The Private Eye #1

The Private Eye #1

by Brian K. Vaughan (Writer), Marcos Martín (Illustrator), Muntsa Vicente (Colorist)

The year is 2076 and the nation that celebrates it's tri-centennial is very different from the one we know today. In this future, the most cherished thing is privacy. Everyone has a secret identity, an inner self, that they hid with anything from simple masks to high-tech body suits and holograms.

Enter a man who is known to his customers as Patrick Immelmann, an illegal private detective by trade. He can dig into the personal lives of anyone and find their most hidden secrets, if you can pay his price, of course. His newest customer is a young lady that wants him to dig into her own life. She's attempting to stay one step ahead of a new, potential, employer that might be able to discover something less than desirable about her past.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Mystery, Graphic Novels Comics, Ebooks

32 pages, ebook

First published March 13, 2013

About the author

Brian K. Vaughan is the writer and co-creator of comic-book series including SAGA, PAPER GIRLS, Y THE LAST MAN, RUNAWAYS, and most recently, BARRIER, a digital comic with artist Marcos Martin about immigration, available from their pay-what-you-want site www.PanelSyndicate.com

BKV's work has been recognized at the Eisner, Harvey, Hugo, Shuster, Eagle, and British Fantasy Awards. He sometimes writes for film and television in Los Angeles, where he lives with his family and their dogs Hamburger and Milkshake.

Reviews

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

BKV is one of my favorite writer and I'll buy any of his comics work in whatever format they come. Vaughan and Marcos Martin's futuristic noir tale paints a future in the aftermath of the collapse of the current internet structure. We share our lives easily online or in the cloud with all our darkest secrets. What happens if that cloud burts?

I'm loving the series so far and the way the creators serve up their issues to the public is novel, wherein the reader gets to pick a price point for the download. Every issue is easily worth the $3.99 the comic industry giants charge for their books.

[Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent take on a post-internet world as seen from a super-paranoid private detective. I loved the way people hid from one another with holographic suits.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Otis has a saying about the right book in the right hand at the right time. The Private Eye is definitely the right book at the right time. Vaughan has an uncanny talent of taking present day problems to their exaggerated end to show the reader just how ridiculous things can get. I loved everything about this comic from the story to the way buildings and people were drawn. Martin is obviously very talented at drawing not only people but also buildings. The architecture in some of the scenes were worth several minutes of study. Call me biased, but I also enjoyed seeing many LA landmarks and even smaller easter eggs that only people who live in LA understand.

[Alex Merrill · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brian K. Vaughan is an incredible storyteller and is a master at creating unique and lovable characters. I really REALLY wanted to like this story because of how much I love his other stories, but I did feel like this one fell flat, unfortunately. The world he created of a hyper paranoid post-Information Age where people can go out in disguises to experiment and explore new ideas, new identities, to act without almost any social repercussions has such a rich opportunity for storylines and I feel like this story barely touches the surface of any of the potential questions a society like this presents. I felt like the character motivations were hard to follow, and with so many questions about how the legal structure works in a highly private society, a lot of the time I was left wondering how does anything get done on a day to day basis. I really wanted to like this, and I still did love some parts of it, but overall I just didn't feel like I took anything away from this and I was left really wanting a different story in the same universe all together. But just in case anyone is reading this and interested, I put together a list of all the books mentioned in the comic hehe:

Something Happened - Joseph Heller
Freakonomics - Stephen J. Dubner
The Audacity of Hope - Barack Obama
Tropic of Cancer - Henry Miller
Encyclopedia Brown And The Case Of The Midnight Visitor - Donald J. Sobol
All Alone: Isolationism and the USA (Best I could find was Isolationism: A History of America's Efforts to Shield Itself from the World by Charles Kupchan)
"V" Is for Vengeance - Sue Grafton

[Hisham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful Marcos Martin art anchors this future noir story set in a world where the internet no longer exists and privacy is supreme. An original view of the future. My favorite part was the depiction of an aged Zoomer.

The story can seem to long, but still an entertaining and compelling read.

[Rohit Remesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cloud has burst. Everybody's secrets on the internet is public. By consensus the World Wide Web is destroyed. People resort to wearing costumes in public. Anonymity is cool. Smartphones and Apple are dust. What a premise !

