Category: Crime

American Monster #4 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

American Monster #4 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan DoeRegular
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The smallest of towns oft times make for the biggest happenings… and the small burg that Theo Montclaire has decided to call home is no exception. Shotguns, betrayal, perversion and explosions. Just a few of the ingredients that make up the ass-kicking meal known as AMERICAN MONSTER.

There’s a lot going on in issue three.  Felix’s gun-running gang is at odds with the Reverand’s 2nd Amendment gun-toting Christians, the honest Deputy is being told to stand down on his investigation, and Theo is making a deal for explosives and looking to buy a bar.

Azzarello and Doe continue to impress.  With American Monster they’ve laid the ground work for a great on-going crime series for those wanting a story that isn’t wall to wall fights, the traditional good guys in white hats or stories that are simply told.   American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language, but it is for folks who enjoy a well crafted and well drawn comic.

 

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Jim Thompson’s The Killer Inside Me Gets New Life with IDW

The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson is a classic.  Written 62 years ago, The Killer Inside Me has been the subject of two film adaptations, has been a major influence on countless novelists, screenwriters, lyricists and yet has never had a comic adaptation until now.

IDW is publishing the comic adaptation of The Killer Inside Me as a comic mini-series written by Devin Faraci and illustrated by Vic Malhotra.  Faraci recently spoke with Zack Smith at Newsarama about how Jim Thompson’s The Killer Inside Me Gets New Life with IDW.

If you’re at all interested in The Killer Inside Me‘s importance to the genre, influence on generations or what goes into creating a worthy adaptation, then this interview is for you!

American Monster #3 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

American Monster #3 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan DoeRegular
Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

The war both home and abroad. The struggle between man and monster. The epic fight between good and evil. All of these battles and more waging within the soul of one man…and all in one small town.

In American Monster #3 we learn the source of Theo’s disfigurement, attend a wake and learn that Felix’s gang isn’t the only group in town with guns and a beef and more.

Azzarello and Doe are taking us on a fun ride.  If you’re into crime fiction, like great writing and art then American Monster could be for you.  American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

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American Monster #2 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

American Monster #2 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan Doe
Regular Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

A man’s country can be both something to fight for…and to fight against. Just one of many difficult decisions punching Theo Montclair square in the face. Betrayal and rage are just some the easier emotions that Theo will suffer through on his long hard road towards redemption.

In American Monster #2 we begin to learn more about the characters and their relationships.  Thanks to Deputy Downs (a honest cop?) we learn that the disfigured man is Theodore Montclaire and that he sports the same back tats as the local gang leader.  And speaking of the local gang leader… somebody murdered his dog…

Azzarello and Doe are once again in top form.

American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

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American Monster #1 by Azzarello & Doe / Z-View

American Monster #1 is part of an on-going series published by Vertigo Comics.

Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Juan Doe
Colorist: Juan Doe
Letterer: Juan Doe
Regular Cover Artist: Juan Doe

*** Beware – spoilers may be found below ***

In a small Midwestern town, a large man with a horribly scarred face gets off a bus, and takes a room. He spooks the locals–nobody knows him–or do they? It’s impossible to say be-cause he seemingly has no face. The man’s intentions remain unknown, until he takes on a corrupt sheriff and the rural crew of racist arms dealers. The town’s impression of the man changes, and he’s seen as a hero…until his real intentions bubble to the surface. The man isn’t there to end the gang, but to take it over. And he’s just getting started.

American Monster is a winner.  Not a done-in-one or by the numbers mini-series, American Monster is instead a crime/mystery story created by a talented team.  There are a lot of questions set up in this issue and my guess is that as the answers play out over the course of this yarn, they won’t always be what we’re led to believe.

Is the disfigured man, a war hero, a criminal or both?  Who blew up his vehicle?  Was that bank robbery money the disfigured man flashed?  And how does he tie in to the local gang leader who just brutally murdered two people?

Azzarello and Doe make for a great creative team.  It’s nice to have a comic with both a high level of artistry in the writing and art.  I’m looking forward to more of the same in each issue.

American Monster isn’t for kids or those offended by mature language.

 

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