Some words on 100 Bullets

[benday-dot]

I've read great things and heard them said about this Vertigo series of a few years back. I've heard it called the "greatest crime fiction ever to come out of comics." But a single issue I have never checked out. I did; however, recently skim, by way of reading bits and pieces, a copy of the first omnibus volume of the series DC is in the process of now releasing. I have to say it "scanned" pretty well, and just may deserve the hype. I did not buy the book, unwilling to fork out the 49.99 the LCS wanted. However, online retailers offer copies for considerably less.

Any fans of 100 Bullets here? I am thinking of taking the plunge, but I thought I'd first canvas for additional views from the esteemed and learned folks here.

[Brian Gravity]

I've read great things and heard them said about this Vertigo series of a few years back. I've heard it called the "greatest crime fiction ever to come out of comics." But a single issue I have never checked out. I did; however, recently skim, by way of reading bits and pieces, a copy of the first omnibus volume of the series DC is in the process of now releasing. I have to say it "scanned" pretty well, and just may deserve the hype. I did not buy the book, unwilling to fork out the 49.99 the LCS wanted. However, online retailers offer copies for considerably less.

Any fans of 100 Bullets here? I am thinking of taking the plunge, but I thought I'd first canvas for additional views from the esteemed and learned folks here.

I read the first 6 TPB's of 100 Bullets, and as much as I want to praise the series I want to warn you that it might be a bit overrated. The first couple of issues were very good, but then the whole idea got pretty repetitive and predictable for me. I hung in there as long as I could but it just became boring, and a chore to read unfortunately. I also wasn't a fan of Risso's art. While many of his panels were stylish, most had a rushed feel to them.

I can see 100 Bullets eventually getting it's own TV series like The Walking Dead, and I might enjoy it more in that format. And who knows, maybe the series really kicks off after the first 50 issues and I have no idea what I'm missing out on.

[Johnny P. Sartre]

It's worth the plunge, I love the series

It's a slow-burner but as the story progresses there's a lot to that universe and it's starts to open up more and the characters start to get more and more defined. Also, I disagree with Gravity, I personal LOVE Risso's work on here. Is there some panels that are rushed, yeah but overall, it's stylish and damn fine. Actually, I would have loved to see this series in B&W because Risso continues the great B&W legacy that have defined the Argentinean art comic scene.

[MRP]

I've tried to read the series three times now, and fizzled on on the second volume of the trades twice and the third volume once. It's one of those series I can recognize the quality of the product, but it just doesn't hold my interest enough to keep plodding through it, but then that's happened to me with several things Azzarello has written. If Azzarello's work catches your interest and holds it, it is likely worth the plunge, however if, like me, his work generally leaves you cold, then I wouldn't fork out the money. I know the local library here has the first volume, so you might see if you can check out a volume before shelling out for the books to get a better sense of it.

-M

[Johnny P. Sartre]

That's actually a good idea, get the first three volumes from your library; if you like them, buy them.

[Slam_Bradley]

It's far from the greatest crime comic ever. Brubaker's Criminal is leagues beyond it. I thought it started out pretty strong. But it fell apart less than half way through the run and I couldn't be arsed to care enough to finish it. I know that I'm not lone in that feeling.

[Aaron King]

It's far from the greatest crime comic ever. Brubaker's Criminal is leagues beyond it. I thought it started out pretty strong. But it fell apart less than half way through the run and I couldn't be arsed to care enough to finish it. I know that I'm not lone in that feeling.

I'll echo what everyone seems to be saying. The art is really amazing, but the story starts to drag five or six volumes in. Also, Criminal is the best crime comic ever. Brubaker's Scene of the Crime is also neat, Darwyn Cooke's adaptations of the Parker books are really, really good. I would recommend any of these before 100 Bullets.

[berk]

I love the look of Risso's artwork but not enough to read the series. The premise doesn't attract my interest and I don't know Azzarello's work at all, so his name's not a draw for me.

Other than 100 Bullets, what other Risso series would be worth a look? Any of his Argentinian stuff available in English?

[Bill Angus]

And see, I'd disagree somewhat with everyone else. It took me (I think) the first 3 trades just to really get into the series, and at least to the 2nd trade to appreciate what Risso was doing artistically. I really didn't enjoy much of the visuals on the first trade at all.

That being said, once I was in, I was in, and thoroughly enjoyed the series from that point forward.

I will agree with Slam's point - as good as 100 Bullets is, Criminal is far better.

[cactusmaac]

The first 60 issues are great, the rest are passable.

[Chris N]

I'll echo what everyone seems to be saying. The art is really amazing, but the story starts to drag five or six volumes in. Also, Criminal is the best crime comic ever. Brubaker's Scene of the Crime is also neat, Darwyn Cooke's adaptations of the Parker books are really, really good. I would recommend any of these before 100 Bullets.

This is my feeling exactly.

I read 7 books of 100 Bullets, got bored, but still would like to finish it. Art and premise excellent. Some great stories in there. And who knows, maybe when I finally sit down and try to read it all the way through, I'll come around on it.

[Chris N]

Some single issue stories in 100 Bullets may be fun to read. They were my favorite part. Issue 27, about a familiar looking baseball player for example, was excellent and can be read on its own.

I had always insisted Scene of the Crime was the best crime noir comic, but Criminal: Last of the Innocent may have usurped that position. Best comic I'd read in a darn long time.

[benday-dot]

Thanks for the great input everyone. I've read all of Criminal, and agree it would take a mighty feat to topple my estimation of its position as a singular titan of the crime genre. And of course Parker is top drawer comics. I have all of the original volumes as well as the Martini edition, all signed by Cooke, so i am indeed a fan of that series Aaron well recommends. I do like Risso's art so I don't think that would be a deterrent to 100 Bullets. It is good indeed to hear some sobre second thought to temper a lot of the accolades I've heard. If I can find a good price on the first omnibus volume, I might pick it up. It contains I think 20 issues so it should give me a good feel for whether its going to be thumbs up or down on the series for me. Thanks again!

[berk]

I have much the same feelings about Criminal as I do about 100 Bullets: like very much what I've seen of the artwork, but not convinced the writing will be to my taste. I don't know Brubaker's work any better than I do Azzarello's, and nothing I've seen or read about either has really caught my interest much.

If I weren't so far behind on things I already know I want to read I'd probably give one or both of these a shot, but as things are I can't really justify the time or money I'd have to spend making the experiment. I am interested in the artists Phillips and Risso, but maybe I'll come across something of theirs with a writer or story that attracts me more than is the case with Criminal or 100 Bullets.

[dupont2005]

I haven't read it yet, but it's HIGH on my to-read list.
As far as Criminal goes, I have the first several issues and liked them, but I thought it was just a miniseries.