Reckless

Reckless is part one of a new comic book series by Ed Brubaker. Part 2, Friend of the Devil, was published last month and the third and final part will be published later this year.  Reckless follows a man named Ethan Reckless.  He has a home business where he fixes your problems, for a price.  If someone owes you money, he will get you the money.  If someone stole your artwork, he will get it back.  It is something that he fell in to after helping out a few friends.  His jobs increased due to  the spread of word of mouth and after 2 years Ethan decided that it would be his career.  The setting is 1980s Los Angeles where sex and drugs were rampant. However, Ethan's past as a radical in the 1960s comes back to haunt him when a former girlfriend, Rainy, asks for his help. She has been running from the law ever since she took part in a bombing for the Weathermen group.  It's funny that Ethan Reckless is considered the good guy in this comic.  When compared to some of the people he does business with Ethan seems likable but he is clearly breaking the law just as his clients are.  

The artwork was drawn by Sean Phillips and colored by Jacob Phillips.  The dark color palettes used are monotone.  For me, it was a little depressing. There are a few pages colored in oranges which I liked better.  I prefer that the artwork be lighter but I must admit that the Phillips duo matched the feel of the story.  

Having come of age in the 1960s, Reckless was a trip down memory lane.  I enjoyed reading about the chaos of the times and even was proud of the "work" the Weatherman group was doing.  Today, I view their activities as domestic terrorism but back in the day, they were cool. Also, I hate to admit that I used to dress the way Rainy dressed.  

All comic fans are going to love this graphic novel.  I highly recommend it.  5 out of 5 stars.