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Lady Killer
Lady Killer, Volume 1
Josie Schuller is a picture-perfect homemaker, wife, and mother—but she’s also a ruthless, efficient killer! She’s balanced cheerful domestic bliss with coldly performed assassinations, but when Josie finds herself in the crosshairs, her American Dream life is in danger! Collects Lady Killer #1–#5.
“A level of violence that can only be described as Mad Men’s Betty Draper meets Dexter.”—Comic Book Resources
“Lady Killer somehow manages to perfectly incorporate the quaint concept of the 1950s TV housewife with blood-fueled antics of vicious killer for hire.”—IGN
“A level of violence that can only be described as Mad Men’s Betty Draper meets Dexter.”—Comic Book Resources
“Lady Killer somehow manages to perfectly incorporate the quaint concept of the 1950s TV housewife with blood-fueled antics of vicious killer for hire.”—IGN
136 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2015
69 people are currently reading
7683 people want to read
About the author
Joëlle Jones
265 books394 followersJoëlle Jones is an American comic book artist based in Los Angeles.
Jones attended the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland and has worked with a number of comics publishers, including DC, Marvel, Boom, Oni Press. She wrote and drew her own series Lady Killer, published by Dark Horse comics.
Jones has also provided illustration work for a number of clients, including Prada and the New York Times.
Jones attended the Pacific Northwest College of Art in Portland and has worked with a number of comics publishers, including DC, Marvel, Boom, Oni Press. She wrote and drew her own series Lady Killer, published by Dark Horse comics.
Jones has also provided illustration work for a number of clients, including Prada and the New York Times.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,043 reviews
August 31, 2025
(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: Quick and fun, if underdone, weak meat beneath its skin, well worthwhile for art and style, but plot's extremely thin.
Notes: Quick and fun, if underdone, weak meat beneath its skin, well worthwhile for art and style, but plot's extremely thin.
February 27, 2018
This book was super fun and a bit gory. Just a bit 😄
Good graphics and I enjoyed the storyline!
Happy Reading!
Mel ❤️
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
AMAZON: REVIEW
Good graphics and I enjoyed the storyline!
Happy Reading!
Mel ❤️
MY BLOG: Melissa Martin's Reading List
AMAZON: REVIEW
October 9, 2019
A female assassin (Josie) in the 1950s tries to balance her work life (killing the shit out of people) with her home life (happy housewife and doting mother).
When her family is perceived as a weakness, and her life is threatened by the very folks she works for, Josie fights back and all hell breaks loose.
The story isn't all that...well, it skims the idea of the plot. It's not an in-depth sort of thing like Velvet, it's more of a silly version (<--in a good way) of a story. So, you aren't getting the backstory on how Josie became Josie-the-Assassin or how Josie became Josie-the-Housewife.
She's ruthless...until she's not.
Again, not really any depth. However, that's not to say it wasn't an excellent comic. I know it sounds like maybe I didn't like it, but that's not true.
The art is the star here and really makes it worth diving into, even if the pot is a tad thin. I'd certainly like to get my hands on the second volume and see if it brings to light a bit more of Josie's origins. There really is something extremely readable about the way this whole thing is put together.
Ugh. I'm botching this review.
Point is, I enjoyed the whole thing and would love to read more.
There. The end.
When her family is perceived as a weakness, and her life is threatened by the very folks she works for, Josie fights back and all hell breaks loose.
The story isn't all that...well, it skims the idea of the plot. It's not an in-depth sort of thing like Velvet, it's more of a silly version (<--in a good way) of a story. So, you aren't getting the backstory on how Josie became Josie-the-Assassin or how Josie became Josie-the-Housewife.
She's ruthless...until she's not.
Again, not really any depth. However, that's not to say it wasn't an excellent comic. I know it sounds like maybe I didn't like it, but that's not true.
The art is the star here and really makes it worth diving into, even if the pot is a tad thin. I'd certainly like to get my hands on the second volume and see if it brings to light a bit more of Josie's origins. There really is something extremely readable about the way this whole thing is put together.
Ugh. I'm botching this review.
Point is, I enjoyed the whole thing and would love to read more.
There. The end.
November 2, 2020
As I continue to explore the world of graphic novels it’s great to get recommendations from goodreads friends, and I thank Joe for this suggestion.
Lady killer is the creation of Joëlle Jones who drew the pictures and wrote the words.
The setting is a masterly pastiche of 1960’s America. Josie Schuller is a stereotypical, home making ‘mom’. She’s attractive, well coiffured, attentive to her two little girls and husband and runs a beautiful, homely household.
Unknown to those around her, she is also an ultra violent, cold blooded assassin 😱
This wonderful juxtaposition of Josie’s secret life, set against the norms of the period and her mildly misogynistic husband, form the backbone of the story.
Amidst this wonderfully over-the-top slash fest, Josie pits her wits against Peck, her debonair handler, and Frau Schuller her severe, disapproving and very suspicious mother in law.
The text is minimal but razor sharp and witty. Without wasting words the dialogue complements the artwork perfectly. I’m beginning to understand the relationship between words and pictures. The images move the story along and contain the detail, the subtlety - facial expressions, humour, world building etc ......... the words are there to enhance, the icing on the cake.
What isn’t needed is a novel squeezed into speech bubbles.
This funny, provocative and beautifully drawn graphic novel is my genre favourite so far.
Loved it - very much recommended!
Lady killer is the creation of Joëlle Jones who drew the pictures and wrote the words.
The setting is a masterly pastiche of 1960’s America. Josie Schuller is a stereotypical, home making ‘mom’. She’s attractive, well coiffured, attentive to her two little girls and husband and runs a beautiful, homely household.
Unknown to those around her, she is also an ultra violent, cold blooded assassin 😱
This wonderful juxtaposition of Josie’s secret life, set against the norms of the period and her mildly misogynistic husband, form the backbone of the story.
Amidst this wonderfully over-the-top slash fest, Josie pits her wits against Peck, her debonair handler, and Frau Schuller her severe, disapproving and very suspicious mother in law.
The text is minimal but razor sharp and witty. Without wasting words the dialogue complements the artwork perfectly. I’m beginning to understand the relationship between words and pictures. The images move the story along and contain the detail, the subtlety - facial expressions, humour, world building etc ......... the words are there to enhance, the icing on the cake.
What isn’t needed is a novel squeezed into speech bubbles.
