100 Bullets Deluxe Hardcover Editions Review

Introduction

I’ve just finished an exhilarating journey through 100 Bullets by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso, reading the entire series collected across five Deluxe Edition hardcovers. As a long-time comics fan who loves noir thrillers and macabre crime stories, I went in with high expectations – and 100 Bullets delivered a wild, unforgettable ride. In this first-person review, I’ll share my thoughts on the overarching story, the key arcs and themes (with only minor spoilers), the distinctive writing and art, the series’ tone and pacing, what made it resonate with me, and even the physical quality of these deluxe books. Strap in, because much like the comic’s infamous briefcase, there’s a lot to unpack here.

A Hardboiled Premise That Expands Into an Epic

At its core, 100 Bullets starts with a simple but gripping premise: What if you were given the chance to get away with revenge? In the opening chapters, a mysterious, stone-faced man named Agent Graves approaches ordinary people who have been terribly wronged. He offers each a handgun, 100 rounds of untraceable ammunition, and proof of who was responsible for their tragedy. No strings attached – whoever they choose to punish with those bullets will not be traced or prosecuted. It’s an irresistible hook that sets up countless moral dilemmas. Would you pull the trigger if you knew you’d face no consequences? The comic explores that question through multiple characters and situations, and it does so with a mix of intrigue and dark irony.

What begins as a series of self-contained, hardboiled revenge tales soon unfolds into something much larger. We follow Dizzy Cordova, a young Latina woman fresh out of prison who is given the chance to avenge her murdered family, and a downtrodden bartender offered retribution against the person who ruined his life – these early stories immediately grabbed me with their emotional stakes. But as Agent Graves continues to appear to new “clients,” hints of a greater conspiracy surface. Graves isn’t just a random benefactor; he has a deeper agenda. Before long, the narrative broadens to reveal a secret war between a powerful cabal known as The Trust (an elite group pulling the strings of organized crime) and The Minutemen, a group of elite enforcers that Agent Graves once led. Characters who seemed unrelated at first are drawn together into this shadowy conflict. By the midpoint of the series, you realize those initial revenge vignettes were pieces of a much grander puzzle. This gradual expansion from street-level noir vignettes to an overarching crime epic is one of 100 Bullets’ most impressive feats – it builds a “conspiracy thriller” on the foundation of short, potent morality plays.

Notable Story Arcs and Twists (Minor Spoilers)

Throughout the 100-issue run, there are several standout arcs that illustrate the series’ evolution and themes (I’ll avoid major spoilers, but minor set-up details ahead):

• “First Shot, Last Call”: The opening arc introduces Dizzy Cordova and the attaché case of vengeance. It’s a perfect tone-setter – gritty, tragic, and thought-provoking. By the end of Dizzy’s initial story, I was hooked and already suspicious that there was more to Agent Graves than meets the eye.

• “Hang Up on the Hang Low”: An Eisner Award-winning arc focusing on a young man named Loop Hughes who’s offered a chance to confront the father who abandoned him. This story, set in the Chicago underworld, is equal parts personal drama and violent noir and is where the broader mythology really kicks into gear. It’s a highlight of the early series – emotionally heavy and morally ambiguous.

• “The Counterfifth Detective”: A brilliant detour into classic noir territory. This arc follows a down-and-out private investigator in Los Angeles who gets entangled with the attaché case. It’s told in a witty, hardboiled narration style that channels Raymond Chandler. I loved the change of pace – it felt like a noir film within the comic, complete with a femme fatale and smoky conspiracy.

• “Chill in the Oven”: A prison-set arc where one of our recurring characters, Loop, crosses paths with the menacing Lono (more on him later). The confined setting ratchets up the tension, and the story doesn’t pull any punches with its prison politics and brutality. This one really exemplified the macabre side of the series – at times it’s downright uncomfortable, yet utterly gripping.

