Whiteout Compendium

Whiteout #1-2

by Greg Rucka

The critically acclaimed and Eisner-winning WHITEOUT graphic novels from Greg Rucka (LAZARUS, WONDER WOMAN) & Steve Lieber (THE FIX, SUPERIOR FOES) return in this new compendium!

Carrie Stetko is a US Marshal tasked with enforcing the law in one of the most remote and inhospitable places on earth—Antarctica.

Collects WHITEOUT and WHITEOUT: MELT under one cover!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

249 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

Greg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.

Reviews

[Hans · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars - Based on a recommendation from a friend, I'm working my way through a few books from Greg Rucka. This volume collects his first graphic novel (1998) and a follow-up story (2000), both featuring artwork from Steve Lieber. The stories center on a U.S. Marshall living and working on "The Ice" in Antarctica. The first is a murder mystery and the second is more of a survival thriller. There are some incredible moments in the stories, including the scene that closes the very first chapter, which made me quickly flip forward several pages for a bit of relief before I returned to the opening scenes of the second chapter...last time I did that was probably one of the collected volumes of The Walking Dead.

I also love the laughing speech bubble from the second book: the speech bubble is the only square speech bubble in the book (I think) and the "HA HA" text is at an angle and cut off by the border of the bubble. This clearly shows a very distinctive laugh, and maybe even how the sound travels on (and defies?) The Ice.

[Joni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dos historias con dos grandes protagonistas, Carrie, una de las pocas mujeres en la Antártida y para colmo policía.
El hielo es el otro gran protagonista, bien trasladado el frío, la vasta soledad, las consecuencias y condiciones de vivir bajo cero.
La primera es de crímenes y misterio, la segunda de espionaje.
Recomendado para fans del género detectivesco

[Twan McQuan · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 (Random) Thoughts

-I'm an Agatha Christie fan. More-so a fan of the "locked room" genre troupe in mystery, and Christie was a master of that particular form. Imagine if that locked room wasn't actually a room in a mansion, or a train, or an island, but the icy South Pole. This was the context that brought me to read this graphic novel.

-If I came for the concept, I stayed for the artwork. The black and white pencil sketching are not as sparse as you might expect. Almost the opposite. They are detailed and beautiful to look at, so when a white-out comes the sparseness and obfuscation feels all the more claustrophobic.

-The Compendium contains the two Whiteout stories, linked by location and main character (Whiteout and Whiteout:MELT respectively). Whiteout is a fine peace of graphic novel genre fiction. Melt, on the other hand, is excellent, and the true cause of the 5-star score.

-Whiteout is beautifully drawn and a well told story, but is overwritten for the format, and specifically the location of the story. It does, however, do a good job of placing us in these South Pole camps and giving us a feel for the cast. Rucka does a great job of subtly telling the story of a female in a predominantly male environment of the southernmost part of the Earth (200:1 male to female ratio in peak season. 400:1 in the dead and dark of winter.) His female lead(s) are independent and strong. Obstinate by way of necessity; she it's easier to be the despised female Marshall than to mislead these love-starved lonely hearts and suffer their constant advances. If she is a bit one note in the first story, Rucka nails it in Melt. We get further motivation and back story with less exposition.

-Melt's strength is in Rucka taking a step back and letting the drawings tell the story. The panels are more sparse as they leave camp and you can feel the danger and death on every page of the ice.

[Rumi Bossche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whiteout by Greg Rucka & Steve Lieber.

A ice cold murder mystery, as its set on Antarctica. Two stories with the same setting under one cover. When i ordered it i thought it would be bigger, because this is called a Compendium,  most i own are way bigger, but it was a good price, and the story was ace. In very thin pencilled artwork, and black and white, Rucka and Lieber deliver a outstanding thriller. This was a fast but good read.

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this graphic novel involving two separate tales of Marshal Carrie set in Antarctica. The graphics are a stark black and white absolutely fitting for the setting. Carrie, exiled to Antarctica due to some behavioral breach, tackles challenges head on whether it's murder or stolen weapons. Although this fits the formula for such stories, the setting is harsh and exotic where the Ice is even more deadly that human foes. There's also some great information about Antarctica which elevates this to a bit more than a guilty pleasure read.

[Nicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this us as part of the Oni Press humble bundle as a fan of Greg Rucka from his work on Wonder Woman, Gotham Central and Black Magick. This has a very interesting setting that goes well with the black and white artwork. Both the artwork and writing are very grounded with cynical and realistic characters with their demons and struggles. I found the 2nd story a bit easier to read especially as it was more straightforward and I had a better understanding of the setting and the lead, Carrie. This is definitely more in line with his work later in Gotham Central.

[Kaeshani · Rating 4 out of 5]

ცალ-ცალკე რო აღარ ვლოგო, ორი ვოლუმია სულ.

4/5

Before going in and watchin the movie of the same name based on abovementioned comic in 2009 with Kate Beckinsale, I decided to read both volumes, as it was pretty short and quick read.

"Whiteout"

First story is set in Antarctic region and is basically interesting, intriguing murder mystery which gets intense as the investigation goes on and has some cool twists throughout. Plus, the cold setting really helps all this, creates great atmosphere and b/w style of the comic really sets the tone, helping to "sell" the story itself. Stetko the main character, is pretty much "strong, independant, tough" lady, but has some personality and her chemistry with the rest of the crew on the base (including the british spy, who's also investigating the murder) is really good. All in all, dynamic stuff, goes pretty fast, pacing is normal, doesn't drag too much and gets straight to the point, even though the twist in the end is a bit predictable.

"Whiteout: Melt"

The second story basically picks up after the first one ends, this time Stetko is on vacation and is called up again to arrive in the same Antarctic region, because some Russian-hired-mercenaries known as SPECNAZ steal a nuke warhead or two. (why there's a warhead deep into the icy region, it's unknown) Anyways, this one really goes out too fast and is more or less "survival" oriented, but compared to the first story - it's slightly weaker. The main aspect here is on morality, as the SPECNAZ killed 14 innocent men they deserve the punishment. Ending is alright too.

To be honest I liked one main "feature" in both of these stories and it's how the Ice/cold is depicted, like it's another being, a living god per se, who doesn't welcome people and engulfs them with its freezing hands, no matter how you try, ice will get you in the end and kill you. All and all, comic is really interesting, great, rough around the edges (a bit), but neverthless - fun, short and fast read, with atmospheric cold setting.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This compendium includes both Whiteout and its sequel Whiteout: Melt, along with some afterwords by Rucka and artist Steve Lieber. The two stories are both pretty strong, focusing on U.S. Marshal Carrie Stetko, who has been sent to Antarctica, and ends up embroiled in a string of murders (in the first story) and a nuclear theft (in the second). The first volume moves slower, introducing the characters and setting up a bit of a whodunnit, although the villains are revealed to the reader relatively early. Stetko makes for an interesting protagonist - a hard bitten woman with a dark past (so basically your tradition Rucka protagonist), who is dealing with a lot of stuff. There's some powerful action scenes, and Lieber's art does some impressive work making use of whites. The second story is a bit weaker, as it's a more direct chase across the ice, but it features Antarctica as a character rather than a setting, and makes some interesting choices. All told, these are memorable stories that I would recommend to Rucka fans, and people that enjoy Brubaker as well - they are in that vein. The comments in the afterwords are interesting too(I like that Rucka can candidly admit the movie version didn't live up to his expectations). All told, a nice diversion and interesting read, especially when it's placed in the window of Rucka's career.

[Tim Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Several months ago I was looking to refresh our graphic novels collection at the library and was looking for some titles to add. Many of the lists I consulted included Whiteout, so I added it to the list. I was looking for a quick read the other day (I only have a couple of days to hit my goal after all) and I noticed that some of the graphics had come in. That's how I ended up reading Whiteout.

The first half of the compendium is a murder mystery set in Antarctica. The sense of urgency is driven by the fact that the darkest and coldest part of the year is imminent, meaning most of the inhabitants will be vacating for warmer continents. The killers will be among them and the last plane out is leaving in two days.

The Ice itself becomes a prominent character in the second half, titled Melt. The Russian military has been storing weapons, including pocket nukes, on the continent in violation of numerous treaties. At least they weren't trying to open a portal to the upside down and unleashing an army of demigorgons, but still pretty bad. The nukes are stolen by a rogue group of Russian thugs and Carrie Stetko is called back into service to track them down.

The stories are both compelling. Lieber's art is fantastic. And you'll get a sort of crash course in the climate and political history of Antarctica.

[Eli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carrie Stetko's a great character, and Lieber's stark black-and-white art is really powerful in establishing the Ice's vast emptiness (though it sometimes makes those close-up actiony bits hard to follow). But Rucka makes two very disappointing cis-dudes-writing-female-character choices:

1) The Bi Tease. Carrie straight-up bangs Aleks in an igloo in the middle of a raging storm. She ain't shy about going after what she wants, sexually. And yet with Sharpe she's all shy looks and rapidly averted gazes. Which means that both her (ostensible) sexual forwardness and her (hypothetical) bisexuality are there for the male gaze only: she's a woman who takes what she wants, but only when she wants is dudes; and her attraction to women is only for show, because acting on it would make her unavailable for dudes.
2) I just wanted her to ignore whatever feelings she allegedly developed for Aleks by sleeping with him and shoot the crap outta him at the end of Melt. Was that too much to ask?

[Kaitlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this on recommendation and i thought it was decent. If you like thrillers you'll enjoy it. There is much mystery as the POV switches between hero and villain chatacters. The characters and plot were pretty cookie cutter but the unique touches to them and the setting were what made the book for me.
The art is ok. I'm not a big fan of sketchy art and the fact that 99.99% of the outdoor scenes are supposed to be all white really didnt help. There were a couple panels where no matter how I looked at them i couldn't tell what they were except by syntax. Most of these panels were outdoor scenes so maybe they weren't as detailed and clear to simulate bad weather in drawing but it was still a bit annoying to me since i felt like some of the panels offered details the word bubbles didn't.
In the end I'm glad i read it but now that i have it's probably going in the buy back pile.

[Chris Tower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't believe it took me this long to read this book! I have an autographed copy with a little drawing by Steve Lieber that I bought at the one and only time I went to the Rose City Comic Con.

This is great stuff. And it's even better reading the Afterwords by Rucka and Lieber, especially Lieber's art process self-discovery was very eye opening.

Also, Carrie Stetko has a lot in common with a character I am writing and so this book got in my head and in my heart.

My highest recommendation!

[Onur · Rating 3 out of 5]

The two artists Greg Rucka (text) and Steve Lieber (drawings) excites the imagination of the reader, and pulls him simultaneously in a spell in which the constellation of different images per page play an equally important role as the individual chapters, in which the story is divided. The rhythm, the two develop works in the second comic even better, incited the reader at the same rate over the sides, in which the protagonists their opponents run afterward. But the second book just loses its fascination when you look more closely, so that the underlying artist want to entertain.

The character was introduced in the first book Whiteout finds, as you would not expect it in the quite limited space of a nearly 100-page comics differently, quite abruptly instead, in which the authors certainly take the time to decorate the background of Carrie Stetko and even some of their past clarify. New aspects are here in the second book Whiteout: Melt but not explored. Except for Carrie's pilots and their immediate supervisor and no character from the first book appeared in the sequel more. It almost seems as if they want to focus on the main plot and even restrict ourselves to their cast to a minimum. Therefore it is necessary to dispense with a human antagonist, real opponents all involved parts is Antarctica itself. Personalize the ice to give it with the limited possibilities of a black and white image, a face and a character, Steve Lieber is well done. So create both Whiteout spending quite a to demand from chills the reader even in midsummer. Tells atmospherically dense, the mood is retained even when just the second book waived surprises. If the story in the first volume still quite unpredictable, is far less complex Melt designed and is told very straight forward. By contrast, in principle, no objections and perhaps the pages fly therefore before the reader's eyes then, but for the quite interesting basic idea you could have done more.

A fairly conventional murder mystery after the famous "who was it" principle to tell before the beguiling and dangerous backdrop of the Antarctic seems basically been a very smart move, thereby establishing a woman as antihero extremely daring. Yet the first Whiteout band by the actual trick the story with tears, which provides the motive for the murders and to escape the fact that with the slump in the winter the murderer will surely try a few of lack of transportation. If you have this read the comic in about half and begins to see through the relationships, you will be as enthusiastic Krimifan by playing his variations of the story, what else might happen, what surprises could be hidden behind the casually presented figures and if not a or other incidentally noticed allusion is still playing a major role. The greater the disappointment, if this potential is not used, but by the predetermined number of pages of the four-part comic history is limited to a framework in which unvisited remain so many stations.

Something similar happens Whiteout: Melt, whose approach is more absorbing that develops after the first revelation an urgency that calls for a detailed development outright. Only the artist accurate characterizations of new figures remain here guilty, even if the agent ambience to relocate to Antarctica by surprise after the dismal start. Once the chase has however taken its course, rushes to the story of a resolution, which is the promised not fair. Whether a more complex story could with the limited number of pages can tell, is another question. Atmosphere (the limited) character drawings are still more appropriate as the first band managed and enable the reader bluntly in an ambience that is even more alluring and more inhospitable appear as in the previous book. In this respect, the artists meet their medium and the subject, nonetheless we would like to wish an enthusiastic Genrefan an implementation of the substance, even in the same medium, but without the limitations of a predetermined number of pages. Who can resist this temptation, which will have nothing to complain about at both Whiteout volumes.

