Vertigo had announced a little over a year ago that they were going to be publishing some books under a new label: “Vertigo Crime”. Telling Crime/Noir/Mystery stories, they would all be novel sized black and white hard covers. Now, after much anticipation, the first two volumes are being released tomorrow (next week for Amazon.com and the bookstores). The first of the two is Filthy Rich which I will be reviewing henceforth, and the other Dark Entries which will be reviewed by another robot shortly.

Written by: Brian Azzarello (100 Bullets, Joker)  With art by: Victor Santos (Young Ronin)

Filthy Rich tells the story of Richard “Junk”, a man who fell from football grace because of an injury, who, in his old age, is now starting his new job as a used car sales man. But this big lug is obviously not suited for selling cars, or even talking to people for that matter. He’s only good for two things: being big, and giving “it” to meaty women. His rich boss soon sees this and hires him to be his sexy daughters bodyguard (or at least keep her out of trouble and her face out of the papers.)

It’s all told like a classic Noir story: a big guy that talks with his fists, a few dames, maybe a bloody murder or two down the line, and a slight twist at the end. It definitely gave me everything I expected going in and more. The thing I love the most about this book though is just how it feels. The small black and white hard covers are a great idea. It’s the perfect size and length to take around with you for an afternoon and enjoy a crime story.

Even though I might be a little young to fully appreciate the format, I am now 100% all for it. Especially if they can keep the quality of the writers so high. Brian Azzarello did a very fine job with a very Raymond Chandler feel to his book, and I don’t think we could ask for a more perfect book to kick off this new series.

As far as the art in the book is concerned, I would just say that I’ve seen a prettier picture here and there, but the art fit right into this book marvelously, and it told a good story.  The sequentials were solid and felt cinematic in a way that’s sometimes hard to pull off with black-and-whites.

It does have a beckoning price tag at $19.99, but that can easily overlooked by reading my tale.

When I first looked at the cover art, my first thought was it was a fine looking cover, but I have to say while I was reading this in a public place, no less than four people asked about it based on the cover art alone. So what I’m trying to say is this: if you buy this book, you will be popular. Worth 20 wing-wangs? Certainly.

At the end of the day, I can’t wait for more titles to come out from Vertigo Crime and go buy the first two when they come next week!

To order Filthy Rich on Amazon, just click that link.