Coward (Criminal, Vol. 1)
by Ed Brubaker
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ed BrubakerIllustrator: Sean Phillips
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2007-05-09
ISBN: 078512439X
Number of pages: 128
Publisher: Marvel
Book Reviews of Coward (Criminal, Vol. 1)
Book Review: Coward puts crime comics back on the map!
Summary: 5 Stars
First of all, let me just say that if you want to experience Criminal to the fullest, you really have to buy the single/monthly issues. I know, it's tough. Suck it up. The monthly issues include the wonderful essays and reviews of noir films and books from industry giants and friends alike including Warren Ellis, Greg Rucka, Matt Fraction, Charles Ardai (Hard Case Crime) and of course, Patton Oswalt (who's taste in noir I like better than his comedy routine). There's more I'm forgetting too. There, I've stated the case for the monthly issues... I mean, aside from noting that monthly sales keep the book on the shelves at all!
If you're already a fan of Brubaker (or the Brubaker/Phillips creative team) then this book is a no-brainer and you should already own it and be buying copies for your friends! For someone who is new to the writing style of Ed Brubaker I will go into some detail, followed by some comments on Sean Phillips' art. This collection is begging to be read by fans of crime/noir fiction. If you like reading Richard Stark or James Ellroy or even Elmore Leonard, then this is right up your alley. Don't expect the humor you'd find in an Leonard novel though. This is a story peopled by flawed characters with the main focus centering on Leo "the coward". Leo is built up as a thief-planner with a knack for never getting caught. He gets tapped to help run an armored car job by a corrupt cop on a gangster's payroll.
Brubaker's captions and dialogue read like street vernacular that suggests he's actually walked these streets and ducked down these alleyways and spent some time in The Undertow Bar. There aren't any wasted words, it's very straightfoward and no-nonsense. There is that dry, clipped quality to the dialogue that speaks to the "don't waste my time" attitude of many of the characters. That attitude isn't exclusive to the characters though, it's the attitude of the entire landscape, the entire world (or underworld). The inner monologues, Leo thinking back on things and pondering his next move, also read with a level of authenticity that's almost unheard of in any medium, let alone mature audience comics. The tone of the story is personified by Leo's constant struggling with his obligations to his friends, to himself and the dilemma of a job gone wrong. He's constantly trying to get out from under and "figure things out" so to speak and as more and more time passes, there are less and less options. The story culminates when Leo actually makes a decision and acts on it (with bloody consequences). A brutal climax that leaves no one unscathed and no one escapes from. The people of Criminal are scraping by in a world that doesn't want them to succeed and punishes them at every turn. Brubaker brilliantly captures the essence of a low man doing the only thing he knows how to do. While perhaps Leo never gets caught, he has nothing to show for it beyond broken and burnt associations with the few people in his life ultimately. I can't praise Brubaker enough, really. I mean, how many words are in an average comic book? Brubaker gets it all across and then some despite favoring an internal narrative style; smartly relying on Sean Phillips to pick up all the subtext with his lovely illustrations and pacing.
Segue into the quick art review. Sean Phillips art is not what I would call "comic book art". No, "comic book art" is what I would call guys like Jim Lee and Marc Silvestri. I'm not knockin' those guys but stylistically they're on the other end of the spectrum from Phillips. His art completely compliments the subject matter. Lots of shadows and heavy black swathes for shading. The lighting he creates is EXACT. I can't say it any better than that. I think Phillips would be perfectly at home in a black and white medium. He excels at facial expressions as well which is something of a premium in comic book artists. Every background and environment has a dull, washed-out quality too as if the color has sort-of seeped out of this little corner of the city (of course, credit goes to Val Staples for the coloring but Phillips' designs probably make his job very easy). Phillips not only captures faces and gestures well but he's also adept at portraying action and brutally skilled when it comes to intense scenes of violence. Make no mistake, this book isn't for kids.
What more can I say? Buy this book; it's rectangular bound perfection.
Summary of Coward (Criminal, Vol. 1)
From Harvey Award-Winning Best Writer Ed Brubaker, and Scream Award-Winning Best Artist Sean Phillips comes the first collection of Criminal, one of the best reviewed comics of 2006. Coward is the story of Leo, a professional pickpocket who is also a legendary heist-planner and thief. But there's a catch with Leo, he won't work any job that he doesn't call all the shots on, he won't allow guns, and the minute things turn south, he's looking for any exit that won't land him in prison. But when he's lured into a risky heist, all his rules go out the window, and he ends up on the run from the cops and the bad men who double-crossed him. Now Leo must come face-to-face with the violence he's kept bottled up inside for 20 years, and nothing will ever be the same for him again. Collects Criminal #1-5.Mystery Books
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