns out to be a thorough basket case, as well as making it either extremely gratifying or saddening when they eat a bullet or get their brain skewed.
Another major win in Criminal's favor is the world it's set in. As I mentioned in the preface, there is a continuity to these books, and that continuity is given innumerable layers by each passing book. I felt, while I was reading, that I was learning more and more about this world--the Hydes, the Lawlesses, the history of the Undertow bar--and this all builds up to something phenomenal. And the way different events tie into one another so seamlessly, I mean, Criminal's already a masterpiece just for that alone. The atmosphere is so dark and rich that it's practically unparalleled for its genre. Nobody's ever safe in the land of Criminal, there are always battle scars any character walks away with, whether seen or unseen.
But let's not forget that Criminal still holds up outside of the realm of grimdarkness. The dialogue is superb, there are some fantastic lines that you leave with eating away at you like a tick. There's dark comedy too, and while it's not always in stock, when it is it hits bullseyes. The pacing is also expertly done, with time devoted to building up the world at the same time as smoothly detailing some exposition. It speeds up and slows down where necessary and that's an overall sign of smart pacing. Nothing feels rushed or outstays its welcome, it all goes off without a hitch.
Criminal pretty much blew my mind, in just how damn good it is. Once I got through with the first book, I had a nagging feeling that I should read the second, then that turned into the third, and suddenly I was done and wanted some more Criminal. The fact that I'm perpetually wanting more done is just a testament to how incredible the series is. Brubaker really nailed this one. Criminal gets a 10/10.
Masterful
Summary:
Criminal is a thoroughly engaging and compelling read, bursting at the seams with extreme quality. Pushed to this upper echelon thanks to exceptional stories, excellent characters, an amazing universe, smart pacing, a wonderful atmosphere and use of tone and subject matter, great art, pristine dialogue, great dark comedy, extraordinary storytelling, and neat aesthetic swaps.
(originally posted: 9/12/2016)
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