Hard Case Crime/Titan Comics 2016
Original Story by Walter Hill
Adapted by Matz
Illustrated by Jef
Translated by Edward Gauvin
..WITH THE MISSING MONEY IN HAND, GUN-FOR-HIRE ROY ‘TRIGGERMAN’ NASH SETS HIS SIGHTS ON FINALLY LOCATING HIS LONG-LOST LOVE, WHILE TYING UP A FEW LOOSE ENDS ALONG THE WAY...
I’ve really been enjoying this story and that it’s been centered around the Mob has really been a highlight. While it seems glamorous and romanticised it was a pretty deadly era and the men who lived it were not to be messed with. I mean heck Roy may have those Hollywood leading man looks but the man’s a stone cold killer. Still getting to see the clothing and how people took pride in their appearance and their work makes me long for those days to return.
From very early on in this story we got the impression that this was always supposed to be a one-way ticket for Roy. I mean it’s the mob after all and they claimed not to care about the money that he could keep it once the job’s done. It’s all about the message after all. That would explain why once he got out here he’s faced one obstacle after another trying to not only find Lola but the money as well. He’s had a lot of eyes on him and I love the fact that not once did he show that he cared.
The characterisation here has been superbly done. Everyone that we’ve met has come across crystal clear as to who they are. Heck the fact that we know he’s dealing with unsavory types just meant that we’d have to wait and see who was going to double cross him and when, even the cop he’s been working with is suspect in that regard. Yet the way this story is structured has been thrilling each and every issue. Whether it’s the meeting with the mob folk or the all out violence that he is so fond of it all flows throughout this story beautifully.
Jef’s interiors have been a huge bonus for me as well. His work is stunning in that the amount of detail he puts into each panel give this story such an authentic feel. His use of backgrounds blows me away with the attention he gives them, it’s as strong as the focal points are. His use of page layouts utilising angles and perspective keep that flow moving. Plus all these characters are individuals and the faces and facial expression not to mention the body language really work wonders.
So will Roy have a happy ever after? You’ll have to read the story and find out but this is at it’s core a story crime story filled with violence and the mob so…. As the thrilling chapter of this concludes all I can say is I hope that Roy is a character that they feel the need to revisit at some point. This has been a welcome departure from the superhero mainstays in comics today!