This funny, provocative and beautifully drawn graphic novel is my genre favourite so far.
Loved it - very much recommended!
October 25, 2016
This is a tongue-in-cheek collection about a 1950’s housewife, who moonlights as an assassin. It could use a little more tongue and less cheek, but otherwise it’s fairly entertaining.
The writing gets talky and bogged down midway when the killer agency overlord questions mom’s continued usefulness as an agent of death.
The concept doesn’t seem sustainable beyond this five issue collection and the satirical twist on the idyllic ‘50’s seems on dangerously thin ice by the last issue. By volumes end, the plot line really goes south and Joelle Jones seems to be grasping at straws with a violent, bloody wrap-up.
Bottom line: Despite the drawbacks, this is fun in a dark, psychopathic nightmarish kind of way. It’s as if Ed Brubaker wrote a twisted version of Leave It to Beaver, but used half his brain.
The writing gets talky and bogged down midway when the killer agency overlord questions mom’s continued usefulness as an agent of death.
The concept doesn’t seem sustainable beyond this five issue collection and the satirical twist on the idyllic ‘50’s seems on dangerously thin ice by the last issue. By volumes end, the plot line really goes south and Joelle Jones seems to be grasping at straws with a violent, bloody wrap-up.
Bottom line: Despite the drawbacks, this is fun in a dark, psychopathic nightmarish kind of way. It’s as if Ed Brubaker wrote a twisted version of Leave It to Beaver, but used half his brain.
November 26, 2017
I'm in love with Lady Killer.
The Dark Horse comic book with a story by Joëlle Jones & Jamie S. Rich, artwork by Joëlle Jones and colors by Laura Allred debuted in September 2015 and issues #1-5 are bound here, with a sketchbook of character designs and spoof ads. I'm not a comic book buyer because of my literary (and cheapskate) belief that one purchase should equal one story. I don't like getting into a narrative and being told to pop more quarters in the machine. To my pleasure and surprise, this female empowered, action-packed and cheeky volume does contain a beginning, middle and end, along with killer artwork that made me feel alive.
The story involves Mrs. Josie Schuller, a housewife and mom of two blonde girls who judging by her proximity to the Century 21 Exposition, lives in Seattle of 1962. As far as her amiable husband Gene and neighbors are concerned, Josie manages the household and volunteers at a hospice. This is a facade for Josie's secret fifteen years running as an contract killer. Demonstrating an aversion to firearms and none for getting bloody, she's fielded contracts and sometimes assisted by a playboy named Peck, who also works for her boss, Mr. Stenholm. When the big boss begins to doubt the little lady's commitment to her work, he decides to have Josie terminated. Bad idea.
Lady Killer #1 is small but perfect. While the concept of a female killer-for-hire in the suburbs wouldn't have had much agency in the present day, the contrast between the wholesome conformity of the Space Age and the splatter of blood (household stains being a cultural hanging offense in those times) is as playful as it is powerful. Light and darker elements are well-balanced, both in the story and the artwork, which are equally strong and produce an exciting narrative with plenty of forward momentum. The set pieces include a kitchen, a strip club and saving the best for last, the Seattle World's Fair, all unfolding thrillingly and illustrated gorgeously.
Rather than make Josie Schuller a sociopath, Joëlle Jones selects a favorite sub-genre of mine: the professional on the job. Nothing about Josie's past or her feelings are stated. Instead, we get to know her by watching her work: She likes using her hands, announcing herself before attack and keeping business separate from home. She dislikes firearms, party guests who can't handle their alcohol and peers with sloppy work ethic. Josie Schuller is a compelling character, using her brain as much as her body to work through problems, work being the key word, in an era where there were few opportunities for women to do so outside the hearth.
I'd like to see Lady Killer #2 find Josie balancing the tedium of running a business with the challenges of keeping the spark in her marriage alive.
The Dark Horse comic book with a story by Joëlle Jones & Jamie S. Rich, artwork by Joëlle Jones and colors by Laura Allred debuted in September 2015 and issues #1-5 are bound here, with a sketchbook of character designs and spoof ads. I'm not a comic book buyer because of my literary (and cheapskate) belief that one purchase should equal one story. I don't like getting into a narrative and being told to pop more quarters in the machine. To my pleasure and surprise, this female empowered, action-packed and cheeky volume does contain a beginning, middle and end, along with killer artwork that made me feel alive.
The story involves Mrs. Josie Schuller, a housewife and mom of two blonde girls who judging by her proximity to the Century 21 Exposition, lives in Seattle of 1962. As far as her amiable husband Gene and neighbors are concerned, Josie manages the household and volunteers at a hospice. This is a facade for Josie's secret fifteen years running as an contract killer. Demonstrating an aversion to firearms and none for getting bloody, she's fielded contracts and sometimes assisted by a playboy named Peck, who also works for her boss, Mr. Stenholm. When the big boss begins to doubt the little lady's commitment to her work, he decides to have Josie terminated. Bad idea.
Lady Killer #1 is small but perfect. While the concept of a female killer-for-hire in the suburbs wouldn't have had much agency in the present day, the contrast between the wholesome conformity of the Space Age and the splatter of blood (household stains being a cultural hanging offense in those times) is as playful as it is powerful. Light and darker elements are well-balanced, both in the story and the artwork, which are equally strong and produce an exciting narrative with plenty of forward momentum. The set pieces include a kitchen, a strip club and saving the best for last, the Seattle World's Fair, all unfolding thrillingly and illustrated gorgeously.
Rather than make Josie Schuller a sociopath, Joëlle Jones selects a favorite sub-genre of mine: the professional on the job. Nothing about Josie's past or her feelings are stated. Instead, we get to know her by watching her work: She likes using her hands, announcing herself before attack and keeping business separate from home. She dislikes firearms, party guests who can't handle their alcohol and peers with sloppy work ethic. Josie Schuller is a compelling character, using her brain as much as her body to work through problems, work being the key word, in an era where there were few opportunities for women to do so outside the hearth.
I'd like to see Lady Killer #2 find Josie balancing the tedium of running a business with the challenges of keeping the spark in her marriage alive.
October 17, 2018
Wow - very interesting! Action packed! No punches pulled!
Did you see that movie True Lies? Well what if it wasn't Arnold Schwarzenegger hiding his secret agent life from Jamie Lee Curtis? What if Jamie Lee was a 1950s/60s housewife hiding her secret agent life from Arnold?
