• story: Declan Shalvey
• art: Gavin Fullerton

Now this is a prime example of what comics can be. I can’t imagine how difficult an Irish crime noir drama must be to pull off well, let alone a crime noir horror drama, but Declan Shalvey makes it look easy, proving he’s at least as good a writer as he is an artist (he’s been a hero of mine since Moon Knight). Paired with Gavin Fullerton on art and with colours by Rebecca Nalty this is absolute storytelling gold. Deep questions about past sins riddle the gangster storyline, adding a layer of emotional complexity that’s managed with great sensitivity and with a great ear for authentic dialogue.

Is it David Lapham who Fullerton’s art reminds me of? He manages to convey complete emotional clarity (especially the conflicts) with so few lines it’s uncanny, and the heavily inked lines work tremendously well with Nalty’s colouring. The drama of Fullerton’s perfectly judged camera angles (and distances) also blend note perfectly with a colour set which makes a drama set entirely at night pop off the page. I was expecting to be disappointed that Shalvey wasn’t drawing the book, but this artistic collaboration is just what’s called for. They make otherwise unlikable characters surprisingly likeable (for the most part), which isn’t easy for even the best film directors.

In lesser hands any aspect of this story could have been overblown, but Shalvey, Fullerton and Nalty win out by never putting anything more on the page than is absolutely necessary, and manage through their sensitivity to characterisation to put what feels quite a new spin on an ages old tale of attempted redemption from past sins. The horror element (which I won’t spoil) adds unexpected discomfort to a story already entirely about outracing death, and it left a bitter taste in the mouth, which was a welcome, dark touch. The graphic novel format exists for storytelling this good, and the creative team certainly elevates the medium with this outing.