by Ed Brubaker
(Author), Sean Phillips (Artist), Jacob Phillips (Artist)
Publisher : Image Comics; Illustrated edition
(August 18, 2020)
Hardcover, 288 pages
For those who were looking forward to some more Criminal action, this story is the
answer to their prayers. It travels back in time to the original anti-hero of
the series, Teeg Lawson, to demonstrate how he lost everything and became the
foul jerk from the original series. This book collects issues 1 and 5-12 of the
third volume of Criminal. It is just
as brutal, amoral, and heartbreaking as every other arc in this series -
Perhaps more so, as long time readers already know each of these characters are
already doomed.
Taking place in the summer of 1988, the narrative
flips position with each issue, giving every character a chance in the
limelight and to add their voice. The technique gives depth to that character’s
action in other stories, where they are relegated to a minor appearance. Thus
this straight-forward tale is expanded in ways which would be impossible had
the story been handled with only a single main character. In this case every
character is the protagonist and antagonist simultaneously.
The plot revolves around one of our previous heroes,
Teeg Lawless - well named - falling in love and straightening out his life. Not
to say he goes straight, but his new love teaches him a better way of life,
this making him a much better and more careful thief. However, his new ladylove
causes more problems than she solves. The plot is excellent, the art is as
well. The only niggling difficulty I have with this book is that the motive of
the private investigator seems a little thin, more time should’ve been taken to
show him as a mentally disturbed individual.
For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst
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