Writer: Walter Hill & Matz

Artist: Jef

Publisher: Hard Case Crime/Titan Comics

We rejoin Roy Triggerman Nash as he remembers being snuck out of prison and given the mission that took him to Arizona in Issue #1. He’s in LA on the trail of half-a-million bucks worth of welshers, and he’s not in the mood for too much chit-chat. With a nod to Raymond Chandler, the whole feel of the comic is pure noir.

Matz’ scripting is top notch. Every scene oozes menace. We readers don’t get a chance to feel comfortable at all as we follow our protagonist through rough encounter after rough encounter. His veracity and boldness in creating the scene come out in the very language and phrases that his characters speak. We are spared no punches either with words or deeds, every scene and character seem to fit in perfectly with the underworld surroundings.

Again Jef shows off superb command of his talents. His eye for detail is exquisite. There is nothing from the background to the drape of clothes, to the creases on the skin that he misses. It is the type of artwork that really puts you into the scene, makes you a part of the action. His use of sepia tones and shading visually transport us back in time and mirror the darkness of the storyline.

Whether you like the old noir films or the gritty detective novels that inspired them or just like a tightly wound plotline with danger around every corner, this title will whet that whistle. Every speech, every action, seems like a snake coiled up tightly and ready to strike in a frenzy, and when the action does happen it is like the quick flash and bite from that viper. Each step Roy takes into Los Angeles is fraught with peril and we sit on every word, every panel, with anticipation. This is a fine title to follow, my friends, and well worth the read. I’ll be here for Issue #3, you can bet on that.

Writing: 5/5

Artwork: 5/5

Overall: 5/5