Action packed and risque at times. Not for the sensitive and feint of heart. But, if you are okay watching a mild-mannered housewife go from cooking a pot roast to stabbing some guy in the eye with a knife that would make Michael Meyers jealous, then this just might be the graphic novel for you! (Oh! Another Jamie Lee pop-culture reference - more points for me!)
And, as always, with graphic novels I have to comment on the art. I would say that the art is very good and is a cross between Archer and Aeon Flux. I thought it was perfect for the story!
If you like your secret agent stories shaken with a twist, I think you should give this one a go.
Did you see that movie True Lies? Well what if it wasn't Arnold Schwarzenegger hiding his secret agent life from Jamie Lee Curtis? What if Jamie Lee was a 1950s/60s housewife hiding her secret agent life from Arnold?
Action packed and risque at times. Not for the sensitive and feint of heart. But, if you are okay watching a mild-mannered housewife go from cooking a pot roast to stabbing some guy in the eye with a knife that would make Michael Meyers jealous, then this just might be the graphic novel for you! (Oh! Another Jamie Lee pop-culture reference - more points for me!)
And, as always, with graphic novels I have to comment on the art. I would say that the art is very good and is a cross between Archer and Aeon Flux. I thought it was perfect for the story!
If you like your secret agent stories shaken with a twist, I think you should give this one a go.
July 14, 2018
It's odd that I'm giving this adult graphic novel four stars instead of five. (Actually, what's really odd is that I read it in the first place).
It is far more artistic, clear to read, and cohesive in plot than just about any other in its genre, but, the interesting part is, it was so well-done, I came to have actual expectations for it, and when I encountered a couple of sloppy transitions at the end, I felt disappointed (thus the loss of one star).
This is a story centered around Josie Schuller, the hottest femme fatale to hit pen and ink since Jessica Rabbit.
Josie's everything a man ever wanted from a wife in the early 1950s. . . she's hot, she's quiet, and she knows how to throw together a jello mold for a last minute dinner.
She's a devoted wife and a mother of two. She volunteers at hospice and bake sales, too. And, oh yeah, she's a lady killer. Not a killer of ladies (well, she does kill a few), but a killer who's a lady.
A hot lady killer.
And, before you know it. . . you're like. . . but, why does she kill? Why has she killed for an agency for 15 years? Does she do it for pay, and, if so, where's the money? Why does she use a knife instead of a gun? And, how does her husband never notice that her arms are as brawny as a man's?
I'm trying to let you know that. . . yes, you become invested and you want to know more.
It's a violent graphic novel, incredibly violent at the end, but there's a brilliant tongue in cheek quality to it.
It's strangely empowering. . . not that Josie kills, but that she has such a subversive lifestyle that is so. . . sticking it to the man.
When her husband says to her at the end, “you know. . . earning money of your own might teach you a little something about business, and the pride of accomplishment,” it made me want to throw up in my mouth a little, realizing how often men spoke to their wives back then like they were children instead of partners.
But, after reading Josie's response, I knew with confidence that there was a Lady Killer #2 and that this was one housewife who was going to have the last, twisted laugh.
It is far more artistic, clear to read, and cohesive in plot than just about any other in its genre, but, the interesting part is, it was so well-done, I came to have actual expectations for it, and when I encountered a couple of sloppy transitions at the end, I felt disappointed (thus the loss of one star).
This is a story centered around Josie Schuller, the hottest femme fatale to hit pen and ink since Jessica Rabbit.
Josie's everything a man ever wanted from a wife in the early 1950s. . . she's hot, she's quiet, and she knows how to throw together a jello mold for a last minute dinner.
She's a devoted wife and a mother of two. She volunteers at hospice and bake sales, too. And, oh yeah, she's a lady killer. Not a killer of ladies (well, she does kill a few), but a killer who's a lady.
A hot lady killer.
And, before you know it. . . you're like. . . but, why does she kill? Why has she killed for an agency for 15 years? Does she do it for pay, and, if so, where's the money? Why does she use a knife instead of a gun? And, how does her husband never notice that her arms are as brawny as a man's?
I'm trying to let you know that. . . yes, you become invested and you want to know more.
It's a violent graphic novel, incredibly violent at the end, but there's a brilliant tongue in cheek quality to it.
It's strangely empowering. . . not that Josie kills, but that she has such a subversive lifestyle that is so. . . sticking it to the man.
When her husband says to her at the end, “you know. . . earning money of your own might teach you a little something about business, and the pride of accomplishment,” it made me want to throw up in my mouth a little, realizing how often men spoke to their wives back then like they were children instead of partners.
But, after reading Josie's response, I knew with confidence that there was a Lady Killer #2 and that this was one housewife who was going to have the last, twisted laugh.
December 5, 2016
Josie Schuller is the stereotypical 1960s housewife/mom - and a secret assassin! But when the organisation decides she’s a liability to be disposed of, Josie must use all her skills to neutralise the threat and keep her family alive.
Lady Killer is a bloody brilliant comic! It’s not the most original premise but Jamie S. Rich and Joelle Jones still pull off a very compelling action thriller period piece. The juxtaposition between domestic bliss and graphic violence works well without seeming jarring which says a lot about the writing. I also really liked Josie’s complex character: she’s a caring wife/mother/friend but also a stone cold killer - that she uses only knives on her hits (it’s quieter, which symbolically fits in with keeping her double life quiet) was a nice and chilling touch.
Jones’ artwork is beautiful as always with some very kinetic, big screen moments like an awesome car chase, a hit that threatens to go south, and the finale at the World’s Fair. Laura Allred’s colours add to the appealing visuals, bringing ‘60s Americana to vivid life.
The one critique I would give it is the about-turn in the middle of the story when Josie’s employer decides to kill her off. The motivation behind that decision is so unconvincing: they think the double life will become too much for her and she’ll snap even though there’s no evidence indicating this - it’s a classic case of being told rather than shown something, and it makes no sense. It’s especially stupid as the next scene gives the employer a far better reason to off Josie.
