Hit: Pen and Ink

Gain a whole new appreciation of HIT, our critically acclaimed detective noir series set in 1955 Los Angeles. While infamous gangster Mickey Cohen rots in a prison cell, clandestine groups of LAPD detectives moonlight as sanctioned hitmen known as “Hit Squads.” Get a deeper understanding of the creative decisions that went into this series with insightful commentary by writer Bryce Carlson and artist Vanesa R. Del Rey.

It is always such a pleasure getting an opportunity to take a behind the scenes look at any creative process.  This is especially true when it’s presented in a follow along format, like voiceover commentaries in a movie.  With the Pen and Ink series, Boom! Studios has given us that opportunity.  With Hit: Pen and Ink, we get to take a more intimate look at the first two issues of the series.

For those unfamiliar with the Hit series (haha, hit series), it’s a story set in one of the best genres – the classic detective noir.  With this story, we find secret groups of vigilante cops in LA making their own set of laws by taking out the bad guys.  No due process here, just cold, harsh justice.  They’ve been recruited for this task by their superiors, and although it seems wrong, their intentions are in the right place.

The artwork that Del Rey produced for this title is magnificent.  The narrative throughout between Carlson and Del Rey pretty much tells it all.  Virtually every choice she made on how to illustrate components both big and small were spot on.  I definitely think the style of her work is perfect for this kind of story.

This edition of Pen and Ink is actually the first one I’ve even been aware of since it started.  After reading this one, I’d like to go back and find both the rest of Hit as well as other Pen and Ink books.  One suggestion I’d make is grabbing the print copy, as you’ll benefit more from the oversized 11x17 format.  If you haven’t seen Hit or Pen and Ink, this a great book to pick up and dive in.

For more on Hit: Pen and Ink or other Boom titles, check out Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.