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Button Man #1
Button Man: The Killing Game
BUTTON MAN-Killing game great book hardcover- used one nice book
96 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
161 people want to read
About the author
John Wagner
1,283 books189 followersJohn Wagner is a comics writer who was born in Pennsylvania in 1949 and moved to Scotland as a boy. Alongside Pat Mills, Wagner was responsible for revitalising British boys' comics in the 1970s, and has continued to be a leading light in British comics ever since. He is best known for his work on 2000 AD, for which he created Judge Dredd. He is noted for his taut, violent thrillers and his black humour. Among his pseudonyms are The best known are John Howard, T.B. Grover, Mike Stott, Keef Ripley, Rick Clark and Brian Skuter. (Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 5, 2013
Originally a strip that ran in the British comic publication 2000 AD (where Judge Dredd originated - I think), this is the story of a former mercenary named Harry Exton who is recruited by an old compadre into a game in which soldiers of fortune are sponsored by wealthy investors (called Voices, because they're only heard on the telephone) to fight it out gladiatorial style in a variety of settings, from the nighted English countryside, to an abandoned tenement, to the very streets of London. There's a lot of "dosh" to be made, but Harry doesn't like being boxed in. After a particularly deadly game, on a whim to test his Voice, he wonders aloud what would happen if he were to up and quit. That's enough for the Voices, and in the very next game Harry is set up for the kill. But Harry X is a lot more resourceful than they think...
This is a great thriller which is bookended by a wounded Harry telling his incredible story to the doctor treating him. While the concept sounds like the Van Damme movie Hard Target, forget that bit of fluff. This is an extremely well crafted bit of British noir. The action is completely believable (if surpassingly violent at times). There are no slow mo two gun jumps from the fireball here. This is hard hitting, driven plotboiler with a lace of cool, like the best kind of 70's British gangster tale. The characters are as hard boiled as they come, and the story culminates in a great twist.
The art here is gritty and realistic - perfectly married to the writing. And is it just me or does Harry look a great deal like Sean Bean?
Buy this if you can get it - it delivers.
This is a great thriller which is bookended by a wounded Harry telling his incredible story to the doctor treating him. While the concept sounds like the Van Damme movie Hard Target, forget that bit of fluff. This is an extremely well crafted bit of British noir. The action is completely believable (if surpassingly violent at times). There are no slow mo two gun jumps from the fireball here. This is hard hitting, driven plotboiler with a lace of cool, like the best kind of 70's British gangster tale. The characters are as hard boiled as they come, and the story culminates in a great twist.
The art here is gritty and realistic - perfectly married to the writing. And is it just me or does Harry look a great deal like Sean Bean?
Buy this if you can get it - it delivers.
April 20, 2018
What a fascinating idea, the most dangerous game taken to an amped up level. I love the concept.
I'm not entirely happy with the execution though, the big reveal was figured out several pages earlier, but the violence was a nice counter balance.
I'm interested in seeing where they go in volume 2, just enough to go on at a later date.
Harry is a total bad-ass, starting to get a Bondurant vibe from him.
He's resourceful, and cold enough to do what is needed.
A solid entry on my quest to read the top 100 graphic novels of all time, this was #81.
I'm not entirely happy with the execution though, the big reveal was figured out several pages earlier, but the violence was a nice counter balance.
I'm interested in seeing where they go in volume 2, just enough to go on at a later date.
Harry is a total bad-ass, starting to get a Bondurant vibe from him.
He's resourceful, and cold enough to do what is needed.
A solid entry on my quest to read the top 100 graphic novels of all time, this was #81.
July 27, 2017
Un thriller magnífico donde aparte de la solvencia de Wagner, sobrio y eficiente como suele ser habitual en él, brilla el trabajo de Ransom. Clásico en su forma de afrontar la acción, impecable a la hora de secuenciarla. Seguiré con el resto de historias del personaje.
February 23, 2017
La versión que he leído es la de ECC Ediciones que trajo este tebeo a España hace un par de años y que no aparece en Goodreads.
Originalmente publicada entre 1991 y 1992 en 2000AD, "Button Man" es un thriller de acción, una especie de antecedente de la película "John Wick" pero en británico, es decir, carente de glamour, malencarada, brusca y áspera. Lo que en "John Wick" era una fantasía de asesinos a sueldo, urbana y sofisticada, cuyas imágenes recordaban a las brillantes páginas de una moderna revista de tendencias para hombres, un catálogo de estilo de vida para tíos, en "Button Man" es campiña inglesa, barro, niebla, pubs y sangre.