So she’s tasked with killing a kid who saw some things and she doesn’t follow through with it out of compassion. Right then and there that shows that she can’t follow orders anymore and that she’s made the organisation vulnerable because she’s gone soft. That’s a way better motive than “Uh, she might lose it in the near future because she’s got a family and, uh, the, uh…”
Anyway, it’s a relatively minor point and didn’t stop me from enjoying the book overall. Fans of Ed Brubaker/Steve Epting’s Velvet will definitely get a kick out of this one as will anyone looking for an entertaining Mr and Mrs Smith-style caper - Lady Killer is wonderfully stylish violent fun.
Lady Killer is a bloody brilliant comic! It’s not the most original premise but Jamie S. Rich and Joelle Jones still pull off a very compelling action thriller period piece. The juxtaposition between domestic bliss and graphic violence works well without seeming jarring which says a lot about the writing. I also really liked Josie’s complex character: she’s a caring wife/mother/friend but also a stone cold killer - that she uses only knives on her hits (it’s quieter, which symbolically fits in with keeping her double life quiet) was a nice and chilling touch.
Jones’ artwork is beautiful as always with some very kinetic, big screen moments like an awesome car chase, a hit that threatens to go south, and the finale at the World’s Fair. Laura Allred’s colours add to the appealing visuals, bringing ‘60s Americana to vivid life.
The one critique I would give it is the about-turn in the middle of the story when Josie’s employer decides to kill her off. The motivation behind that decision is so unconvincing: they think the double life will become too much for her and she’ll snap even though there’s no evidence indicating this - it’s a classic case of being told rather than shown something, and it makes no sense. It’s especially stupid as the next scene gives the employer a far better reason to off Josie.
So she’s tasked with killing a kid who saw some things and she doesn’t follow through with it out of compassion. Right then and there that shows that she can’t follow orders anymore and that she’s made the organisation vulnerable because she’s gone soft. That’s a way better motive than “Uh, she might lose it in the near future because she’s got a family and, uh, the, uh…”
Anyway, it’s a relatively minor point and didn’t stop me from enjoying the book overall. Fans of Ed Brubaker/Steve Epting’s Velvet will definitely get a kick out of this one as will anyone looking for an entertaining Mr and Mrs Smith-style caper - Lady Killer is wonderfully stylish violent fun.
December 13, 2018
What a fantastic series. I hope we get to see more of Josie in the future. Josie is a 50's stay at home mother with a secret, she's also an assassin for hire. I love the play on the 50's aesthetics. Joelle Jones knocks it out of the park. It's like her art was made just for this book.
February 12, 2018
It's a fine comic series having bloody murders. It's not for light heart readers though.
A house wife who is a contract killer. One day, she gets a task to kill an orphan kid. She tries it too but can't make herself to kill an orphan kid. Her boss is trying to kill her as she is becoming unworthy. So she, with other two rebels, plans to kill the boss.
I am not gonna read the second volume of this series. #Sorrynotsorry
11 February, 2018
A house wife who is a contract killer. One day, she gets a task to kill an orphan kid. She tries it too but can't make herself to kill an orphan kid. Her boss is trying to kill her as she is becoming unworthy. So she, with other two rebels, plans to kill the boss.
I am not gonna read the second volume of this series. #Sorrynotsorry
11 February, 2018
January 12, 2022
Okay, wow, this thing has A LOT of style.
But I’m not convinced that Jones was quite sure about the story she wanted to tell. I mean, in the introduction she calls Josie (the main character) a serial killer. And she closes it by saying this:
Sounds like this is going to be evil.
She also says that she wanted to write a different female character. Not the ones that pop culture reflects back to us; the weak ones that are plagued by self-doubt and don’t come close to passing the Bechdel test. Well, first of all, Josie is a 60s housewife that moonlights as an assassin. Maybe I just struggle with the language here. But assassin and serial killer are two different things, right? And secondly, yes, she isn’t a weak character, but she’s still the one that grows a heart while the men here are actually the ruthless ones. I guess you could say that there’s some character growth there while the men are standing still. Except there isn’t really any character growth. Things just happen. One day she’s a ruthless killer. And the next she wants out and from there on only kills the bad guys.
Not saying that this wasn’t fun. But we very quickly move from one point in the story to the next with some who-cares-how-we-got-here in between. There is an overarching plotline. Jones just decided to skip all the rest.
But boy, does it look cool.
The ads:
The Pan Am aesthetics:
The housewife-secretly-being-a-killer lifestyle that was all the rage in the 60s, I … uh … suppose:
I’ll read the second volume simply because I enjoy looking at it so much. Although it got a little too gory in the last issue and I’m very confused by the fact that I find the main character both sexy and am totally creeped out by her. I don’t know what to think of this. Maybe that’s my type? Seriously, though, what’s wrong with her mouth?
Creepy.
But I’m not convinced that Jones was quite sure about the story she wanted to tell. I mean, in the introduction she calls Josie (the main character) a serial killer. And she closes it by saying this:
I’ll leave you with this thought: maybe the reason we all picture serial killers as schlubby, middle-aged white guys is because they are the ones who get caught.
Happy reading.
Sounds like this is going to be evil.
She also says that she wanted to write a different female character. Not the ones that pop culture reflects back to us; the weak ones that are plagued by self-doubt and don’t come close to passing the Bechdel test. Well, first of all, Josie is a 60s housewife that moonlights as an assassin. Maybe I just struggle with the language here. But assassin and serial killer are two different things, right? And secondly, yes, she isn’t a weak character, but she’s still the one that grows a heart while the men here are actually the ruthless ones. I guess you could say that there’s some character growth there while the men are standing still. Except there isn’t really any character growth. Things just happen. One day she’s a ruthless killer. And the next she wants out and from there on only kills the bad guys.
Not saying that this wasn’t fun. But we very quickly move from one point in the story to the next with some who-cares-how-we-got-here in between. There is an overarching plotline. Jones just decided to skip all the rest.
But boy, does it look cool.
The ads:
The Pan Am aesthetics:
The housewife-secretly-being-a-killer lifestyle that was all the rage in the 60s, I … uh … suppose:
I’ll read the second volume simply because I enjoy looking at it so much. Although it got a little too gory in the last issue and I’m very confused by the fact that I find the main character both sexy and am totally creeped out by her. I don’t know what to think of this. Maybe that’s my type? Seriously, though, what’s wrong with her mouth?
Creepy.
October 18, 2019
Great graphics!!!
