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Newburn #9-16
Newburn, Volume 2
Past mistakes are catching up with Newburn. As his allies turn on him one by one, Newburn must take increasingly desperate measures to protect himself. With their enemies closing in on all sides, how much longer can his partner Emily remain by his side?
Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion of the series from Eisner winner CHIP ZDARSKY (Batman, PUBLIC DOMAIN) and rising star JACOB PHILLIPS (THAT TEXAS BLOOD, THE ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE)!
Collects NEWBURN #9-16
Don’t miss the thrilling conclusion of the series from Eisner winner CHIP ZDARSKY (Batman, PUBLIC DOMAIN) and rising star JACOB PHILLIPS (THAT TEXAS BLOOD, THE ENFIELD GANG MASSACRE)!
Collects NEWBURN #9-16
176 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2024
8 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Chip Zdarsky
873 books864 followersChip Zdarsky is a Canadian comic book artist and journalist. He was born Steve Murray but is known by his fan base as Chip Zdarsky, and occasionally Todd Diamond. He writes and illustrates an advice column called Extremely Bad Advice for the Canadian national newspaper National Post's The Ampersand, their pop culture section's online edition. He is also the creator of Prison Funnies and Monster Cops.
Source: Wikipedia.
Source: Wikipedia.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
November 12, 2024
So last volume, Newburn had to move some things around to protect Emily since her secret past caught up with her. Unfortunately, some of the crime families found the truth and Newburn’s luck might be running out. It was cool seeing Newburn try and stay ahead of everything and come up with a plan. We get his backstory in this volume and the real reason why he brought in Emily. This ended up being a nice story that I would recommend to any crime/noir fans ought there.
June 11, 2024
The first volume of Newburn, consisting of the initial eight issues, was released in 2022, and considering that Zdarsky was occupied with other titles, he finally got around to finishing the remaining eight issues to conclude his crime saga. The second volume sees the detective losing several alliances from the few police that he will consult with, or the various crime syndicates that Newburn has tried to maintain peace in New York. As past mistakes are catching up with Newburn, he must take increasingly desperate measures to protect himself, but how much longer can his partner Emily remain by his side?
Please click for my full review.
Please click for my full review.
June 1, 2024
Absolute masterpiece. On the end of my seat through every issue. This volume ramped this story up in a huge way that had me desperate to know what was going to happen next and how things could possibly play out for these characters. I was working around a constant chess match in my head with theories of what was shown to us and what I thought may really be going on. Beautifully told crime family story with beautiful art accompanying.
September 10, 2024
A strong finish to the series as the short stories of the first volume give way to an epic struggle by Easton Newburn to maintain the status quo between the criminal cartels of New York while keeping himself and his new partner alive. Along the way we get Newburn's secret origin.
The conclusion is a bit far-fetched, but tense and thrilling all the same, excepting one very predictable twist. A sequel would not be unwelcome.
The conclusion is a bit far-fetched, but tense and thrilling all the same, excepting one very predictable twist. A sequel would not be unwelcome.
September 19, 2024
I feel like I need to read volume 1 to enjoy this more. Too long of a gap, forgot most of what happened.
June 4, 2024
It's a shame this book came to an end. The good books NEVER last long nowadays.... Zdarsky brings this story to a satisfying conclusion that serves all of its characters brilliantly. The story is filled with great noir elements and the art captures them visually for the reader. Phillips continues to create some beautifully detailed and dynamic art in the issue. The gritty, noir tone of the story continues to be elevated by the fantastic art. Overall I love the personal nature of this story in which it is a fitting enough ballad to antiheroes and outsiders.
December 2, 2024
I really enjoyed this entire series, both Volumes 1 and 2. It’s crime noir, but with a deep care taken towards the main characters and their development. It was a nice blend of thriller x cop drama x classic mob tale. I like that it’s a slow burn to understand why Newburn is doing what he is doing and it really pays off in my opinion for a satisfying story. What would you do and how far would you go to protect the ones you love? There’s a lot of morality that I was questioning throughout as you don’t know what angle Newburn is playing and you’re questioning how reliable the things you’re being told are. I also like that this just a 2-volume story. There could be a continuation or a spin-off, but I like how this is sitting.
At times, it was confusing keeping up with the Mob stuff and who is on whose side and tracking all the family names. But, that’s not a huge deal. I would just reread things a few times, making for a slower read.
At times, it was confusing keeping up with the Mob stuff and who is on whose side and tracking all the family names. But, that’s not a huge deal. I would just reread things a few times, making for a slower read.
February 24, 2025
(4,5 of 5 for a nice escalation finale of this limited series)
After an excellent first volume, I took a short pause and then I jumped in and finished it in three reading sessions. The first one made me a bit worried about how it goes because I saw storytelling tendencies I don't like and their domain is more like generic comic stories than this one, aspiring to comics '"cinema". But then it again got a lot more interesting and tense and my hope was regained. Also, the 8 issues felt really good. The extra space worked well for the finale being not too rushy and also getting some closure after that. And I like that. Very much. Also, if you liked Criminal but wished there would be more "good endings", Newburn is much better at that.
After an excellent first volume, I took a short pause and then I jumped in and finished it in three reading sessions. The first one made me a bit worried about how it goes because I saw storytelling tendencies I don't like and their domain is more like generic comic stories than this one, aspiring to comics '"cinema". But then it again got a lot more interesting and tense and my hope was regained. Also, the 8 issues felt really good. The extra space worked well for the finale being not too rushy and also getting some closure after that. And I like that. Very much. Also, if you liked Criminal but wished there would be more "good endings", Newburn is much better at that.
October 27, 2024
I would give it a 3.5 overall. Wasn't too sure about this volume at first but it ended well.
January 11, 2026
Great, gritty noir series. Crooked cops, mafia and lots of twists. Sad to see it end. Highly recommend.
September 13, 2024
The second volume of Newburn finishes the story nicely. We get more mob action and some more development of our two protagonists. Overall, a very enjoyable book.
November 21, 2025
Buen final apoyado en los artificios habituales de la serie: hurtar información del lector, presentar personajes surgidos de la nada, trampillas y truquitos... Disfrutable dentro de lo que es.
September 8, 2025
NOTE: I read these in the original single issues. Also some spoilers in my review . .
Newburn, Volume 2 begins after a one-year pause in publication. Newburn’s partner Emily provides a welcome re-cap in her journal entry for August 2022, revealing that she’s still processing her complicated relationship with him and the beginning tension within that association.
Years ago she killed the nephew of the leader of the Albano crime family, while defending a friend during the training of police recruits. Her friend, Sydney Talford went on to become a cop, and also went into debt to Russian mobsters. To shield himself, he ended up selling out Emily to the Albanos.
Newburn intervened and managed to blame the kill on a member of the New York City Yakuza gang, Shigeyuki Shiroo. He went along with Newburn’s blackmailing him, as prison was preferable to his true crime: murdering the head of the NYC Yakuza.
As Issue #9 begins, Newburn is asked by Michael Albano to locate one of their members, Dez Gammino, who faked his own death to avoid gambling debts and problems with the Albano organization.
Newburn has multiple connections within both the crime families, the police department, and other underground business operations and uses his knowledge to coerce others to go along with his ideas. But, as this and other issues have shown, that thread is getting thinner and he’s at risk of becoming expendable. Of course, he locates Dez and turns him over, much to the disappointment of Emily who believed Dez to be justified in seeking a new life.
Meanwhile, a journalist is investigating Newburn and interviewing all the right people, who remain quiet for now. A good beginning. Jacob Phillip’s expressive and effective art always seems to highlight the right body language/close-ups.
In Issue #10 Emily is interviewed by the investigative journalist, and while not giving away too much the talk puts more doubt and suspicion into her thoughts on Newburn. Meanwhile, the Black Castle (a roundtable of various criminal organizations a.k.a. The Triad) is getting more annoyed with Newburn’s work and gives him a warning.
The Yakuza family seems to be getting arrested at a much lower rate compared to the other crime families, and Newburn is tasked with finding out if the Yakuza struck a deal with the police department. Newburn’s contact at the police department (Casey, his former partner) tells him there is no deal, that the Yakuza are just better at avoiding surveillance. Newburn doesn’t quite buy that, but after a meeting with the current Yakuza head is inclined to believe it.
Newburn returns to the Black Castle with an update, but they don’t buy it: “We’ve been talking, yeah? And maybe it’s time to rethink our arrangement . .” Newburn avoids trouble for now by revealing what info he has on each of the gangs - info that is ready to go to the police and the media if he goes down.
Kind of a stand-off issue. Lots of drama, concluding with a possible heart attack as Newburn leaves the Black Castle. Or is that just an anxiety attack?
So far, Zdarsky and Phillips know exactly how much to show/reveal, as tensions continue to mount issue after issue. There’s a build-up occurring, with the promise of an explosive pay-off whenever it comes. This is what keeps me reading from issue to issue. Really good stuff, that sets this apart from standard crime comics.
Emily, in her journal, muses on Newburn’s info-alliance with Detective Casey: “It’s a quid pro quo relationship. She helps us, we help her. But I’m starting to suspect that she’s not willing to pay that price anymore just for some career-boosting busts that we throw her . . . .
But if Casey turns on us and we have the full NYPD on our ass, it’s just be a matter of time before we’re of little use to the crime families.” Meanwhile it’s looks like Casey is making plans to get out of town, perhaps permanently.
Newburn devises a clever way to get access to and interview the big Yakuza boss (visiting NYC for a needed operation) by playing a card with his police department connections to learn of his arrival. But Newburn only shows a card or two, not the entire hand that he is playing in order to avoid a police double-cross. The scenes in which he plays his full hand are extremely tense, and there’s more action that allows Phillips to show his flair for dramatic scenes. A particularly good issue.
