Comic Review: Reckless Vol. 1 (Image Comics)

In the first of three original graphic novels, Reckless, from Image, brings sunlit film noir to the printed page.

Writer Ed Brubaker, artist Sean Phillips and Jacob Phillips (on colour), all shine brightly in this epic drama. It’s Ethan Reckless, another flawed hero, trying to do the right thing. And in Ed Brubaker’s fictional world, that is not a bad thing, it’s just always with a hitch. Or a problem, setback, twist, doublecross, double whiskey sour, double your money or you break your mama’s back. That sort of thing.

It’s a bold new series of original graphic novels, with three books releasing over the next year, each a full-length story that stands on its own.

Ethan Reckless may be a living mess, but he still makes a living solving other peoples’ problems. When a young woman from his explosive past comes a-knockin’, it’s not all pleasant. Things get dredged up, messed up, trucked up, and snuck up.
The writing is crisp and deadly, the scenes unfold like dirty laundry at the motel. The pit in our stomach doesn’t get away scot-free, it just mixes with metaphors and poisonous vendettas. The art is solid and well balanced, becoming a steady contributor to the dread and suspense.

Brubaker’s settings are sunlit and seedy, the melancholy balancing between light and dark. Jacob Phillips injects a drug-like intensity into the bright skies and throws shade on the movie theatre backdrop.

This is a very good read, highly packed with great scenes. Highly recommended!!

Look for Book Two in the RECKLESS series in April 2021.

Image, Reckless (original graphic novel), $24.99 for 152 pages of content. Mature