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The killer #1-2
The Killer, Volume One
A man solitary and cold, methodical and unencumbered by scruples or regrets, the killer waits in the shadows, watching for his next target. And yet the longer he waits, the more he thinks he's losing his mind, if not his cool. A brutal, bloody and stylish noir story of a professional assassin lost in a world without a moral compass, this is a case study of a man alone, armed to the teeth and slowly losing his mind.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2000
35 people are currently reading
570 people want to read
About the author
Matz
176 books47 followers"Matz" is the pseudonym for French writer Alexis Nolent. He has written scripts for video games, a novel, and as Matz, a number of comics including Triggerman by Walter Hill. His graphic novel, Du plombe dan la tete a.k.a. Headshot, was adapted into the 2012 film, Bullet To The Head.
See http://www.dargaud.com/bd/Auteurs/Matz for a bio in French.
See http://www.dargaud.com/bd/Auteurs/Matz for a bio in French.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
October 28, 2023
The art by Jacamon is the best thing about this introductory comics volume about a hit man, or hit men, supposedly trying to escape the life to have a normal existence. . . as if.
PS: In conjunction with a new David Fincher movie adaptation of the graphic novel, featuring Michael Fassbender.
PS: In conjunction with a new David Fincher movie adaptation of the graphic novel, featuring Michael Fassbender.
February 6, 2019
Great take on a somewhat-trite hired gun story.
September 19, 2011
A contract hitman on a job sits around for days waiting for his target to appear. While he waits he tells the story of how he came to be a hitman - a normal chap, he was paid by someone to be up another stranger which he did, although he accidentally killed him. The client paid him more money for this and he ended up doing it more and more until it became his profession. After years of this and following a botched job he decides to retire to his Venezualan paradise - except retirement for hitmen isn't easy as taking the money and walking away. Soon he finds himself the target and is betrayed by people he thought were friends.
"The Killer" is a hitman story that's familiar and has been told numerous times before, both in literature and in film. It's an easy read and Matz knows how to tell a story, mixing in action amidst a lot of exposition. Luc Jacamon's artwork though is what sets this book apart from other crime books. Usually noir/crime comic books have a grimy feel to the artwork, a grittiness that manifests itself in drab colours and lots of shadows but Jacamon flips this concept and the pages are filled with glorious colours, helped in part by the script which calls for scenes in the Venezualan jungles and the Alps.
The overall effect of the book though is one of underwhelming expectations. Having been told how brilliant the book was by a couple of rabid comics fans I thought this was going to be taking the familiar hitman story and turn it around somehow. Unfortunately though, despite the artwork, the story never reaches high levels of comic greatness. It's a good read and I'd read the next volume in the series but only if it was a library book rather than paying another tenner for it. Good, not great.
"The Killer" is a hitman story that's familiar and has been told numerous times before, both in literature and in film. It's an easy read and Matz knows how to tell a story, mixing in action amidst a lot of exposition. Luc Jacamon's artwork though is what sets this book apart from other crime books. Usually noir/crime comic books have a grimy feel to the artwork, a grittiness that manifests itself in drab colours and lots of shadows but Jacamon flips this concept and the pages are filled with glorious colours, helped in part by the script which calls for scenes in the Venezualan jungles and the Alps.
The overall effect of the book though is one of underwhelming expectations. Having been told how brilliant the book was by a couple of rabid comics fans I thought this was going to be taking the familiar hitman story and turn it around somehow. Unfortunately though, despite the artwork, the story never reaches high levels of comic greatness. It's a good read and I'd read the next volume in the series but only if it was a library book rather than paying another tenner for it. Good, not great.
December 16, 2023
The first double volume of this series is already surpassing my expectations by far.
I love the writing. The author has a deep knowledge of the real world and knows how to express it very well.
This is a story about the life of an assassin.
The art is simple, very practical and very good. Works perfectly with the story.
I hesitated to buy this collection but now I'm super glad I did.
The edition is paperback but everything is of good quality, including the paper.
I totally recommend this if you like a good thriller with assassins for hiring.
I love the writing. The author has a deep knowledge of the real world and knows how to express it very well.
This is a story about the life of an assassin.
The art is simple, very practical and very good. Works perfectly with the story.
I hesitated to buy this collection but now I'm super glad I did.
The edition is paperback but everything is of good quality, including the paper.
I totally recommend this if you like a good thriller with assassins for hiring.
March 26, 2019
Want to take a ride in the mind of a sociopath but don't like histrionics? Boy, have I got the book for you!
Let's get this out of the way: This is a fairly dry read. The lead is deliberately distant, and his professionalism prevents a fair bit of excitement. When he starts screwing up, though, the action heats up a bit. Still, this isn't a fast-paced thrill-ride. It's more of a comics parallel to Lawrence Block's Keller series, though less light-hearted.
