Radiant Comics

I have to wonder why I even buy these “Criminal” volumes. I don’t have any fascination with crime or criminals, besides the fact that crime is a natural to spin a story around, nor do I have any sympathy for the characters in “Criminal”. They’re generally repulsive and uninteresting. None of it sticks with me either. As soon as I’ve put down a volume of “Criminal” I no longer remember it.

Yet I have bought this volume. And the next one. Somehow I still like them despite the fact that I’m not interested in the subject matter. It must be the craftsmanship. Brubaker is a good writer and Phillips is a good artist. As I’m actually reading the story I enjoy how well it’s told. I feel little sympathy for the characters and nothing about the world is revealed to me by the stories but still they’re well done.

This volume of “Criminal” is different from the first two in that it tells three self contained but interrelated stories. Each chapter stands on its own yet each adds to the other. We get three stories.

The first is about a boxer with a criminal father. He’s trying to stay straight but keeps getting drawn into underworld activities. He’s not happy about it but sees no way out.

The second story is about a veteran returning home. He used to be a small time criminal but wants to go strait too. Circumstances won’t let him and he embraces his criminal nature. Trouble ensues.

The third story is the tale of a woman wronged and how it messed her up. She was a love interest of the guy in the first story but then his more powerful criminal buddy stole her away. That didn’t end well for her.

None of these stories are “Pick me ups” and there are no lessons to be learned here so you better like miserable people doing miserable things if you’re going to read this book. It is well done but still I have to wonder why I read these. Decide for yourself.