In the fourth collection of this series, Agent Graves continues to offer immunity to everyday people to carry out their innermost desires of vengeance with the 100 bullets that he supplies. But as these self-serving manipulations take place, pieces of the mystery of the Minutemen and the organization that created them start to come together, and we discover to the research and conspiracy theories of Mr. Branch. As more is revealed about the series' main characters, the true meaning and importance of the conflict between Graves and the Trust starts to emerge.
Brian Azzarello (born in Cleveland, Ohio) is an American comic book writer. He came to prominence with 100 Bullets, published by DC Comics' mature-audience imprint Vertigo. He and Argentine artist Eduardo Risso, with whom Azzarello first worked on Jonny Double, won the 2001 Eisner Award for Best Serialized Story for 100 Bullets #15–18: "Hang Up on the Hang Low".
Azzarello has written for Batman ("Broken City", art by Risso; "Batman/Deathblow: After the Fire", art by Lee Bermejo, Tim Bradstreet, & Mick Gray) and Superman ("For Tomorrow", art by Jim Lee).
In 2005, Azzarello began a new creator-owned series, the western Loveless, with artist Marcelo Frusin.
As of 2007, Azzarello is married to fellow comic-book writer and illustrator Jill Thompson.
As Agent Graves' self serving offers of premeditated revenge murders with guaranteed immunity, continue in snippets, more of the conspiracies around The Trust and The Minutemen begin to emerge. The gritty urban American mystery crime thriller continues its blood soaked path, but also its multi sub plotting delightful way of building related stories into a greater whole. 8 out of 12, Four Star read. 2017 read; 2011 read
At this point, I'm wishing that I hadn't returned the first three books to the library, because I would love to go back and re-read them now that more of the story is coming together. I especially want to re-read Mr. Shepherd's scenes, since I thought he and Mr. Graves were working together before - now it's clear that their interests aren't exactly aligned, and I'm wondering how that information colors those earlier scenes. I think that this will be one of those series that is even better the second time through.
Bigger picture is starting to form. Some new members are added. I like the I can drink three beers before you drink three shots. The only rule is that you can't touch the other person's glasses. The beer drinker finishes his first beer and puts it over the last shot and wins the bet.
Story was okay but a mixed bag of stories and mythology. Didn't learn all that much and felt like it was merely filling the void. I liked the conspiracy involving JFK and the final 100 pages the best, they contained a story that was worth telling. As the chapters go, this seems to have dropped back a little which is a shame considering the last two chapters were vast improvements.
The start is explaining the trust and who they are. Having a meeting but getting the point of view of the leader's son. It's just not that interesting, not horrible, but not all that satisfying the outcome. It does become better once we leave them and go into a story of going across the boarder to smuggle stuff, but in the end, neither story blew me away it's just decent.
This series just gets better and better as it progresses. The characters are becoming more interesting, and the story arcs are incredibly well plotted.
And I cannot say enough about Risso's art. It's simply perfect.
Themes: Manipulation and Power, Addiction and Self-Destruction, Conspiracies and Secret Histories
Plot: This volume consists of multiple short story arcs, each expanding the world of 100 Bullets while introducing or developing key characters.
The Mimic: A one-shot story that sheds light on the past relationship between Graves, Shepherd, and the Trust. While it doesn’t reveal much, it hints at deeper betrayals and hidden motives within the larger conspiracy.
Selfish and Out to Sea: This two-part arc introduces Jack Daw, a drug-addicted former Minuteman who receives an attache case with his own picture inside. The story explores his downward spiral and Graves’ role in forcing him to confront his demons. Jack’s self-destructive nature makes him a tough character to root for, but the psychological angle adds some intrigue.
Red Prince Blues: One of the stronger arcs in the volume, this story takes place in Atlantic City and finally reveals the full roster of the Trust. The political maneuvering and a high-stakes meeting among the Trust members are compelling, while side plots—such as Benito’s gambling and flirtation with Megan—add layers to the overarching plot. The highlight is Graves and Cole Burns assassinating a member of the Trust, marking a major shift in power.
Mr. Branch and the Family Tree: A filler issue that serves as a recap, with journalist Mr. Branch explaining the events of the series so far to a prostitute. While it features stylish splash pages, it doesn’t contribute much new information.
Idol Chatter: A fascinating and critically acclaimed issue featuring Agent Graves in conversation with baseball legend Joe DiMaggio. The story weaves real-world history—including Marilyn Monroe and JFK’s assassination—into the 100 Bullets mythos, making for an engaging and surreal chapter.
Contrabandolero: This arc introduces a new setting and cast of characters, following Dizzy and Shepherd as they work with a smuggler named Wylie Times in Texas. The mission to transport rare parrots adds an unusual but entertaining element to the crime-driven narrative. A key plot revelation is that Wylie, a dormant Minuteman, cannot be reactivated because Shepherd doesn’t know the trigger word “Croatoa.”
Verdict: A Foregone Tomorrow is a mixed bag, with some standout moments but an overall lack of cohesion. The best parts—like Red Prince Blues and Idol Chatter—push the series forward, expanding the scope of the conspiracy. However, weaker segments, particularly Mr. Branch and the Family Tree and Selfish and Out to Sea, feel more like filler than essential reading.
Eduardo Risso’s artwork continues to be stellar, with his signature noir style bringing mood and intensity to each scene. However, the pacing of this volume feels uneven, making it less engaging than previous installments.
Reprints 100 Bullets #20-30 (March 2001-January 2002). Agent Graves is continuing his games. He and his briefcases of guns are causing problems for the Trust but shutting him down isn’t easy. As Graves and his agent Dizzy spread their game of chaos around in an attempt to avenge the Minutemen, the Trust, and Shepherd has his own role in everything. More and more people are getting caught in the war, and the bullets are flying.
Written by Brian Azzarello, 100 Bullets Volume 4: A Foregone Tomorrow is a DC Comics and Vertigo crime thriller. Following 100 Bullets Volume 3: Hang Up on the Hang Low, the collection features art by Eduardo Risso. Issues in this volume were also included in 100 Bullets—Volume 2.
I have always been on the fence about 100 Bullets. I think it does some stuff well, but I also think it overplays its hand in other locations…it thinks too much of itself and loses the fact it can simply be a compelling story. 100 Bullets 4: A Foregone Tomorrow is a perfect example of this.
The collection is a number of shorter sequence stories. The comic continues to build the bigger picture, but it also follows the individual characters caught up in the game of guns. While some of these individual stories are interesting, others are bit of a bore. The dialogue for the series is also really clunky…Azzarello tries too hard to write dialect and it comes off as cheesy and stereotypical instead of real.
The bigger plot building is fleshed out a bit more. The series events are kind of caught up and explained in 100 Bullets #26 (September 2001) which features Mr. Branch explaining his attempts to bring down the Trust in France. The issue is largely in untranslated French, but the important parts are translated. It does still feel a bit like Cliff Notes…which the series at this point actually needs.
Part of the reason for the need of Cliff Notes is the art. While Risso is a talented artist, I do think that his characters sometimes blend together. Without costumes and capes, the business man look or the cold-eye assassin look can only be expressive so far. By this point, you are able to get most of the characters down, but it still can be tricky to not confuse some of them.
100 Bullets 4: A Foregone Tomorrow is a nice continuation of the story and has some fun (like the reveal of the “real” assassin of JFK and the reasons behind the assassination). It still is walking a tricky line of explaining what is going on and telling stand-alone stories of unlicensed, untraceable bullets and guns…and this volume is a bit thin on that side. 100 Bullets 4: A Foregone Tomorrow is followed by 100 Bullets 5: The Counterfifth Detective.
(Zero spoiler review for the omnibus this story arc collects) 4.5/5 I was really looking forward to this. I was holding this one back for a rainy day. One of those reads that you just know you're going to love, so you don't want to burn it too quickly. Once read, it can never again be read for the first time. Now, over the last year or so since its release, there were plenty of times I began to doubt Azarello's ability to deliver on this, for I've read some absolute stinkers from him. Though it wouldn't be the first time that someone was really good at writing a down and dirty crime noir, yet didn't have the chops to deliver, say, a long run on a female superhero... But on to 100 Bullets. I know when I'm absolutely on board with a comic, when rather than read at my usual pace, I linger on panels, pages. I read things over and over again, not because they're ridiculous or don't make sense, but because they're so bloody good. Because I'm completely immersed in the story, or maybe because there is a rather fetching young lady featured on the page (and there are quite a few of those featured throughout). I had minimal experience with Risso's artwork before this, although despite him being very much a love him or hate him type artist, I was instantly on board with his style. It suited the story and Azarello's writing down to a T. This only grew as the run continued, and the guy's chops and style improved. Some of the artwork and colouring in the final runs collected here were stunning, causing more of those lingering stares. And yeah, the guy knows how to draw a seedy, yet sexy looking woman, that's for sure. Whilst a few issues towards the end certainly weren't as good as the opening salvo's, and the prevalence and quality of the dialogue wasn't as strong at the end of the book as the beginning, but nearly sixty issues of quality street level noir with the same artist is something I can't quite accurately describe how happy it makes me. If this didn't live up to my expectations, I would've been crushed. But thankfully, 100 Bullets is one of the greatest collections I've had the fortune to read thus far, and absolutely and unequivocally belongs on every respecting comic book fans shelf. If you've never read it, stop what ever you are doing (probably reading this review) and get it. When it goes OOP, can't imagine it will get a reprint anytime soon. 4.5/5
Really enjoy this series. Can't say enough good things.
