The Last Days of American Crime [2009-2010] by Rick Remender

THE LAST DAYS OF AMERICAN CRIME

The story revolves around three main characters Graham Bricke the grifter, Kevin Cash the safe cracker, and his fiancée Shelby Dupree who is a computer hacker. Their job is to swipe and hack a charge box that can make unlimited US currency by charging the fiduciary cash cards. First Graham partnered with members of a Mexican gang that did not end well so with limited time left he partnered with the freelancing couple Kevin and Shelby. Now the Mexican gang wants Graham because he may have a plan to print money before the US government uses mind control and all the paper money goes digital so everything is tracked and taxed.

Writer Rick Remenber (Punisher, Uncanny X-Force) gave details that the idea of this story came around 2002 after the 9/11 attacks. While everyone was in a state of shock he was surprised how alarming it was that how much people are willing to let go their personal liberties for an artifical sense of security. Remender then came up with a story of the government using mind control to make sure no one will do anything illegal within the United States. Series writer Rick Remender and artist Greg Tocchini present a crime drama that really doesn’t pull any punches.

SERIES HIGHLIGHTS

- Graham tied Mexican gang member Enrique in the tub and fills it with diesel

- The LAPD conducts surveillance on Graham and Shelby is their informant

- Graham has a secret fourth person involved in the heist - his mother calls him Rory

- Kevin slept with his step-mom which result in a retarded child named Mikey

- Kevin steals a laser cutter from his father after he kills him and Mikey

- Enrique kidnaps Shelby and leaves Graham to burn to death like he left him

- Graham, Kevin, Shelby, and Collins pull off the heist however betrayed by Kevin

- Graham and Shelby face-off as the broadcast takes place

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED – 5 OUT OF 5