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Mugshots #1
Brighton, UK. 2008. The kidnapping of a young woman starts a chain of events that will set con artists, gangsters, killers, and corrupt police on a collision course of violence. Meet John Bannan, self-proclaimed bastard and loving uncle, in this tale of family trauma, betrayal, murder, and revenge that threatens to bring the city’s whole underworld down. (DOUBLE-SIZED, 36 Page Issue)
- GenresComics
Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 25, 2024
Solid. Lot of characters... how long is this series?
December 26, 2024
1 / 5 Stars
Thank you to Mad Cave Comics and NetGalley for the ebook ARC.
Mugshots is about a detective (or spy) named John Bannam trying to track down his missing niece through sleuthing and kicking some behind. Family drama and A LOT of violent and brutal actions.
As much as I want to give positive comments to this piece, as every work of art has effort put forth, there is very little I enjoyed about this in particular. I DNF’D 40% into the story.
My biggest criticism of this comic is the pacing. This can be subjective for other readers reviewing this piece, but it’s blatant when we go from one scene to another in the same chapter with NO written or explained transition. I noticed this in the beginning when John was walking away from a scene without being noticed and his former criminal colleague getting punished, but didn’t think much of it because it was small. Maybe they didn’t see him? But it became more obvious in the scene where John talks to his friend on the pier then a whole other person in the next panel. Not the next page or something with a transition…but the next PANEL? And nothing indicating it. It made reading it confusing when there was little indication of what was happening.
One piece of dialogue that stuck with me was a character referencing seeing Taken, as this story takes place in the late 2000s when Taken was released in theaters. This is important to note because my brief description at the beginning is literally taken. Both spies, or beat-em-up secret good guys (idk), find their missing girl and track them down using serious sleuthing while beating up others. I know it’s a far stretch but that comment made this story feel like it had less of an identity than it already had.
The only positive I have is the art. That’s why I picked it up. It reminded me of early Boomerang cartoons mixed with early DC Animated Shows like Superman. The main character, John, has a Superman chin (for better or for worse). Even then, some of the characters look more or less the same sometimes. There was one scene where the father of Grace, the missing girl, confronts the boss and I had a hard time keeping track because they both looked alike.
I feel I could go on with the mundane dialogue or plot but I just really did not enjoy this book. It’s a shame because I really wanted to like it but I couldn’t get into it.
I guess that’s one mystery solved: my star rating for this book.
Thank you to Mad Cave Comics and NetGalley for the ebook ARC.
Mugshots is about a detective (or spy) named John Bannam trying to track down his missing niece through sleuthing and kicking some behind. Family drama and A LOT of violent and brutal actions.
As much as I want to give positive comments to this piece, as every work of art has effort put forth, there is very little I enjoyed about this in particular. I DNF’D 40% into the story.
My biggest criticism of this comic is the pacing. This can be subjective for other readers reviewing this piece, but it’s blatant when we go from one scene to another in the same chapter with NO written or explained transition. I noticed this in the beginning when John was walking away from a scene without being noticed and his former criminal colleague getting punished, but didn’t think much of it because it was small. Maybe they didn’t see him? But it became more obvious in the scene where John talks to his friend on the pier then a whole other person in the next panel. Not the next page or something with a transition…but the next PANEL? And nothing indicating it. It made reading it confusing when there was little indication of what was happening.
One piece of dialogue that stuck with me was a character referencing seeing Taken, as this story takes place in the late 2000s when Taken was released in theaters. This is important to note because my brief description at the beginning is literally taken. Both spies, or beat-em-up secret good guys (idk), find their missing girl and track them down using serious sleuthing while beating up others. I know it’s a far stretch but that comment made this story feel like it had less of an identity than it already had.
The only positive I have is the art. That’s why I picked it up. It reminded me of early Boomerang cartoons mixed with early DC Animated Shows like Superman. The main character, John, has a Superman chin (for better or for worse). Even then, some of the characters look more or less the same sometimes. There was one scene where the father of Grace, the missing girl, confronts the boss and I had a hard time keeping track because they both looked alike.
I feel I could go on with the mundane dialogue or plot but I just really did not enjoy this book. It’s a shame because I really wanted to like it but I couldn’t get into it.
I guess that’s one mystery solved: my star rating for this book.
January 11, 2025
The simplicity and brilliance of the blue-toned cover immediately drew me into this graphic novel. From the introduction, I gained a clear overview of the plot, setting the stage for a gripping story of crime and betrayal. It quickly became evident that this was not just a tale of criminals working together but also against one another.
The core narrative follows the kidnapping of a young girl and her uncle’s relentless attempt to rescue her. However, it soon becomes apparent that even the uncle’s past is far from spotless. As the story unfolds, layers of corruption and involvement in shady dealings are revealed. The novel does not shy away from depicting violence in all its brutality. Far from romanticizing crime, it offers a raw, unfiltered portrayal of violence’s harsh reality—a point explicitly stated by the author in the preface.
The pacing fluctuated throughout the story. Some sections felt abrupt and rushed, while others stretched out in greater detail. Despite this variation, the central question remained compelling: Would the girl be found, and at what cost? This question kept me hooked until the very end.
For me, one of the most unsettling aspects was the depiction of human trafficking. Although I anticipated graphic content from the introduction, these scenes were particularly disturbing.
While the use of coarse and derogatory language suited the gritty nature of the story, I sometimes found it difficult to digest.
