This week on the Major Spoilers Podcast, the gang takes a look at Darwyn Cooke’s adaptation of Richard Stark’s Parker character in Parker: The Hunter.
The Hunter, the first book in the Parker series, is the story of a man who hits New York head-on like a shotgun blast to the chest. Betrayed by the woman he loved and double-crossed by his partner in crime, Parker makes his way cross-country with only one thought burning in his mind – to coldly exact his revenge and reclaim what was taken from him! Richard (Donald Westlake) Stark’s groundbreaking Parker books are adapted for the first time as a series of graphic novels by Darwyn Cooke. The initial graphic novel brings to life the first Parker book, The Hunter, which introduces readers to the dangerous anti-hero’s cold and calculated world of criminals, thugs, and grifters.
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2 Comments
I picked this up and read it over the weekend, both in preparation for this episode and for the fact that Cooke’s art is gorgeous. I was not disappointed. At first I had a bit of a difficult time wondering/caring what was going on, but once the story kicks in, you realize the first bit is establishing Parker’s character (complete and utter badass). It’s a testament to the art that this was conveyed so well without words.
I also appreciated the fact that the book is divided into sections. I could read 40 or so pages, set it down for a bit and pick it right back up. Mind you, after a certain point I didn’t want to put it down at all.
I’m anticipating the next book in this series and am going to see about tracking down some of the Parker novels. Hope the Major Spoilers crew enjoyed it as much as I.
As a huge fan of crime / noir comics, I was very pleased with this graphic novel. Darwyn Cooke does a great job, both visually and textually, capturing the mood and feeling of this classic noir story.