Scalped Omnibus Vol. 1

Scalped #1-5

by Jason Aaron (Writer), R.M. Guéra (Illustrator), Davide Furnò (Illustrator)

The acclaimed crime saga by Jason Aaron and R. M. Guéra returns to print, in omnibus format for the first time!

Before Jason Aaron was a superstar at Marvel and DC writing the likes of the X-Men, Punisher, Superman, and Batman, he gained widespread acclaim for Scalped, the celebrated DC/Vertigo crime saga he co-created with series artist R. M. Guéra.

Now, Scalped is back in print, and collected in the omnibus format!
In Scalped, Dashiell "Dash" Bad Horse ran away from a life of abject poverty and utter hopelessness on the Prairie Rose Indian Reservation 15 years ago, searching for something better. Now he's come back home armed with nothing but a set of nunchucks, a hell-bent-for-leather attitude and one dark secret, to find nothing much has changed on "The Rez"—short of a glimmering new casino, and a once-proud people overcome by drugs and organized crime. Is he here to set things right or just get a piece of the action?

Collects Scalped #1-29, approximately the first half of the series.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics

784 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2024

About the author

Jason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.

Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.

In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.

Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.

In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.

In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.

After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: Review pending re-read. Individual reviews for included volumes can be found here:
- Scalped: Indian Country
- Scalped: Casino Boogie
- Scalped: Dead Mothers
- Scalped: The Gravel in Your Guts
- Scalped: High Lonesome

[James DeSantis · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest comic series I've ever read. I can't wait for volume 2 since volume 1 is absolutely a knock out. You can read probably a 100 reviews on why this is so good but for me, it's the characters. All the terrible people with their terrible lives, stuck in this horrible ass little town, killing, raping, stealing. It's so damn good. If want more in-depth look I reviewed each volume but this is a must read if you love crime/thriller. A 5 out of 5.

[Lesley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark, brutal and harsh, this graphic novel collection of volumes 1-5 is a difficult read but as more of the past is revealed you can't help but need to read more.

[Joakim Ax · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time I start reading Scalped I know I am in for a treat. This is my third time reading the story. First time in omnibus format. The book is a perfect sized collection and it leaves you in you a good place right before picking up volume 2. Lucky for me I had the second volume ready to go, cause once you start reading, you can´t stop. It is Jason aaron´s Magnum opus and the fact that they made a tv-pilot that didn´t get picked up baffles me. Non the less, the comic book will always be the best representation of these characters. These characters that generaly feels like reel life struggleing people, and that is one of it´s best selling points.

[boofykins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been kind of interested in checking this series out because the deluxe editions were so eye-catching. Beautiful art and design. Buuuut... they were out of print and I never happened upon any in the wild at a reasonable price. Oddly didn't seen many of the trade paperbacks on the shelves very often either. So the series was in and out of my mind depending on circumstances or whatever.

Man, I have been missing out! This was one of my best reads in recent memory. Amazingly well-crafted storytelling with gorgeous art and stunning covers. I can't wait for the second omnibus to come out!

[Tesutamento · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kızılderili coğrafyasında geçen berbat insanların berbat hayatları hakkında bir dram hikayesi denilebilir. Gerek diyaloglarıyla gerek çizimleriyle gerek de olay örgüsüyle herkesin okuması gereken bir seri. Ciltler halinde basılan yerli basıma şans verdiğimde biraz sıkılmıştım açıkçası ama ana dilinde okumanın verdiği bir anlatım zenginliği olduğu mevcut.

[steliobele · Rating 5 out of 5]

Το Scalped του Jason Aaron είναι ένα graphic novel που σε αρπάζει από την πρώτη κιόλας σελίδα και δεν σε αφήνει να πάρεις ανάσα. Πρόκειται για ένα σκοτεινό, βίαιο και γεμάτο ένταση έπος, που ξεφεύγει από τα στερεότυπα του κλασικού κόμικ και θυμίζει περισσότερο μια εξαιρετικά καλογραμμένη σειρά επιπέδου HBO.
Η ιστορία ξετυλίγεται σε έναν σκληρό, καταπιεστικό καταυλισμό ιθαγενών Αμερικανών – ένα τοπίο διαβρωμένο από τη διαφθορά, τα ναρκωτικά και την απελπισία.
Οι χαρακτήρες είναι βαθιά ανθρώπινοι, γεμάτοι εσωτερικές συγκρούσεις, και η ατμόσφαιρα είναι τραχιά, ασφυκτική, σχεδόν αποπνικτική.
Η εικονογράφηση του R.M. Guéra δένει ιδανικά με το ύφος του σεναρίου, αποτυπώνοντας με ένταση την ωμότητα και την ψυχική ένταση που διαπερνά κάθε σελίδα.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing comic book. The story is tight, intense, a deeply raw. It is served well by the art which reminds me of XIII.
The thing I loved more is how the story is neither moralist nor nihilistic (although some people would disagree on that last part). The characters are seeing doing great and horrible things to themselves and others. They make choices that are guided by things out of their control, and within them.
It is violent without being gratuitous, deep without being paternalistic, and so, so much fun to read.
This review applies to all 10 issues of Scalped. It’s a masterpiece.

