Comic Book Spotlight: Thief of Thieves

Robert Kirkman is no stranger to comic book success. The creator of "Invincible" and "The Walking Dead" has become a giant in the industry. As well as being the COO of Image Comics, Inc., and Executive Producer of the highly successful live-action version of "Dead" on the AMC network, Kirkman is still finding ways to bring quality comic books to market. "Thief of Thieves" for example has been a huge hit going on it's fourth printing. This from Image Comics website:

The Image Comics/Skybound series THIEF OF THIEVES, Robert Kirkman's cinematic crime comic has no zombies, no superheroes, and no larger-than-life arsenal — and it has become one of the best-selling independent comics hits of the year. The first three issues are now entering their fourth printings, with the fourth issue not far behind with a third printing.

With a story overseen by Kirkman (THE WALKING DEAD, INVINCIBLE), scripts by Nick Spencer (MORNING GLORIES) and art by Shawn Martinbrough, THIEF OF THIEVES is the story of a master thief, "Redmond," who tries to leave a life of crime to reclaim his "real" life and family as Conrad Paulson. Or is it his real life? An estranged wife, a son set on following in his footsteps — Paulson is finding that identities can't be changed as easily as suits.

The great thing about the comic book world is that there is now and has always been a great variety of genres. Sure, the big two publishers saturate the market with tried and true classic caped superheroes but there's always been  a market for alternative stories involving horror, science fiction, fantasy, and even crime dramas. 

(For a wonderful statement about this from Robert Kirkman that appears at the end of  issue #1 entitled "I believe in comic books" please take a look after the page previews below for that.)

That leads me to "Thief of Thieves". So far the comic reads like a heist movie without the typical conventions of the genre. The art is clean and subtle with storytelling that is increasingly finding it's rhythm and voice. The characters are engaging and clever. Yes, there's action but it isn't what drives the books, the development of the characters and their relatable situations draw you in and make you root for them. 

And as with all my Comic Book Spotlight features, this book is just getting started and up to #4 so plenty of time to catch up. You'll soon see it on the AMC network as they've optioned it for a series. Time to jump on the bandwagon now.