Broken Frontier

Critically acclaimed mystery novelist Gary Phillips (L.A. NOIR, BANGERS) and BOOM! Studios bring comic fans the new crime series HIGH ROLLERS, an inner-city spin on THE SOPRANOS, featuring stunning artwork from Sergio (AFTER THE CAPE II) Carrera with inspired covers by Brett (THE SURROGATES) Weldele.

A tale of crime and destiny in the vein of SCARFACE, HIGH ROLLERS spotlights Cameron Quinn, "CQ." a ruthless enforcer out to make a name for himself, with Phillips shining a harsh light on the action and drama of the L.A. underworld. HIGH ROLLERS is a four-issue miniseries, coming out monthly for fans of violent and penetrating crime stories like THE SOPRANOS and THE WIRE!

"We're happy to have such a talented crime writer of Gary Phillips' caliber (pun intended) working with us," said BOOM! Studios editor-in-chief Mark Waid. "Gangsters and the Mafia are America's new vampires - the dark creatures of the underground that fascinate and appall us - and there is no one better to explore this territory than Gary Phillips."

Phillips continues his comic book career with BOOM! Studios having written ANGELTOWN for DC's Vertigo imprint and both SHOT CALLERZ and MIDNIGHT MOVER for Oni Press. With HIGH ROLLERS, Phillips explores the L.A. crime underworld using gritty characters in high-stakes situations bringing to bear not only his experience as a crime novelist but also his experience as a native Angeleno.

"This is a story about the city and the people that live in it," said Phillips. "Crime stories appeal to readers because of their escapist tendencies, but these are also stories about our world - America today - and the dangerous allure of anti-heroes who exist by their own code."

The past few years have seen the increasing popularity of crime fiction in various media, from HBO's THE WIRE to Ed Brubaker's CRIMINAL. What began in the early ' 90s with shows like LAW & ORDER and HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREET continues to evolve today with movies like AMERICAN GANGSTER and the GRAND THEFT AUTO video game franchise, marking a shift from showcasing police who patrol the streets to focusing on those who must survive in them. HIGH ROLLERS continues this trend of urban intrigue and action from the perspective of the criminal.

HIGH ROLLERS #1 features cover art by Brett Weldele, item order code: APR083634.