This week on View from the Gutters our topic work is The Losers, Book 1, by Andy Diggle and Jock. This book collects issues 1-12 of the series, previously collected as volumes 1 & 2, Ante Up and Double Down, respectively. The titular Losers are a band of special forces operatives working (initially) as a CIA black ops team. Before the series begins, however, their handler—the mysterious Max—attempts to have the group killed for seeing something they weren’t supposed to see. The series proper begins 5 years later, when the team assembles to track down and get their revenge on Max, and hopefully get their names taken off the CIA death list at the same time.

The Losers is part intense action flick, part espionage-thriller, expertly combining the best aspects of both. Diggle’s writing is sharp, and mates perfectly with Jock’s high-contrast artwork. The Losers is one of the great action comics of the 21st century, and should rightfully be on the book-shelf of anyone who considers themselves an aficionado of comic books.

In our recommendation section, our hosts nominated DC: The New Frontier, Courtney Crumrin, Vol. 1 & 2, Phonogram: Rue Britannia, and The Mercenary Sea for discussion on the next episode, and our selected title is Courtney Crumrin, Vol. 1 & 2.

We invite you to discuss both this episode and its topic on our subreddit.

Our hosts for this episode are Andrew Chard, Tobiah Panshin, Adam Panshin, Joe Preti, and the ghost of Cade Reynolds.