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I checked this out from the library and will be purchasing my own copy. I am a BKV fan and this story and these characters did not disappoint. "This is a story about privacy, and whether our generation's ongoing campaign against it will ultimately be good or bad for society. I don't know the answer to that yet, so I want to make a comic to find out." BKV

[Vikas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A futuristic world where no one uses Internet hmm seems like the future goes backward. In this world lives a man who is the best illegal PI there is. More in the next issues of course.

I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. The Private Eye by Brian k. Vaughan and Marcos Martin is amazing. Saga has been good but always feels to me like Yorick grew horns, got married, and had a baby in space. But The Private Eye? Unique, ambitious, and damn entertaining. Best work of bkv's career. And Martin is killing the art. Also, best title page ever in issue one. Cinematic. Enjoying the wide page layout on kindle reader too. I'm in for 10 issues but will want a trade at the end to put in the bookshelf (and to hand out to friends at Christmas, along with the excellent Daytripper).

[Periklis · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing mash-up of Science Fiction & Hard-Boiled Noir. I could only compare it with Moebius' "The Long Goodbye" and The One-Trick Rip-Off. Looking forward to where this on-line, publishing experiment will take this...

[Sitanan Ketkraipob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will not disappoint you. Im surprised the writing is even better than Brian's Saga.

[A M H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really cool and unique concept. A future where everyone has secret identities because of stuff that happened in the past. I won't spoil anything but it's simple yet really clever. The art is amazing. Very detailed and vibrant.

[Jiro Dreams of Suchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awesome concept- decent execution.

[Hiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

U-LA-LA!
This is fucking so hot!

[Berlin-Peck Memorial Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on anonymity! But be warned: it can be gorey.

[Ruba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda okay, not the usual impressive start like his other books

[Cristina Alves · Rating 4 out of 5]

(publicado orignalmente em https://acrisalves.wordpress.com/2015...)

Se alguns livros perdem muito pouco quando lidos no formato digital (não estamos a falar de edições especiais, com ilustrações e efeitos no papel), o mesmo não se costuma aplicar à banda desenhada, onde as imagens ganham outra dimensão dependendo do tipo de papel e da impressão. Abri, no entanto, uma excepção para este volume. É que a publicação inicial já foi em formato digital, com disponibilização gratuita, pelos próprios autores, em várias línguas (até Português-BR).

O facto do autor ser Brian K. Vaughan (o autor de Saga) já era o suficiente para me convencer a pegar no livro, mas a premissa é mesmo o meu género de leitura. Num futuro pouco distante, 2076, a relação com a tecnologia foi mudada significativamente, após o rebentar da cloud. Todas as informações nela constantes foram reveladas – histórico de navegação, vídeos ou fotos pessoais. Como resultado, a Internet foi desligada, e as pessoas, para manterem a sua privacidade, passaram a andar mascaradas na rua.

A sociedade actual já é demasiado alienada? Então imaginem uma em que todos andam de máscara, sem mostrar a própria cara e, consequentemente, expressões. As pessoas usam alcunhas como se fossem os seus próprios nomes, em conjugação com as máscaras para poderem criar múltiplas identidades em diferentes meios. Ainda mais estranho é o facto das investigações serem controladas por jornalistas.

A personagem principal é um jornalista sem licença, uma espécie de investigador privado que, a troco de dinheiro, investiga o que lhe encomendarem. Mas desta vez não se trata de uma mulher em busca de provas da infidelidade do marido, antes uma rapariga que pretende saber o que se esconde por detrás da morte da irmã.

O enredo tem, para além de várias teorias de conspiração, investigadores ilegais, terroristas que pretendem ligar a internet, jovens destemidas e multinacionais de tentáculos mafiosos. Tudo num visual futurista, de cores garridas – um mundo deprimente em ácidos que usa a alienação para investir na multipersonalidade e não nos relacionamentos.

A premissa em si é uma boa reviravolta do lema “Quem não deve, não teme”. Na realidade, todas as informações, por mais inocentes que sejam, podem ser usadas de forma errada por alguém mal intencionado, e a libertação pública de todo o histórico de alguém, revelou isso mesmo – todos têm alguma coisa a esconder. O despertar desse medo levou ao normal aproveitamento por parte das autoridades – o que abdicará em troca de uma nova sensação de segurança?

