Criminal #8: Summer is Over

I don’t know how many times I have to tell you all that this is the best book on the shelves but sure enough here we are. We always knew Jane would be the death of Teeg, it was just never obvious exactly how; would it be jealousy? Lust? Or just plain betrayal. Shockingly yet completely unsurprisingly when it comes to Brubaker, The easy road is not traveled and the story takes a surprising and brilliant turn that helps to hammer home that this is not a moral universe. Jane’s reaction to Ricky’s secret is not one that would happen in any other series, Hilariously the actual act of murder is almost an afterthought that pales in comparison to the gravitas of the interaction between Jane and Ricky itself.

I did like the series taking a moment to properly date itself for readers just jumping on via Joy Division. Although as far as jumping on points go this issue might not be the greatest for a new reader in terms of comprehension. This is definitely a heavy pay off for readers of this arc from #1. Which makes sense as this is the 6th issue taking out the two that became the Bad Weekend hardcover so it’s possibly the end or penultimate issue in a trade paperback. Amazing stuff.

The art by Sean Phillips with colors by his son Jacob Phillips (who has a project of his own coming soon that I await with bated breath) is typically top notch in this practically action free issue that still managed to keep me entirely entertained from start to finish. Especially well done were the darkened tones as Jane followed Ricky.