The Killer: Modus Vivendi #1-5 (of 6, Update)

This is the second story arc of Archaia Press's translation of Matz and Luc Jacamon's series, originally published in France. A deep, introspective character study of a lone assassin's path in life, looks into the mind of an amoral but logical bad guy in ways that most comic books don't have time or pages to spare. picks up several years after the original storyline ended with our protagonist giving up his deadly lifestyle for one of theoretical solitude. The nameless killer becomes bored and restless, and despite having settled down with a wife and family, returns to the life he once knew. Thus targets are again named, the hunts begin, the assassination plots emerge and, of course, betrayal upon betrayal pile on top of one another. The excellence of this comic is that it doesn’t go over the top when it comes to action. Matz's writing, through his translator Edward Gauvin, is analytical and the plot and dialogue are perfectly paced; events play out as they need, with the reader given just enough and never more than is necessary. Luc Jacamon's art avoids the dark and gritty approach as is the propensity among noirish graphic novels and comic books. Instead, the colors and and details are clean, jumping off from the page, more in keeping with its European roots. is a European thriller--a thinking man’s comic--worthy of a movie adaptation. All high-quality Minutemen scans. Issues #1-4 are packed in a single-download RAR archive while issue #5, just released this November 17, 2010, is an individual file in CBZ format.

Modus Vivendi, Part One. A new story arc begins for this Eisner-nominated series! In Venezuela, the “sanctuary” that he chose to withdraw from the world for four long years, our killer reappears on the scene. What brought him back? Boredom, fatigue, the need for action? His old friend, Mariano, recommends him for a quick-and-dirty freelance job. Except that the job, obviously, is worse than it seemed at first. Remove one banker and one international oil broker, sure, no problem. But why is his third and final target a nun, Madre Luisa, so devoted, selfless and invested in her ministry to the poorest of the poor in all of Latin America? A perfect jumping-on spot for readers new to the series! Mature Readers (series contains Nudity, Graphic Violence and Adult Content) -- The Natural Order of Things. In Venezuela, our Killer has made a pact with the Cubans, leading a campaign of assassinations against a military junta. A crusade of sorts, and well out of character for a stonehearted executioner. So has he finally woken to the world, to a cause? Or, as his buddy Mariano suggests, is his heart just being manipulated by the bewitching Cuban officer, Katia...

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