September 26, 2019
"Josie Schuller has two of the traits that I admire most in a person: she knows how to host a boffo cocktail party, and she can kill someone with her bare hands." -- from the introduction by Chelsea Cain
Take the colorful look of a Douglas Sirk-directed melodrama from the 50's and cross it with fictional housewife / mother June Cleaver (the sitcom Leave it to Beaver) and add a pinch of Schwarzenegger's True Lies plot-line and you have Jones' Lady Killer. On the surface, the foxy and raven-haired Josie Schuller appears to be a commonplace middle-class suburban 'domestic goddess,' married to a nice white-collar hubby and raising energetic twin girls in Seattle (the famed Century 21 Exposition, a.k.a. the 1962 World's Fair, is the backdrop for the story's finale) in a seemingly comfortable existence.
The non-secret that drives the story? Schuller is a trained assassin, carrying out orders (via a small enigmatic agency, run by a grouchy boss who resembles the late actor Walter Matthau) to kill people - and there's A LOT of fairly graphic violence in this first volume - for as-of-yet unexplained reasons. When Schuller suddenly develops a crisis of conscience - and when you see her intended target, you'll understand why - she decides she wants out of this 'career.' Of course, it's never that easy and lots of complications promptly ensue. Although the plot seems a little thin at times (or it's lacking in some details) this was still a stylish and nicely illustrated book with an intriguing main character.
Take the colorful look of a Douglas Sirk-directed melodrama from the 50's and cross it with fictional housewife / mother June Cleaver (the sitcom Leave it to Beaver) and add a pinch of Schwarzenegger's True Lies plot-line and you have Jones' Lady Killer. On the surface, the foxy and raven-haired Josie Schuller appears to be a commonplace middle-class suburban 'domestic goddess,' married to a nice white-collar hubby and raising energetic twin girls in Seattle (the famed Century 21 Exposition, a.k.a. the 1962 World's Fair, is the backdrop for the story's finale) in a seemingly comfortable existence.
The non-secret that drives the story? Schuller is a trained assassin, carrying out orders (via a small enigmatic agency, run by a grouchy boss who resembles the late actor Walter Matthau) to kill people - and there's A LOT of fairly graphic violence in this first volume - for as-of-yet unexplained reasons. When Schuller suddenly develops a crisis of conscience - and when you see her intended target, you'll understand why - she decides she wants out of this 'career.' Of course, it's never that easy and lots of complications promptly ensue. Although the plot seems a little thin at times (or it's lacking in some details) this was still a stylish and nicely illustrated book with an intriguing main character.
March 7, 2022
یک زن میتواند هم بچههایش را بزرگ کند و هم یک آدمکش حرفهای باشد و در هر دو مسئولیت هم بدرخشد؟
December 15, 2017
Re-read review:
I have forgotten how much I love this GN! I think my original review below captures the spunky essence of Lady Killer, and Josie is seriously STUNNING! I mean she's a beautiful lady and a don't f*ck with me assassin. And her EYES! I mean...wow! *swoons*
The artwork is incredible and richly detailed with some vibrant colours which really makes the story come to life. The whole atmosphere wonderfully juxtaposes Josie's normal home life with her husband and daughters with the sheer bloody violence of her work life. It's sheer genius!
This was a re-read as my pre-ordered edition of volume 2 has been despatched and I honestly cannot wait to see what other adventures await Josie.
A very easy 5 star read.
Original review:
I bloody loved this graphic novel!
Lady Killer follows the kick-ass antics of Josie Schuller, a seemingly average 1960s housewife who balances her momsy role with gory assassinations. I quickly came to love Josie - her heart is in the right place and she dotes on her family, plus she's one feisty lady who can quickly kick nasty guys into touch.
The story was brilliant, in each chapter we learn something new about Josie and the artwork was phenomenal. I also think it helps to have a smokin' hot protagonist which we definitely have with Josie. Her eyes are gorgeous! Anyway...
The dialogue was spot on and it had me laughing several times. Overall, a fantastic graphic novel which perfectly captures the 1960s vibe.
My only complaint is that there aren't any more issues...yet. I'm hoping that will change soon!
I have forgotten how much I love this GN! I think my original review below captures the spunky essence of Lady Killer, and Josie is seriously STUNNING! I mean she's a beautiful lady and a don't f*ck with me assassin. And her EYES! I mean...wow! *swoons*
The artwork is incredible and richly detailed with some vibrant colours which really makes the story come to life. The whole atmosphere wonderfully juxtaposes Josie's normal home life with her husband and daughters with the sheer bloody violence of her work life. It's sheer genius!
This was a re-read as my pre-ordered edition of volume 2 has been despatched and I honestly cannot wait to see what other adventures await Josie.
A very easy 5 star read.
Original review:
I bloody loved this graphic novel!
Lady Killer follows the kick-ass antics of Josie Schuller, a seemingly average 1960s housewife who balances her momsy role with gory assassinations. I quickly came to love Josie - her heart is in the right place and she dotes on her family, plus she's one feisty lady who can quickly kick nasty guys into touch.
The story was brilliant, in each chapter we learn something new about Josie and the artwork was phenomenal. I also think it helps to have a smokin' hot protagonist which we definitely have with Josie. Her eyes are gorgeous! Anyway...
The dialogue was spot on and it had me laughing several times. Overall, a fantastic graphic novel which perfectly captures the 1960s vibe.
My only complaint is that there aren't any more issues...yet. I'm hoping that will change soon!
November 20, 2019
A stylish and hip little story about a 1960's Suzy-homemaker housewife who also works as a cutthroat assassin in her free time. The story isn't particularly memorable though. Beyond the initial cool concept it didn't seem to have the legs to keep me as engaged as I would hope, but Joëlle Jones is one of the best artists in the business and kills it here. Although everyone's blood is black for some reason...
Anywho, changing the subject, I just heard the news that Joëlle Jones is writing and illustrating the upcoming Catwoman series and she seems to be the perfect fit to put my comic book girlfriend, Selina Kyle, back in the spotlight! She's already been doing a great job drawing her on the recent Batman series.
Check out her teaser image here! Such a great fit:
Anywho, changing the subject, I just heard the news that Joëlle Jones is writing and illustrating the upcoming Catwoman series and she seems to be the perfect fit to put my comic book girlfriend, Selina Kyle, back in the spotlight! She's already been doing a great job drawing her on the recent Batman series.
Check out her teaser image here! Such a great fit:
November 25, 2017
More like 4 and a half stars!
