100 Bullets Vol. 1: First Shot, Last Call [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

The first collection of the DC Comics/Vertigo series 100 BULLETS, written by Brian Azzarello and drawn by Eduardo Risso, is a truly stunning read. Azzarello and Risso, who first worked together on another DC/Vertigo comic, JOHNNY DOUBLE, have created an utterly original work in this ongoing series, and it's a work worth taking note of.

Azzarello's talents are manifold, but perhaps his most remarkable skill is his flair for utterly realistic dialogue -- when you open 100 BULLETS, you'll swear that you'd been transported to wherever it is the action is set, be it a Hispanic barrio(as is the case in the first, three-issue story)or a ratty old bar (as is the case in the second, two-issue story). Every word spoken is absolutely perfect -- and, better yet, there's no unecessary or overly expository dialogue -- every word on the page fits and if it doesn't always explain everything, well, that's part of the grand design.

Of course, Azzarello's skills aren't limited merely to dialogue; he's able to create a handful of truly fascinating characters in just a few pages -- from the mysterious and sinister Mr. Graves to the downtrodden and betrayed Dizzy to the framed and broken bartender man in the second story to the cool and mesmerizingly evil mainipulative woman in that story. And while both of the stories stand very well on their own, there are also hints of an overacring plot in the background, too.

I mustn't forget to praise the astonishing work of Risso, though. The book's amazing immersive qualities are due in no small part to his artwork, which captures everything from a dirty, dismal, gang-infested neighborhood to a corporate office with style to burn and loads of substance. His darkness-tinged artwork also adds substantially to the gritty, realistic feel of the comic. And, finally, Risso's art wouldn't look half as good as it does without Grant Goleash's stunning colors, which bring his pencil-and-ink artwork to stunning life.

This specific collection of 100 BULLETS (FIRST SHOT, LAST CALL, collecting the first five issues of the ongoing series and a short story from the Vertigo WINTER'S EDGE III anthology) also features Dave Johnson's stylish, angular cover artwork, an insightful introduction by comics legend Jim Steranko, and a back cover loaded with glowing praise from fellow comic writers. Don't be a fool and miss out on this brilliant series while it's still young -- this is one comic that never misses its mark.

Haben Sie schon einmal ein wirkliches Bedürfnis nach Rache verspürt?

Dann sollten Sie Agent Graves kennenlernen. Graves besucht Menschen, denen das Schicksal auf das Schrecklichste mitgespielt hat und drückt ihnen einen Aktenkoffer in die Hand.

Die geschockten Empfänger finden darin den Namen des Menschen, der ihr Leben aus den Fugen gebracht hat, unwiderlegliche Beweise für seine Schuld - und eine 45er Pistole mit zwei Schachteln Munition (den "100 Kugeln" des Titels). Das Bedeutsamste ist jedoch das Versprechen, das Graves dem Empfänger gibt: Jede amerikanische Polizeibehörde wird die Ermttlungen einstellen, sobald Waffe und Munition bei einem Ballistiktest identifiziert sind - und Graves hält sein Wort...

Die großartige schwarze Krimiserie des Texters Brian Azzarello und des kongenialen Zeichners Eduardo Risso, deren erste Episoden in diesem Band gesammelt vorliegen, wurde (ganz ohne Superhelden und Science Fiction und mit beunruhigend realer Gewalt)zu einem großen, mittlerweile mehrfach kopierten Erfolg sowohl bei den Kritikern (die Serie gewann wiederholt den renommierten Eisner Award) als auch den Lesern.

Steigen Sie zu Agent Graves ein, aber seien Sie gewarnt: Vertrauen können Sie niemandem,ihm am Allerwenigsten...