NEWBURN #12: Newburn to Henry, his long-time driver: “The wolves are closing in. It may be time for us . . . to sharpen our sticks.”
Emily gets a spotlight this issue. Her ex-partner in love and crime, Armand, shows up and needs her help. An unknown source paid him for a break-in to steal some records, and now he’s been beat up. He’s afraid they are trying to kill him because he’s a loose end. Emily displays her investigative skills and finds the source and, because she knows them from her past life, goes directly to confront the gang and warn them that Armand is off-limits.
Later, when Emily is with Newburn, a hitman from Bratva approaches to kill her, but Newburn gets in the way and is shot in the shoulder. Henry ends up killing the hitman. During the police questioning, Newburn asks for Casey - who’s already left town. He is confronted by her partner, who reveal that he set up Armand in order to get Newburn exposed. With the Bratva and The Council thinking that Newburn sold them out, he’s running out of cards to play with all his protections gone. Things are about to go down.
NEWBURN #13: Everything continues to unravel in this issue. Emily and Henry are holed up in one of Newburn’s safe houses (but not safe). Emily visits ex-partner Armand in the hospital, assuming he’s been beaten by the Bratva. She learns that he used the info she uncovered to share with the cops, and that’s why the Russians think Emily gave them up and put a marker on her. But Armand was beaten by Newburn, not the gang and Emily has a fit.
The Albano family and the Yakuza now know who really killed the former Yakuza head as well as Michael Albano, and make it known that the Albanos are coming for Emily. Henry the driver is shot in the shoulder during a gunfight with the Albanos, who trash the safe house, and now he is their hostage.
Emily and Newburn have a confrontation (but not like pictured on the cover for this issue).
Emily: “ . . . and then you put my ex in the hospital?”
Newburn: “You’re the one who fell for his trap! I hired you because you could read people. And you got suckered by a common thief! . . .. You’re the mistake here!”
Emily: “I never asked you to cover for me. I never asked for this insane job . . . Why did you hire me? . . . You’re the man with the plan, yeah? So what was the plan? . . .You’re the big, scary ex-cop who’s always ten steps ahead! . . . So what step am I, Newburn?”
NEWBURN #14, #15, #16 In the final issue Zdarsky states that “Newburn was a love letter to TV procedurals and detective novels. Tight mysteries where the good guy always figures it out. Except Newburn wasn’t a good guy, was he? But I still rooted for him and I hope you did as well.”
Count me in, too. I rooted for him, as I suspect many (but probably not all) readers did. Zdarsky succeeded in creating a memorable crime fiction/detective character and Phillips really brought him to life with his always appropriate choices in scene selection, illustration, and close-ups.
The final eight issues of this series were less episodic than the first volume and focused on a perilous plot thread that slowly unraveled across the stories until there was nothing there.
Issue #14 provided the desired history of Newburn’s bringing up, his time on the police force, and how he got into the business of peacemaker/problem solver for NYC’s gang relationships. As a private detective he walked the fine line between criminals and cops. In the current timeline, Emily begins to realize that Newburn is a killer and is reluctant to answer his plea for help as the gangs and police begin to close in on the both of them.
Things get even more complicated in Issue #15 when a new player attempts to replace Newburn as fixer for the crime gangs and tries to enlist Emily as her assistant.
This at least buys Emily some more time as she explains to the Black Castle how Mario Albano died (not exactly as it occurred, but in a way that makes Emily appear as just a coerced accomplice).
Meanwhile, Newburn plays his last card, as he has something that boss Michael Albano wants and insists that they come to Newburn’s place to make the exchange. It gets violent and explosive. Many are presumed dead, including Newburn.
In the final issue, Emily is now working for the gangs with her new partner, doing the same job she did before with Newburn. But, how loyal is she to her associate, and is there a way to “burn” her and take over sole responsibility?
The final three issues are cleverly written and just like Newburn, Emily says it’s not about the money . . . she’s in it for “the puzzles, the truth at the end of the maze. It’s always there in the back of your head . . . The itch.”
A satisfactory ending that I won’t reveal more of. As crime comics go, this is one that I recommend.
Newburn, Volume 2 begins after a one-year pause in publication. Newburn’s partner Emily provides a welcome re-cap in her journal entry for August 2022, revealing that she’s still processing her complicated relationship with him and the beginning tension within that association.
Years ago she killed the nephew of the leader of the Albano crime family, while defending a friend during the training of police recruits. Her friend, Sydney Talford went on to become a cop, and also went into debt to Russian mobsters. To shield himself, he ended up selling out Emily to the Albanos.
Newburn intervened and managed to blame the kill on a member of the New York City Yakuza gang, Shigeyuki Shiroo. He went along with Newburn’s blackmailing him, as prison was preferable to his true crime: murdering the head of the NYC Yakuza.