This was just what I needed (along with a big glass of pinot noir). Thank you Joe, for bringing it to my attention: I ran over to the comic book store at lunch to get it and just devoured it! I am just crazy for the vintage 50’s look, but I also love a bit of murder-mayhem on the side, and “Lady Killer” gave me both at the same time! AND a heroine who looks just like my favorite Venture Bros. character, the amazing Dr. Girlfriend, to boot!
Josie is a housewife and mother who couldn’t look more respectful. But she is also a skilled assassin who will fool any mark with her flawless charm. She is balancing her family and professional life perfectly until her boss decides to "retire" her a bit earlier than she'd planned - for rather misogynistic reasons, I might add. But Josie isn't one to go away quietly...
The artwork by Joelle Jones is simply stunning, and I loved every frame of this deliciously dark and fun graphic novel. The social commentary on the era's views is maybe a bit more subtle than I would have wanted, but it was the perfect amount of playfully gory for me.
Josie is a fantastic character and I found her story very original and fresh. There's something quite appealing (to me, at least) in an elegant lady who is in control of her own life and choices, and who will not let anyone make decisions for her.
For "Mad Men" fans who desperately wished Betty would have stabbed Francine in her silly face. Stylish, fun and bloody! More like this please!!
This was just what I needed (along with a big glass of pinot noir). Thank you Joe, for bringing it to my attention: I ran over to the comic book store at lunch to get it and just devoured it! I am just crazy for the vintage 50’s look, but I also love a bit of murder-mayhem on the side, and “Lady Killer” gave me both at the same time! AND a heroine who looks just like my favorite Venture Bros. character, the amazing Dr. Girlfriend, to boot!
Josie is a housewife and mother who couldn’t look more respectful. But she is also a skilled assassin who will fool any mark with her flawless charm. She is balancing her family and professional life perfectly until her boss decides to "retire" her a bit earlier than she'd planned - for rather misogynistic reasons, I might add. But Josie isn't one to go away quietly...
The artwork by Joelle Jones is simply stunning, and I loved every frame of this deliciously dark and fun graphic novel. The social commentary on the era's views is maybe a bit more subtle than I would have wanted, but it was the perfect amount of playfully gory for me.
Josie is a fantastic character and I found her story very original and fresh. There's something quite appealing (to me, at least) in an elegant lady who is in control of her own life and choices, and who will not let anyone make decisions for her.
For "Mad Men" fans who desperately wished Betty would have stabbed Francine in her silly face. Stylish, fun and bloody! More like this please!!
November 10, 2015
I really liked this a lot! Story by Joelle Jones and Jamie Rich, drawn by Jones. Sassy intro by Chelsea Cain. Colors by Laura Aldred.
Retro fifties noir style and story with a housewife hired assassin, Josie, in a pink taffeta dress. Her husband and kids and neighbors and mother in law don't know about her work, though the latter will be the first to know. . . One thread has Josie work in a pussycat cat lounge and dress in a bunny-like (only kitty!!) costume in order to kill some guy (and entertain us with her hotness, natch). I mean, why the Playboyish costume? Throwback to days of Hef in the fifties. . . and just for fun, I guess. It was fun, I thought.
The stories are not that elaborate, not very well explained, and thus not its strongest point. Style and blood and seem to be its strongest points. And killing jerks who deserve it. We have all these male murderers, and we have all these assumptions about women, and maybe especially fifties women housewives, and this has fun with that. She gets to dress in these fabulous feminine dresses AND be a badass. Really fun, though a tad bloody, as the cover reveals. But if you don't like assholes (men), and you have these little revenge fantasies about them, well, enjoy. I thought it was fun and funny. This is just volume 1 so I think with the events near the end it could shift into a new gear.
Someone said in a blurb on the back cover (Comic Book Resources) that it's like Don Draper meets Dexter, and that seems right.
Retro fifties noir style and story with a housewife hired assassin, Josie, in a pink taffeta dress. Her husband and kids and neighbors and mother in law don't know about her work, though the latter will be the first to know. . . One thread has Josie work in a pussycat cat lounge and dress in a bunny-like (only kitty!!) costume in order to kill some guy (and entertain us with her hotness, natch). I mean, why the Playboyish costume? Throwback to days of Hef in the fifties. . . and just for fun, I guess. It was fun, I thought.
The stories are not that elaborate, not very well explained, and thus not its strongest point. Style and blood and seem to be its strongest points. And killing jerks who deserve it. We have all these male murderers, and we have all these assumptions about women, and maybe especially fifties women housewives, and this has fun with that. She gets to dress in these fabulous feminine dresses AND be a badass. Really fun, though a tad bloody, as the cover reveals. But if you don't like assholes (men), and you have these little revenge fantasies about them, well, enjoy. I thought it was fun and funny. This is just volume 1 so I think with the events near the end it could shift into a new gear.
Someone said in a blurb on the back cover (Comic Book Resources) that it's like Don Draper meets Dexter, and that seems right.
October 3, 2015
Josie Schuller is not your ordinary housewife, she is also an efficient killer for hire! But it's not easy having to juggle family and work and having a distrustful mother-in-law. And, things gets even worse when Josie's boss decides that it's time for Josie to retire...for good!
This graphic novel combined humor and action and to top it all, really great art. I found myself quite engrossed in the story, this is like a 60s version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, without the Mr.
Josie Schuller is a dedicated wife and mother and now and then she has some work to do that her family and neighbors have no idea about.
Then everything goes wrong, her boss just thinks that her time is up, she fails to carry out an assignment and now she has to fend for herself and not let her family know anything...
Josie and her loving family...
And, her mother-in-law...
This graphic novel combined humor and action and to top it all, really great art. I found myself quite engrossed in the story, this is like a 60s version of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, without the Mr.
Josie Schuller is a dedicated wife and mother and now and then she has some work to do that her family and neighbors have no idea about.
Then everything goes wrong, her boss just thinks that her time is up, she fails to carry out an assignment and now she has to fend for herself and not let her family know anything...
Josie and her loving family...
And, her mother-in-law...
Josie working
I received this copy from the publisher through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you!
September 5, 2019
Lady Killer is a damn fun time.
So the thing with this book is that it is ultra violent. More so than I expected. I mean you have "killer" in the title but it isn't till a woman's head gets smashed in that you really feel the horror of this world. Josie is our main character here and she's basically a female hitman. Sounds cool right? It is, except the marks are getting more complicated and with her having a family the scheduling isn't working for her. This leads to a rebellion and a lot of death and carnage.
This series moves at such a quick pace it's almost too much to take in so quick. However, it's never boring. Josie is a great character with two sides to her that make her extremely deadly. The art is amazing and I loved the hell out of the ending. The style takes a bit to get used to but it works out in the end. A 4 out of 5.
So the thing with this book is that it is ultra violent. More so than I expected. I mean you have "killer" in the title but it isn't till a woman's head gets smashed in that you really feel the horror of this world. Josie is our main character here and she's basically a female hitman. Sounds cool right? It is, except the marks are getting more complicated and with her having a family the scheduling isn't working for her. This leads to a rebellion and a lot of death and carnage.
This series moves at such a quick pace it's almost too much to take in so quick. However, it's never boring. Josie is a great character with two sides to her that make her extremely deadly. The art is amazing and I loved the hell out of the ending. The style takes a bit to get used to but it works out in the end. A 4 out of 5.
May 4, 2016
This is the story of Josie, in the 1960s. Wife, mother, assassin for hire. She likes to choke and stab people. Although it deals with the struggles women faced at the time when balancing work and family in an age that treated them the way it did, it still dealt very well, with what I assume, is the life of an assassin. However, I found little inclination of her love for her husband and children, and same vice-versa, I would have liked to have seen that. The strongest aspect was the beautiful and poignant art. I would recommend people to read this simply for the art.
Here are some examples:
I'm going to add more because I loved it:
Here are some examples:
I'm going to add more because I loved it:
May 31, 2018
My first graphic novel. Chelsea Cain wrote the introduction. Cain has crafted the best female serial killer that I have read. I knew this journey into Lady Killer was going to be good with an endorsement like that.
Josie is a doting wife and mother, but she harbors a sinister job on the side. She is an unsuspecting hitman. This is darkly funny and the graphics are well done.
Thank you Melissa Martin for challenging me to read outside of my comfort zone with your fantastic review! x
Josie is a doting wife and mother, but she harbors a sinister job on the side. She is an unsuspecting hitman. This is darkly funny and the graphics are well done.
Thank you Melissa Martin for challenging me to read outside of my comfort zone with your fantastic review! x
January 2, 2017
This is another example of how many good books you can find here, through friends. Then, thank you Lauren for your recommendation!
Josie is a housewife in the America of the ‘60, with a lovely husband and two beautiful children. A normal American family? Not exactly: Josie is a killer for an unidentified agency, with a supervisor, Peck and a boss, mister Stenholm. Her life is doubly complicated, so we have the efficient killer that lives with the lovely mother and wife.
Josie splits her time between murderer, betrayals, lies to friend and family and bringing the daughters to dance lessons.
The story is relative short, not so original, divided in five volumes, but is the artwork that it’s great. Colors are vivid, with well-defined drawings andsharp strokes, made with modern technique, but representing environments of the past.
Furthermore, the author has used a different technique of drawing, according to characters. The family, husband and daughters, cheerful, lively and unaware of the truth about Josie, are outlined in the most comical and funny way. Josie and the Agency's men are sketched more angular, sharp, with hard eyes, like those of a predator.
A curiosity: .
There are some things at the end, that are not completely explained (for this reason I didn’t give 5 stars), but what is not from history, is widely balanced by artwork.
Josie is a housewife in the America of the ‘60, with a lovely husband and two beautiful children. A normal American family? Not exactly: Josie is a killer for an unidentified agency, with a supervisor, Peck and a boss, mister Stenholm. Her life is doubly complicated, so we have the efficient killer that lives with the lovely mother and wife.
Josie splits her time between murderer, betrayals, lies to friend and family and bringing the daughters to dance lessons.
The story is relative short, not so original, divided in five volumes, but is the artwork that it’s great. Colors are vivid, with well-defined drawings andsharp strokes, made with modern technique, but representing environments of the past.
Furthermore, the author has used a different technique of drawing, according to characters. The family, husband and daughters, cheerful, lively and unaware of the truth about Josie, are outlined in the most comical and funny way. Josie and the Agency's men are sketched more angular, sharp, with hard eyes, like those of a predator.
A curiosity: .
There are some things at the end, that are not completely explained (for this reason I didn’t give 5 stars), but what is not from history, is widely balanced by artwork.
September 9, 2020
Lady Killer is a graphic novel series that has a very simple concept. The protagonist is a typical 60s house-wife who moonlights as an assassin for hire.
I have to point out that the Goodreads tagline for this book is "Betty Draper meets Hannibal" and that is egregiously incorrect. You can't just use Hannibal in place of any murderer. Hannibal is a cannibal who kills for his own personal delight and then eats the bodies in a morosely fashionable manner. Josie, the main character of Lady Killer, is an assassin. It's her job to kill not her fetish.
And let's talk about how bad she is at this job. Assassins should be stealthy, quick, and leave little evidence. Josie is none of these things. She is a messy killer. Blood and broken property everywhere! So much evidence could be found left in these crime scenes and it's so obvious that someone was murdered there! She really lacks subtlety.
So honestly, it wasn't surprising to me that her boss would call her abilities into question. But the book frames it as he thinks she's unable to perform her duties because she is splitting too much time between work and the home life with her kids. I think he's meant to be sexist, saying a woman can't do this job, but she is bad at it.
Back in my review of The Way of the House Husband, a very similarly plotted book, I mentioned I have a hard time understanding how these double lives ever would happen. I know it's just a comic book but this kind of thing come up a lot in media and I just don't get it. How does a house-wife just go out and become an assassin?
When I was in college I couldn't even figure out how to score cocaine let alone find a secret underground crime boss willing to take me on as a killer for hire with absolutely no experience. Where are these criminal undergrounds and why are they so easy for these people to find?!
All that being said, the story is adequate, the art is good, and it's an alright way to spend a couple hours. I just really don't see how this premise could be maintained for longer than one book without jumping the shark pretty early on. It's just not that interesting of a story.
for more reviews and content please visit my blog amanjareads.com
I have to point out that the Goodreads tagline for this book is "Betty Draper meets Hannibal" and that is egregiously incorrect. You can't just use Hannibal in place of any murderer. Hannibal is a cannibal who kills for his own personal delight and then eats the bodies in a morosely fashionable manner. Josie, the main character of Lady Killer, is an assassin. It's her job to kill not her fetish.
