Before I get into the review of this book I just wanted to make an observation regarding the nature of graphic novels and the creators behind them. It’s such a small tight nit community that it’s completely normal for the readers to interact with the creators online as soon as they’ve read and devoured the work. Case in point, I sent an email to Jock earlier yesterday asking him for the above trade dress for the full wrap around cover, to which he graciously sent to me in like a few hours from me asking. Direct contact with the man. That’s just another reason that makes the sequential storytelling art form special and unique in direct comparison with other entertainment mediums.
Ante Up collects the first 6 issues from this great little action-political-mystery series from Vertigo Comics. The first chapter is self contained called Dead Man’s Hand, while the rest of the book concentrates on a single story arc, Goliath. The best way to describe ‘The Losers’ is one of the best action movie you’ve ever seen drawn on paper. The action movie model is taken and translated extremely well within the covers of this book.
The story
The plot centres around a group of agents who have been betrayed by the Company (CIA). The Company didn’t really do that great a job of killing them off completely so they’re out to find both answers, retribution and hopefully a chance to get back to their normal lives or at least that’s the plan in the beginning. The story involves American foreign policy, corporate politics and a slash of espionage.
While it may sounds all very simple the way in which the stories are presented and setup does make you take stock and think things through. The real mystery beings on the last page of the book however where the direction of the series is hinted at. It’s not 120 pages of stuff blowing up, it’s a whole lot more than that. However when stuff does blow up Diggle and jock make the page itself want to explode as you don’t get that type of energy found on each page in many other action comic books.
The characters
This is easily one of Andy’s strongest assets as a storyteller. His characters shine through. Each one of them has a distinct voice that rings true. Jensen has the best lines, and I guess I like him because of that (and being the computer jockey/geek of the group). Aisha’s completely crazy but at the same time you know she could can hold her own. You’ve got the Colonel, the second in command Roque, Pooch (the fly-boy) and Cougar (the sharp shooter) as well completing the dirty half dozen characters.
The Art
Jock provides the artwork for this series. You can tell he has the most fun when he’s drawing machinery, helicopters, trucks, tanks, oil tankers, cars whatever. He skews the angles a bit.
Another thing he captures very well is mood. Through the use of thick solid blacks he gives you that darker edge that you want. The artwork is slightly sketchy, which comes off as a little dirty, and that’s the overall feel you get reading this book. It’s not about the happy and clean, it’s about the ugly and dirty. Another fine example of the art complimenting the story to be told. So if the artwork doesn’t grab you straight off the bat, know that by the end of reading this you won’t be able to imagine another artist doing the characters any justice but Jock.
The Covers
The thing that does stand out for me are the covers which are done by the series artist. It’s an important point to make as traditionally in Vertigo comics there is usually a cover artist. It’s usually a visual treat with people like Dave Johnson and James Jean doing the honours, but it’s hardly ever the interior artist. In addition to that the covers are usually painted, whereas in this particular case Jock does it with a bit of pencil and a lot of ink, and the results are what made me pick the book up in the first place. The covers are soo distinct and colourful. They’re also telling of what is in the books themselves. This is a concept that’s been lost for a while. I know it’s a series of comics put together into one package, so the covers are little more than pin ups, I see them as dividers to chapters, giving me a brief glimpse of what I can expect in the new chapter effectively.
The book design by John Hill is also one that breaks the normal standard Vertigo fare. I like a certain amount of experimentation in the cover designs. Books like Wildcats 2.0 (review coming soon) definitely brought the cover design aspect to the forefront after people like Warren Ellis hammering on about it for ages, but Hill and Ryan Hughes are actually doing something about it.
Writer: Andy Diggle
Artist: Jock
Colourist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Clem Robins
Covers: Jock
Book Design: John J.Hill
Publisher: Vertigo Comics
Book Volume 1