“Back to Brooklyn†co-writer Jimmy Palmiotti grew up in Brooklyn, experiencing everything from a square slice from Spumoni Gardens to a late night winter hot dog run at Nathan’s in Coney Island. Considering that, it’s safe to say he might even attended the 18th Avenue feast or went shopping on 86 street before bowling at Maple Lanes.
That kind of personal experience ties directly into the story of “Back to Brooklyn,†a graphic novel that is drenched in everything from the borough. On its own, it’s a fantastic mob tale with a climax that will send chills down your spine. Gritty and surreal, yet compassionate, this is a comic that you’ll end up remembering for a long time- even more so if you grew up in Brooklyn yourself.
Co-written by Garth Ennis, who’s no stranger to tough as nails characters, penning a plethora of issues of Punisher and The Ghost Rider over the course of his career, the tone of “Back to Brooklyn†will remind many of the great Mafia films of yesteryear. The main character of this tale, Bob Saetta, has an-almost Ray Liotta from “Good Fellas†feel to him, with his wise-ass attitude, but ethical nature that keeps him from going as far as his fellow Mafioso. Anyone who grew up on Mobster films like that one or around the real tough guys of Brooklyn during their time on top, will instantly fall in love with this book. While there are some slowdowns in the story, the dialogue is usually extremely conversational, quick-witted and entertaining.
At the same time, the story is dark, disturbing and incredibly vivid. As a result, this is one of Ennis’ best works of his career.
Artistically, the comic doesn’t have someone with Ennis’ experience at the helm, but it’s easily up to the same standard. Newcomer Mihailo Vukelic, in his first major work for a comic book company, does a superb job with the type of realistic penciling this book demands. The action in this trade never lets up, with shootouts, knife fights and drama throughout. Through this, Vukelic establishes the tone and with a handful of splash scenes that are brutally enough to make a fan of Marvel’s MAX imprint blush. With great facial expressions on the characters to match the tone of each scene as well, the look of this comic is impressive. Combining beautiful blurring techniques with dark and emotion-filled panels, Vukelic’s style is perfectly suited for this tale and is unlike anyone else’s in the medium right now.
With Ennis’ writing and the artwork of Vukelic and Additional Color Assistant Bryan Free, “Back to Brooklyn†is the type of graphic novel that is not only worth your time, it would translate beautifully to the cinema. The story is shocking, yet takes its inspiration from so many classic stories before ultimately creating a drama all its own.
For some, they may find their first trip to Brooklyn via comic books a memorable one. For those who have been there before, they’ll agree there’s no place like home.
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