Moonshine, Vol. 1

This Prohibition-era clash between New York mobsters and moonshiners from West Virginia is soaked in equal measures of hooch and blood. Long-time collaborators Azzarello and Risso (100 Bullets) reunite with panache for the story of a negotiation gone wrong and the violent consequences thereof. It is 1929 and “Handsome” Lou Pirlo has been given his first real assignment by his boss, Joe Masseria: go down to West Virginia and get the producer of some wonderful moonshine to supply Joe’s organization. Hiram Holt, the bootlegger in question, isn’t interested in a partnership, though, and he and his family try to send Lou on his way. Lou is enamored of the liquor and Hiram’s foster daughter, Tempest, and doesn’t want to suffer the consequences of failure, so he stays in the mountains. Joe sends reinforcements who turn the failed business deal into an extended gun battle. Lou also discovers that something savage lurks in the mountain woods, and the tale takes an unexpected turn. Risso’s superb art relies on shadow and silhouette for drama, recalling newspaper strips of old such as Little Orphan Annie. It’s a brilliantly told riff on the gangster tale. (May)