SebastianPiccione
Monday, June 30, 2008, 04:50 PM
<img src=http://www.projectfanboy.com/images/reviews/HighRollers_01.jpg align=left hspace=10 >
Title High Rollers # 1
Publisher Name: Boom Studios ( http://www.boom-studios.net/ )
Writer: Gary Phillips
Art: Sergio Martin Carrera
3.99, 24 pages, Color
Safety Content Label: T+ TEENS AND UP - Appropriate for most readers 13 and up, parents are advised that they might want to read before or with younger children.
Publishers Blurb:
Chronicling the life of Cameron Quinn, a ruthless upstart out to make a name for himself in this tale of crime and destiny from critically acclaimed mystery novelist Gary Phillips (HIGH HAND, BANGERS)! Phillips shines a harsh light on the action and drama of the L.A. underworld with this inner-city spin on The Sopranos! A potent mix of American Gangster and THE WIRE, for fans of Brubaker’s CRIMINAL!
Reviewer Comments:
OK, I’ll admit. I wasn’t sure where I stood on this. The art was great, the exact thing I like in a comic; Nice clean lines and a myriad of facial expressions. And there were some very cinematic layouts. However, some of the scenes were static with no real energy. And not the talking heads scenes, those were very strong. There is a scene in particular, however, where a fat naked man, named “Bean-Bag” knocks over Cam, our main character, without seeming to touch him.
The story was good. Sure, it was primarily set-up, but hey, it’s issue # 1, waddaya expect. We meet the players, Cam or “CQ”, the cerebral gangsta; His sister, Rita, and her loser, gambling-addict, husband, Roger; and, of course, Trey, Cam’s drug dealing boss. Trey’s been using his own product and assigns Cam a task he really doesn’t want to do. The drama ensues.
It had moments worthy of “Law & Order” drama, (one of the highest comparisons this reviewer can give). It was intelligently written. The characters are believable. It wasn’t one of the many crime/gang books written by people who’ve watched too many cheesey (non Law & Order) shows & movies. And, when all is said and done, it ended with me contemplating Cam’s next steps and anticipating issue # 2. Which answers the question of where I stand. I’m coming back for issue two, so I must have enjoyed issue #1. I think it will take until issue three to decide how I truly feel about the book. After being able to gage where the several plot-lines introduced here are going. But for right now, I say give High Rollers #1 a read. This has the potential to be one of those things you’ll be glad to have gotten in on at the beginning.
Title High Rollers # 1
Publisher Name: Boom Studios ( http://www.boom-studios.net/ )
Writer: Gary Phillips
Art: Sergio Martin Carrera
3.99, 24 pages, Color
Safety Content Label: T+ TEENS AND UP - Appropriate for most readers 13 and up, parents are advised that they might want to read before or with younger children.
Publishers Blurb:
Chronicling the life of Cameron Quinn, a ruthless upstart out to make a name for himself in this tale of crime and destiny from critically acclaimed mystery novelist Gary Phillips (HIGH HAND, BANGERS)! Phillips shines a harsh light on the action and drama of the L.A. underworld with this inner-city spin on The Sopranos! A potent mix of American Gangster and THE WIRE, for fans of Brubaker’s CRIMINAL!
Reviewer Comments:
OK, I’ll admit. I wasn’t sure where I stood on this. The art was great, the exact thing I like in a comic; Nice clean lines and a myriad of facial expressions. And there were some very cinematic layouts. However, some of the scenes were static with no real energy. And not the talking heads scenes, those were very strong. There is a scene in particular, however, where a fat naked man, named “Bean-Bag” knocks over Cam, our main character, without seeming to touch him.
The story was good. Sure, it was primarily set-up, but hey, it’s issue # 1, waddaya expect. We meet the players, Cam or “CQ”, the cerebral gangsta; His sister, Rita, and her loser, gambling-addict, husband, Roger; and, of course, Trey, Cam’s drug dealing boss. Trey’s been using his own product and assigns Cam a task he really doesn’t want to do. The drama ensues.
It had moments worthy of “Law & Order” drama, (one of the highest comparisons this reviewer can give). It was intelligently written. The characters are believable. It wasn’t one of the many crime/gang books written by people who’ve watched too many cheesey (non Law & Order) shows & movies. And, when all is said and done, it ended with me contemplating Cam’s next steps and anticipating issue # 2. Which answers the question of where I stand. I’m coming back for issue two, so I must have enjoyed issue #1. I think it will take until issue three to decide how I truly feel about the book. After being able to gage where the several plot-lines introduced here are going. But for right now, I say give High Rollers #1 a read. This has the potential to be one of those things you’ll be glad to have gotten in on at the beginning.