• Finale (no spoilers): The last volume, culminating in the arc titled “Wilt,” brings all the running plot threads together in a bloody crescendo. It’s where long-simmering mysteries are resolved and the proverbial chickens come home to roost. I won’t give away specifics, but I will say the ending is explosive and tragically fitting for a noir saga – not every character gets out alive (far from it), and the final pages left me breathless and contemplative.

Those are just a few examples – honestly, 100 Bullets has a lot of moving parts and side stories (there are 100 issues, after all!). There are hidden identities, betrayals, and power plays that span decades in the story’s timeline. Part of the fun for me was seeing how something hinted at in a seemingly unrelated early chapter would later connect to the main storyline. Characters like Megan Dietrich (a cool-headed heiress in the Trust), Lono (the series’ most vicious wild card), Wylie Times, Cole Burns, and others weave in and out, each contributing to the mosaic. The series is intricately plotted, and by the end you appreciate how almost every gunshot, conversation, or flashback was one more puzzle piece in a much larger picture. It’s the kind of story that rewards paying attention – and even begs for a reread once you know the full scope.

Brian Azzarello’s Writing – Grit, Slang, and Slow-Burn Tension

Azzarello’s writing style in 100 Bullets is unapologetically hardboiled. He has a remarkable ear for street dialogue – at times I felt like I was reading an Elmore Leonard novel or a Quentin Tarantino script in comic form. Characters speak in slang and dialect that feels authentic to their backgrounds, whether it’s inner-city gang members, Italian-American mobsters, or Southern con men. The dialogue is often razor-sharp, loaded with wordplay and double meanings. (On more than one occasion I caught a clever pun or foreshadowing hint only on a second read.) This stylized dialogue gives the series a lot of its flavor. It’s slick and cool, but also demands you pay attention; Azzarello doesn’t hold the reader’s hand when characters are hinting at things unsaid. Personally, I love this kind of clever writing – it made me feel immersed in the world, picking up the lingo and reading between the lines like the characters do.

Tone and atmosphere: The tone throughout is dark, cynical, and mature. This is a world of criminals, crooks, and corrupt power brokers – not a place for cheery heroes. Azzarello infuses the story with noir sensibilities: lots of terse, tense exchanges; gallows humor (there are moments that actually made me chuckle out loud at the sheer audacity or dark wit); and an underlying sense that violence can erupt at any moment (and frequently does). The series can be macabre in its imagery and situations – there are some truly brutal scenes that are not for the faint of heart (think torture, bloody shootouts, and general human depravity). At times I was shocked by how far a scene would go, but it never felt gratuitous in a juvenile way; rather, it solidifies just how high the stakes are and how ruthless this world is. For a reader like me who enjoys a bit of the dark and twisted, these moments, while disturbing, also underscored the story’s fearless commitment to its noir thriller roots.

Pacing and complexity: One thing I noticed is that 100 Bullets has an unusual structure in terms of pacing. The first volume or two start somewhat episodic – each “client” story moves fairly quickly, delivering a punchy short story with a twist. But as the series progresses, the pacing becomes more deliberate and the plot threads start to interweave. By the middle volumes, the story is juggling a large ensemble cast, and Azzarello isn’t afraid to slow down and let tension simmer. There were stretches where I wasn’t entirely sure where things were headed, as various subplots (a meeting of the Trust, or a pair of hitmen on a side-mission) unfolded seemingly apart from the main narrative. But gradually, these threads converge. Admittedly, this complexity can be challenging. I’ll be honest: I had to occasionally double back and remind myself who a particular character was or recall an event from 20 issues earlier. Azzarello trusts his audience to remember subtle details and connections; nothing is re-explained in captions or ham-fisted exposition. In an age of media where everything is often over-explained, I found this refreshing – it treats the reader like an adult. That said, I can see why some might find the plot confusing if they don’t read it fairly closely or if they take long breaks between volumes. This isn’t a casual, one-chapter-before-bed kind of read – it’s more rewarding when you can devour a big chunk at once and stay immersed in the web of intrigues. I essentially binge-read the deluxe volumes over a couple of weeks, which helped me keep track of the plot. By the end, every major question I had was answered (more or less), but Azzarello does leave a few tantalizing ambiguities for readers to debate. The complexity and occasional opacity of the narrative might be a drawback for some, but for me it was a plus – it made finishing the series feel like an accomplishment, and it spurred me to immediately start discussing fan theories and revisit earlier chapters to catch what I missed.

Another hallmark of Azzarello’s writing here is the theme of consequence. Despite Agent Graves’s promise of “no consequences” for using the magic gun and bullets, the series repeatedly shows that every action has a ripple effect. People who pull the trigger often face unexpected fallout (guilt, new entanglements with Graves, or attracting dangerous attention). And those who refuse the offer aren’t necessarily off the hook either. As the larger story unfolds, we see themes of justice vs. revenge, power and corruption, and loyalty vs. betrayal play out on both personal and grand scales. The title 100 Bullets ultimately isn’t just about the literal bullets – it’s a metaphor for the many violent choices and chain reactions that occur throughout this epic crime saga. I really appreciated how the writing layered these themes beneath the snappy dialogue and stylish violence; it gave me something to chew on intellectually even as I was on the edge of my seat.

Eduardo Risso’s Art – Style and Substance

If Azzarello’s writing is the brain of 100 Bullets, Eduardo Risso’s artwork is the beating heart that pumps the blood (sometimes literally) through its veins. I cannot praise Risso’s art enough – it’s atmospheric, bold, and consistently stunning from Issue #1 all the way to #100. In fact, one of the joys of reading the series in these deluxe editions is witnessing the visual continuity and evolution of the art over such a long story with essentially the same art team throughout.

Visual style: Risso’s style is perfect for noir. He uses heavy shadows and high-contrast black-and-white spotting that give every panel a moody, chiaroscuro look. Characters are often cast in partial darkness or illuminated by a single stark light source (a neon sign, a streetlamp, the muzzle flash of a gun). This dramatic lighting not only looks cool but also reinforces the moral shadows the characters live in. When violence erupts, Risso doesn’t shy away from depicting it – there are splash pages that are shockingly brutal – but there’s a certain elegance to his composition that keeps it from feeling like gore for gore’s sake. He often implies just enough or frames the shot in a creative way (for example, showing a character’s face reacting to something horrific rather than a gratuitous close-up of the gore itself). That’s not to say he won’t draw the blood – he does, plenty – but it always serves a purpose in tone.

One thing I love about Risso’s art is his character designs and expressions. Each character in 100 Bullets is instantly recognizable, which is crucial in a story with such a large cast. Even side characters that appear only for one arc have distinctive looks. Dizzy, for instance, has this weary yet determined look in her eyes; Lono, by contrast, is drawn like a hulking beast of a man, often with a cruel grin that makes your skin crawl; Graves’s stern, weathered face and always-present suit give him the aura of both a undertaker and a father figure, depending on the scene. The attention to detail in clothing, tattoos, and body language tells you a lot about a character at a glance. And Risso is a master of facial expressions – a sly smirk, a furrowed brow, a terrified wide-eyed stare – he can convey as much story in one panel of a character’s face as Azzarello can in a whole balloon of dialogue. This synergy between writer and artist is evident everywhere; you can tell Azzarello trusts Risso to carry moments wordlessly. There are silent panels and pages in this series that are just chef’s kiss perfect in timing.

Cinematic storytelling: The panel layouts in 100 Bullets often have a cinematic feel. Risso isn’t afraid to experiment with perspective and composition. Sometimes you’ll get a tall vertical panel that follows a character falling from a building, giving a real sense of height and dread, or a series of narrow horizontal panels in a tense standoff that feel like the slow frames of a film reel ratcheting up the suspense. I noticed a clever recurring visual motif: many issues hide the number “100” or the word “bullets” in the background art or signage – a little Easter egg that was fun to spot (especially in the deluxe edition’s larger pages). And speaking of backgrounds, Risso’s settings range from gritty urban alleyways to lavish mansions to seedy nightclubs, all rendered with enough detail to feel real but not so much that they distract. He knows just what to spotlight in a scene. I still recall one sequence in a Miami hotel – the way he drew the opulence of the lobby in contrast to a violent confrontation happening there was both beautiful and horrifying.

A special shout-out is deserved for the coloring (by Patricia Mulvihill for most of the series). The color palette evolves to match the mood: muted browns and grays for the grimy city streets, lurid neon tones for the sleazy Las Vegas and Miami scenes, dusty oranges for the Mexican border chapters, and cold blues for the corporate-boardroom menace of the Trust. The colors amplify Risso’s line art and give each story arc a slightly distinct flavor while maintaining a cohesive overall feel. In the early issues, the colors were a bit more subdued (almost a pulp, faded look), but by the middle of the series the pages really pop with contrast – yet another reason I was glad to read this on the glossy paper of the deluxe hardcovers.

Lastly, I have to mention the cover art. Each original issue of 100 Bullets sported a striking cover illustration by Dave Johnson, often incorporating bold graphic design elements and thematic imagery. In the deluxe editions, these covers are usually included either between chapters or in a gallery, and they are gorgeous. Johnson’s covers deserve praise on their own – they frequently feature symbolic collages (guns, playing cards, silhouettes) and sometimes cleverly hide the numeral “100”. They set the tone before you even start each chapter. As a fan reading the collected books, I loved pausing on each cover to appreciate how it encapsulated the upcoming story or character focus. Together, Azzarello, Risso, and Johnson crafted a visually iconic series that stands up there with the best of the best in comic art. It’s no surprise that the series and its art team won multiple Eisner and Harvey Awards during its run.

A Noir Fan’s Delight – Why 100 Bullets Resonated With Me

I mentioned up front that I’m a lover of noir-style thrillers – whether in comics, films, or novels – and 100 Bullets hit that sweet spot in so many ways. The series is drenched in classic noir motifs: femme fatales, hard-nosed gangsters, mystery figures, betrayals, and philosophical musings on violence and fate. I felt like I was reading a modernized Raymond Chandler novel crossed with an ultra-violent graphic novel sensibility. The dialogue, as I noted, has that snappy, indirect quality I adore in noir fiction, where characters rarely say exactly what they mean (at least not until they have a gun to their head). The plot is full of twists and double-crosses. Trust is a rare currency in this story – just when you think two characters are aligned, one might reveal a secret agenda. This kept me constantly guessing and theorizing. I actually caught myself playing detective, trying to piece together clues that Azzarello drops about the true history between Graves and the Trust, or the identities of the Minutemen. It’s engaging on an interactive level; you get to solve parts of the puzzle alongside the characters.

On a visceral level, 100 Bullets provided the thrills I crave from a crime saga. There are moments of almost unbearable tension – classic standoffs where I genuinely had no idea who would make it out alive. Azzarello and Risso excel at these sequences: one that stands out is a confrontation in a farmhouse late in the series, where a long-buried secret comes to light. The way the dialogue and art play off each other had my heart pounding. And when the bullets inevitably start flying, the payoff is both cathartic and often heartbreaking. This series doesn’t glorify violence so much as it uses violence to reveal character. When someone decides to pull the trigger (or decides not to), it always tells you something important about who they are or what they’ve become.

Another reason the series resonated with me is its unflinching examination of morality in a corrupt world. As a noir fan, I appreciate stories where characters occupy shades of gray rather than black-and-white morality. In 100 Bullets, almost everyone has blood on their hands or skeletons in their closet. Yet I found myself caring about many of them. Dizzy Cordova, for example, starts as a victim of circumstance looking for justice, and over the course of the series she transforms in surprising ways – she became the closest thing to an emotional anchor for me, and I was rooting for her even as she navigates some very dark paths. Another character, Loop, goes from a naive young man to a hardened player in this game of revenge, and seeing that evolution was both fascinating and tragic. And then there’s someone like Lono – one of the most despicable yet magnetic villains I’ve encountered in comics – who is so well-written and drawn that I loved to hate him every time he showed up. These characters felt alive, and because the series takes its time with them, their triumphs (few as those may be) and downfalls land with real impact. This isn’t a story where the “good guys” ride off into the sunset – it’s more about whether anyone can come out of such a cycle of violence with their soul intact. That theme hit me hard, and it’s stuck with me since I closed the final book.

For a mature reader who enjoys the noir/crime genre, 100 Bullets is a treasure trove. It nods to classics of the genre but also subverts them. For instance, it has the archetype of the detective, the mob boss, the femme fatale – but their roles in the grander scheme are often turned on their head. The femme fatale might actually be a pawn, the gangster might have a code of honor, the detective might be in way over his head. It’s those kinds of nuances that elevate the series beyond a standard pulp revenge tale. Also, the sheer ambition of telling a 100-issue, tightly interconnected saga is something I respect greatly. As a fan, there’s a special satisfaction in seeing the creators stick the landing after such a long build-up. When I closed that Volume 5 hardcover, I had that bittersweet feeling – satisfied by the conclusion, yet sad that the ride was over.

Criticisms and Caveats

No review would be balanced without addressing a few drawbacks, and despite my love for 100 Bullets, I recognize it’s not a perfect series for everyone. So here are a few points of critique and caution:

• Dense Plotting Can Be Confusing: As noted, the narrative becomes quite complex and at times opaque. If you’re a reader who likes a straightforward, easy-to-follow plot, 100 Bullets might frustrate you. There are lots of characters to track (many with codenames or aliases), time jumps in backstories, and crucial details that may be mentioned in passing only once. I occasionally had to pause and recall, “Wait, who is this guy again and what did he do 30 issues ago?” Some readers on forums have admitted to feeling lost or found the story too convoluted. I personally enjoy a story that challenges me, but I can’t deny there were a few chapters where I felt a bit adrift until a later payoff made it clear. My advice: read it with as few long gaps between volumes as possible, and don’t be afraid to flip back a few issues as needed.

• No True “Hero” Figure: This isn’t a typical comic with a clear protagonist to root for throughout. While I grew attached to characters like Dizzy and Loop, they’re far from traditional heroes – they make morally questionable choices and suffer consequences. Many other characters are outright awful people (wonderfully written, but misanthropic to the core). By Volume 4, the series dives into some extremely nihilistic territory – betrayal, misogyny, racist characters, all manner of ugliness is on display. In that sense, the series can feel very bleak. If you require at least one likable character or a glimmer of hope, 100 Bullets might feel overwhelmingly dark. There were moments I too was taken aback by just how ruthless or cruel certain scenes were (including violence against women and other disturbing content). It’s all very much intentional – a portrait of “exquisitely awful people” entangled in a web of crime, as one reviewer aptly put it – but it can be a lot to stomach. I had to decompress at times after particularly heavy chapters.

• Pacing and Payoff: While I praised the slow-burn buildup, I acknowledge the pacing isn’t flawless. The middle third of the series juggles many subplots and sometimes the momentum can stall. A few arcs initially felt disconnected enough that I wondered “okay, where is this going?” Some readers might find the build-up to payoff ratio a bit uneven. For example, an arc that seems pivotal might resolve abruptly or a character you thought would have a bigger role might exit sooner than expected. In retrospect, most of these choices serve the overall narrative, but in the moment you might question them. The ending itself, without spoiling anything, is divisive for some – it’s not a neatly wrapped bow on every single plot thread. Personally, I thought the finale was fittingly chaotic and true to the series’ themes, but I have one or two lingering questions (which I think Azzarello intended). If you’re the type who likes every mystery solved with absolute clarity, you might be a touch unsatisfied by the ambiguity of certain elements at the end.

• Visual Consistency Might Feel “Too” Consistent: This is a minor nitpick, but a few friends I spoke with who sampled the series mentioned that Risso’s art style – while gorgeous – has a very distinctive look that doesn’t significantly change throughout the run. If that style doesn’t appeal to you from the start (some might find his anatomy or faces a bit stylized or the coloring choices odd in early issues), then reading 100 issues of it might be tough. I’ve also seen critiques that some action scenes can be hard to decipher due to the stylized art and panel layouts. There were maybe one or two shootouts where I had to re-read to fully grasp who shot whom because the visuals were so frenetic. It’s a fast-paced choreography that, while exciting, sometimes prioritizes mood over clarity. Again, this wasn’t a big issue for me – I usually relish re-reading a cool page – but it’s worth noting.

In summary of the negatives: 100 Bullets demands effort and a strong stomach from its readers. It’s complex, frequently violent, and offers no hand-holding. These “flaws” are in many ways by design, part of what make the series unique. But they do narrow the potential audience to those of us who enjoy grim crime sagas and labyrinthine plots. If that’s you (as it is me), then these caveats will likely be minor issues or even part of the appeal. If not, consider yourself warned that this series can be a challenging read.

The Deluxe Edition Hardcovers – Quality & Presentation

Being lucky enough to own the entire series in the Deluxe Edition hardcover format, I have to talk about how gorgeous these books are and what they contain. Each of the five volumes is an oversized hardcover (about 7.5 x 11 inches), with a sturdy dust jacket featuring striking cover art (Dave Johnson’s artwork is front and center on each). The design across the five volumes is consistent and classy – lined up on my shelf, they sport a matching aesthetic with the bold “100 Bullets” logo and volume numbers on the spines. They definitely have a presence; these are big, hefty tomes.

Binding and build: The binding on these hardcovers is excellent. They feel solid in the hand, with sewn binding that allows the books to lie relatively flat despite the high page count (I never had to worry about breaking the spine while reading). The paper quality is top-notch – thick, glossy pages that really make the artwork pop. Coming from the original trade paperbacks or single issues, the upgrade in paper and print quality is noticeable. Blacks are deep and rich, colors are vibrant, and you can appreciate the fine line work without any bleed-through from other pages. Each volume clocks in around 420 to 500+ pages, collecting roughly 19–23 issues each (the entire 100-issue run is neatly divided into five books). This means you’re getting a lot of content in each hardcover – essentially two to three trade paperbacks’ worth per deluxe volume. Reading in this format was a joy because I could devour large chunks of the story in one go, and the physical book could handle it. I will say, due to their weight, these aren’t the most portable books – best read resting on a table or your lap – but that comes with the territory of deluxe editions.

Extras and bonus content: One area where the Deluxe Editions are a bit light is in the extras department. If you’re hoping for extensive behind-the-scenes essays, creator annotations, or dozens of pages of sketches, you might be a tad disappointed. The extras included are modest: typically each volume has a sketchbook section at the end with some of Eduardo Risso’s character designs and concept art. These sketches are great to see (Risso’s raw drawings are as impressive as his finished art), but many of them had been seen before in earlier TPBs or promotional materials. There aren’t new introduction essays in each volume (the very first volume reprints a brief intro by comics artist Jim Steranko, which was a cool touch), and there isn’t an afterword capping off the final volume, which I might have liked for closure. The focus of these books is definitely on the story itself rather than supplementary text. The original covers by Dave Johnson are all reprinted, thankfully – usually placed before each issue/chapter. And seeing those in oversized format, on glossy paper, is almost worth the price alone; they’re that beautiful and detailed. But aside from covers and the small sketch sections, there’s not much bonus material. Personally, I didn’t mind – the story is the star, and it’s presented in the best possible way. However, for collectors who love delving into extras, it’s something to be aware of.

