So here’s this book with a preposterously long title, created by two guys with equally long names. One has a penchant for long running and long delayed books. This is a pretty long book itself, clocking in at over 40 pages. It takes place a long way into the future, in a U.S. that’s far different than the one you and I would recognize. Or is it?
It’s a long story, but I can tell you one thing; it’s a good one.
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Michael Avon OemingDOUBLE-SIZED FOR REGULAR PRICE!
From the creators of the Eisner Award-winning, best-selling POWERS comes a brand-new world of crime fiction like you’ve never seen before. In this oversized first issue, you will discover a world in which the families of organized crime never lost their stranglehold on the United States. Today is the day that Valentine Gallo becomes a made man, and it’s also the day he learns the secrets behind the organization he has served since he was old enough to walk. But it is mysterious hitwoman Jagger Rose that will forever turn his life upside down. Be there when shocking secrets of this new world spill out onto the very past page. This bold new vision of crime fiction harkens back to Bendis’ earliest work in crime comics, while also giving you everything you expect from the creators of POWERS, one of the most successful and longest-lasting independent comics in history.
There’s something so fascinating and anachronistic about the all encompassing crime empire known as “the mob.” The idea is so deeply seeded in ethnic stereotyping and the mythology of the early 20th century US history, it’s somewhat hard to resolve with the incarnation of modern organized crime. However, Bendis and Oeming have set out to do just that. “The United States of Murder Inc.” envisions a world in which the Mafia is no longer a mythic beast or TV drama fodder, but rather a major player operating on the world stage.
There are few things that remain constant in comics, but one thing is this: Bendis writes great crime fiction. Regardless of your thoughts on Bendis’ recent works, his large body of well received work in the genre is nearly unrivaled. Likewise, “Powers,” the groundbreaking collaboration between Bendis and Oeming is a touchstone in creator-owned comics. Yet with such a vast number of stories and concepts tapped over the years, one could rightfully wonder if there’s still water left in this well.
As it turns out, “Murder Inc.” not only brings something new to the table, but stands among the strongest debuts for either creator.
The story of young Valentine Gallo, the first issue sees his induction into the greater world of “Murder Inc.” As a made man, Gallo lives a life of power and excess, but at a price. Over the course of the issue, we are introduced to a world that is both familiar and foreign. That sense of “strangeness,” that something isn’t quite right with the world grows more apparent as the story progresses. Like a slow burning fuse, Bendis and Oeming build a sense of unease through impeccable pacing and smartly written dialogue.
The world grows larger with each scene, from the sequestered opening induction ceremony to the grand party/night of debauchery to a journey by train into the world at large. Here we’re introduced to the enigmatic and fiery Jagger Rose, Gallo’s femme fatale foil. The chemistry between the two characters clicks instantly thanks to an incredibly awkward and brilliantly written scene of (not so much) sexual tension. As with all fuses, the tension ultimately leading to the issue’s explosive climax and equally powerful aftermath.
Michael Avon Oeming has always seemed an odd fit for gritty, mature crime fiction. At first glance his exaggerated style seems better suited animated cartooning than the works of, say, fellow Bendis collaborator Alex Maleev. However, if you’ve ever taken the time to delve into Oeming’s work, such a notion is quickly dispelled. Oeming gives the book’s opening scenes of shadowy ritual and ceremony a claustrophobic feel with small, close shot panels drenched in blacks. However, he deftly flips the tone to one of celebration, with an expansive double page spread showcasing Gallo’s extremely extended “family.” Throughout the issue Oeming utilizes asymmetric panel placement, altering the size and arrangement of panels from page to page in a way that often leaves a swath of negative space. This creates a sense of organized chaos, feeding into the story’s already tense plot.
Continued belowOeming most stunning contribution to the issue is a series of five silent pages, made up of two double splash pages with a single page of four panels. The artist zooms out, presenting a massive moment from multiple points of view, then zeroes back in to capture the terrible aftermath.
All the while, Oeming’s pencils are brought to life by Taki Soma’s minimalistic colors. Rarely using more than a handful of colors per page and almost always using shades of a single color, Soma gives each page a tone of its own. The exception to this rule is for certain characters, such as Jagger Rose, who bursts on to the scene of a drab yellow train as a swath of fiery red.
“The United States of Murder Inc.” has received less of a push compared to similar high profile creator-owned titles, possibly as a result of publishing imprint Icon’s diminished profile in the current market. However, Bendis and Oeming’s latest collaboration stands tall among their robust and critically acclaimed bibliographies. A terrific balance of character and world building, “Murder Inc” draws the reader into a fully realized world and traps them their, begging for a deeper glimpse into the inner workings of this new world order. The issue ends abruptly on an incredible cliffhanger, practically demanding the reader pick up the next issue in order to learn the answer to the issue’s final question.
At $3.99 for over 40 pages of story plus a robust letters column, “United States of Murder Inc.” represents an incredible value for your precious comic dollars. Plus, by essentially packaging two issues for the price of one, Bendis and Oeming have softened the blow of any (likely inevitable) delays the book may suffer down the line.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – Buy
