When the crime families of New York's underworld need a crime investigated away from the prying eyes of law enforcement, they call Easton Newburn. A private detective with no allegiances, Newburn is known for resolving conflicts between warring factions -- even though he can rub some people the wrong way. Paying homage to the detective fiction genre of yore, Newburn #1 is a new crime procedural comic book that is touted as Sherlock Holmes meets The Sopranos. Spearheaded by writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Jacob Phillips, Image Comics' Newburn looks to bring something fresh to the table to entice noir fans.
Newburn #1 opens with Easton Newburn arriving at a fresh crime scene -- an ex-mafia man is murdered in his apartment. However, the victim wasn't a random nobody, but the nephew of a mob boss. Of course, the mafia wants answers. Naturally, the case falls under the domain of Newburn, a reticent protagonist who is a no-nonsense professional through and through. Making perceptive observations and clever deductions, Newburn gets a clear description of the perpetrator and follows the breadcrumbs of clues.
Newburn #1 is a tightly written story. The allure lies not in the mystery of the crime but the journey it takes to solve the case. Writer Chip Zdarsky spotlights Easton Newburn throughout the story and lets the reader experience the fictional underbelly of New York City through his eyes. There are no exposition or narration boxes to convey information in this debut issue; rather, Newburn is introduced through subtle interactions and visual cues that deepen his mysterious nature. Disliked by cops and tolerated by mobs, Newburn charts a unique path.
Newburn isn't artist Jacob Phillips' first foray into the crime drama genre, having already colored Ed Brubaker's Criminal and co-created That Texas Blood. Phillips brings Zdarsky's idea of an urban crime procedural into reality. His rough lines and bold inking establish the book's noir mood. Further, it's his attention to detail that makes the tale immersive. Phillips creates the gritty effect with muted colors, but he doesn't shy away from utilizing brighter shades when the circumstance calls for it.
Easton Newburn is a man of sheer will and shows a deep commitment to his work. Yet, despite so many qualities on display, much of the eponymous character's backstory remains a mystery -- a fact that keeps the book's suspense riding high. Newburn #1 is off to a great start, and if Zdarsky's writing and Phillips' art is anything to go by, you are in for a treat with future issues too.
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