Because no one remembers Escape From L.A., it’s time for Suiciders. But people do remember Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome–or at least the Thunderdome. Writer and artist Lee Bermejo rips off one of those movies, or just any other movie where post-apocalyptic guys fight in an arena to do the death for the enjoyment of the masses. Wasn’t it in a Zorro too?
There’s nothing original about Suiciders, except maybe bringing illegal immigration into it except it’s probably something Judge Dredd did thirty years ago.
But the comic’s extremely readable. Bermejo’s not a good writer, but his dialogue’s passable (maybe editorial actually did some work on the comic) and it’s a gorgeous looking comic book. Suiciders gets away with everything because it looks gorgeous.
When will the stupidity outweigh the gorgeous art? Depends on how much cool stuff Bermejo gets to draw.
It’s a desperate attempt from Vertigo though.
CREDITS
The Brutality Malady; writer and artist, Lee Bermejo; colorist, Matt Hollingsworth; letterer, Jared K. Fletcher; editors, Gregory Lockard and Will Dennis; publisher, Vertigo.
Comics Fondle 
You’re 100% spot on here. While Bermejo’s eye candy art carries the weight of the book, this may be the last gasp of Vertigo here. I hope it succeeds, at least keeping Bermejo working. I’ve even racked it with the regular DCs in an attempt to get some well needed attention from fans since DC doesn’t seem to give a crap whether Vertigo lasts these days. I may be talking through my hat here, but the recent “packaging” of books by an artist that also writes means DC probably gets away with paying less than with the standard system.