Review: The Last Days of American Crime

The Last Days of American Crime – Hardcover Collection
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Greg Tocchini

Image Comics
Street: 08.19

Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini are like the peanut butter and jelly pairing in the comic book world: Remender provides the story’s indulgent density while Tocchini matches with a puckery spread of illustration. As is the case with their current ongoing series Low, the duo blends together to offer a sexy, heavy-hitting joyride that had me feverishly turning every page. This hardcover edition collects issues #1-3 from the series’ original 2009-10 run, and it looks stunning. The story falls victim to some garden-variety crime tropes—like how everyone is working their own angle, and everyone trusts the fact that no one can trust each other. There’s also the overdone “start near the climax, then build context” opening, but everything works well here. Remender masterfully weaves a parable for humanity’s natural predilection for violence, and while he may lean on traditional devices here and there, he never uses them as a crutch. There’s a lovely illustration gallery provided at the end that’s sure to tantalize many (and likely to inspire even more to start a sketchbook). $24.99 might seem a little steep, but considering the amount of content here, I think it’s money very well spent. – Rob Hudak