And let's talk about how bad she is at this job. Assassins should be stealthy, quick, and leave little evidence. Josie is none of these things. She is a messy killer. Blood and broken property everywhere! So much evidence could be found left in these crime scenes and it's so obvious that someone was murdered there! She really lacks subtlety.
So honestly, it wasn't surprising to me that her boss would call her abilities into question. But the book frames it as he thinks she's unable to perform her duties because she is splitting too much time between work and the home life with her kids. I think he's meant to be sexist, saying a woman can't do this job, but she is bad at it.
Back in my review of The Way of the House Husband, a very similarly plotted book, I mentioned I have a hard time understanding how these double lives ever would happen. I know it's just a comic book but this kind of thing come up a lot in media and I just don't get it. How does a house-wife just go out and become an assassin?
When I was in college I couldn't even figure out how to score cocaine let alone find a secret underground crime boss willing to take me on as a killer for hire with absolutely no experience. Where are these criminal undergrounds and why are they so easy for these people to find?!
All that being said, the story is adequate, the art is good, and it's an alright way to spend a couple hours. I just really don't see how this premise could be maintained for longer than one book without jumping the shark pretty early on. It's just not that interesting of a story.
for more reviews and content please visit my blog amanjareads.com
May 11, 2016
Surprisingly entertaining. I requested this from my library on a whim, after passing by requesting it from Netgalley. I'm glad I finally pulled the trigger, so to speak. The entire gimmick of the book is juxtaposing an idyllic view of 1960s housewives with assassins. Yes, it is basically a one trick pony of a book, and Jones has hit that one trick pretty hard by the end of the book. I think I would have liked this better if it had stayed episodic, each issue sending Josie on a different contract killing. But towards the end, Jones introducing an overarching storyline that just isn't the best thing that could happen to the book. It's a bit of a mess, honestly, but an entertaining one.
September 7, 2021
Pensé que la historia quedaría más abierta, pero cierra bastante bien. No conocía estas novelas gráficas hasta que se anunció que habría una adaptación, entonces me llamó la atención leerlas.
Josie es una ama de casa común y corriente, excepto cuando sale a trabajar, pues es una asesina a sueldo. Todo va bien hasta que es ella misma la que tiene un target en su espalda.
Es muy corta, los primeros capítulos son básicamente Josie haciendo su trabajo, lo divertido aquí es el contraste entre la perfecta ama de casa y, luego, la asesina. Ya pasada la mitad comienza la verdadera trama de la historia. Como dije, la historia de esta primera parte cierra muy bien, de hecho, entiendo cómo podría funcionar como película, me recuerda un poco a Atomic Blonde.
El arte es bueno, en especial, en las escenas de pelea. Josie es letal, pero no invencible y eso me gustó. La vemos también recibir golpes y luchar para conseguir lo que quiere. No tengo mucho más que decir, pues es muy corto todo y se pasa rápido, se centra más en la acción que en cualquier otra cosa.
Josie es una ama de casa común y corriente, excepto cuando sale a trabajar, pues es una asesina a sueldo. Todo va bien hasta que es ella misma la que tiene un target en su espalda.
Es muy corta, los primeros capítulos son básicamente Josie haciendo su trabajo, lo divertido aquí es el contraste entre la perfecta ama de casa y, luego, la asesina. Ya pasada la mitad comienza la verdadera trama de la historia. Como dije, la historia de esta primera parte cierra muy bien, de hecho, entiendo cómo podría funcionar como película, me recuerda un poco a Atomic Blonde.
El arte es bueno, en especial, en las escenas de pelea. Josie es letal, pero no invencible y eso me gustó. La vemos también recibir golpes y luchar para conseguir lo que quiere. No tengo mucho más que decir, pues es muy corto todo y se pasa rápido, se centra más en la acción que en cualquier otra cosa.
January 20, 2020
Hoje recebi o segundo volume de Lady Killer e, como já faz quase um ano que li esse primeiro volume, decidi reler hoje para relembrar e emendar a leitura.
Dessa vez li na belíssima edição brasileira lançada pela Darkside Books. O livro é capa dura e vem em uma luva que imita uma embalagem de sabão em pó com o anúncio "roupas limpas e sem manchas de sangue", ou seja, uma edição pensada nos mínimos detalhes.
A história se passada na década de 50 e é uma sátira daquela visão de mulher como aquela dona de casa perfeita que cuida das tarefas domésticas, das filhas e deixa o jantar pronto para quando o marido chegar. Josie, a protagonista, faz tudo isso e ainda mantem o seu trabalho de matadora de aluguel. Ela já administra seu tempo entre trabalho e família há 15 anos, mas mesmo assim seu chefe acha que ela é um risco para o trabalho.
Adorei a arte e todo esse contraste existente na história.
Dessa vez li na belíssima edição brasileira lançada pela Darkside Books. O livro é capa dura e vem em uma luva que imita uma embalagem de sabão em pó com o anúncio "roupas limpas e sem manchas de sangue", ou seja, uma edição pensada nos mínimos detalhes.
A história se passada na década de 50 e é uma sátira daquela visão de mulher como aquela dona de casa perfeita que cuida das tarefas domésticas, das filhas e deixa o jantar pronto para quando o marido chegar. Josie, a protagonista, faz tudo isso e ainda mantem o seu trabalho de matadora de aluguel. Ela já administra seu tempo entre trabalho e família há 15 anos, mas mesmo assim seu chefe acha que ela é um risco para o trabalho.
Adorei a arte e todo esse contraste existente na história.
April 29, 2019
Such fun! Girls get to do killing violence and mayhem with style grace and grit. And the artwork and 50s setting is really great. Just what you imagine all those repressed housewives must’ve been daydreaming about as they spent their days endlessly vacuuming and ironing and baking and volunteering and making themselves look good and being submissive and silly and devoid of aspirations of their own other than being a perfect wife and mother while popping Valium just to not want to murder anyone every single minute of every single day. So glad I purchased this title, and the next volume too which should be arriving any day now. 4.5
July 6, 2018
This was amazing. A 1950s housewife who has a sidejob as an assassin. Art is amazing as well especially the fight scenes. The story isnt overly original and is a little predictable at times but still a really fun read.
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