[Nicko · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5-4.8 stars*

Just incredible. Downright incredible. I feel like the best crime is poignant crime. And boy does this go there. Aaron and Guera masterfully juggle an ensemble of characters, none of whom are perfect. Their motivations, conflicts, and internal struggles are woven perfectly. The narrative is so inspiring, too. Having it center around the day that the two FBI agents were murdered. SCALPED is a huge feast of storytelling. Sooo much to chew on everywhere. I cannot wait to delve into the second and final omnibus.

[TheMadReader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truth be told, when I saw the headline on the cover of this dust jacket stating that the Philadelphia daily news dub it as “The greatest comic book ever created,” I yawned. The first 3 issues were decent but as I kept reading this omnibus, I finished all 29 issues in one sitting. This may very well be one of the best things I’ve read in comic book format. Still have 30 more issues to go in vol 2 but, I am excited, turned on and on the edge of my seat. Haven’t been this awake to continue reading something in a VERY LONG TIME. 5/5 for volume 1 of this omnibus set.

[Davide Pappalardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not the biggest fan of Jason Aaron, but I remember enjoying his Wolverine and Ghost Rider runs. I have heard throughout the years that his best work is Scalped, and that noir is where he shines. Well, this omnibus is good proof of that; I enjoyed the setting, the way the characters are written, and even the time-jumps in the narration. There are no true heroes, and most of the time villains, albeit irremediable, have a human side to them (but not everybody: enter Mr Brass).

[Hugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t think I’ve read a book or comic book where the characters are so flawed and I would face palm myself every time I felt that they made the wrong decision now if that is not good writing I don’t what is

This is not the greatest thing I’ve ever read but I definitely think this worth checking out

[Jack T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy 5/5
Amazing crime comic

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Volumes 1-4 were 3 stars, Volume 5 was 4 stars

[Phil P · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a masterpiece, the art is amazing with excellent lightning usage and the story is great. The characters have depth and are all messed up in their own ways. Loved it

[Will Kilby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, can’t wait to read volume 2. The story keeps you hooked in every issue. Would have been 5 stars but the art is sometimes a bit hard to follow, definitely not my favorite.

[drown_like_its_1999 · Rating 5 out of 5]

**This review is for the entire series**

Dashiell Bad Horse returns to the Prairie Rose Reservation after a decade of trying everything he could to put the place in his rear view mirror. Harboring a secret motivation, he starts working for tribal leader and local crime lord Lincoln Red Crow in his efforts to establish a casino that the chief claims will finally lift the rez out of poverty. In returning home, Dashiell quickly finds old wounds reopened and new ones taking shape as he struggles to reconcile his many heinous actions with a yearning for peace and an emerging desire to protect those who have suffered through a similar cycle of oppression, squalor, and violence.

What an emotionally devastating, action packed, and epic saga of generational pain, retribution, and rehabilitation. The initial few issues are a serviceable vehicle for setting up the stakes and characters, but nearly every arc after is just captivating. This series is probably the closest I have read to the zeniths of "prestige television" in comics, both in how thoroughly gripping it is start to end but also in nailing that perfect length that allows you to really sink your teeth in yet doesn't drag. It's one of the few long running series I feel like I could start over right after concluding it. Both the overarching narrative and the episodic vignettes were enthralling and Aaron developed such a wide cast of engaging and distinct characters whose journeys I was deeply invested in, either rooting for them to find peace or hoping they experience a righteous downfall. There's so much pathos in this work and I love a great deal of the narrative presentation to boot, especially in the use of narration blocks to express unsaid intention layered over dialogue that often conflicts as characters struggle with their own vulnerabilities.

While I thoroughly loved the overall product, there are some small issues with the storytelling that detracted from my enjoyment ever so slightly. The dialogue, especially early on, can be quite crass and profanity laden which can imbue a tawdry tone at times but given the criminal context and early 2000s setting it didn't feel too out of place to me. There are also some character transformations in the latter half that feel a bit abrupt and unlikely, in particular one surrounding a rural sheriff, but in a story revolving around change and repeating painful cycles the character arcs all worked well thematically.

Guera's art is not my favorite aesthetic, with dark palettes and blocky shadowing often clashing with thick linework, but it didn't detract from the experience and much of the character work was excellent. His art also grew on me over time, especially when the coloration lightens up, and overall fits the series tonally quite well. The guests artists also blend in with Guera's style nicely yet also provide a pleasant changeup in aesthetics.