The Loose End

by Dave Dwonch, Travis Hymel (illustrator)

In-debt screenwriter Steven Hollis is handed a ticket out of his dead-end lifestyle when the mob tasks him with killing the biggest exec in Hollywood.

Fans of Goodfellas will love this Hard Case Crime graphic novel from writer and artist duo Dave Dwonch and Travis Hymel.

The award-winning imprint Hard Case Crime presents a wacky story of guns, ganja, and gambling from writer Dave Dwonch and artist Travis Hymel.

Steven Hollis is a mild-mannered scriptwriter with a love for risk and reward. When he gambles his way into debt, the Mob offers him a one-way ticket from under their thumb. All he has to do is kill the biggest Hollywood executive in the industry…

However, plans derail when a trip to Mexico City turns sour. A drug deal gone wrong sets the cartel on the hunt for a rag-tag group of actors, writers, and executives as they have a no-holds-barred standoff!

If you’re a fan of cinema classics and a totally balls-to-the-walls action adventure, this is the book for you!

Collects The Loose End #1-4.

Genres: Comics

112 pages, Paperback

Published October 7, 2025

Reviews

[Books Over People]

I judged a book by its cover. Sue me. We all do it. This cover is AWESOME! The story is really good. The problem is the wrong artist was picked for this tale. The art isn't bad at all. It doesn't really fit the whole Hard Case vibe that this brand is known for. Travis Hymel is solid here, but he is better suited for his work on TMNT than this story. So, I am not rating it because I can't criticize his work because I could never do anything like this, but I just wanted the insides to look like the outsides.

[Shivesh · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure where the creators were taking the script, but it really does sound like it was a failed Netflix series or possibly a spec script that didn't get past storyboard stages. The art is serviceable but not memorable. Wish I just read this digitally and saved the money. Maybe with a good producer this would be a decent 6 episode crime series on a streaming platform.

[Ben A · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Loose End is a fun, little crime dramedy that was just wacky enough to work but still keep me guessing about what trouble the crew would be getting into next and I just love not knowing what's coming next.

Special Thanks to Hard Case Crime, Titan Comics and Edelweiss Plus for the digital ARC. This was given to me for an honest review.

[Greg Trosclair · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just not very good. It is a book filled with mashed up movies plots and little originality.