[This post was adapted from my March 23, 2024 Newsletter.]
In March of last year, my copy of Full Tilt came in the mail. It was a fantastic looking book that I had been looking forward to getting my hands on since backing the campaign on Zoop. I have to say that it looks really slick. The production and the printing are top notch so kudos to both the designer and the whoever did the printing. It’s an amazing looking book!
In fact, it’s so good looking that I was hesitant to read it. I didn’t want to get fingerprints on it. But after getting over it, I finally dug in and I’m glad I did. First off, I appreciate the ambition of having a black and white book that is over 300 pages. It immediately stands out. Speaking of the book’s appearance, it also very proudly wears it’s influences on its sleeve. Right down to the protagonist being named Miller. You can clearly see the Frank Miller influence and maybe even a little of Azzarello/Risso’s 100 Bullets as well. And as someone who enjoyed both, I’m very much locked in.
Massimo Miller works as the consigliere for the Cessa Crime Family. On the way to a meeting of the crime bosses, he ducks out to smoke a cigarette and runs into a his ex. He wakes up to find the bosses dead and a target planted squarely on his back as the prime suspect. After an explosive exit, he finds himself on the run while trying to clear his name and figure out what happened. At that point the action ramps up and never really comes back down with some great twists and reveals along the way.
Jason Copland said that this was the book that he always wanted to make and it shows. The energy comes through on every page but really shines in the massive double page spreads.
There’s a level of freedom in the layouts that feels refreshing. We’re getting to see the creator’s excitement and ambition with each new massive spread. It’s clear that this was an work made out of a love of gritty, noir comics as well as an artists wanting to push themselves to new limits. And I think it pays off very well.
I don’t really do books of the year, but if I had then this would have 100% been my Comic of 2024.
While I can’t give you a link for where to grab a copy, Jason recently put up digital copies on his ko-fi page so go check it out and consider grabbing a digital copy. Actually, you’ll be getting TWO copies (one in single page format and the other in double page format to fully show off the full page spreads).
A second print run won’t be happening anytime soon and any physical versions found in the wild aren’t cheap so this is your best bet to grab a copy. Don’t miss out on a dope book by an immensely talented artist.