As Issue #9 begins, Newburn is asked by Michael Albano to locate one of their members, Dez Gammino, who faked his own death to avoid gambling debts and problems with the Albano organization.
Newburn has multiple connections within both the crime families, the police department, and other underground business operations and uses his knowledge to coerce others to go along with his ideas. But, as this and other issues have shown, that thread is getting thinner and he’s at risk of becoming expendable. Of course, he locates Dez and turns him over, much to the disappointment of Emily who believed Dez to be justified in seeking a new life.
Meanwhile, a journalist is investigating Newburn and interviewing all the right people, who remain quiet for now. A good beginning. Jacob Phillip’s expressive and effective art always seems to highlight the right body language/close-ups.
In Issue #10 Emily is interviewed by the investigative journalist, and while not giving away too much the talk puts more doubt and suspicion into her thoughts on Newburn. Meanwhile, the Black Castle (a roundtable of various criminal organizations a.k.a. The Triad) is getting more annoyed with Newburn’s work and gives him a warning.
The Yakuza family seems to be getting arrested at a much lower rate compared to the other crime families, and Newburn is tasked with finding out if the Yakuza struck a deal with the police department. Newburn’s contact at the police department (Casey, his former partner) tells him there is no deal, that the Yakuza are just better at avoiding surveillance. Newburn doesn’t quite buy that, but after a meeting with the current Yakuza head is inclined to believe it.
Newburn returns to the Black Castle with an update, but they don’t buy it: “We’ve been talking, yeah? And maybe it’s time to rethink our arrangement . .” Newburn avoids trouble for now by revealing what info he has on each of the gangs - info that is ready to go to the police and the media if he goes down.
Kind of a stand-off issue. Lots of drama, concluding with a possible heart attack as Newburn leaves the Black Castle. Or is that just an anxiety attack?
So far, Zdarsky and Phillips know exactly how much to show/reveal, as tensions continue to mount issue after issue. There’s a build-up occurring, with the promise of an explosive pay-off whenever it comes. This is what keeps me reading from issue to issue. Really good stuff, that sets this apart from standard crime comics.
Emily, in her journal, muses on Newburn’s info-alliance with Detective Casey: “It’s a quid pro quo relationship. She helps us, we help her. But I’m starting to suspect that she’s not willing to pay that price anymore just for some career-boosting busts that we throw her . . . .
But if Casey turns on us and we have the full NYPD on our ass, it’s just be a matter of time before we’re of little use to the crime families.” Meanwhile it’s looks like Casey is making plans to get out of town, perhaps permanently.
Newburn devises a clever way to get access to and interview the big Yakuza boss (visiting NYC for a needed operation) by playing a card with his police department connections to learn of his arrival. But Newburn only shows a card or two, not the entire hand that he is playing in order to avoid a police double-cross. The scenes in which he plays his full hand are extremely tense, and there’s more action that allows Phillips to show his flair for dramatic scenes. A particularly good issue.
NEWBURN #12: Newburn to Henry, his long-time driver: “The wolves are closing in. It may be time for us . . . to sharpen our sticks.”
Emily gets a spotlight this issue. Her ex-partner in love and crime, Armand, shows up and needs her help. An unknown source paid him for a break-in to steal some records, and now he’s been beat up. He’s afraid they are trying to kill him because he’s a loose end. Emily displays her investigative skills and finds the source and, because she knows them from her past life, goes directly to confront the gang and warn them that Armand is off-limits.
Later, when Emily is with Newburn, a hitman from Bratva approaches to kill her, but Newburn gets in the way and is shot in the shoulder. Henry ends up killing the hitman. During the police questioning, Newburn asks for Casey - who’s already left town. He is confronted by her partner, who reveal that he set up Armand in order to get Newburn exposed. With the Bratva and The Council thinking that Newburn sold them out, he’s running out of cards to play with all his protections gone. Things are about to go down.
NEWBURN #13: Everything continues to unravel in this issue. Emily and Henry are holed up in one of Newburn’s safe houses (but not safe). Emily visits ex-partner Armand in the hospital, assuming he’s been beaten by the Bratva. She learns that he used the info she uncovered to share with the cops, and that’s why the Russians think Emily gave them up and put a marker on her. But Armand was beaten by Newburn, not the gang and Emily has a fit.
The Albano family and the Yakuza now know who really killed the former Yakuza head as well as Michael Albano, and make it known that the Albanos are coming for Emily. Henry the driver is shot in the shoulder during a gunfight with the Albanos, who trash the safe house, and now he is their hostage.
Emily and Newburn have a confrontation (but not like pictured on the cover for this issue).
Emily: “ . . . and then you put my ex in the hospital?”
Newburn: “You’re the one who fell for his trap! I hired you because you could read people. And you got suckered by a common thief! . . .. You’re the mistake here!”
