What to Read After Watchmen > Genres > Crime
Crime Comics
100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello
Winner of the Eisner and Harvey awards, 100 Bullets is a dark, hard-boiled, noir tale examining themes of vigilantism, revenge, and justice. Agent Graves, member of a secret police organization provides his clients, victims of violence, with untraceable bullets, weapon, and a dossier of information with which they may choose to enact their revenge on their assailants. A fresh premise and highly stylized dialogue and artwork make 100 Bullets unmissable for noir and crime comic fans.
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DMZ by Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli
A series from Vertigo Comics, DMZ is a near-future crime/dystopia set in an America in which the Free Armies, independent militia, have taken over the country with the exception of Manhattan which is left depopulated and war-torn. The story follows Matty Roth, a photojournalist on the frontlines of the city made dangerous by intermittent skirmishes and snipers. Political and well-written, DMZ will appeal to diverse audiences.
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A History of Violence by John Wagner
Adapted into film by David Cronenberg, this graphic novel is a crime noir story of a man who violently defends his small-town diner against robbers. In doing so, he inadvertently draws media attention and alerts former mafia associates to his location. A character study of violence, revenge and rehabilitation, A History of Violence is bloody, dark, and psychologically rich.
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Queen and Country by Greg Rucka and Steve Rolston
Agent Tara Chase, a member of the Special Operations Section of the Secret Intelligence Service is the protagonist of Queen and Country, which collects mostly independent espionage missions conducted. While characters reoccur, each story arc is illustrated by a new artist bringing his or her style to bear on the tone and impact of the series. Issues #1-4 are illustrated by Steve Rolston and examine the politics between the agents and their supervisors.
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Scalped by Jason Aaron and R.M. Guer
A new series from Vertigo Comics, Scalped is set on a fictional native reserve in South Dakota, and deals with the circumstances of life and family in the reservation as well as organized crime orchestrated through casinos and drug labs. Bad Horse, an undercover FBI agent and former resident of the reserve who returns to take down the flourishing crime ring is expertly depicted as a hardened but likable character with a complex network of relationships.
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Whiteout by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber
Adapted to film starring Kate Beckinsale, Whiteout is a thriller in the vein of Insomnia or The Last Winter; that is, a mystery set in the cold reaches of an Antarctic station, in which the environment is as equally dangerous as the unknown murderer. Intelligent and well-researched, Whiteout follows Carrie Stetko, a U.S. Marshal as she investigates a number of murders in observation stations.Back to Top