Wow just a totally awesome and creative take on revenge, people and what people would do if put into a situation that this series has thrust them in. Just an amazing piece of literature. The writing is amazing, the dialogue rings true and doesn't come off cheesy or anything like that. The artwork I think is amazing, love the way certain characters are drawn, the way the eyes of all the characters I think are amazing. Love the way the letters are done. It's just totally original and innovative, I am so happy I started reading this series. And as it continues it gets more and more complex while also learning more about what's happening. Highly recommend people read this because it's one of those series that is so good and different that you can't not help love it and once you pick it up you'll be sucked in and wanna continue.
The last story, "Contrabandolero" interjected some much needed humor. There's still a bunch of mystery surrounding the Trust and The Minutemen, but things are becoming clearer. A middle story - "Idol Chatter" - suggests that Graves had something to do with JFK's assassination, as well as Marylin Monroe's death. Two different scenes with prostitutes add nudity to the crimes of violence and vulgarity displayed to such effect in the previous books. But I'm now fully hooked onto this series and hope to finish it out in short order.
Bill Savage's (fun fact: he's the PHD brother of Dan Savage) introduction is a great example of literary and cultural criticism, as well as a explanation of the merits of this particular creative work and graphic novels as a format generally.
We get a lot of backstory in this one. Unfortunately it's not a mystery being unravelled we just get scenes of the conspirators talking and basically explaining the premise to us.
The Trust and Agent Graves are actually enemies. Agent Graves used to run the Minutemen for The Trust but they have been disbanded. There are 13 families that basically run the USA and used the Minutemen in the past to set everything up for them. Agent Graves even had a hand in the assassination of JFK! I'm still unclear about the relationship between Agent Graves and Mr. Shepard and what Dizzy is doing for Graves.
It was a fun volume still with plenty of action to enjoy.
This is just beautiful. Azzarello writing is just so smart, and his is building the story just the right way. Like, i want to know really bad about Graves's lat job for The Trust and what happened, but the middle chapters about his attache and everything are so good that you just forget about it.
And Risso's art is awesome. He makes everything in the scene seems important. It's a lesson about narrative in comics.
Absolutely, after Scalped, for me this is the best Vertigo has to offer you in it awesome library.
At this point Im sure my memory hasn’t failed me and I’m not viewing the series through the lens of nostalgia. The weaving in of real history and American symbolism layers weight into the tale.
The overarching story really hits its stride in this volume. Azzarello lays out framework and pushes the narrative forward enough to really hook a reader in for the long haul. Risso’s artwork continues to strengthen with additional narratives running in the backgrounds of every issue. I’d be interested to know if they are part of the script, improvised, or a bit of both.
More into the Trust and the idea of the Minutemen... I think the story is moving strong. fewer cases this time to focus on the main theme but I still liked the few cases with the attache. The one who will use all 99 of the bullets and keep the one for the mission was great! still don't enjoy the artwork. Dizzy and Shepard thing is interesting. Everything is taking shape... to the next volume.
I feel like each volume takes me just a small step closer to understanding what this series is all about, and though I may still have a long way to go this volume felt like a bigger jump than any other. There’s more overt discussions of the Trust, what it is, who’s in it, what they do, and who and what role the Minutemen played in the organization. I’m still very much enjoying this series and can’t wait to read the next volume.
La historia no es mala, pero honestamente me resulta muy dificil seguirle el ritmo. Como que nos presentan a demasiados personajes y su desarrollo no está muy claro, lo que hace que se me confundan o directamente me olvide cuál es cuál.
Admito que puede ser un error mío por intercalar su lectura con otros cómics o libros, pero bueno, de estar más asentados los personajes quizás no tendría este inconveniente.
Num misto de realidade e ficção, o Senhor Túmulos parece ter encomendado até mesmo a morte de um presidente dos Estados Unidos. O mistério continua grande e ficamos querendo saber mais, muito mais sobre a estonteante Dizzy e os Minutemen.
Better than volume 2, but not as good as 1 or 3. I think this is the point at which I'll drop the series because, while it has moments of greatness, it's too often that there will be an issue that entirely disinterests me. In addition, the art style still hasn't grown on me (amplified by the fact that every female character remains gratuitously hyper-sexualized in the art style).
A whole bunch of stories that apparently deepened the main story line but did not move it forward too much. A bit of a downer in that perspective. But then again, the stories were nice and tragic and violent and interesting. And Dizzy... she is sexy.
This whole series has been hit or miss. With the hits superb and the misses time wasters. This book has its moments, but all in all it just seems like a pausing spot. Something good is coming, it just wasn't here.
I’m being generous with four stars, and only because I like slow burn narratives. I don’t love a lot of this like I used to when it was new and I was young. I’m glad I’m rereading it because I’m learning things about how and why my tastes change, though.
The art is magnificent as ever, some new characters were introduced. More is learned about existing characters and pieces of the puzzle are given away. The pace is a bit slow, however, probably more about setting the scene before the story will pick up again. Still a pleasant read though.