Emily: “I never asked you to cover for me. I never asked for this insane job . . . Why did you hire me? . . . You’re the man with the plan, yeah? So what was the plan? . . .You’re the big, scary ex-cop who’s always ten steps ahead! . . . So what step am I, Newburn?”
NEWBURN #14, #15, #16 In the final issue Zdarsky states that “Newburn was a love letter to TV procedurals and detective novels. Tight mysteries where the good guy always figures it out. Except Newburn wasn’t a good guy, was he? But I still rooted for him and I hope you did as well.”
Count me in, too. I rooted for him, as I suspect many (but probably not all) readers did. Zdarsky succeeded in creating a memorable crime fiction/detective character and Phillips really brought him to life with his always appropriate choices in scene selection, illustration, and close-ups.
The final eight issues of this series were less episodic than the first volume and focused on a perilous plot thread that slowly unraveled across the stories until there was nothing there.
Issue #14 provided the desired history of Newburn’s bringing up, his time on the police force, and how he got into the business of peacemaker/problem solver for NYC’s gang relationships. As a private detective he walked the fine line between criminals and cops. In the current timeline, Emily begins to realize that Newburn is a killer and is reluctant to answer his plea for help as the gangs and police begin to close in on the both of them.
Things get even more complicated in Issue #15 when a new player attempts to replace Newburn as fixer for the crime gangs and tries to enlist Emily as her assistant.
This at least buys Emily some more time as she explains to the Black Castle how Mario Albano died (not exactly as it occurred, but in a way that makes Emily appear as just a coerced accomplice).
Meanwhile, Newburn plays his last card, as he has something that boss Michael Albano wants and insists that they come to Newburn’s place to make the exchange. It gets violent and explosive. Many are presumed dead, including Newburn.
In the final issue, Emily is now working for the gangs with her new partner, doing the same job she did before with Newburn. But, how loyal is she to her associate, and is there a way to “burn” her and take over sole responsibility?
The final three issues are cleverly written and just like Newburn, Emily says it’s not about the money . . . she’s in it for “the puzzles, the truth at the end of the maze. It’s always there in the back of your head . . . The itch.”
A satisfactory ending that I won’t reveal more of. As crime comics go, this is one that I recommend.
September 7, 2024
This was really solid work. Loved the ending. Newburn's a giant prick, but Chip still manages to make you like him.
June 19, 2024
The "cop for crimelords" Newburn finds himself in trouble, as some of the lies and falsehoods he constructed, and hurt feelings he's caused, start to close in. His new partner Emily needs to make some decisions on how willing she is to stand by his side, particularly if it means going down with him.
I honestly could have read another two or three volumes of Newburn and Emily doing shady crime scene detective stuff, but if the story needed to end, it ended pretty well. It does a good job drawing out the core tension of the series: how does Emily feel about Newburn? Where are their loyalties, when the last bet goes in? I particularly liked the coda, where Emily and her new boss butt heads--it confirms what makes Newburn and Emily different from other people who may have their roles, and it does so without glorifying their own approach. They're not heroes, and they don't really care about justice. They're there to uncover things, to satisfy their own sense of closure. It's more fair than the alternative, which is all self-interest and sloth, and it's applied equally to more or less everyone, but ultimately, it's not really noble so much as an egotism that does a better job of keeping people in line. The story really walks the line between optimism and jadedness and it's pretty compelling as a result. I literally confused Jacob Phillips with Sean Phillips of the Criminal series; that's maybe a bit of a diss on JP's ability to do something distinctive, but if you're doing genre work, being confused with someone who's known as almost the epitome of crime graphic novels isn't the worst.
Also, I like the sheer size of it. In a world where graphic novel volumes typically range from 4 to 6 issues, an eight issue volume feels suitably meaty.
I honestly could have read another two or three volumes of Newburn and Emily doing shady crime scene detective stuff, but if the story needed to end, it ended pretty well. It does a good job drawing out the core tension of the series: how does Emily feel about Newburn? Where are their loyalties, when the last bet goes in? I particularly liked the coda, where Emily and her new boss butt heads--it confirms what makes Newburn and Emily different from other people who may have their roles, and it does so without glorifying their own approach. They're not heroes, and they don't really care about justice. They're there to uncover things, to satisfy their own sense of closure. It's more fair than the alternative, which is all self-interest and sloth, and it's applied equally to more or less everyone, but ultimately, it's not really noble so much as an egotism that does a better job of keeping people in line. The story really walks the line between optimism and jadedness and it's pretty compelling as a result. I literally confused Jacob Phillips with Sean Phillips of the Criminal series; that's maybe a bit of a diss on JP's ability to do something distinctive, but if you're doing genre work, being confused with someone who's known as almost the epitome of crime graphic novels isn't the worst.
