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100 BULLETS #32
"Counterfifth Detective Part Two"
Highly Recommended (10/10)
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DC Comics/Vertigo imprint
Writer: Brian Azzarello
Artist: Eduardo Risso
Colors: Patricia Mulvihill & Digital Chameleon
Letters: Clem Robins
Editor: Will Dennis
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
Azzarello
turns up the noir on the book to 11 with "Counterfifth Detective," as
hard-boiled detective Milo serves up cynical and often darkly humorous narration
throughout. The mystery, atmosphere and style of the book is as strong as ever,
with Azzarello and Risso taking the readers to a seedy strip club, the world of
high priced art theft and the grimy world of private detectives, all wrapped
around the conspiracy of the Minutemen and the Trust, which lurks in the
background.
Milo is easily the most
entertaining protagonist the book has had since Loop Hughes, which is
interesting as he's not terribly likable. In fact, Milo is an unrepentant
bastard, perfectly happy in his world of sex, alcohol and violence and perfectly
willing to intimidate or threaten to get what he wants, whether that's
information, a flask of whiskey or just a distracting fight. What's interesting
about him is that he's so capable, as compared to the previous protagonists.
While most of them have had some criminal tendencies, none of them have been so
mean and yet so smart. I'm curious to see what Milo has to offer the Minutemen,
whether he's a weapon or a potential recruit.
As always, the atmosphere of this book is a selling point. 100 Bullets takes place
in a world few of us visit, but we all know it exists. Everything happens after
dark, and it usually happens around alcohol and half-naked women. There's an
undercurrent of tension, barely restrained violence and sexuality, in both the
narration and the artwork. In fact, Milo's narration gives a feeling for what a
cold-blooded individual he can be, as he uses people for information or for sex
or other kinds of release, and seems pretty clear about what he's doing.
The artwork on this book has
always and probably will always be some of the best in the business. Risso
delivers shadowy, moody style with laser-intensity focused storytelling. Quick
cuts, small facial tics and little details like a thrown-away hot dog wrapper or
neon sign reflected in a pool of water set the scene and keep the story moving.
His use of shadow is likewise incredible, so that we only ever see exactly what
the creators want us to see, with the rest of it left in the darker parts of our
imagination. Credit should also go to Patricia Mulvihill, whose expert colors
change palettes with every storyline and make each story arc look distinct while
maintaining a similar look across the entire book.
Despite a lot of competition and almost three years for me to get used to the concept, 100 Bullets remains my favorite monthly comic. And every
time I proclaim a given arc or issue my favorite, another issue comes along to
challenge that perception.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board. |
