El ejecutor

Vertigo Crime

by Jon Evans, Andrea Mutti

Now in trade paperback! THE EXECUTOR is the story of Joseph Ullen, a retired pro athlete, who returns to his hometown in upstate New York when he's named executor of his high-school sweetheart's will. In a search to find out what really happened to Miriam following her mysterious death, Joseph is confronted with his own haunted past and the possibility that the two are connected.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Crime, Mystery, Noir, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Quentin Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one from Vertigo Crime. I almost think this one may have been hurt by being a graphic novel because this story could have really made a great prose novel and probably reached a larger audience. However, the art is very nice so that's a plus.

Set on an Indian reservation, this is a grim story that deals with some pretty serious subject matter. Dark secret after dark secret is slowly exposed, and the story twists and turns to a satisfying and explosive conclusion.

This is one of the graphic novels in the line that I think even people who normally don't read comics will enjoy. If you like dark crime thrillers, check this one out.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love 'fish out of water' situations that place individuals in situations they never dreamed they would be in. Someone you cared about in the past names you executor of their will...simple, right? Put this one on your 'to read while passing out candy' list for this Halloween! But then you may not want to open the door!

[Tobin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gritty crime yarn. I just couldn't pass it up when I saw it on the library shelf. It's Vertigo Crime! The imprint hasn't let me down yet.

I gave it an 8/10 on my personal scale.

-tpl

[Jonathan Maas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Par for the course in the Vertigo Crime series, which means this one is an A.

This one might have the best art of the series. Props to artist Andrea Mutti - she pushes the black and white form until it's practically in color.

Great tale !

[George K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Εφόσον έμεινα απόλυτα ικανοποιημένος από την πρώτη ιστορία της σειράς Vertigo Crime που διάβασα (Area 10), προμηθεύτηκα άλλα δυο βιβλιαράκια, το The Executor που μόλις τελείωσα και το The Chill που θα διαβάσω σύντομα, με συνολικό κόστος δέκα ευρώ. Και το δεύτερο με άφησε απόλυτα ικανοποιημένο, μιας και η ιστορία ήταν άκρως ενδιαφέρουσα και συναρπαστική και το σχέδιο πολύ καλό.

Πως έχει η ιστορία: Ο Joe Ullen έκανε μια σχετικά μεγάλη καριέρα σαν παίκτης του χόκεϊ στο NHL, αν και προερχόταν από μια μικρή και απομονωμένη πόλη της πολιτείας της Νέας Υόρκης, την Elohra. Ξαφνικά θα ενημερωθεί ότι ορίστηκε εκτελεστής της διαθήκης μιας γυναίκας, με την οποία είχε σχέση όταν πήγαιναν και οι δυο στο λύκειο. Η γυναίκα αυτή, ονόματι Miriam, σκοτώθηκε σε αυτοκινητιστικό δυστύχημα. Ο Joe θα γυρίσει στην πόλη όπου μεγάλωσε και θα δει ότι πολλά πράγματα έχουν αλλάξει. Θα καταλάβει ότι κάτι δεν πάει καλά με το υποτιθέμενο ατύχημα της Miriam και πολλά μυστικά από το παρελθόν του θα βγουν στην επιφάνεια. Ο Joe θα ψάξει να βρει την αλήθεια, όσο και αν αυτή πονέσει και τον ίδιο, μόνο που κυκλοφορεί ένας δολοφόνος που δεν θέλει να αποκαλυφθούν κάποια τρομακτικά πράγματα...

Ειλικρινά δεν καταλαβαίνω την μέτρια βαθμολογία στο Goodreads. Σίγουρα δεν πρόκειται για αριστούργημα, αλλά έχουμε να κάνουμε με μια πραγματικά ενδιαφέρουσα ιστορία, γεμάτη δράση, συνταρακτικές αποκαλύψεις, ανατροπές και σούπερ ατμόσφαιρα. Και το σχέδιο είναι πολύ καλό και ιδιαίτερο, αρκετά σκοτεινό, όχι ασπρόμαυρο, αλλά περισσότερο γκρι με μαύρο. Οπωσδήποτε μου φάνηκε απόλυτα ταιριαστό με το ύφος της ιστορίας. Σίγουρα στην αρχή η πλοκή κινείται με κάπως αργούς ρυθμούς, αλλά από ένα σημείο και μετά απογειώνεται με πολλές αποκαλύψεις και σκηνές δράσης.

