Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips want to do their take on 40's Hollywood noir,, McCarthyism, racial tension, w/ a dash of The Player thrown in for good measure? Yes Yes Yes!!!!!!! If you have any love for seeing 'the good old days' presented w/out filters or flim flam, this is the book you've been waiting for w/out knowing you were waiting. Philips art is rich w/ heavy blacks and long shadows, Brubaker's dialogue is rich with disdain and discovery. It all mixes together into a perfect cocktail of clarity and conscience...bam! Grab a shot of Maker's Mark, a comfortable seat, and pick up the book Sin City was trying to be. It might not be as 'hard', but it sure as h*!! is tougher. Highly recommended.