Visually, the graphic novel was captivating. The art style, with its clear and deliberate color palette, perfectly matched the dark tone of the narrative. The masterful use of light and shadow heightened the drama, creating striking and memorable imagery that left a lasting impression on me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
The core narrative follows the kidnapping of a young girl and her uncle’s relentless attempt to rescue her. However, it soon becomes apparent that even the uncle’s past is far from spotless. As the story unfolds, layers of corruption and involvement in shady dealings are revealed. The novel does not shy away from depicting violence in all its brutality. Far from romanticizing crime, it offers a raw, unfiltered portrayal of violence’s harsh reality—a point explicitly stated by the author in the preface.
The pacing fluctuated throughout the story. Some sections felt abrupt and rushed, while others stretched out in greater detail. Despite this variation, the central question remained compelling: Would the girl be found, and at what cost? This question kept me hooked until the very end.
For me, one of the most unsettling aspects was the depiction of human trafficking. Although I anticipated graphic content from the introduction, these scenes were particularly disturbing.
While the use of coarse and derogatory language suited the gritty nature of the story, I sometimes found it difficult to digest.
Visually, the graphic novel was captivating. The art style, with its clear and deliberate color palette, perfectly matched the dark tone of the narrative. The masterful use of light and shadow heightened the drama, creating striking and memorable imagery that left a lasting impression on me.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!
January 18, 2025
Thank you to Mad Cave Studios and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Listen, I think this had so much potential, it really does. The art style was well fitting towards the style of the graphic novel- rough, quick, and edgy. The idea for this story is brilliant, and it had so much potential; it's not often you get to read something about Brighton's gang-crime in a visual format. However, the execution of the story was mediocre. It was too cliché, especially the ending (no spoilers). It's this typical "bad guy who's actually good" story with unnecessary Albanian subplot. I really enjoyed it though, simple, easy to get through.
Listen, I think this had so much potential, it really does. The art style was well fitting towards the style of the graphic novel- rough, quick, and edgy. The idea for this story is brilliant, and it had so much potential; it's not often you get to read something about Brighton's gang-crime in a visual format. However, the execution of the story was mediocre. It was too cliché, especially the ending (no spoilers). It's this typical "bad guy who's actually good" story with unnecessary Albanian subplot. I really enjoyed it though, simple, easy to get through.
January 2, 2025
I love comics. They are a great and versatile medium. I read superheroes mostly, but I love a good crime comic.
Mugshots fits that bill perfectly.
Mugshots tells the story of a kidnapping in London that sets off a chain of events. Front and center to this case is John Bannan. Uncle to the kidnapped girl and a bit of a marked man.
The story took me right in and didn’t let me go until the end. I felt like I was right there in the action.
The artwork was great. It seemed both detailed and still kind of simplistic, if that makes sense.
Mugshots fits that bill perfectly.
Mugshots tells the story of a kidnapping in London that sets off a chain of events. Front and center to this case is John Bannan. Uncle to the kidnapped girl and a bit of a marked man.
The story took me right in and didn’t let me go until the end. I felt like I was right there in the action.
The artwork was great. It seemed both detailed and still kind of simplistic, if that makes sense.
dnf
January 26, 2025I recieved an ARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
The pacing was so disjointed that it made me feel lost most of the time. The art style wasn't my favorite, with exclusively monochrome panels that didn't make an effort to keep you hooked visually. And the plot was too much like movies we've all seen a thousand times and more often than not are part of the military entertainment complex of the US army. If i hadn't liked only the story or only the art style I would've been able to push through, but ultimately there's nothing in here for me.
The pacing was so disjointed that it made me feel lost most of the time. The art style wasn't my favorite, with exclusively monochrome panels that didn't make an effort to keep you hooked visually. And the plot was too much like movies we've all seen a thousand times and more often than not are part of the military entertainment complex of the US army. If i hadn't liked only the story or only the art style I would've been able to push through, but ultimately there's nothing in here for me.
May 19, 2024
[3.3]
A little local gangster/crime story. I liked the art, despite being monochrome. Characterful and attractive. I liked the writing enough. There's a lot of characters being introduced, but it's done pretty well. What's perhaps most important is that I am interested in what will happen next
A little local gangster/crime story. I liked the art, despite being monochrome. Characterful and attractive. I liked the writing enough. There's a lot of characters being introduced, but it's done pretty well. What's perhaps most important is that I am interested in what will happen next
December 3, 2024
Not for me. The story felt really dragged out. The art was okay, I understand what they're trying to go fo but it didn't work for me. Maybe it was the shade of blue. I don't know, but I couldn't continue reading. It didn't hook me.
January 16, 2025
I really enjoyed the art style of it all, The story was a little weaker, but i really loved how it looked and the style.
Thanks for the ARC
Thanks for the ARC
January 9, 2025
There has been and always will be a darker side to society.
John Bannan must return to Brighton to find his niece, Grace, that has gone missing. Much to his chagrin, he learns that she was dating an infamous crime lord’s son before she went missing. As John reconnects with old friends to assist in the search for Grace, he must dodge criminals and police alike, that are both after his head.
While I do not condone the actions of the characters in this graphic novel, they are “no different than a thousand other thieves and crooks that have washed up here over the centuries”, but you find yourself hoping for a cathartic ending. It is worth the read.
John Bannan must return to Brighton to find his niece, Grace, that has gone missing. Much to his chagrin, he learns that she was dating an infamous crime lord’s son before she went missing. As John reconnects with old friends to assist in the search for Grace, he must dodge criminals and police alike, that are both after his head.
While I do not condone the actions of the characters in this graphic novel, they are “no different than a thousand other thieves and crooks that have washed up here over the centuries”, but you find yourself hoping for a cathartic ending. It is worth the read.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews