I’m still working my way through “The Mammoth Book of Best Crime Comics,” edited by Paul Gravett, but what I’ve read so far is enough to recommend getting your hands on this book.
This 480-page collection contains 24 selections, many restored by designer Peter Stanbury. What’s in it? A lot. From PaulGravett.com:
The line-up includes: Dashiell Hammett & Alex Raymond, Will Eisner, Johnny Craig, Mickey Spillane, Bernie Krigstein, Alan Moore, Joe Simon & Jack Kirby, Neil Gaiman, Alex Toth, Jacques Tardi, Jordi Bernet, Paul Grist, Jack Cole, Charles Burns, Max Allan Collins, and José Muñoz & Carlos Sampayo. Highlights include the first comic book appearance by Mike Hammer’s prototype written by Spillane and shot from the original comic book artwork, and the never-before-reprinted last ever comic book by EC genius Bernie Krigstein, a bizarre 87th Precinct tie-in to Ed McBain’s famous characters.
It includes two Alan Moore stories I’d never read before, so that right there is probably worth the $18. I read the Bill Everett piece last night, and it’s made me think even more highly of the man’s art. And, having been on an Alex Raymond kick lately, I’m absolutely savoring the opportunity to read his Secret Agent X-9 strips, written by Dashiell Hammett. I’m also glad to see Max Allan Collins’ “Ms. Tree” represented — maybe this will pave the way for more of that work to be reprinted.
It looks like “Best Crime Comics” is set to go on sale next week — I recommend picking this up if you’re into crime comics, or even crime films. I imagine I’ll be referring to this more on Nerdage as I get into the comics with which I’m less familiar.
– Matt Price