Trapped!

by Neil Gibson, Joe Stapleton

Joe is a professional poker commentator, till he gets fired. He's also a good player, but is increasingly frustrated by how the game is changing- it used to be about people, but now it is all about mathematics and game theory optimisation. It's becoming boring, hard to win and Joe wants out. But when Joe unintentionally gets tangled up with some drug dealers, he realises he is going to have to play poker as if his life depends on it...

150 pages, Paperback

Published August 4, 2024

Reviews

[Gary Varga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a gambler but played poker for fun (and literal pennies) in my youth. We weren't sure that we were playing it correctly but with all the variants I guess any old house rules using the basics and the rest agreed by all players works. Well, it did for us. We kept the same large bag of pennies for each week with the losers buy back a portion for the shared pot from the winner (never requiring a single note). So I have learnt from this book a lot about poker and more about the poker world.

This story spent a lot of time in the build up of the plot and the characters and, to be honest, I was a little concerned. Fortunately, the presentation of the subject matter was really engaging, the characters diverse and interesting, as well as the unfolding plot fascinating enough to maintain my curiosity.

With this Hollywood background in place, it was then like someone injected the nitro and it went along at a tremendous pace. Before I knew it the ending hit. I daren't say more as I don't want to spoil any reader's journey.

A thoroughly enjoyable read whether you like poker or not. The artwork, both illustration and colouring, really lends itself to and creates the tone of this tale and the lettering clearly carries this all through.

[Santiago Mansilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few poker comics out there and after reading "Trapped" I wish there were more, as I had a great time reading it. In the story we see Joe trying to get new contacts to work with, since he lost his job as a commentator for years. While playing some poker games he meets some dangerous drug dealers with whom he will be forced to work.

During the entertaining story, private poker games are shown in Los Angeles between businessmen, actors, scriptwriters and producers. Those who enjoyed the movie "Molly's Game" will be able to read something in the same mood in these pages.

I read the comic in just two days and I'm looking forward to reading a new adventure of Joe in the future. I hope so! Hats off to the real Joe and his team as they did a great job.

[Paul Seaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love poker but I’m not so frequent a comic book reader that I’d have found this on my own. However I know the work of Joe Stapleton (aka Stapes) in the game and I eagerly got my copy of this as soon as I could. Funny, imaginative, brilliantly brought to life on the page, it’s the best comic book I’ve read and a fantastic story that mixes danger with daring, comedy with pathos as the cartoon Joe struggles to survive in a new and threatening world. Hollywood nearly eats up the hero but there’s a sting in the tail and for once, Joe isn’t totally trapped after all. Magnificent. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Joe Whitfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

A witty and funny look at the game of poker from someone who is jaded and has lost interest in the game. It's a story more about the kinds of people you find at the table rather than the game itself and it moves at a solid pace.

At first, it felt like Trapped was building towards a disappointing finale, but as this is Twisted Comics, I should've known better. The last third of this book delivers a strong pay off to all of the build up and the conclusion is brilliantly out of pocket.

[Richard Tremblay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Histoire complète attrapée sur GlobalComix.

Intéressant mais un rien trop long, intrigue inexistante dans le milieu du high-stake poker, avec des personnages somme toute sympathiques.