To settle a criminal case in an environment that is a completely unknown as a reader, has many options and quite a few threats to the storyteller. Opportunities in the sense that you get a lot of freedom because the reader can not verify the authenticity. The risk is almost the same, because if you can not build a reference on the subject as a reader, one is not interested in the story. Both Whiteout comic books catch the flavor of one of the driest areas of the world, Antarctica, one on an incredibly lively way. And, although the artist can express only shows black and white images. At the same time they convey in many text offerings details and background knowledge.

Nonetheless shine with their fascination for the continent and its sense of unusual stories need an unpredictable narrative of the story to be left behind. So there is to my mind the principle just yet rousing Whiteout: Melt too conventional and predictable. Even the first band I had so long wished twice to also exploit the potential of the characters and the story. But instead of going for the interesting stories in depth, Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber remain limited to the length narrative by the conventions of the medium with respect. To express themselves through the images and the dialogues succeed against an impressive manner.

[George Monenciu · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSU0X...

...where I discuss about a new graphic novel called "Whiteout" and what makes it special amongst other crime thriller dramas. The action takes place in Antarctica and our female lead is complicated and badass, to say the least. If you want to try reading graphic novels for the first time, this one is a great place to start! Don't forget to SHARE and SUBSCRIBE!

[Ash Mallinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the artwork in this graphic novel detailed. The story is quite unique I haven't read anything similar to this before. The main character Carrie is stationed in Antarctica. This is a graphic novel is about crime and is also a murder mystery. A theme is this graphic novel is isolation. One thing I love about this book is that Greg Rucka personifies the ice which adds a layer to the story.

[Aj · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a reread for me, and one that did not hit as hard as my original read. I do like both of these volumes, but it surprised me how much I misremembered. Not in a bad way, but this felt longer? Weightier? When I read it the first time.

Honestly, I am glad I reread this, but I feel like maybe this was poor timing on my own part.

[Damian Mendieta · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Ice. All hail the Ice.

The first plot was an exciting pulp fiction. Lieber is a creative genius, I’ll never look at snow, shadow and ice the same way again.

Rucka is a talented bard for his beloved muse: The Ice. I’m thoroughly impressed by the themes of raw power, impartiality and, overall, living in a rudderless world run by ignorant people.

[Niche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collects two stories with the same protagonist, unrelated but sequential in time. Both are set in the Antarctic, the first is a murder mystery involving a dead body and a missing expedition team and the second is more of a manhunt/spy thriller involving a secret Russian arms depot. I liked the first more than the second for making more use of tension from the harsh environment and a certain sense of frontier lawlessness.

[christopher nicholson · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first graphic novel so not sure how it stacks up against others, hence I've given it 3 stars as I've nothing to compare it too.

The story was good, the pictures were ok and they added good atmosphere to the story line.

[Brendan McWalters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Whiteout (the original) is a fun compelling whodunit thriller. The follow-up feels unfinished and inconsistent. Love the art. Simple black and white feels cold and puts you in the world with the characters.

[Karina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a badass thriller made up of two comic book series. The second volume, Whiteout: Melt, where Carrie needs to locate Russians who are smuggling nukes through Antarctica, was far superior.

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

The two stories collected even more concretely make The Ice a character in the story. Haven't read much Rucka over the years (except Whiteout, years ago and I forgot about it), will read more.

[Patrick Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

one great story, one good story, and some fantastic art. What else do you need to know? I am a fan of both of these creators, and they both live up to my expectations.

[Fernando Rodriguez-Villa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two exciting detective stories both revolve around the setting of Antártica. Black and white format worked really well in communicating the character of “The Ice”.

[Radclyffe U-Haul · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lot of homophobic slurs for a book with only the barest of subtext with no real pay-off

[Orrezz · Rating 2 out of 5]

אהבתי את האווירה ואת בניית העולם סביב הקרח. כל השאר היה פחות מעניין. אפילו התעלומה בחלק האחרון, שהיה יותר מעניין וקוהרנטי מהראשון, קיבלה פתרון חפוז שלא נתן לדמות מקום להתפתח

[Theadora · Rating 1 out of 5]

Eeehgg.

[Alexandre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing art and story !!

[Devin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Terrific, kinetic page-turner. Part I is somewhat better than Part II.

[Brian Ferguson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character of the story is the environment, an icy unforgiving world. The art reflects that perfectly. Good characters and an intriguing set of stories.