Comics Review: THE BLACKLIST, Volume One

THE BLACKLIST, VOLUME ONE: THE GAMBLER (No. 148) by Nicole Phillips, writer and Beni Lobel, artist (Titan Comics, April 2016) Trade paperback, 128 pages. ISBN # 1782762965 / 9781782762966  Collects The Blacklist #1-5.  

Summary on the Goodreads website . . . . .

The Gambler. Collecting together the first five issue story arc of the comic and introducing a brand new villain, created exclusively for the comic by the writers of the TV show.

Someone is targeting the FBI with a series of planned attacks including framing them for the murder of a leading political activist. Red at first suspects that a dangerous, media-manipulating Blacklister know as the Lobbyist is responsible, but comes to realise that there is someone far more sinister and deadly behind the scenes manipulating events for his own nefarious purposes...

 

My Five-Star Review on the Goodreads website . . . . .

     Number 148 on The Blacklist is called "The Gambler", a criminal mastermind who provides thrills for the rich and bored by gambling with human life. He manufactures events so his clients can bet on them -- a plane crash (who will survive?); the release of a killer from prison (how many deaths before his capture), etc. 

     Now, he turns his attention to disrupting and discrediting the FBI as a political activist is murdered and a federal agent is publicly framed for the deed. Bombs are set against the FBI with players picking the odds that they can be defused in time, or calculating how many casualties.

     It takes the charismatic informant to the FBI, Raymond "Red" Reddington, working in conjunction with agent Elizabeth Keen and the special team to uncover the Gambler's true identity and secret history. 

     Readers without familiarity with The Blacklist television series can still follow the story here, and it's an especially good one. Written by a member of the creative team on the series, this graphic novel plays out like an entertaining pair of episodes. 

     This is just as intense as the television show, and features the same depth of characterization. The artist's renditions of facial features of these familiar characters is very accurate and captures their nuances and body language. 

     I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of story and art here. Recommended.