100 Bullets

100 Bullets, First shot, Last call.
I've had a quiet week, mostly due to the re-emergence of the champions league, which generally means the closing of my social life!
One thing i did read was the First graphic novel in the 100 Bullets series. I'd heard about them for a long time, and was always interested in them, having read and enjoyed some of writer Brian Azzarello's early work.
The first story tells the tale of a young woman leaving jail to start her life once again. While in jail, her husband and son were killed in a supposed drive by shooting. She has long since decided in her own head, that she is responsible for these deaths, as retribution from God for her earlier life, and is determined to 'go straight'. The mysterious Agent Graves meets her and offers her a suitcase containing a gun, 100 untraceable bullets and evidence of who really shot her husband and son.
The stories deal with vengence in its purest sense. What would you do to someone who has hurt you, if you knew that there would be no retribution against you, for your efforts. While they don't delve too deeply into the psyche of the characters, they do create an interesting world and set of dilemmas for the characters to deal with.
The art of Eduardo Risso is perfect for the series, and is reminiscet of Sean Philip's Hellblazer's work. Largely monotone, with strong blocks of colour throughout. Each panel is a delight, with huge attention to detail in backgrounds and street scenes.
I'm hooked anyway! The best crime comic book i've read since stray bullets, and not far off being as good. I'm off to e-bay to see how i get the whole series.