Moonstone Noir: Boston Blackie

    (Moonstone, 2003)
™ and ©2003

Hard-luck thief-with-a-conscience Boston Blackie was created by Jack Boyle in 1919 and has endured through radio shows, in film (Meet Boston Blackie starred Chester Morris and debuted in 1941), and on television (Kent Taylor portrayed Boston Blackie in the 1951-1953 series). Moonstone Books kicks off its Moonstone Noir line of hard-boiled fiction by bringing Blackie to black-and-white comics.

Stephan Petrucha writes a dark and intriguing story where the good guys aren’t all that good and bad guys aren’t all that bad. Blackie emerges from a seven-year prison sentence free from his opium addiction, but not the haunting memory fragments of the events leading to his murder conviction. His decision to investigate those events allows Petrucha to unravel a mystery full of interesting characters on both sides of the law. Van Wormer’s moody panels are crucial to the story’s development, as this book is a true marriage of words and art. Reading without studying each panel isn’t recommended, unless you enjoy going back several pages to discover what your hasty eyes passed up. It’ll make you think, and could use even more dry humor to balance the serious tale.

Noir fans will be happy.

— Karen O’Brien
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#1

March, 2017
Cover Price: $5.50
3 copies available from $1.99 		Stefan PetruchaKirk Van Wormer