Book Review: United States of Murder Inc.

Brian Michael Bendis (author) and Michael Avon Oeming (artist), The United States of Murder Inc. Burbank, CA: DC Comics/Jinxworld, 2018. ISBN: 9781401287467.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: Mafia, crime, noir, alternate history

Format: e-book galley

Source: Netgalley  

In an alternate United States, the Cosa Nostra never fell. In fact, it fully controls parts of the East Coast, Chicago, and Las Vegas. When our story begins, Valentine Gallo just becomes a made man. He is sent to deliver a package to a U.S. Senator, which seems to be a somewhat routine task. However, shortly after he does the delivery, a bomb goes off and kills the senator. Was there a bomb in the package? Was the bomb part of some other plot? Now Valentine and his reluctant companion Jagger Rose, a hitwoman, are on the run from the Mafia and the Feds, and they need to clear their names and find out what really happened.  

The premise of the comic overall is interesting. This is a near future where the Mafia became stronger, and by now it's a fact of life. The story is fast paced once the events are in motion. The plot for the most part draws you in. However, there are one or two plot points that even for a fictional setting are a bit of a stretch, and they can detract from the overall story. 

In addition, the art is good but at times it is a little too dark. This is a noir comic, but when some panels are so dark and/or vague that you can't make out some of the details that can be an issue. 

Overall, I liked it, but I felt it could've been better. The art certainly needed more clarity. Still, it is an interesting action story in an alternate history setting. For libraries, I would say this is an optional selection. I would order it for our library if a patron requested it. It does end in a cliffhanger, so I may or not seek out the next volume. 

3 out of 5 stars.

Book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenges: