Sex Criminals #1, #2, and #3 Comic Book Reviews

Comic book reviews for Sex Criminals #1, Sex Criminals #2, and Sex Criminals #3 by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky
Average rating: 4.6/5 stars

Sex Criminals #1 Sex Criminals #2 Sex Criminals #3

Erica gives this comic five starsSex Criminals #1 by Matt Fraction
Art: Chip Zdarsky

So I read this right after I read some Lumberjanes. I know, two books that couldn’t be more different. But you know what they have in common: they’re fucking awesome. Like I was ready to cancel all the other shit on my pull list that wasn’t even in the same league.

I love Chip’s art so much. The cover is freaking amazing with the minimal palette and the book where Suzie’s pubes are. Now this is how you do a classy naked cover. Also the warning on the back — “For mature readers, duh. Don’t sell this to a kid. What are you, nuts? Seriously.” — wins on all accounts.

I also loved Suzie a lot. Even though I don’t have superpowered, time-freezing orgasms (I wish!), I identified a lot with her on the hunt to find out information about her own body and about sex and orgasms. This is probably pretty common for those of us raised in the US. All her “strikes” when trying to get information out of friends, doctors, and family both showed her character, but also gave a great relatable experience.

The part where she yells at her mom while in the “quiet” is just so sad.

I adored that Suzie loves books and that she’d meet Jon over a book saving party when he quotes Lolita, among other books. (True story, I totally met my hairdresser and her partner at a Michael Ondaatje book signing. Also I’m going to tell her to read this book because she’d love it.)

I suppose that I’ll see how much I actually like Jon as we get to know him. I assume that they’re robbing banks to save books.

Erica gives this comic five starsSex Criminals #2 by Matt Fraction
Art: Chip Zdarsky

This book continues to be so good. It’s really the details of everything that just pulls it together. Zdarsky’s art adds all the little things to bring this story to life.

I’m less inclined to like Jon compared to Suzie. I’d also be giving him a hard time about “cumworld” and Jazmine Cocaine. He seems very much like the typical guy with an extraordinary power, and while I guess that’s the basis for most superhero books, I’m hoping as we get to know him, he changes a bit.

I’m curious to learn more about how the bank robbing evolved. And also how other people are entering the “quiet” while they’re robbing. I’m also curious to see how narrative of the story changes. Will it meld to both of their points-of-view? Or will each issue change back and forth?

Erica Gives This Comic Four StarsSex Criminals #3 by Matt Fraction
Art: Chip Zdarsky

My only complaint about this otherwise great issue is that I wanted more of certain things there just weren’t room for. Jon’s story about losing his virginity was just depressing. And I really didn’t expect his sexual exploits to take up another part of an issue.

Following Suzie and Jon around in their normal day was interesting… Jon’s really immature. Like sure, nifty power to freeze time, but let’s do something more productive. I mean, I guess their answer is rob the bank as that’s more productive, but seriously!

Even if they did get to go to Cumworld, the store, and watch a porno with Jazmine Cocaine. I’m glad that Suzie continues to give him shit about everything. Zdarsky’s labels on the different porn sections continue to crack me up, a lot.

As much as I like Fraction as a writer, he really shouldn’t have used the Queen song if he didn’t have the rights. Sure, I know the lyrics, but really, it took up quite a bit of space.

Wonder even more about these crime stoppers since they have dildos…

Dive into The Quiet/Cumworld and do yourself a favor by buying Sex Criminals Volume 1.

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