The first four issues of Sleeper have focused largely on Holden Carver's role in Tao's criminal organization, and while flashbacks have shown us his law-enforcement/military days, it's pretty clear that those days are in the past. In this issue, which contains a pretty interesting example of his newly-promoted role in Tao's organization, we also see him trying to reconnect to the greater good work that he was supposed to be doing, with some pretty brutal results. It's difficult to imagine living a lie the way an undercover agent would have to, but Brubaker and Phillips are bringing the moral questions and the psychological ramifications home in Sleeper, as well as providing some kickass action to go with it.
This may actually have been my favorite issue thus far, because Brubaker has set up his protagonist, a few of his friends and the general situation well enough to tell a pretty wide-ranging story over the course of this issue. Everything I love about the book, including the camaraderie in the bar, the double-dealing on the street, the twisted romantic relationship with Miss Misery and the espionage side of Carver's role, is explored here. It all comes together to serve as an effective snapshot of the kind of things Holden Carver must deal with every day, and while a few elements might not seem immediately clear to new readers (such as the nature of Carver's powers), it remains a very accessible jumping-on point.
While the premise of Sleeper alone is enough to get my attention, it's the strong characterization and imaginative plotting that keeps it. The interaction between Genocide and Diesel Max in the bar is a funny example of the sort of "deep thinkers" that make up most of Carver's world, guys who are stupid and brutal but still kind of likable in a bruiser sort of way. The way Carver uses his powers to handle a dangerous meet and potential adversary is clever and ruthless. But the real high point of the issue is seeing Carver confront a super-hero (of The Authority style) and try to slowly work his way out of the criminal lifestyle he's found himself in. And when it doesn't go exactly his way, we once again see that Carver is effective not just because of his powers or his intelligence, but because he's absolutely ruthless... although the final scene shows that he still has the capacity for horror at what he's become, just as some of the narration shows his self-loathing.
It's hard to imagine a better artist for this series than Sean Phillips. There are many different flavors of violence and sex at play in Sleeper, and Phillips is able to capture the subtle differences. It's why Genocide kicking Max in the head is laugh-out-loud funny, while a number of nameless corpses outside of Carver's limo carries with it a feeling of sick horror. And the level of action with the super-hero in this issue is absolutely effective as well, whether it's Turbine's brutal methods of taking on Carver's men or the no quarter asked battle between Turbine and Carver in the end.
Recently, one of my favorite shows, 24, finished up another season focusing on tough-guy and relentless federal agent Jack Bauer, and I've been casting about for something to help fill the summer hours while I wait for more. Those in a similar position might consider Sleeper, since Carver's pragmatic attitude and ruthless methods mark him as pretty similar to Bauer, and the plot twists and level of play in Sleeper can hold its own with the threat of terrorism, conspiracy and world war in 24 as well.
