COMIC REVIEW: The Loose End Vol. 1

THE LOOSE END Vol. 1
by Dave Dwonch and Travis Hymel
Available now 

One thing I learned in my time writing for Sci Fi Magazine is that scriptwriters tend to go very unnoticed. Landing an interview with a writer or a director was always a series of insane checks and balances, usually with an agent or studio rep listening in to make sure you were toeing the line. But ask to interview a writer? Besides some studios not being sure what to do about it, the writers themselves were overjoyed. I've never written for screen myself, but I am a writer in other genres, and I'll always be a proponent of screenwriters getting their flowers.

That's just one of many reasons I fell straight into Volume 1 of The Loose End, which centers on scriptwriter Steven Hollis as he finds himself up to his neck in action. When he racks up an impressive gambling debt, he's made an offer he can't refuse: pay it all off in one fell swoop during an upcoming bachelor weekend. All he has to do is kill a high-powered Hollywood player — retribution for a previous crime.

But the party, made up of names and faces from all across the silver screen, goes even further off the rails. Drug deals, shootouts, and police chases overshadow Steven's allegedly simple job. Never mind his debt... he'll be lucky to make it home alive.

I'm new to The Loose End, but I'm not new to Titan's Hard Case Crime line. This imprint feeds my need for action and mystery, and The Loose End in particular has an irresistible Hollywood flavor. I am, frankly, shocked this wasn't a movie tie-in for how cinematic it feels. It's as immersive and fun as a Saturday afternoon action matinee.

As an extra bonus, the alternate covers depict parodies of other legendary film titles, action and otherwise. As ever, Titan packs its final pages with fantastic bonus art.

This 112-page volume collects issues 1-4.

TEA PAIRING: While The Loose End doesn't exactly fall under the "cozy" heading, the energizing vibes of Radiate Positivity would just about give Steven and the gang the get-up-and-go they need to navigate their circumstances. Use my code KARA15 for 15% off your purchase!