Booknote: The Names

Peter Milligan, et.al., The Names. New York: Vertigo, 2015. ISBN: 978-1-4012-5243-4.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: noir, mystery, crime, conspiracies
Format: e-book galley
Source: NetGalley

The Names is, on the surface, a cabal of financiers, politicians, and other powerful figures. It turns out they are more sinister and use various means to control finance around the world. Kevin Walker is a member of this capitalist-criminal conspiracy. When he is found dead, Katya, his young wife refuses to believe it was a suicide. Joining Philip, his son who is also a high level math genius, she decides to find the truth no matter where it leads. The thing is The Names is experiencing infighting, and both sides want Philip, who they see as a key to countering the algorithms they use to control the markets, algorithms that have now gained a life of their own.

This is an excellent noir style thriller. If you like mysteries and thrillers, this is for you. If you enjoy stories about conspiracies, this is for you as well. Katya will have to keep her wits and use her martial arts skills to stay alive as she digs deeper. The story draws you in right away. I could not put this down once I started. As more layers are revealed, you just keep reading to see where it all leads. The comic blends suspense, thrills, action, and conspiracy seamlessly.

This volume collects the 9 issues series. It is great for libraries, but keep in mind it is an adult title. It is suggested for mature readers. This is a title I would add to my personal collection.

5 out of 5 stars.

Titles with similar appeal:

• The 100 Bullets series. 
• The X-Files, due to some of the conspiracy elements. 
• Wanted, the comic, not so much the film. 

This book qualifies for the following 2015 Reading Challenges: