Strange Killings

Gravel (collected editions) #3

by Warren Ellis, Mike Wolfer

For the second time in history, the British Government sends in its crack troops, the Special Air Service, to quell a major prison riot. But not even these, the most accomplished and frightening soldiers on Earth, are equipped to face what lies at the center of the prison, the heart of the riot. In fact the only man in the SAS qualified to deal with the horror within is the recently disgraced Sergeant Major William combat magician. But inside the prison lies a man waiting to fight with more than mortal weapons. There will be at least one more strange killing this evening... The thrilling third installment in Warren Ellis' and Mike Wolfer's STRANGE KISS / STRANGE KILLINGS series!

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Comic Book, Fantasy, Crime

72 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 2003

About the author

Warren Ellis is the award-winning writer of graphic novels like TRANSMETROPOLITAN, FELL, MINISTRY OF SPACE and PLANETARY, and the author of the NYT-bestselling GUN MACHINE and the “underground classic” novel CROOKED LITTLE VEIN, as well as the digital short-story single DEAD PIG COLLECTOR. His newest book is the novella NORMAL, from FSG Originals, listed as one of Amazon’s Best 100 Books Of 2016.

The movie RED is based on his graphic novel of the same name, its sequel having been released in summer 2013. IRON MAN 3 is based on his Marvel Comics graphic novel IRON MAN: EXTREMIS. He is currently developing his graphic novel sequence with Jason Howard, TREES, for television, in concert with HardySonBaker and NBCU, and continues to work as a screenwriter and producer in film and television, represented by Angela Cheng Caplan and Cheng Caplan Company. He is the creator, writer and co-producer of the Netflix series CASTLEVANIA, recently renewed for its third season, and of the recently-announced Netflix series HEAVEN’S FOREST.

He’s written extensively for VICE, WIRED UK and Reuters on technological and cultural matters, and given keynote speeches and lectures at events like dConstruct, ThingsCon, Improving Reality, SxSW, How The Light Gets In, Haunted Machines and Cognitive Cities.

Warren Ellis has recently developed and curated the revival of the Wildstorm creative library for DC Entertainment with the series THE WILD STORM, and is currently working on the serialising of new graphic novel works TREES: THREE FATES and INJECTION at Image Comics, and the serialised graphic novel THE BATMAN’S GRAVE for DC Comics, while working as a Consulting Producer on another television series.

A documentary about his work, CAPTURED GHOSTS, was released in 2012.

Recognitions include the NUIG Literary and Debating Society’s President’s Medal for service to freedom of speech, the EAGLE AWARDS Roll Of Honour for lifetime achievement in the field of comics & graphic novels, the Grand Prix de l’Imaginaire 2010, the Sidewise Award for Alternate History and the International Horror Guild Award for illustrated narrative. He is a Patron of Humanists UK. He holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Essex.

Warren Ellis lives outside London, on the south-east coast of England, in case he needs to make a quick getaway.

Reviews

[Michael J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

STRANGE KILLINGS is yet another example of the vivid imagination and creativity of Warren Ellis, although it's no TRANSMETROPOLITAN (his best work). This is violent, gritty and gory with a hard-boiled main character a la Butcher in THE BOYS.
When the S.A.S. (Special Air Service), the British Government's equivalent of a S.W.A.T. team, are unable to quell a massive prison riot, they call in Sergeant Major William Gravel. At the center of the riot is an imprisoned sorcerer utilizing dark magic to gain immense supernatural powers (with bloody results). Gravel is a combat magician who has no compunctions about collateral damage, especially when it involves inmates.
Ellis' story is blunt, brief and to the point - wrapping things up in 72 pages. This was previously featured in single monthly issues and is actually the third story to feature Gravel although this is the first collected edition. Mike Wolfer's blood-soaked black and white art matches the tone of the story.
There's no explanation of how the sorcerer managed the break-out and no background details on the origins of Gravel's magical arts either. None needed. Just a quick, action-packed read.

[Drew Canole · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very edgy. I don’t think this aged well at all.

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

So in this volume the British SAS is sent to quell a prison riot. However, it doesn't work as expected since black magic is involved. Enter William Gravel...

I can't help but compare this series to Hellblazer, even though there are obvious differences. Mix the Punisher with Constantine, and you have an idea of William Gravel and how he operates.

Art fits the story well as always, but not quite top level.

Still a cool series, although it really feels like it hasn't quite reached its potential, which may happen in a later volume.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

A "done-in-one" comic that Ellis is known for. But this is kind of a weaker installment.

[47Time · Rating 4 out of 5]

The inmates of a prison have taken control of the building being. They are led by a magician that only Gravel can handle.

We gain more info on Gravel's status in the SAS, his superiors and his relationship with them, but this is still a kill-fest with some gory elements. I can't say I mind.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, this is short, sharp and vile. A nice snack-sized slice of Ellis. Bizarre, fantastic, and definitely springs from a fertile imagination.