Review - Stray Bullets: Killers #3

Review by Paul Fiander

What do you do when you realise your hero is only human? 


I intentionally decided to skip the second issue of David Lapham’s gritty take on life. The reasoning behind this idea was to see how easily it was to jump in and out of the series. Thankfully I have now rectified this and read the second issue, just so you know its well worth your time.

Whereas the first issue started with an idealised look at heroism, issue three has no illusions what so ever, instead we join the story in the middle of an argument. It’s certainly an odd situation to find yourself watching an argument, but sometimes it’s even worse to watch a bystander listening to an argument. It’s something Lapham does better than any other writer; the ability to put you on edge in an almost mundane situation shows a writer on top of his game. Of course as the story goes on the themes do not really lighten, it’s a gloomy ride but oh so worth the time. There is really no one to root for in this issue, our main character Virginia is a wise ass but she is certainly the closest thing to a focus point we have. Her story plays out as probably the worst night ever for a babysitter on record and just when you think it can’t get any worse bang!

As always Lapham’s art helps to set the downbeat tone, he draws people warts and all. The lack of colour sets the scene for the nature of the story perfectly. I have wondered if the series would look better coloured and part of me would like to see a one issue treatment like the Walking Dead got recently. However to do this would mean a deviation from Lapham’s vision and that could hurt the tone of the books.

This story has nothing to do with issue one except in its tone, making Stray Bullets; Killers the perfect dip in and out series. That being said I would put Stray Bullets; Killers as probably the best warts and all storytelling on the shelves today. There is no romance or at times hope in-between the pages but when you put the issue down you feel like you have been through the emotional wringer and that makes this killers series essential reading. 

Issue Rating; 4/5
The Comic is available in both print and digital from Image comics. Follow this link for more details.

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