Floodgate

Andy Destra, the hero of Shaw’s bizarre noir thriller set in an unnamed American state, was forced out of the Auction City Police Department and now spends his time trying to expose its corruption, particularly that of deputy commissioner Aloysius Gray. After a day more strange and stressful than most—in which Andy survives a hit, is left without his possessions, and his foster mother disappears—he resolves to confront Gray, but ends up accidentally killing him. Then things get really weird. Five people who have already contributed to his crazy day proceed to recruit him into Floodgate, a secret organization that coordinates criminal groups and ordinary citizens to keep the peace and balance the power of the police. With Gray’s death and a series of assassinations that Gray already set in motion, their efforts will be sorely needed. If only they didn’t work out of an abandoned candy factory and drive an ice cream truck, Andy’s confidence in their chances might be a bit higher. Shaw (Plaster City) deftly mixes the odd and the humorous with cinematic action. (Feb.)