Broken Frontier

Finally, an answer to the question, “What would happen if James Bond was a bad guy?”  The Killer: Modus Vivendi is the latest in a series of books that follows the exploits of a hitman known only as “The Killer.”  The series was started in 1998 and is written by French writer Matz, with art by Luc Jacamon.   It was originally published in French but was later translated into English.

Having never read the earlier series, I don’t think I got the full effect of this issue, but it was by no means hard to follow.  The action starts almost right away, although it’s not the usual kind of action that I’m used to seeing.  No, this killer’s methods are much more cool and planned, and don’t involve the usual fist-flying, rain-of-bullets brawls that I’ve come to associate with assassin stories.  The story focuses more on the killer’s reflection of his actions rather than the act of killing itself.

What I really like about this character is that he’s not really lovable.  Sure, he’s stylish and suave, but he’s also a cold-blooded killer that has no problems killing women, children, and the elderly.  In this way, he’s a true assassin, and this lends the character a great deal of credibility.  While he’s doing recon work on a nun he’s supposed to kill, he reflects on how killing anyone is the same to him.  Killing children and religious figures are the same as killing middle-aged men, as both have no chance of surviving.  He doesn’t feel bad because they’re easier prey.  At the same time, he realizes the gravity of his actions.  This creates an interesting dynamic, as the Killer explores the value of human beings and the merits of murder.  Matz only scratches the surface of a fascinating discussion on morality. 

Jacamon’s style of art can be very dazzling at times, but doesn’t really fit with the style of the story. Being a bit of a crime noir tale, I expected a more sinister mood and rougher figures.  Instead, the figures and backgrounds are very cleanly drawn and, to be frank, quite beautiful to look at.  Given the serious nature of the character’s own thoughts and the graphic scenes of violence, I expected a more gritty style but what I got was mellow and a little glamorous.  This isn’t bad, though, as it adds to the charm of the book. 

The almost too casual tone of the writing and art force the reader to invest a little more in the story.  If you’re willing and able to suspend what you know to be right or wrong, and step into the mind and shoes of the Killer, you’ll find that you’re in for a wild ride.