Rat Catcher

It's no surprise that this entry in the Vertigo Crime line reads a lot like a gritty action movie; Diggle is also the author of The Losers. The structure of both works is quite similar, with the requisite action set pieces and betrayals to keep the reader on his toes. Instead of soldiers, the story focuses on federal agents. The eponymous villain is a legendary assassin, specializing in taking out mob informants under witness protection. An aging FBI agent by the name of Moses Burden has been on his trail for years, and it is only after a botched hit in the Texas badlands that he finally has a chance to stop the Rat Catcher once and for all. The big twist that comes near the halfway point, while far from unpredictable, is still intriguing and drives on to the bitterly ironic ending. It is only after flipping past the last page that the lack of character development and senselessness of several subplots becomes apparent. With its crisp artwork and punchy dialogue, Rat Catcher is a brisk and bloody good time in spite of itself. (Jan.)