The art is great but not showy, which fits the story to a tee. The translation is sharp and the plot sturdy.
This is great stuff, but not a real wowzer. That's by design, but it limits audience support and enthusiasm. Still, any fan of crime stories about assassins should give it a look.
Let's get this out of the way: This is a fairly dry read. The lead is deliberately distant, and his professionalism prevents a fair bit of excitement. When he starts screwing up, though, the action heats up a bit. Still, this isn't a fast-paced thrill-ride. It's more of a comics parallel to Lawrence Block's Keller series, though less light-hearted.
The art is great but not showy, which fits the story to a tee. The translation is sharp and the plot sturdy.
This is great stuff, but not a real wowzer. That's by design, but it limits audience support and enthusiasm. Still, any fan of crime stories about assassins should give it a look.
August 28, 2009
I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. This pitch-perfect noir follows in the footsteps of the beautifully existential films of Jean-Pierre Meliville (Le Samourai, Les Doulos, The Red Circle) without missing a beat, in spite of the medium translation. That isn't to say it''s derivative--Matz and Jacamon create the atmosphere of those classic French noir films--spare, psychological--yet twist it in a way that is only their own. There's a menace in The Killer that is foreign to the French noir tradition, pulsing on every page as the nameless assassin slowly comes undone. The art is fantastic, wonderful detail, imaginative coloring, and great panel layouts that serve the mental disintegration aspect perfectly. Excellent graphic novel, one of my favorites.
May 14, 2011
I quite enjoyed this one. The artwork is spare and just the right amount of color. The story is subtle and intriguing. Surprised to find this in my local public library, what with the sex and nudity. Hope I can track down other volumes.
January 6, 2021
I really liked this book. This is the first graphic novel I have ever read and it’s super interesting. It makes me want to explore more and not always stick with the same genre.
May 12, 2024
A wonderful dark noir tale of an emotionally broken, but unravelling assasin.
The darkest shade of grey. The most pessimistic musings on life.
Factual, but emotive art.
A great portrait of a killer
The darkest shade of grey. The most pessimistic musings on life.
Factual, but emotive art.
A great portrait of a killer
February 17, 2023
Aquela leitura rápida e agradável. Nada a reclamar, mas também nada a elogiar. Mas sem dúvida um potencial foi criado para os próximos volumes. Curioso como vai ser feito a adaptação da Netflix.
August 16, 2024
Film took some liberties and they paid off. Like the movie, monologue makes it special.
October 17, 2023
Tough to judge by the first volume alone, which feels more like a prelude than a genuine first act, but the artwork is vibrant and the noir storytelling already has me hooked.
October 25, 2021
This nameless killer has a lot to say about the world we live in and he is not wrong. so far so good.
March 7, 2017
Brilliant. A quietly engrossing ultra-violent story with some profound Philosophy in there too!
January 1, 2015
A French hit man has long been at the top of his game, but the psychic weight of his crimes is slowly catching up with him. After he botches a job and attracts a policeman determined to bring him down, he may be losing his mettle just when he needs his skills the most.
Matz has written a story that's a little more shallow than I would have liked, in that it relies too heavily on self-concious narration that's neither as clever nor weighty as the book seems to think it is.
Volume 1 is a quick read, too much so for the cost of the hardcover (which I bought). The story is gripping enough to maintain momentum, but I felt no connection to the characters at all. Artist Luc Jacamon's cartoon realism—reminiscent of Darwyn Cooke, if you're one for comparables—is the book's strong suit.
For me, the true value of this volume will only be understand once I've read future volumes. For now, it's a decent yarn with some cool art; a passing fancy that I've already forgotten about, one I don't care to revisit any time soon.
Matz has written a story that's a little more shallow than I would have liked, in that it relies too heavily on self-concious narration that's neither as clever nor weighty as the book seems to think it is.
Volume 1 is a quick read, too much so for the cost of the hardcover (which I bought). The story is gripping enough to maintain momentum, but I felt no connection to the characters at all. Artist Luc Jacamon's cartoon realism—reminiscent of Darwyn Cooke, if you're one for comparables—is the book's strong suit.
For me, the true value of this volume will only be understand once I've read future volumes. For now, it's a decent yarn with some cool art; a passing fancy that I've already forgotten about, one I don't care to revisit any time soon.
December 4, 2020
Like the fantasy of an angry teenager.
The protagonist kills people, drinks, smokes, and has his way with beautiful women despite being a sour asshole and not particularly handsome.
There is a little character development, is the killing taking a psychological toll? However, it is mostly a surly, angry loner proclaiming how much smarter and better he is than the working world.
The art is good and the dialogue is a little stiff in places, but mostly ok.
