Criminal, by Ed Brubaker is really showing itself to be an enduring hit with Issue #4 (Vol. 2). It's the start of the "Bad Night" story arc, and it focuses on Jake, a caroonist who does a strip about a crime detective named Frank. He seems to kind of consult the character in key situations, and there's some writing in there about his craft as an artist. He's an night owl, who works on his strip at night, and in this first installment, gets entangled with a girl who's a . . . criminal.

If you've thought you might like to check it out, this month's issue is the time.

I agree. I'll add that any time is a good time to hop on Brubaker's Criminal, and to remind everyone to buy the single issues.

Notice the trick thread title -- any time this thread get's bumped, there it is.

Youse is tricksy.

Love this comics...great crime stories. The latest issue is off to an interesting start..always love stories with a femme fatale involved.

Just picked up the latest issue, but haven't read it yet.

Fantastic series.

I demand some reasons . . . .

You clicked on this thread, but you're not reading Criminal -- I want to know why.

Post.

I bought the first issue out of a 50¢ bargain bin.
Just never got around to reading it.

Hey, I'm pretty busy these days.

If it helps, I bought it because JFK was using it as his signature graphic, so I figured
it was worth a look.

You should read it Beach. If you like crime fiction, you'll love it.

Hell, even if you don't like crime fiction, you'll probably love it.

One of the best books on the market. Crime noir ain't for everyone, but the characters here come across as so true it makes for very compelling reading. I buy the monthlies (great extra features).

What's the best way to pick this up in trades? Is there anything oversized?

Nothing oversized yet. The trades are good, but there's extra features in the single issues. Interviews, reviews, essays, etc.

I get both.

Don't really buy single issues anymore, despite the backmatter. Also, annoyingly, I can't find this at Barnes & Noble despite it being a Marvel book.

Going to check Borders across town next.

I'm an impulse buyer. I hate ordering from Amazon.

I'm the opposite, I'm a impulse buyer when it comes to Amazon. (and a few other sites)

bump

I found out from an interview in one of these issues that Ed Brubaker gets the "Hard Case Crime" paperbacks every month. If you join their "club," the books are only 2.99 (which means you get a book at your door every month for cover price, after shipping).

The Hard Case Crime series is interesting. It was founded by a dot com rich guy who loves old noir crime fiction, and old style painted covers. Every month, they publish either a new quality short novel that they have chosen, or a classic selection from years past.

I should have pointed out -- I joined the Hard Case Crime book club. Haven't started receiving my books yet.

I want an omnibus.