Also, I like the sheer size of it. In a world where graphic novel volumes typically range from 4 to 6 issues, an eight issue volume feels suitably meaty.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2024
se me hizo largo el final
June 28, 2024
This is the second and final volume of Zdarsky's Newburn story, about an ex-cop in New York City who acts as a fixer and go-between for organized crime families. I like Zdarsky's writing a lot (and his art, too, on things like Sex Criminals and Public Domain). This volume neatly wraps up the story, which would make a great modern noir movie (it's too brief to be a Netflix or Prime series). I like Jacob Phillips' art; his style lies close to his father's, Sean Phillips, work and is also reminiscent of Jorge Fornes, but I'm not fond of his coloring. While I like this book's pallette, I don't like his style, which includes these weird rectangular highlights over faces, which just look awkward to me and calls me out of the story every time I see one. Zdarsky's writing and characterizations more than make up for that minor default, though. If you're going to read this, I recommend tackling both volumes at once; together they collect 16 issues (hopefully there will be a deluxe volume someday).
August 4, 2024
This is how you land a storyline well. Newburn ks an outstanding crime comic and one of the best Zdarsky titles I have read so far.
June 3, 2024
A bit more focused in this back half, with some stakes for characters we’re expected to have invested in, an incredibly polished and quick treatment of backstory exposition. Loved the extra short sweet stories in the back of the issues, too. Read in floppies. Loved it.
July 14, 2024
It's a bit clunky in the second half but gets the job done, lots of characters to juggle and they mostly succeed. The ending is predictable but enjoyable.
July 15, 2024
Amo Newburn. Podría leer un nuevo número cada semana. Una pena que termine, pero estará siempre entre mis cómics favoritos.
September 1, 2025
Chip Zdarsky’s Newburn (Volumes 1 and 2) is a masterclass in hard-boiled storytelling, a sleek, modern noir that feels like James Stewart, Cary Grant, and Lee Marvin were spliced into the reincarnation of Richard Stark’s Parker. Easton Newburn is no ordinary gumshoe—he’s the private detective who investigates for the mob itself, a setup that leads to the biting question, “Why the f### is a PRIVATE DETECTIVE investigating a Mafia murder?” From there the series plunges into a world where every answer carries lethal weight. “Knowledge is power, SAL. But once you release it into the WORLD… it’s no longer YOURS to CONTROL.” Alongside Newburn, we meet Angie, a sharp and restless apprentice who prefers “solving PROBLEMS” to writing about “stupid ‘metaphors,’” and soon finds herself drawn into the web of New York’s criminal underworld, where the dragon’s tongue they dance upon is always seconds from snapping shut.
Volume 2 tightens the screws to a blistering conclusion, bringing into question just how far Newburn is willing to go to protect his fragile balance between law, mafia, and his own conscience: “Would Newburn even go that far?” The mysteries deepen with unsolved murders, shifting loyalties, and sudden betrayals: “Nowhere is safe. We need to run—.” Yet Zdarsky refuses to paint his detective as untouchable; Newburn’s survival rests as much on wits as on raw negotiation: “I live, you live. And we all make money. It’s as easy as that.” The series reads like a perfectly tuned crime drama, taut with menace, sardonic humor, and a creeping dread that one false step will mean a bullet in the dark. Together, these two volumes form not just an excellent crime mystery, but one of the sharpest noir comics in years.
Quotes in this volume:
#9 - "Would Newburn even go that far?"
#10 - "Word has it he tried to pin a murder on YOU, a COLD CASE."
#11 - "I haven't solved the murder of his predecessor yet .. which means everyone thinks HE did it."
#12 - "Turn around slowly, hands up, and I won't push this--"
#13 - "Nowhere is safe. We need to run--"
#14 - "It's a simple yes or no question, Tony.. was this a hit by the Gianellis?"
#15 - "Emily Walker. You're requested at the Black Castle."
#16 - "I live, you live. And we all make money. It's as easy as that."
Volume 2 tightens the screws to a blistering conclusion, bringing into question just how far Newburn is willing to go to protect his fragile balance between law, mafia, and his own conscience: “Would Newburn even go that far?” The mysteries deepen with unsolved murders, shifting loyalties, and sudden betrayals: “Nowhere is safe. We need to run—.” Yet Zdarsky refuses to paint his detective as untouchable; Newburn’s survival rests as much on wits as on raw negotiation: “I live, you live. And we all make money. It’s as easy as that.” The series reads like a perfectly tuned crime drama, taut with menace, sardonic humor, and a creeping dread that one false step will mean a bullet in the dark. Together, these two volumes form not just an excellent crime mystery, but one of the sharpest noir comics in years.
Quotes in this volume:
#9 - "Would Newburn even go that far?"
#10 - "Word has it he tried to pin a murder on YOU, a COLD CASE."
#11 - "I haven't solved the murder of his predecessor yet .. which means everyone thinks HE did it."
#12 - "Turn around slowly, hands up, and I won't push this--"
#13 - "Nowhere is safe. We need to run--"
#14 - "It's a simple yes or no question, Tony.. was this a hit by the Gianellis?"
#15 - "Emily Walker. You're requested at the Black Castle."