El argumento es muy sencillo, un deporte sangriento en el que una serie de ricachos patrocinan asesinos a sueldo que se enfrentan entre sí, según les ordenen "las voces", es decir los propios ricachos que se ponen en contacto con sus sicarios, como si fuesen los caballos de sus cuadras. Por supuesto, las voces saben todo de los asesinos pero los asesinos no saben nada de sus "dueños", que permanecen en el anonimato. Una carrera de las ratas extrema y masculina, que no se puede ganar ni se puede abandonar, sólo se puede seguir corriendo. Aquí puede identificarse todo aquel que ha recibido una llamada de su jefe un sábado a las diez de la noche para que prepare un informe urgente para el lunes a primera hora en mi mesa, Peláez.
El guión está bastante bien, el truquito narrativo que funciona como marco que sostiene una historia estructurada en flashbacks está muy bien llevado, a pesar de que me temía que acabara pegándosela y el argumento goza de gran ritmo, enseguida entra en materia sin aburrirte construyendo y presentando personajes "creíbles" durante páginas y páginas, basta con dos pinceladas en un par de diálogos para dejarlos definidos e ir a lo que importa.
Por otro lado, pues Arthur Ranson, un estupendo dibujante hiperrealista, que compone la página con estilo, tira mucho de claroscuros muy efectivos y consigue que el estatismo que suele derivar de un grafismo que se apoya en fotografías no moleste, la narrativa fluye bien y la verdad es que sus dibujos son un festival para la vista.
Pues eso, un tebeo muy entretenido, que no insulta la inteligencia de sus lectores y que está fenomenalmente dibujado. No se le puede pedir más.
Originalmente publicada entre 1991 y 1992 en 2000AD, "Button Man" es un thriller de acción, una especie de antecedente de la película "John Wick" pero en británico, es decir, carente de glamour, malencarada, brusca y áspera. Lo que en "John Wick" era una fantasía de asesinos a sueldo, urbana y sofisticada, cuyas imágenes recordaban a las brillantes páginas de una moderna revista de tendencias para hombres, un catálogo de estilo de vida para tíos, en "Button Man" es campiña inglesa, barro, niebla, pubs y sangre.
El argumento es muy sencillo, un deporte sangriento en el que una serie de ricachos patrocinan asesinos a sueldo que se enfrentan entre sí, según les ordenen "las voces", es decir los propios ricachos que se ponen en contacto con sus sicarios, como si fuesen los caballos de sus cuadras. Por supuesto, las voces saben todo de los asesinos pero los asesinos no saben nada de sus "dueños", que permanecen en el anonimato. Una carrera de las ratas extrema y masculina, que no se puede ganar ni se puede abandonar, sólo se puede seguir corriendo. Aquí puede identificarse todo aquel que ha recibido una llamada de su jefe un sábado a las diez de la noche para que prepare un informe urgente para el lunes a primera hora en mi mesa, Peláez.
El guión está bastante bien, el truquito narrativo que funciona como marco que sostiene una historia estructurada en flashbacks está muy bien llevado, a pesar de que me temía que acabara pegándosela y el argumento goza de gran ritmo, enseguida entra en materia sin aburrirte construyendo y presentando personajes "creíbles" durante páginas y páginas, basta con dos pinceladas en un par de diálogos para dejarlos definidos e ir a lo que importa.
Por otro lado, pues Arthur Ranson, un estupendo dibujante hiperrealista, que compone la página con estilo, tira mucho de claroscuros muy efectivos y consigue que el estatismo que suele derivar de un grafismo que se apoya en fotografías no moleste, la narrativa fluye bien y la verdad es que sus dibujos son un festival para la vista.
Pues eso, un tebeo muy entretenido, que no insulta la inteligencia de sus lectores y que está fenomenalmente dibujado. No se le puede pedir más.
August 14, 2018
Todo lo que no funcionaba en el cómic que me leí antes de éste (13 monedas) funciona aquí. Un guión de género sólido y un dibujo que le encaja como un guante. Muy recomendable.
August 1, 2016
Unbelievably tight, from beginning to the end. A lean and mean, perfectly crafted B movie comic book thriller. The writer, John Wagner, and the artist, Arthur Ranson, are both in their top form. It's a pity that this particular comic book didn't end up as a movie like that other Wagner's graphic novel, "History of Violence". But then again, I'm grateful that only comic book readers have a privilege to experience this kind of fantastic read.
May 17, 2023
I can still remember when this series ran in 2000AD back in the 90s. At the time, as a young high school lad, I recall being initially unimpressed. "This is in 2000AD, where are the robots, the future cops, the cool space shit?!"
And yet, within a chapter or two I began to realise how special, unique, grimy and gripping this tale was. Decades later, it has lost none of its punch, deftly weaving a pulpy, morally gray narrative with an absolute gut punch of an ending.
I've not read the follow up stories, so they'll be next on the chopping block. But even as a one-off, Button Man is an absolute gem.
And yet, within a chapter or two I began to realise how special, unique, grimy and gripping this tale was. Decades later, it has lost none of its punch, deftly weaving a pulpy, morally gray narrative with an absolute gut punch of an ending.
I've not read the follow up stories, so they'll be next on the chopping block. But even as a one-off, Button Man is an absolute gem.
November 15, 2017
Very short and very good. I remember reading this as a sproglet when it first came out and I have enjoyed it this time round as much as I enjoyed it then, so it must appeal to teenagers and adults alike.
March 6, 2025
This 2000AD series from the 90s was pretty atypical of their usual catalogue, but its quality demanded its inclusion. From start to finish, this is pure thriller. It feels SO MUCH like a 70s or 80s crime thriller distilled into a comic book format from these two expert creators. Fantastic!
October 8, 2022
Essentially a battle royale style scenario. Enjoyed it and liked the twist at the end but won't be continuing the series.
December 9, 2015
Esta vez toca irnos a una historia publicada por la revista 2000 AD en su momento, a pesar de que como recuerda Wagner, está no es una historia de ciencia ficción, ni fantasía, lo cual sigue diciendo mucho de una de las revistas de cómics mas longevas y que cuenta con sagas mas que míticas. Es esta una historia de asesinos, jugando un juego mortal, para diversión de los ricos y poderosos de Inglaterra. Si habéis visto “The Tournament“, podéis imaginar a un “Harry Brown” mas joven participando en el juego y tendréis una imagen aproximada.
No os digo mas, tan solo recomendar el tebeo como historia de leer en un bocado y que se disfruta lo suficiente. Para comentar los matices de la narración visual y esas cosas, mejor vais a otros blogs, que yo de analizar los tebeos en profundidad no tengo ni puta idea. Solo os cuento lo que leo y si me parece bien, mal o regular. Y este es de los que entran bien.
No os digo mas, tan solo recomendar el tebeo como historia de leer en un bocado y que se disfruta lo suficiente. Para comentar los matices de la narración visual y esas cosas, mejor vais a otros blogs, que yo de analizar los tebeos en profundidad no tengo ni puta idea. Solo os cuento lo que leo y si me parece bien, mal o regular. Y este es de los que entran bien.
April 21, 2016
absolutely fantastic. the artwork for this graphic novel is truly breathtaking with a story to match. could easily see this turning into a Hollywood blockbuster especially if the rumors are to believed that this is one of Leonardo di Caprio's favourite novels. was lent this by a friend and in all honesty, it didn't appeal to me as much as some of the others which he kindly let me borrow but wow. I was wrong. read this graphic novel now
September 7, 2010
There's no two ways about it: I bought this book JUST for Arthur Ranson's lovely art. It looks a little stilted now, but no less rich and studied.
The story is kind of junky: a former military man gets wrangled into a game where rich men pit assassins against each other for money. You could probably make up the rest of the plot yourself.
The story is kind of junky: a former military man gets wrangled into a game where rich men pit assassins against each other for money. You could probably make up the rest of the plot yourself.
July 22, 2016
Harry Ex is the most awesome professional killer since Judge Dredd. Loved the punchy and clever story and the artwork was simply breathtakingly gorgeous. Arthur Ranson is an amazing illustrator and he truly brought this bloody tale to life.
February 13, 2009
Nicely done modern gladiator piece.
Timo
Timo
July 26, 2010
remember this artist Arthur
Ranson
Ranson
March 9, 2014
The best part of this comic really is Arthur Ranson's art. It's absolutely beautiful. John Wagner's story is also great. An amazing comic.
December 19, 2015
imprescisdinble!!!
January 12, 2017
Perfect for any graphic novel/007/spy fan.
September 14, 2018
Fantastic art. Fantastic story. Highly recommended.
April 6, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews