I love noir comics and I love spy comics.  PIGS #1 mixes the best of each with a story focused on a KGB sleeper team and the fact this is an ongoing series makes me so giddy.  The comic focuses on the past as the KGB agents prepare for whatever mission lays ahead, but also the present with an interrogation that’s a psychological mind game.  The interaction during those latter scenes are fantastic with such strong dialogue and mood, it sets the tone for the entire comic and possibly the entire series.

ISSUE ONE: HELLO, CRUEL WORLD From writers NATE COSBY & BEN McCOOL (CHOKER, MEMOIR) along with hotshot newcomer artist Breno Temura comes PIGS, a brand new ongoing series to join Image’s elite ranks. The story centers around a second-generation KGB Cuban sleeper cell, activated & assigned to overthrow the U.S. Government through a series of kidnappings, assassinations and acts of terrorism. But why has the call come now, 50 years after the original cell last heard from Mother Russia?

With writers like Nate Cosby and Ben McCool at the helm, I’d expect a solid comic, but throughout the issue the characters are tough as nails, with numerous strong female leads and an ending that just took the breath right out of me.  I wish I could spoil that last scene, but if you don’t get to it and say “holy shit,” there’s something wrong with you.

It’s a fantastic book and one of the best I’ve read this year.  The pacing, dialogue, plot, everything is pitch perfect and the art rock solid as well.  This is a comic for fans of noir, thrillers and politics, blending all three into a story I instantly wanted more of.  So damn good and so damn entertaining.  It’s an absolute must buy.

Story: 10 Art: 9 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Story: Ben McCool and Nate Cosby Art: Breno Temura Cover: JOCK

Publisher: Image Comics Cost: $2.99 Release Date: September 14

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.