Wednesday is Comic Day!

Writer: Ed Brubaker Artist: Sean Philips Publisher Icon (an imprint of Marvel Comics) Price: $14.99

Follow up:

I've never been that interested in crime stories told from the perspective of criminals. I only picked this trade paperback up because of the reputation for quality of its creative team. In particular, that of writer Ed Brubaker. He is becoming one of the biggest names in comic books. He's the man that killed Captain America. Sean Philips has the perfect gritty, yet simple style for a story like this.

Leo Patterson is a thief - and a good one. He has the ability to plan every heist like a chess game, always ensuring there is more than one way out, should things go horribly wrong. He isn't a violent criminal - in fact he refuses to be part of a heist that uses guns - believing them to both be unnecessary and a foolish risk, given the penalties associated with armed robbery.

Leo is recruited by two crooked cops to help them rob a police evidence van. Things of course go terribly wrong and Leo is on the run. His task is now to find a way to get out of this situation intact.

The story is certainly entertaining and interesting, but the real fascination is in the characters. Brubaker brings every character to life. "Coward" is a good read.