Os elementos cómicos existem, mas são raros, sob a forma de um velhote com alguns problemas mentais, que ainda recorda a internet e os equipamentos dessa época. A história é pesada com detalhes deprimentes, e bastante pesada. Talvez pela densidade de conceitos e de ideias que se encontram encobertas, não é uma banda desenhada que se leia rapidamente, mas é uma excelente leitura.

[Mariana Orantes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, no sé mucho de cómics, estoy empezando pero creo que fue un gran acierto comenzar a leer este. Me gusta la ciencia ficción pura y ruda al estilo K. Dick o cosas así. Si a usted le gusta la ciencia ficción, no debe dejar de pasar este primer número de The private eye. La verdad yo estaba renuente a leer Saga (otro comic del mismo autor) pero después de leer este, me di por bien servida y convencida de que sí debo leer Saga. Tenemos aquí un futuro lejano, si, pero no tanto. Habrán pasado unos 50 o 70 años desde esta generación, no es mucho. Algo pasó con el internet y la "nube" la información se desperdigó en su totalidad y lo más importante que ahora puedes y debes proteger es tu identidad. Me encanta la idea, es darle un giro sobre lo que ahora vivimos, justo como lo hace K. Dick con cosas cotidianas que transforma y explota hasta sus momentos más deshumanizantes. ¿Un ejemplo? no recuerdo en qué novela K. Dick pone que el personaje principal para salir del cuarto de hotel tenía que depositar una moneda. Lo mismo para usar cualquier cosa dentro del cuarto, todo. Esta era una cosa cotidiana llevada al extremo, por que en aquellos años era común que al televisor se le depositara una moneda en los cuartos de hotel. Lo que hace K. Dick es explotar esta cotidianeidad para dibujar la atmósfera de su narrativa. Lo mismo hace Vaughan con algo que todos nosotros hacemos todos los días (como yo en este momento): subir algo a internet. Una búsqueda, una foto comprometedora, una reseña en goodreads y ¡bam! piensas que todo se ha ido, pero no, ahí está a la espera de que alguien lo vea y de esa forma TE CONOZCA. Da un poco de miedo, cierto? Bueno, pero les dejo un link a una reseña que hizo mi novio sobre el comic, él sabe más que yo: http://desdelglobo.com/the-private-eye/

[Sharon Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The series has actually been out for a while, released as 10 separate issues on http://panelsyndicate.com/ with a pay-what-you-want purchase model. The review copy I got was because they are promoting a hardcover print version of this comic that was previously available in the digital form only.

I'm familiar with Brian K. Vaughan writing from the series' "Y The Last Man" and "Saga", both of which are excellent reads. The Private Eye continues this trend. It's a fascinating story of life in the future after the internet & cloud come crashing down. It's a world where everyone guards their identity and privacy, and the police have been replaced with the press. The main character, P.I., is a paparazzi who works for hire illegally finding information for his clients.

It's a view of a future world I hadn't seen before and it is definitely worth taking a look.

I haven't seen a physical copy of the print version, but with the gorgeous art it should be a beautiful addition to any graphic novel library.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not what I expected, but really good. The setting is futuristic, but with less emphasis on technology and much more on internet-persona-style anonymity. Masks, costumes, holograms, pseudonyms, secret identities -- all common fare. But here’s the kicker: there’s no internet. Internet, along with all sorts of other basic tech, no longer exists.

In this extensively anonymous world, the titular private eye (PI, or Patrick Immelman) acts more like a paparazzo, illegally investigating private lives and secret identities. The story kicks off with a beautiful young woman who hires him to see what he can dig up on her own secret identities.

If you’re interested in the idea of anonymity, if you like grey-area characters, this is the book for you. But it’s a great drama for anyone, as long as you don’t expect to be spoon-fed the plot. Not for people who can’t handle gore.