#16 - "I live, you live. And we all make money. It's as easy as that."
October 23, 2024
Newburn kills Sydney to tie up that loose end. Unfortunately, this creates complications for Newburn. Natalie Serotta is a journalist writing an article about Newburn. She already has some leads as she approches Emily who refuses to answer any questions. Emily worries that Newburn would push her under the bus if push comes to shove. His standing with the families is shaky, but he tries to maintain the status quo. It's not looking good for him.
July 7, 2024
6.1
[opinia za całą serię]
Moje oczekiwania względem Zdarsky'ego słabną niestety z każdą kolejną serią, po którą sięgam. Do "Newburn" starałem się nie nastawiać w żaden konkretny sposób, choć przyznaję, że w jakiś sposób tytuł ten mnie do siebie przyciągał. Trudno jednak powiedzieć, aby spełnił jakieś wielkie oczekiwania, choć na pewno jest lepszy niż okropny "Stillwater". No i muszę wyrazić szacunek za - podjętą z tych czy innych powodów - decyzję o zamknięciu historii w 16 zeszytach, a nie ciągnięciu jej przez kilka kolejnych tomów...
Główny bohater mógłby być mniejszym zestawem klisz (zamkniętość spowodowana utratą kogoś bliskiego, doprawiana genialnością i bezkompromisowością). Flashbacki Emily oraz Newburna mogłyby być mniej absurdalne w swoim przełożeniu na ich obecną sytuację. Zamiast pędu i skoków między kolejnymi lokalizacjami w celu rozwiązania zagadki, moglibyśmy ostać coś powolniejszego, bardziej metodycznego i niebazującego na przekonaniu czytelnika, że tak już musi być, bo Newburn jest fantastyczny we wszystkim, co robi. W końcu też rozwiązanie kwestii Newburna mogłoby być mniej sztampowe i nie razić w kontekście intelektu i zasobów mafijnej triady.
Tak, zgrzytów, które psują całą zabawę jest tu sporo, ale ostatecznie "Newburn" - choć nie jest zwycięstwem Zdarsky'ego - nie jest też totalnie złą historią. Szkoda tylko, że część z największym potencjalem - czyli ta dotycząca dalszych losów bohaterów i zmian, jakie zaszły po pewnym ważnym wydarzeniu - jest tylko jej epilogiem.
[opinia za całą serię]
Moje oczekiwania względem Zdarsky'ego słabną niestety z każdą kolejną serią, po którą sięgam. Do "Newburn" starałem się nie nastawiać w żaden konkretny sposób, choć przyznaję, że w jakiś sposób tytuł ten mnie do siebie przyciągał. Trudno jednak powiedzieć, aby spełnił jakieś wielkie oczekiwania, choć na pewno jest lepszy niż okropny "Stillwater". No i muszę wyrazić szacunek za - podjętą z tych czy innych powodów - decyzję o zamknięciu historii w 16 zeszytach, a nie ciągnięciu jej przez kilka kolejnych tomów...
Główny bohater mógłby być mniejszym zestawem klisz (zamkniętość spowodowana utratą kogoś bliskiego, doprawiana genialnością i bezkompromisowością). Flashbacki Emily oraz Newburna mogłyby być mniej absurdalne w swoim przełożeniu na ich obecną sytuację. Zamiast pędu i skoków między kolejnymi lokalizacjami w celu rozwiązania zagadki, moglibyśmy ostać coś powolniejszego, bardziej metodycznego i niebazującego na przekonaniu czytelnika, że tak już musi być, bo Newburn jest fantastyczny we wszystkim, co robi. W końcu też rozwiązanie kwestii Newburna mogłoby być mniej sztampowe i nie razić w kontekście intelektu i zasobów mafijnej triady.
Tak, zgrzytów, które psują całą zabawę jest tu sporo, ale ostatecznie "Newburn" - choć nie jest zwycięstwem Zdarsky'ego - nie jest też totalnie złą historią. Szkoda tylko, że część z największym potencjalem - czyli ta dotycząca dalszych losów bohaterów i zmian, jakie zaszły po pewnym ważnym wydarzeniu - jest tylko jej epilogiem.
October 17, 2025
I gave four stars to the first volume, rounding up from 3.6 because of the art. Now I rate this 3 stars, because of the art by Jacob Phillips, the son of Sean Phillips, the GOAT of crime comix illustration. It's a mob story. Newburn is a former cop, former detective, now the mediator between several mobs: Mafia, Yakuza, Russians, and so on. He keeps them from wars, and (not surprisingly) knows incriminating evidence about all of them so they don't kill him. He's a tough, tight-lipped olderwhiet dude, apparently invinciple, wotking with a black woman, Emily, who seems to do little as his sidekick.
One of the mobs finds a way to punish him for some past mistake, involving his family, and he slaughters everyone in the leadership of that mob. But it doesn't solve anything, really. More people die, and so on, and it ends with a whimper. I see the bodycount may have led more people to give this a higher rating, but imho, eh. What's the point? It's a two star story with four star art.
