Comic Book Review: The Sheriff of Babylon #1 - DC Vertigo Comics (2016)

Written by Tom King
Art by Mitch Gerads

Iraq in the year 2004 is the setting for this book full of crime and intrigue.  A police officer named Christopher is sent to Iraq to train the police force.  Sofia is a woman on a mission and Nassir had something taken from him that he can never get back.

May 7th, 2016 was Free Comic Book Day and I had just left the movie theater when I decided to head over to Samurai Comics in Mesa, AZ.  Captain America: Civil War was a great movie but that's a blog for a different time.  I stepped into the comic book shop and there were tables lined up with artists and writers from many different comic book series'.  I was able to chat with a few and then I came to Mitch Gerads' table.  He had a sign instructing people to ask about how to receive a copy of The Sheriff of Babylon #2 for free.  Well, I got that and bought #1 so that's what I'm here to review.

This book was awesome!  One issue in and I'm hooked.  I wasn't sure what to expect and I was beyond pleasantly surprised.  This book has a gritty noir-ish feel to it.  There is lots of blood and course language, which is what you would expect from a crime story set in war zone Iraq.  The introduction to the characters were done so well.  You get a good feel for the main three but you also are wanting to learn more.  Tom King did a brilliant job with this first issue.

Mitch Gerads does the art for this book.  When I say art, I don't mean pencils.  I don't even mean he does pencils and inks.  He does it all including the colors.  This is a tough task in a world of deadlines and when I saw some of the city shots my jaw dropped.  Gerads also does a great job with the facial expressions of the characters.

What are your thoughts on The Sheriff of Babylon?  Would you be interested in hearing artists and writers intereviewd on Maskerpice Theatre Podcast?  What other comics would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?  Please comment below or contact us on Twitter @MPTheatre2015 & @MaskedBlogster

Maskerpiece Theatre is sponsored by MoviePass. See unlimited movies at a theater near you for a low monthly rate.

You can also support our show by using our Amazon banners or donating on our Support Us page.