It was surprisingly realistic, despite the fantastical settings; the characters are all flawed and three-dimensional.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been a fan of Brian K Vaughan since I've read "Y the Last Man", by far one of the greatest graphic novels I've ever read. And for Private Eye, Vaughan develops a very interesting concept... a world set 60 years in the future where the "cloud" bursts... exposing everyone's secrets to the world. The future is therefore focussed on privacy and hidden identities, where the press is now the police force and the paparazzi are vigilantes. A very topical concept, with the world's attention on privacy laws, leaks, hacks, etc. One wonders if this would've worked as a novel more than a graphic novel, as it feels the characters could've been developed better, and it may have been better served with the written medium. Nonetheless, liked the main characters, enjoyed the story, and was pleased with the read. 4.5 out of 5.

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have enjoyed Brian Vaughan’s stories and this is up there as one of his best. The artwork is intense and makes the story even better. In a future world, where the ‘cloud’ has burst releasing everyone’s private information, that everyone now goes out in public in hidden identities. The Internet is no more and one wants to get information on someone, they hire a PI. The Private Eye in the title is unlicensed and works on the sly. When hired by the sister of a former client, he gets involved in a case that is so big, that someone is willing to kill him to keep it a secret. A fast paced graphic novel didn’t feel like the 300 pages. Great characters, great writing and great artwork. Definitely a must read for those who enjoy futuristic science fiction graphic novels and those who think the cloud is all so important ;).

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really, really good. This comic is part homage to the old hard-boiled detective stories with a dash of realistic futurism scifi. PI is a journalist-for-hire, a finder of secrets. Freelance journalists in the future are like private investigators, while the official members of the Fourth Estate are more like the police. Some eveNt happened in the past where everyone's secrets on the internet were revealed. Now, no one is honest with each other, or themselves. Everyone hides behind a secret face or a secret identity.

This is not the future you expect, but it is the future we will probably get. Amazing, insightful stuff!

[Hollowspine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both art and story will blow readers away. Fans of Saga will love the this noir-ish future world where the Internet is feared and secret identities are the norm. The conspiracy at the heart of this stand-alone graphic novel is thought-provoking and the story, characters and art all stunning. Those who like the Wicked + the Divine series, Philip K. Dick and Neal Stephenson should check this out.

I really enjoyed this, from the format, panels and artwork to the dialogue, characters and plot, it all works perfectly together to create a unputdownable comic experience. One of the best comics I've read in a long while.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great near-future graphic novel. I discovered it because of Cory Doctorow's recommendation. The story follows a young Private Eye whose been raised by his Millenial grandfather in a potential future where the Internet is shut down for good, following a massive data breach of EVERYONE and their grandmothers. People in this future, when they become adults, start wearing masks and costumes to obscure their real identity. Fun read and very cool art style. I would highly recommend, especially to techno-pessimistic types.

[Lucas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing how Brian K. Vaughan can create this "worlds"(I started to read Saga this week too).
I always tought what could happen if the Internet collapse, because nowadays we are so addicts to it.
This first issue is cool, can't wait to next one. I want see this future technology stuff's that Brian invented for this future earth and of course I want to know more about Taj's past. Oh yes, the art work is pretty cool too.

[Randy Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not as gaga as a lot of other reviewers, but this isn't really my genre, either. I don't even remember how this came to my attention, but the idea of a downloadable sci-fi/noir graphic novel for which you pay whatever you feel is appropriate captured my imagination and I grabbed it. And it was a lot of fun. Not deep. Not complex. Not layered. But a lot of fun. And engagingly drawn. More whimsical than challenging. Did I mention fun?

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent. just as good as any of BKV's works. incredibly thought-provoking sci-fi, along with a fun noir story set in future L.A. perfect neo-noir, in my opinion. also super cool formatting for digital devices (horizontal pages instead of traditional vertical). a really revolutionary comic that everybody should read.

[Mike Briggs · Rating 1 out of 5]

Made my skin crawl. Journalists as cops? Paparazzi as heroes? Just ... just no.

Just imagine those idiots on CNN running around with the power of search warrants.

(Figure I should note somewhere that I previously enjoyed Vaughan's work.)

[Adrià · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buens cómic de detectives, ambientado en un futuro distópico donde Internet ha caído y la gente ha empezado a llevar máscaras para cubrir su identidad y mantener así su 'privacidad' física.

Muy buen guión y dibujo, aunque este último a veces parece estar hecho de prisa y le falta detalle.