When most people think of comics, they imagine the good deeds and valor performed by the average super-powered hero. However, some of the best stories in the medium focus on the other side of the law.

The following four books do just that, taking a look at the seedy underbelly of society, and those who are forced to dwell there. From crooked cops and crime syndicates to petty thieves and private dicks, these stories represent some of the best crime comics available today. 

100 Bullets

by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso

It seems appropriate to start this list with one of the most highly-praised crime books of the past decade – Brian Azzarello’s 100 Bullets. Over a run of ten years and one hundred issues, Azzarello told a sweeping conspiracy story filled with murder, betrayal and every other element of a noir masterpiece.

The series starts with the simple premise of a briefcase containing 100 untraceable bullets given to people who’ve had their lives destroyed. The briefcase also contains the identity of the person who wronged them and gives them a chance to be above the law and take vengeance if they so choose. Early story arcs in the series focus on cases such as these.

As the series progresses, however, the focus shifts to the mysterious Agent Graves, the man who is providing the briefcase to people. It also becomes clear what the purpose of the briefcase and the earlier story arcs are and exactly what Graves is trying to accomplish.

The events of 100 Bullets are illustrated exclusively by Eduardo Risso, who brings a dark, realistic art style that complements the series grim content.

100 Bullets requires a long investment of time and a bit of patience, but the consistent strength of the characters, dialog and artwork make it worth the commitment.

Vertigo Crime Series

by Various Authors and Artists

Reminiscent of the anthology crime books of the 50s and 60s, the Vertigo Crime line is a constant and excellent source of murder and mystery. The line features some of the best crime writers from all mediums, including novels, comics and television.

Currently, the line sees a new entry every month. Each story is packaged the same and is about the size of the average hardcover novel. Each creative team brings its own crime tale to the table, featuring one-and-done stories that range from a private detective searching for a serial killer to a young man investigating the murder of his high school girlfriend.

The timely release of new content and ever-changing writers make the Vertigo Crime line an easy recommendation for any fan of the genre. Even if one story doesn’t prove interesting, the next offers a completely new experience, while also introducing readers to authors they may have otherwise never checked out.

The consistent quality and sense of discovery each entry in the line provides make sure that there is something for everyone to love and is a great place for readers new to the comic book medium to start.

Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter / The Outfit

by Richard Stark, adapted by Darwyn Cooke

Darwyn Cooke began his adaptation of Richard Stark’s popular character Parker in 2009’s The Hunter, and he followed with The Outfit just last year. The first in a proposed four-book series, both books won critical acclaim and graphic novel of the year awards based on the strength of their well-paced stories and creative artistic visuals.

The series follows the titular character Parker, a conman and criminal who has built a reputation as being the best at what he does. The story begins as Parker finds himself wronged by another criminal group and follows him as he seeks out his vengeance.

Parker’s world is one fully invested in the criminal underworld; Parker only seems a hero because he is positioned against a much larger and more devious and twisted group of criminals. This leaves a great deal of moral ambiguity and allows for a more brutal, violent main character.

Because these graphic novels are adaptations of previously released novels, a lot of the creativity comes from Cooke’s art, and, in this area, he manages to astound. His unique style of cartooning manages to bring a great deal of emotion and charm to Parker, even when he spends the majority of both books with a scowl etched on his face. Add in Cooke’s creative use of alternate art styles to depict the various heists, and the visual elements of the Parker books alone make them must-read titles.

The Losers

by Andy Diggle and Jock

In Andy Diggle’s The Losers, a former CIA special ops team seeks revenge on their former handler, the mysterious Max, after leaving them for dead on foreign soil. Joined by the cold-blooded Aisha, a woman with her own grudge against Max, the team works to end the corruption in the CIA and expose an international conspiracy.

While The Losers does not exactly follow a group of criminals, the double-crosses, espionage and constant twists in the story are all present. The Losers are also constantly on the wrong side of the law, even if it is a corrupt government standing against them.

The strength of Diggle’s writing is that all of the characters feel real, and they all have their own motivations for taking out Max, beyond simple revenge. Every character feels like their own person, even as they function as a member of a larger team. It’s clear that the characters are friends as much as they are teammates, and this allows the reader to quickly connect and sympathize with the group.

Also on display here is the art produced by renowned comic artist Jock. The art style is realistic without sacrificing the expressive nature of cartooning. Each character and locale is distinct, and numerous visual cues tie the characters and their relationships with one another together.

At only 32 issues, The Losers manage to tell a complex, satisfying espionage story. Recently collected into a two-volume edition by publisher Vertigo, The Losers is an affordable and entertaining series, worth the time of any crime fan interested in following a more heroic group of characters.