Cruel Summer (Criminal (2019) #1, 5-12) by Ed Brubaker

​Wow. This was pretty great. Don’t think I’ve ever read any graphic novels by this dynamic duo who seem to specialize in crime fiction, but this was certainly a most auspicious introduction to their oeuvre.
The story does feature some of the characters from their series Criminal, but it reads perfectly as a standalone.
The summer is cruel indeed. For a sixteen-year-old thief-in-the-making and his freshly bailed out criminal father.
The latter promptly gets back in the life, but manages to fall in love for the first time with beguiling femme fatale of sorts. A sort of woman who makes men do things, terrible, dangerous, reckless things…like falling in love. Or like tracking her down. She left behind someone who’s willing to do whatever it takes to get her back. To that end, he hires a private detective to track her down. The private detective takes one look and he’s a goner.
That any men in love or obsessed with the same woman just sounds like a mess. And it will be.
So you got your tough guys and your criminals but also heavy emotional drama, father/son relationship, friendships, love, etc. A perfect blend for optimal reader engagement.
First rate noir-style storytelling, gorgeous art (almost 80s in colors, but the portraiture is more nuanced, the facial expressions and all) this one really sings. Or at least to the tune of a gun firing, repeatedly.
Very good. Recommended.