Physical durability and design: The hardcovers come with dust jackets that have a nice matte finish with spot-gloss (the title text has a slight sheen). Under the dust jacket, the boards are black cloth with the series title and volume number embossed on the spine in red and white. It’s a clean look. The binding, as mentioned, is strong; after reading through all five books, my copies held up very well – no loose pages, no splitting. The print registration is spot-on (no blurry pages or mis-cut panels). It really feels like DC Comics put care into producing these. Each volume has an ISBN and an identifying “Book One, Two,” etc., and even years later, they haven’t done a reprint, so these deluxe editions have become somewhat collectible. (I’ve seen prices on the secondhand market climbing, since they’re currently out of print.) As an owner, I’m glad I grabbed them when I did – not only for the story, but as a collector’s item. They definitely elevate the reading experience; having an oversized canvas for Risso’s art and a durable format to revisit the story makes a difference. If you’re a fan who read 100 Bullets in single issues or trades and you really love the series, I’d say these hardcovers are worth the hunt. And for new readers who are intrigued, if you can get your hands on the deluxe books (or the recently released omnibus editions, which compile the same content in two giant volumes), I would recommend those formats for the best visual experience.

(One small note: The five Deluxe Edition books cover only the main 100-issue series. There was a later spin-off mini-series called 100 Bullets: Brother Lono, which has its own deluxe hardcover, but that’s outside the scope of this review. The main story stands complete on its own in the five-volume set.)

Conclusion – A Must-Have for Fans of Mature Crime Fiction

After closing the final volume of 100 Bullets, I sat there in a bit of awe. What Azzarello and Risso achieved is nothing short of a modern noir masterpiece in comic form. This series took me on a winding journey through revenge and redemption (or the failure to find redemption), through the depths of human greed, loyalty, and wrath. It challenged me with its complexity and shocked me with its brutality, but it never lost my interest. On the contrary, it fueled my fascination with each chapter, pulling me deeper into its web of lies and lead (so much hot lead!). For readers who, like me, revel in mature, intelligent crime stories, 100 Bullets is the real deal – the kind of narrative that proves comics can rival the best crime novels and films in depth and excitement. It’s no wonder that a prominent blurb (from the Chicago Sun-Times) on the cover calls it “one of the greatest works of crime fiction in any medium.” That’s a bold claim, but having now experienced the whole saga, I believe there’s truth to it. The combination of Azzarello’s uncompromising storytelling and Risso’s visionary artwork created something unique and enduring.

Is it a must-have? In my opinion, absolutely – with the caveats mentioned. If you’re a comic book collector or a fan of noir/crime fiction, 100 Bullets in its deluxe edition format deserves a spot in your library. Few series offer this level of consistency and commitment to a vision over such a long run. It’s the kind of story that you can revisit years later and discover new layers (I’m already planning a slower re-read to catch nuances I might have missed). The Deluxe hardcovers not only do justice to the material in print quality but also serve as a handsome showcase for a seminal Vertigo series. They are, in a word, killer – both in content and presentation.

That said, know what you’re signing up for: this is a dark, violent world with complex narrative threads. It’s for readers who appreciate a noir aesthetic and morally ambiguous characters. If that’s your cup of tea (or should I say glass of whiskey, in proper noir fashion), then I cannot recommend 100 Bullets enough. It’s a story that will challenge you and likely haunt you a little. It certainly made me reflect on the nature of revenge and justice long after I turned the last page. And it left me with countless memorable moments – from stylish showdowns to quiet, sorrowful epiphanies.

In the end, 100 Bullets isn’t just a comic series I read; it’s an experience I lived through vicariously, a gritty odyssey that tested my wits and my comfort zone in the best ways. I’m grateful to have taken the ride. My deluxe editions now sit proudly on my shelf, and every time I glance at those spines, I’m reminded of Agent Graves’s fateful briefcase and the sprawling tale of mystery and mayhem it set in motion. For a fan of mature noir thrillers, it doesn’t get much better than this. Highly recommended.