This Wednesday brings a top notch title for fans of noir and dystopic futures, as Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini’s The Last Days of American Crime #2 comes out via Radical Comics. The first issue was a very good one, and one that earned an 8.6 out of 10 from yours truly back in December. This issue takes all of the story beats we were introduced to in the first issue and builds on them, providing a thrilling story that kicks the tension up a notch.
Read the full review after the jump.
The Last Days of American Crime #2
Retail Price: $4.99
Page Count: 64 pages
Creator and Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Greg Tocchini
Letterer: Rus Wooten
Considering the fact that the first issue of this series had to dedicate a lot of time to setting up the base concept (trio of criminals are attempting to pull off one last major heist before the government releases a broadcast that will eliminate the ability for Americans to commit crimes) and the characters, it was a damn good issue. Some comics get weighed down by those restrictions and fail to tell a good story, but Remender and Tocchini did not have that issue whatsoever.
Without those restraints however, this story flourishes. The plot starts rolling forward as all of the gangsters in the city start trying to settle scores and for all (including one that apparently the majority of the city shares towards protagonist Graham Bricke), the trio of thieves in Kevin Cash, Graham, and Shelby push over the first dominoes of their plan, and we’re given ample opportunities for some serious violence. I have to note: this comic is not for the easily offended. There is some incredibly badass and intense action scenes throughout, and the deadly duo of Remender and Tocchini completely nail each and every one of them.
In particular, the scenes where Kevin Cash gets put in action are particularly visceral. When he fights the drug dealing street toughs in (and out) of his hotel room, it’s a wicked ballad of calculated movements and merciless efforts. In fact, the killing blow he delivers on the last of the goons was maybe the most revolting (but in an awesome way) death I’ve seen since the infamous curb stomp from American History X. When he gets put into action again later as he attempts to collect the laser cutter necessary for their heist, his actions are every bit as methodical and devestating. This issue really sealed the deal: Remender was not kidding when he told me Sam Worthington could turn Kevin Cash into a legendary badass on the silver screen.
I have to say, this issue may have contained one of the most exceptional artistic performances of the year to date, as Greg Tocchini handles every role involved with the visuals and kills it throughout. His pictoric panache really takes the book to another level, as little design flourishes like how he shows sounds on the page (especially at the end of the last Cash sequence) or the simple scene designs he implements makes all of his more finalized visuals all the more powerful. This guy is a star on the rise, and I can’t compliment him enough.
With the brilliant concept and exceptional execution from Remender mixed in with the aforementioned artistic genius, it’s easy to see that I love this book. We’re two issues in and there is a lot to finalize, but at this point there is no doubting that Remender and Tocchini will wrap this all up in marvelous fashion. The only question is when, as there was quite the break between issues one and two, but the ads in the back assure the reader it will come in July. This is a book that is worth both the wait and the increased cost ($4.99) that is associated with it, as it is an expertly crafted comic that is also a long and rewarding one.
Final Verdict: 9.5 – Buy