Χαίρομαι πολύ που γνώρισα την συγκεκριμένη σειρά αστυνομικών ιστοριών της Vertigo και μάλιστα με ιδιαίτερα χαμηλό κόστος για την ποιότητα και το μέγεθος των βιβλίων. Βέβαια στην βιβλιοθήκη μου έχω ένα μόνο ακόμα βιβλιαράκι στα αδιάβαστα και μετά πάπαλα, μιας και δύσκολα θα βρω τόσο φτηνά άλλα βιβλία της σειράς σε κάποιο κομιξάδικο. Όμως δεν θα κάτσω με σταυρωμένα τα χέρια, σίγουρα θα ψάχνω από δω και από κει για παρόμοιας ποιότητας graphic novels, από την στιγμή μάλιστα που δεν έχω κανένα πρόβλημα τελικά να τα διαβάζω στα αγγλικά.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yet another notch in Vertigo Crime’s nascent line of graphic novels that explore a well-trodden genre that never fails to captivate. Mutti may not be the best artist, in my layman’s opinion, for this riveting and sordid tale of a long-ago series of crimes that haunt Joe Ullen, a former pro-hockey player who becomes the titular executor of his late high school girlfriend. Yet Evans’ plot bends in such a way to deliver a wallop when the secrets behind his ex-girlfriend’s recent death – some twenty years after a horrific event from their high school years – are revealed. I wouldn’t deign to give away one single spoiler here. But rest assured, this is a gripping tale that’s worthy of a cinematic adaptation.

[Colin Birge · Rating 5 out of 5]

At its best, The Executor reminds me of Andrew Vachss' "Two Trains Running" and "The Getaway Man," noir-driven stories of small towns with deadly secrets. Andrea Mutti's art is dark, lush, and perfectly suited for the tale. Jon Evans' script betrays a few Canadian touches (a retired pro hockey player as small-town hero?) and starts a bit slowly for a thriller, but ramps up very quickly. His dialog is believable and interesting without being mannered or staccato, and his outsider's perspective on US culture is fascinating. A quick, deadly read.

[Jason Seaver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The newest selection from "Vertigo Crime" is a tight, suspenseful noir comic set against the backdrop of a small town next to an Indian reservation. It does the job well: Quick set-up, story that hints at something bad and winds up getting worse. The art is clean, using gray scales rather than the stark black-and-white of some of the other books in the line.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly the strongest of the Vertigo Crime books I've read so far. This is especially true in the art department, and I hope to see more from Andrea Mutti soon.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tight crime thriller with very clean art that helps the storytelling a great deal. Fast-paced with lots of twists and turns. One of the best Vertigo Crime books yet.

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing tale! Things take an exciting turn when the protagonist returns home to execute a will... Recommended for crime graphic novel readers!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

One if the better Vertigo Crime books. Better than Area 10 even.

[Nik Maack · Rating 1 out of 5]

I decided to check out the Vertigo Crime graphic novels because one of them was cheesy but fun. Others have been god awful. Two looked so bad I didn't even bother trying to read them after the first few pages.

I'm not sure what the problem is. Are they aiming for a depth comics just can't reach? Or is it just that the stories they're aiming for are too complex for a comic book of such few pages?

With this particular novel, I eventually found myself skimming. I just wanted it to be over. When the main character announced "It was person x!" I had no idea who he was talking about. Turns out a character we saw for two seconds (6 panels -- I counted) was a key part of the plot.

It's funny - I want to partly blame myself. Am I a lazy comic reader, expecting a shallow, superficial story? Or is it the format that's to blame? They're trying to cram an awful lot in just a few pages.

Either way, this comic just didn't work for me. I didn't care for any of the characters, and the noire aspect just felt whiney and sad. The hockey player with a career-ending injury visiting the small town where he grew up, facing a dark secret from his past - is this a trope of the noire style, or just cliched crap? I can't even tell anymore.

I read the comic in less than an hour and felt bored and disappointed.

[Trisha · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is the first graphic novel I've ever read, so keep that in mind.

Frankly, the writing was like a slice of swiss cheese: full of holes. Not holes in plot but holes in story in general.

Also, the illustration left a lot to be desired. While the artist was good with nature and dark imagery, she wasn't able to draw women very well. They all looked like men. Except when boobs were present.

Still, the story caught me toward the end, so that's why it gets 2 stars instead of 1.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a well-written, fast-paced crime graphic novel - which was of interest since it also dealt with the intersection of anti American Indian prejudice in a small Upstate New York town, with criminal networks in the town.

I will not discuss the plot details since that would spoil the book for anyone who wishes to read it. The American Indians (Mohawks) in the book, do not all come across as the heroes. Similar to a noir film, there are no real heroes in the book - although perhaps one "avenging" Mohawk may be seen as the hero, although she is also the owner of a criminal network. Every character is deeply flawed. The supposed "innocence" of small-town life years ago, masked deeply a disturbing criminal network that went undetected for many years, since its leaders were also town "fathers."

The dialog by Mr. Evans was crisp and the drawings by Mr. Muti were excellent - also conveyed a sense of the creepy claustrophobic nature of small-town life, where the novel's characters who in theory all knew each other, paradoxically also seemed very isolated - and rarely had kind words to say about neighbors. In the novel, the town was also said to have been the site of a dreadful Civil War prison camp, in which a large number of Confederate POWs died and were buried in mass graves underneath the town. Perhaps their ghosts haunted the town subsequently.

This is a graphic novel that is compelling, such that you will be riveted to the page-turner, to find out about the next plot twist and what may next befall the (anti-) hero. The reader will get drawn into the creepy and unfortunately violent world of Elora, NY, when reading this graphic novel.