One of the mobs finds a way to punish him for some past mistake, involving his family, and he slaughters everyone in the leadership of that mob. But it doesn't solve anything, really. More people die, and so on, and it ends with a whimper. I see the bodycount may have led more people to give this a higher rating, but imho, eh. What's the point? It's a two star story with four star art.
July 11, 2024
Good end to this story. Newburn is an ex-cop who works as a sort of detective for the mobs in New York, finding the "truth" behind various crimes and trying to head off mob wars, etc., trying to keep everyone happy (as much as that's possible). In the first volume, he came off as just a bit too perfect--always seemed to be ten steps ahead of everyone, never made a mistake, etc. Here, things start to fall apart as some of his secrets come back to haunt him. Emily, his protégé, isn't sure she can fully trust him, while at the same time, her ex-partner-in-crime comes back into her life. All of this, plus a flashback issue that fills in some of Newburn's background and how he came to his current status quo. It isn't perfect--I think there might be a couple of plot holes that aren't completely accounted for--but it's close. And the Jacob Philips artwork is very strong. Recommended.
September 2, 2024
Well, wow. I was disappointed by volume 1, but it all came together beautifully here. Did the series improve, or did I just not appreciate it before?
One definite change is that I no longer felt like the individual chapters were failed fairplay mysteries. Instead, it felt plausible for Newburn to breeze through them with his super-detective skills while my attention stayed focused on the main overarching plot. The characters have now been built up enough that I was invested in them, just in time for things to start falling apart for both Newburn and Emily. The media wants to topple them, the cops hate them, and the mob leaders are starting to resent them. Can they stay ahead of everyone and work out a way to survive, all while continuing to work the cases they're compelled to solve? It stays tense and interesting to the end.
One definite change is that I no longer felt like the individual chapters were failed fairplay mysteries. Instead, it felt plausible for Newburn to breeze through them with his super-detective skills while my attention stayed focused on the main overarching plot. The characters have now been built up enough that I was invested in them, just in time for things to start falling apart for both Newburn and Emily. The media wants to topple them, the cops hate them, and the mob leaders are starting to resent them. Can they stay ahead of everyone and work out a way to survive, all while continuing to work the cases they're compelled to solve? It stays tense and interesting to the end.
July 12, 2025
A very interesting concept with a pretty captivating, if not that original execution. Newburn is a cool character, a fully fledged out Wolf from Pulp Fiction, with a bit of Batman thrown into the mix (there is a scene here which is 100% a nod to Batman: Year One, even if Zdarsky made it on a subconscious level only).
The art is... Well. It's pretty good. It's not Sean Phillips though. I'm not saying it's clear nepotism or anything, but Jacob's style is to reminiscent of his father's to not notice the similarity, but it's not as good - sort of reminds me of earlier Sean Phillips (like Sleeper) but not as defined. I'm curious to see wether Jacob manages to escape his father's shadow, but here the art was servicable, and did not elevate the story.
All in all a very solid noir comic book, nothing revolutionary though.
The art is... Well. It's pretty good. It's not Sean Phillips though. I'm not saying it's clear nepotism or anything, but Jacob's style is to reminiscent of his father's to not notice the similarity, but it's not as good - sort of reminds me of earlier Sean Phillips (like Sleeper) but not as defined. I'm curious to see wether Jacob manages to escape his father's shadow, but here the art was servicable, and did not elevate the story.
All in all a very solid noir comic book, nothing revolutionary though.
September 8, 2025
I think after finishing the first volume a couple of hours ago, I’m starting to appreciate what Chip did with this book. I think he did justice to this specific side of the genre, despite all the intricacies and gang last names not being entirely my thing. Where he succeeded to me was, yes, making those elements legit, but, if you know Chip’s work, he excels in character. It was an interesting (but appropriate) choice to have Newburn’s origin be the penultimate issue because then, not only do you see why he is the way he is and where he comes from, but, what the stakes are for him at the 11th hour as it all comes closing in on him (his mother). Props to him — he must’ve had a whiteboard with every crime family and their last names and all these arrows pointing towards different directions to track this comic’s backstory.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2025
I truly forgot the explosive conclusion of the first Newburn volume, which perhaps flavored my enjoyment of this concluding volume. (There's not much grace given to those without a photographic memory.) Needless to say, Newburn's somewhat on the outs with the crime gangs he works for, so he shifts into survival mode. This, in turn, puts his protege, Emily, in an odd place where she might have to hunt him down.
The one-and-done nature of the first volume isn't evident here as all the issues build towards a big twisty conclusion (). I enjoyed it all fine, ultimately, but these two volumes really should be read back to back.
The one-and-done nature of the first volume isn't evident here as all the issues build towards a big twisty conclusion (). I enjoyed it all fine, ultimately, but these two volumes really should be read back to back.
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