Criminal Volume 1: Coward (1) Paperback – Illustrated, February 10, 2015

Technically, I don’t think this is the first book that Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips have done together nor is it my first book in this series since I read the 6th book for a comics class in college but I’m making the time now to read through the series now.There’s always some overhead starting a new story with new characters but what a thrilling story. Seeing all the pieces come together and seeing the tale play out - good and bad - was wonderful. Maybe not the best word choice for a dark story but I did love how unsafe everything felt. This world did not care for what I wanted from the story or the characters. Things happened. Sometimes it worked. Sometimes it didn’t.This is Leo’s story more than anything and I loved seeing his struggles with a legacy of crime and his own role in it yet not being restrained by it. Definitely would recommend!

I am a first time reader to Ed Brubaker’s work, he is a very good writer! He pulls you in from page one and keeps your attention all the way to The End. A great noir crime fiction graphic novel I will be reading all of his titles.

I'm not a comics or graphic novel reader, I was pleasantly surprised by this, very engaging and left me needing more on to the next one!

Brubaker is such an amazing writer. Love this story and all the other stories in this "criminal" world he created. The art is spectacular as well. Can't recommend it enough.

If you love noir, you will love these graphic novels. Excellent stories, great art, and the author pulls no punches. Excellent work!

Criminal is the book that led me into the crime genre. I’ve read most of the criminal series and from there have discovered other crime authors, such as the classic Parker series and the modern books of Don Winslow.

You get the same notes and chords here that other blues masters (Leonard/Chandler/insert whomever) employ, but as with music, you don’t mind hearing them for the thousandth time because it grooves and it feels good.

Could not put this one down. Leo is the bad guy but you are cheering him on. Does he really succeed? I think he got his soul back by the end.