[Rodolfo Santullo · Rating 3 out of 5]

No es el del título un sicario o un vengador asesino, sino que se trata del ejecutor de la última voluntad de un testamento. En este caso, su nombre es Joe Ullen y debe volver a su miserable pueblo natal -el que dejara años atrás para volverse una estrella de la NHL- para liquidar los asuntos de su novia del secundario, muerta en un accidente de tránsito, quien inesperadamente lo designa su albacea. Por supuesto que hay cosas escondidas detrás de la muerte de la ex novia, pero lo más interesante pasa por los secretos que el propio Joe dejó cuando se fue sin mirar atrás, sobre todo aquellos que involucran a la reserva Cheyenne cercana. El guionista Evans -quien a la mejor usanza de esta colección, Vertigo Crime, viene de otro palo, en este caso del periodismo- juega con algunos lugares comunes como la tensión entre los blancos y los indios sometidos a su lado -una línea narrativa muy recorrida, y mejor, en obras como Corazón de Fuego, la serie Longmire o esa obra maestra que es Scalped- y propone una historia entretenida pero que no profundiza demasiado en sus personajes y en la que todo pasa medio que demasiado rápido (para cuando se revela la identidad del villano, no hay demasiada emoción involucrada porque lo vimos apenas una o dos veces). El que no tiene peros es el italiano Mutti, que se despacha con alto nivel, aportando todo el grim & gritty que le pide la historia y demostrando gran dominio del blanco y negro (y grises).

[Rex Hurst · Rating 4 out of 5]

A former hockey player, a goon retired due to injuries, returns to his Podunk town after being named the executor in his former girlfriend's will. Once there he relives some debris from his past, involving a long outstanding unsolved murder of some teenagers from the local Indian Reservation, as well as uncovering some other foul crimes that have been ongoing for as long as he can remember. It is difficult to root for any of the characters they are all so morally flawed, but I found myself very interested in where the action was going. A nasty story that was well executed

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first exposure to Vertigo's crime line, and it's not a good one. Tepid plotting and dialogue, complemented by stiff (but basically competent) artwork. Too many dark secrets coming to light about characters who've been dead for twenty years and have no importance in the reader's mind, too great a leap to set the protagonist on the real villains tracks, and dialogue that's just too wooden.

[Sooraya Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ex-hockey star returns to his hometown to ‘execute’ the will of his former girlfriend. All the while, I thought the title meant something else. An decent story nonetheless with unpredictable twists along the way. Topped with gorgeous gray scale art.

[Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Congratulate me, I have now read every single VertigoCrime book. I'd say this is in the top tier. Really intense story with some great twists and the art work is solid. And like the best VertigoCrime and film noir in general, our "hero" is really messed up and complicated. Wish I had more to read!

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Probably the darkest of the Vertigo Crime series GNs. A violent tale with a few twists and double-backs on the way; let down by the ending which really doesn't make much sense unfortunately.

[Alessandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hell of a good story. A retired and troubled NHL star, an Indian reserve, two police chiefs, long lost loves and guilts. All the ingredients of a good story are here, and the author writes a very good one. Very effective the drawings, too. Another good Vertigo Crime GN.

[Iris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but ultimately too predictable

[D. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't believe I'm going to say this, but I honestly feel that this story might have been better served as a regular novel and not a graphic one. The characters are interesting and the story is compelling, but I think the graphic format short-changes the readers on the motivations and backgrounds of several characters, which would have deepened and improved the overall product.

When the title character is informed he's the executor of an old girlfriend's estate, he goes back to his old home town and uncovers several mysteries that have been brewing for years. Some of which he was already involved in, and some of which catch him by surprise. Add to this Native American politics and some unsavory characters, and it's an interesting, but somewhat flat noir tale.

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part of the Vertigo Crime series in a nice hardcover binding.

The book starts off with an odd twist, as a man is drawn back to the small town of his childhood by an odd request. His high school girlfriend has died and left a request that he be named executor of her estate. Since he hadn't seen her or heard from her in years, it seemed odd and sentimental, but as he fulfills her will it turns into something else.

For the most part, the story was good, and a truly interesting noir story with lots of twists and turns. I wasn't as thrilled with some parts of the ending, which cost it a star. Given what he's done and what he knows, the main character says things during the ending which don't make any sense, and I found that to be seriously distracting.

Still, not everyone will have that problem, and it's a generally cool story.

[Nicole Romine · Rating 2 out of 5]

There are some very unsettling and dark plot lines in "The Executor," from Vertigo's graphic mystery series. Despite the disturbing narrative, I was not engaged in the story. This is probably the result of the graphic novel's dialogue and art, both of which was stiff. A slightly disappointing read.

[William Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written and paneled like a poorly edited low budget 80's thriller. Nothing special, but not the bottom of the barrel either. Just poor execution.

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

Digging these Vertigo crime graphic novels. This one was solid. Intense subject matter. Read it in one sitting.

[Michael Bacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-told but not particularly unique crime story.

[Jennopenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the art work. The plot line not so much. Glad I read it though.