Ammar Sabilarrohman
The landscape of modern noir comics is dominated by a singular, towering collaboration: the partnership between writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips. For decades, their CRIMINAL series has stood as a definitive exploration of the desperate, the damned, and the morally compromised. Now, the duo is returning to the well that started it all, reintroducing one of the most compelling figures in the series’ history in their latest release, Five Gears in Reverse.
This new chapter promises to be one of the most visceral and high-stakes narratives the pair has ever produced. By centering the story on the tragic, unpredictable trajectory of Ricky Lawless, Brubaker and Phillips are not merely revisiting a fan-favorite character; they are dissecting the mechanics of a downward spiral with the precision of a surgeon and the grit of a street-level crime novelist.
Main Facts: The Return of Ricky Lawless
At the heart of Five Gears in Reverse lies the return of Ricky Lawless, a character whose previous appearances have left an indelible mark on the CRIMINAL mythos. Brubaker, known for his lean, rhythmic prose, describes this installment as one of the "wildest, most action-packed" entries in the entire history of the franchise.
The plot centers on a classic noir trope—the insurmountable debt—but filters it through the specific, claustrophobic lens of the CRIMINAL universe. Ricky Lawless, perpetually caught between his own bad decisions and the predatory nature of the mobsters he owes, finds himself in a position where the walls are closing in. As the title suggests, the narrative momentum is aggressive, chaotic, and relentlessly forward-moving, even as Ricky attempts to find a way out of his precarious situation.
The creative team behind this project remains the gold standard for the genre:
- Story: Ed Brubaker, the Eisner Award-winning architect of modern noir.
- Art: Sean Phillips, whose chiaroscuro-heavy style defines the aesthetic of the series.
- Colors: Jacob Phillips, whose work has evolved to perfectly complement his father’s line work, adding a visceral, modern texture to the gritty, dimly lit underworld they inhabit.
A Chronology of a Crime Masterpiece
To understand the significance of Five Gears in Reverse, one must look back at the trajectory of the CRIMINAL series, which first launched in 2006. Since its inception, the series has operated not as a singular, linear tale, but as an anthology of interconnected stories that share the same geographic and thematic DNA: the fictional city of Center City.
The Origins of CRIMINAL
When Brubaker and Phillips first debuted CRIMINAL, they sought to strip the genre of its romanticized tropes. Instead of detectives with trench coats or femme fatales in smoky rooms, they presented characters who were often the architects of their own destruction. Ricky Lawless emerged early on as a quintessential character of this world—a young man with potential, trapped in a cycle of generational trauma and petty crime.
The Evolution of the Collaborative Process
Over the last eighteen years, the relationship between Brubaker and Phillips has evolved into a well-oiled creative machine. Their process—often described as a tight-knit, collaborative shorthand—has allowed them to experiment with form and structure. From the long-form graphic novels like My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies to the monthly serialization of the main series, their work has consistently maintained a high watermark of quality. Five Gears in Reverse represents the culmination of this experience, utilizing the narrative shorthand they have developed to hit the ground running, skipping the exposition to focus entirely on the kinetic energy of the plot.
Supporting Data: Why This Matters for the Genre
The CRIMINAL series is widely considered the greatest crime comic series of the 21st century, a claim supported by both critical acclaim and sustained commercial success. But what makes Five Gears in Reverse a significant market event?
- The Jumping-On Point: For new readers, the sheer volume of back-catalog in the CRIMINAL series can be daunting. Brubaker and Phillips have positioned this book as a "perfect jumping-on point." Because it focuses on a self-contained, high-stakes arc for Ricky Lawless, readers do not need a deep knowledge of the previous volumes to appreciate the immediate tension and character stakes.
- The "Brubaker-Phillips" Brand: The collaboration has become a brand unto itself. Retailers note that CRIMINAL releases consistently sell through their initial print runs, as the fanbase is highly loyal. The synergy between the writing and the art is so seamless that it has influenced an entire generation of indie crime creators.
- The Economic Impact: By leveraging direct-to-consumer platforms like Bookshop and Amazon, the creators are ensuring that the book remains accessible even as the traditional comic shop market shifts. The inclusion of digital links reflects a modern distribution strategy that prioritizes accessibility for the contemporary reader.
Official Responses and Creative Vision
While Ed Brubaker has kept the specific plot twists of Five Gears in Reverse under wraps to avoid spoilers, his commentary regarding the series has always emphasized the "human" element of crime fiction. Brubaker has frequently noted that he is less interested in the mechanics of a heist or a murder, and more interested in the "bad choices" that lead a character like Ricky Lawless to the point of no return.
Sean Phillips’ art serves as the primary visual language for these choices. By using heavy shadows and high-contrast ink work, Phillips forces the reader to focus on the facial expressions and the body language of characters who are constantly looking over their shoulders. In recent interviews, the team has suggested that Five Gears in Reverse pushes these characters to their physical and psychological limits, promising a level of intensity that stands out even in a series defined by its high stakes.
Implications: The Future of Noir Comics
The release of Five Gears in Reverse carries significant implications for the comic book industry at large.
Setting the Standard
The most immediate implication is the continued viability of the creator-owned model. Brubaker and Phillips have proven that an auteur-driven approach—where a writer and artist maintain total control over their work—is not only artistically superior but commercially sustainable. This serves as a blueprint for younger creators entering the industry.
The Enduring Appeal of "Low-Life" Stories
There is a growing trend in pop culture toward high-concept, elevated genre fiction. CRIMINAL remains the antithesis of this, focusing on the "low-life." The success of this book suggests that audiences are still hungry for stories that feel grounded, dirty, and dangerous. By focusing on Ricky Lawless—a character defined by his flaws—the authors are reinforcing the idea that the most compelling stories are not about heroes winning, but about people trying to survive their own histories.
The Role of Digital and Physical Hybridity
The shift in how this comic is being marketed—bridging the gap between traditional comic shop locators and direct-link digital commerce—is indicative of how the industry is adapting to the post-pandemic retail landscape. By providing multiple avenues for acquisition, the team is ensuring that the book reaches the widest possible audience, bridging the gap between the die-hard "floppy" collector and the modern trade-paperback reader.
Conclusion: A Must-Read for the Genre Enthusiast
Five Gears in Reverse is more than just a new comic book release; it is a testament to the longevity of the Brubaker-Phillips partnership and the enduring power of the crime genre. For the long-time fans who have followed Ricky Lawless through his many iterations, this book offers a resolution or perhaps a deeper tragedy that has been years in the making. For the uninitiated, it offers an accessible, high-octane entry point into one of the most respected bodies of work in the medium.
As the industry continues to evolve, the CRIMINAL series remains a constant—a reminder that at the core of every great story, there must be a compelling character, a dire situation, and the inevitable consequences of the choices we make when we have nowhere left to run. Whether you choose to pick up a physical copy from your local comic shop or opt for a digital edition, Five Gears in Reverse is a title that demands attention. It is gritty, it is honest, and it is a masterclass in the art of the modern crime comic.
Get your copy, settle in, and prepare for the ride—just don’t expect a happy ending. In the world of CRIMINAL, the best you can hope for is to survive the night.
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