PULP Review

Max Winters, a pulp writer in 1930s New York, finds himself drawn into a story not unlike the tales he churns out at five cents a word―tales of a Wild West outlaw dispensing justice with a six-gun. But will Max be able to do the same when pursued by bank robbers, Nazi spies, and enemies from his past?

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Pulp Image

PULP

By Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips. 

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Image Comics
  • Hardcover Release : 8/4/2020 
  • Softcover Release: 1/26/2021
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 80 pages
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 16 years and up
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.4″ x 0.4″ x 9.9″

I took notice of this story in preparation for the 2021 Eisner voting. At the time, it was nominated for “Best Graphic Album – New” and Brubaker was nominated for “Best Writer”. The book went on to win the Eisner, Ringo, and Goodreads Choice Awards in its main category for best graphic novel.  The hardcover came out in late 2020 and the softcover came out in January 2021. At the time, they both had similar cover prices so I purchased the hardcover. 

I tend to really appreciate long-standing creator team collaborations, and there is likely no duo of greater acclaim than the likes of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. The industry tour-de-force has amassed an impressive twenty-two (22) Eisner nominations and nine (9) wins from their joint projects dating back to 2006. Also of note, they added Sean’s son (Jacob Phillips) to the team as colorists and he recently received his own Eisner nomination for Best Coloring. 

Combined, they continue to be red hot as their 2020 masterpiece “Pulp” follows the story of an aging western outlaw out-of-place in an urban depression-era crime scene of the 1930s. Its a mashup of “Unforgiven” meets “Road to Perdition”. It is a fast-paced enjoyable read that did not disappoint. If you love the genre, you’ll love this book. 

If you enjoy the art, check out an overview of the newest version of the book by Omar and the good folks at Near Mint Condition: 

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