The protagonist kills people, drinks, smokes, and has his way with beautiful women despite being a sour asshole and not particularly handsome.
There is a little character development, is the killing taking a psychological toll? However, it is mostly a surly, angry loner proclaiming how much smarter and better he is than the working world.
The art is good and the dialogue is a little stiff in places, but mostly ok.
September 17, 2023
Actually quite excellent. I usually read volume 1 of a comic book and don’t feel impressed and rarely continue but I think I’ll keep going with this. The style really works for me. For whatever reason when there are huge text blocks I get frustrated and impatient but this is mostly the protagonist voice over in small, direct text with simple, clean artwork that isn’t too busy.
I got interested due to upcoming adaptation starring Fassbender and Michael’s recommendation.
I got interested due to upcoming adaptation starring Fassbender and Michael’s recommendation.
July 9, 2012
A wonderful comic book, almost written for the movie screen. Found myself feeling like I was in a movie while reading it. The art was pretty close to awesome, and was very well done. For never hearing of this graphic novel, until picking it up, I was impressed.
August 7, 2016
Read this book a few years ago but ran into it again at a book swap and couldn't resist.
I thought it read better the second time. I am looking forward, now that I own it letting it sit for a while and reading it anew next year at the same time.
I thought it read better the second time. I am looking forward, now that I own it letting it sit for a while and reading it anew next year at the same time.
November 17, 2011
A very cool,interesting series about an down to earth Assassin.
Nice,original art too.
Nice,original art too.
February 28, 2021
I read this because there's a planned film adaptation by David Fincher. I found it to be boring, cliched, cynical.
November 17, 2023
(Zero spoiler review)
A fairly flaccid and uneventful affair that suffers from just about every problem I usually have with foreign comics translated into English. Problems which usually begin and end with the writing. Whether something is being repeatedly lost in translation I can't say, but hot damn does this come across as some weakly written sauce. The protagonists dime store philosophising comes across with all the maturity and complexity of a petulant fourteen year-old who has read a chapter of Nitsche and think's his rage at the world is entirely deep and unique. The plot is nothing new, although it didn't really have to be. Contract killer kills people with some moderately competent writing to accompany the pretty solid art. That was all that was needed. Unfortunately, that wasn't really what we got. It does improve somewhat towards the end, with the terrible soliloquy replaced by some better dialogue and character interactions, but it's still a long way from what I was hoping for. I do hope this continues to improve. 3/5
OmniBen.
A fairly flaccid and uneventful affair that suffers from just about every problem I usually have with foreign comics translated into English. Problems which usually begin and end with the writing. Whether something is being repeatedly lost in translation I can't say, but hot damn does this come across as some weakly written sauce. The protagonists dime store philosophising comes across with all the maturity and complexity of a petulant fourteen year-old who has read a chapter of Nitsche and think's his rage at the world is entirely deep and unique. The plot is nothing new, although it didn't really have to be. Contract killer kills people with some moderately competent writing to accompany the pretty solid art. That was all that was needed. Unfortunately, that wasn't really what we got. It does improve somewhat towards the end, with the terrible soliloquy replaced by some better dialogue and character interactions, but it's still a long way from what I was hoping for. I do hope this continues to improve. 3/5
OmniBen.
March 28, 2018
This book is translated from a French series, and it's interesting. Interesting, however, doesn't quite equal good in this case. Basically, there's a surface plot about a hitman, and in the two stories in this book, he is staking out a hit and then gets into a cat-and-mouse game with his primary contact person, the man who frequently finds business for him. The creators have an interesting tact on telling the story, which is almost entirely told via internal narration. There are a few word balloons, but it's primarily dictated by the killer himself. The first story, however, gets bogged down in mediocre philosophizing about morality, then goes into an obnoxious rant about people embracing "low" culture and celebrity gossip entertainment. The second story, however, is much better, as the authors seem to have found the killer's internal voice.
The art is loose, but well done.
The art is loose, but well done.
September 9, 2023
A pretty interesting book. Really the first chapter of a much larger narrative I think the book effectively builds up the mythos of this character and establishes the main conflict of the story. My main problem is the art and writing feel at odds. While it was a compelling story the art often felt redundant. I often wonder when reading these sorts of comics how it would be different if the artist directed the action. I think it would generally make for more compelling comics.
I’m interested to read more of this saga I’m sure I’ll have a blast with it.
Also slight spoiler it’s so funny hearing the killer talk about how cool he is and how great he is at his job and then they immediately show him fucking up
I’m interested to read more of this saga I’m sure I’ll have a blast with it.
Also slight spoiler it’s so funny hearing the killer talk about how cool he is and how great he is at his job and then they immediately show him fucking up
January 19, 2024
“I help rich people kill one another. Poor people, they can’t afford me. They handle it themselves.”
“That’s my job: kill time…and occasionally kill people.”
Good, fast paced read! The killer is quite the philosophizer, considering his profession. Sort of justifying what he does, based on the state of our current world, and also based on the history that most of our societies are based on. And he isn't that far out there in his thinking.
However, he is sort of cracking up a bit, and perhaps despite his rationalizing, this may not actually be the job for him. But, the job, well, it doesn't quite go away that easily...
Definitely enjoyed this volume, and definitely will check out the next one!
“That’s my job: kill time…and occasionally kill people.”
Good, fast paced read! The killer is quite the philosophizer, considering his profession. Sort of justifying what he does, based on the state of our current world, and also based on the history that most of our societies are based on. And he isn't that far out there in his thinking.
However, he is sort of cracking up a bit, and perhaps despite his rationalizing, this may not actually be the job for him. But, the job, well, it doesn't quite go away that easily...
Definitely enjoyed this volume, and definitely will check out the next one!
October 13, 2023
An interesting story, very typical and somewhat predictable, but made interesting by the drawings/art, and the introspection of the main character.
A hitman waits for his victim, who isn't showing up, which unfortunately gives the killer time to think: how he got into this business, how it's time to get out, how he's slowly losing his mind.
When the hit finally comes, things don't go exactly to plan. In the aftermath, our killer has picked up a tail, following him to South America. Not only that, a betrayal leads to more danger. As one knows, it isn't that easy to leave the life of a hired killer.
Enjoy the story, even though you know what will happen, appreciate the art.
A hitman waits for his victim, who isn't showing up, which unfortunately gives the killer time to think: how he got into this business, how it's time to get out, how he's slowly losing his mind.
When the hit finally comes, things don't go exactly to plan. In the aftermath, our killer has picked up a tail, following him to South America. Not only that, a betrayal leads to more danger. As one knows, it isn't that easy to leave the life of a hired killer.
Enjoy the story, even though you know what will happen, appreciate the art.
October 21, 2017
It is good
12 known kills so far
5x rifle, scuba diving mishap, 2x baseball bat, 3x knife, 1x handgun
Favorite line:I help rich people kill other rich people. Poor people can't afford me. They handle it themselves.
The ending has a twist: he is hired for 300K to kill a man, but the man he is hired to kill is also hired to kill him. He is able to recognize this at the last moment and makes the hired assassin spill the beans. Now someone is at his house in venzuela and this person wants to work with him.
12 known kills so far
5x rifle, scuba diving mishap, 2x baseball bat, 3x knife, 1x handgun
Favorite line:I help rich people kill other rich people. Poor people can't afford me. They handle it themselves.
The ending has a twist: he is hired for 300K to kill a man, but the man he is hired to kill is also hired to kill him. He is able to recognize this at the last moment and makes the hired assassin spill the beans. Now someone is at his house in venzuela and this person wants to work with him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2020
"We're living on a pile of corpses, but people keep saying man is good"
I'm a sucker for anything dealing with assassins, so when I saw this at half price books for two dollars i grabbed it.
So you're following the killer (I don't think it even mentions his real name) waiting for his target to show up and things gets messy, he decides that was his last job and gets betrayed. Typical hit man plot but I liked it. There are a few flashbacks to his first and second kill, kills them with a bat which was very graphic I might add. The art work is stunning. Can't wait to see what's next.
I'm a sucker for anything dealing with assassins, so when I saw this at half price books for two dollars i grabbed it.
So you're following the killer (I don't think it even mentions his real name) waiting for his target to show up and things gets messy, he decides that was his last job and gets betrayed. Typical hit man plot but I liked it. There are a few flashbacks to his first and second kill, kills them with a bat which was very graphic I might add. The art work is stunning. Can't wait to see what's next.
October 22, 2023
I remember reading about this years ago, maybe even when Fincher opted the comic for adaptation as far back as 2007.
I got hold of a copy and devoured it in a single sitting and now, with Fincher's take finally about to be released, the time is right for a reread.
Nothing's changed; I still read it in one go.
Essentially, Le Samourai meets The Mechanic, Matz's writing is thoughtful and philosophical whilst Jacamon's art is evocative and cinematic.
It might as well have been written with me in mind... and Fincher to adapt.
Très chouette.
I got hold of a copy and devoured it in a single sitting and now, with Fincher's take finally about to be released, the time is right for a reread.
Nothing's changed; I still read it in one go.
Essentially, Le Samourai meets The Mechanic, Matz's writing is thoughtful and philosophical whilst Jacamon's art is evocative and cinematic.
It might as well have been written with me in mind... and Fincher to adapt.
Très chouette.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews