Brubaker's Criminal & Incognito question...

[mudstar]

I've recently purchased the deluxe edition of Incognito as well as Vol. 1 Deluxe Criminal and was just wondering if I'd be better served reading one of these series before the other? I realize they aren't directly related, but thought someone might share some insight if there's something to be gleaned from reading Criminal before Incognito or vice-versa.

I haven't read much of Brubaker outside his run on Catwoman, Gotham Central, and his current Fatale, but I'm looking to delve deeper...

[Spaced]

Only connection is the creative team, read them in any order you like.

[Wellman]

You could read either one, Incognito is more of a sci fi grime hero tale not unsimilar to a lot of stuff you'd find at other smaller publishers like Image or Dark Horse while Criminal is a realistic modern (actually I think most of its stories take place in the 80s or 90s) crime noir not afraid to screw over any character.

Don't expect happy endings however.

[WinterSoldier76]

First, great moves on purchasing both books, especially on a "blind buy". They're both beautiful in the oversized format. I would also add that Incognito is a two part story which is longer form than Criminal, which are 4 or 5 non continuous stories. Enjoy!

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

I sure hope Bru/Phillips come back around for another tour on Incognito.

[Frodo-X]

Personally, I'm curious about the future for both franchises. I don't know about Criminal, as I've not read it (yet), but I know Bru said he had plans for more Incognito. But now he's left Marvel. On good terms, yes, but he's left. So I wonder how the deal is set up with Icon. Will they still run these two books under that banner even though he doesn't do any more work-for-hire for them? Is he able to move them, and perhaps take them to Image or DC's Vertigo line?

I expect to see more of both books, but I wouldn't be surprised if they come from a different publisher.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

Personally, I'm curious about the future for both franchises. I don't know about Criminal, as I've not read it (yet), but I know Bru said he had plans for more Incognito. But now he's left Marvel. On good terms, yes, but he's left. So I wonder how the deal is set up with Icon. Will they still run these two books under that banner even though he doesn't do any more work-for-hire for them? Is he able to move them, and perhaps take them to Image or DC's Vertigo line?

I expect to see more of both books, but I wouldn't be surprised if they come from a different publisher.

Considering that Marvel still publishes all of Millar's creator-owned comics through Icon, I don't think it would be a problem.

[Spaced]

I think you can expect to see Bru's future creator owned books at Image now.

Icon is basically creator owned but with Marvel distributing it, which I guess would mean higher costs to the creators.

[Frodo-X]

Perhaps. There must be something odd about it, since it seems to be nothing but Millar, Brubaker, and Bendis. I know I was surprised back when The Unwritten started that it wasn't an Icon book, since Mike Carey was still doing X-men: Legacy at the time. And even now, there are many writers working at Marvel that do creator-owned projects, yet seemingly none of them are with Icon.

[BrotherUnitNo_4]

Perhaps. There must be something odd about it, since it seems to be nothing but Millar, Brubaker, and Bendis. I know I was surprised back when The Unwritten started that it wasn't an Icon book, since Mike Carey was still doing X-men: Legacy at the time. And even now, there are many writers working at Marvel that do creator-owned projects, yet seemingly none of them are with Icon.

I guess I could see it being more costly to publish through Marvel, what with their overhead. At this point I don't really see much need to have Icon. It doesn't really offer anything consistently beyond Millar's output.