rmichno's review against another edition
3.0
Started off interesting but it really suffered when the artist changed about 1/2 way through. The new art style was more realistic but they changed the main character into a ridiculously looking bimbo.
The missions were also not that interesting to me, but maybe they were more relevant when the comics were first published in the early 2000's. In 2017 I feel like I've seen better versions of these subjects covered in other books/movies.
The missions were also not that interesting to me, but maybe they were more relevant when the comics were first published in the early 2000's. In 2017 I feel like I've seen better versions of these subjects covered in other books/movies.
libram's review against another edition
3.0
An engaging spy story, though the art of the protagonist was distractingly awful in the third story.
nkives's review against another edition
4.0
Spy graphic novel written by Greg Rucka who is becoming one of my favorite comic writers. Good story throughout, but the art for the last story just didn't go with the rest of the book.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
3.0
This is good for what it is- an intrigue and spy sort of thriller; it's just that's not my bag. Its also probably not for thriller lovers who want tons of action and shoes that turn into missiles- but more for someone who's interested in real places in the world and doesn't find office politics too tedious. Personally, I found the artwork of Leandro Fernandez to be jarring and really bothered me. Our tough-as-nails heroine's breasts grew by some power of 10 for that storyline and she started wearing things that just didn't match her character. Always really bothers me.
andrewgraphics's review against another edition
4.0
The writing on this series is top notch, early in Greg Rucka's career, but the change in art styles is jarring: the main character (Tara Chace) goes from average and possibly dowdy in the first couple of story lines, and positively ragged in the second arc, to wasp-waisted, stacked, and sexy in the last arc. It was actually distracting, considering it seemed that the intent was to show average people in the job of spy-craft, which then becomes a Hollywood-ized story without the nuance. This collection loses a star because of the art on that last arc.
old_tim's review against another edition
5.0
The Wire: cop stories :: Queen and Country: spy stories
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-best-espionage-story-ive-read-in.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2013/11/the-best-espionage-story-ive-read-in.html
plaidbrarian's review against another edition
4.0
So yeah, this? This was really, really excellent. Greg Rucka can write a hell of a spy story, giving us all the usual espionage tropes we've come to expect but still throwing some new takes into the mix. This is as much about what goes on behind the scenes as it is what goes on in the field... the politics, the inter-bureau rivalries, the personal lives of the people involved, and the sort of tolls (emotional and physical) this line of work takes on folks. Tara Chace is a fascinating character not just because she's a damn good spy, but also because she's an incredibly damaged human being.
The art may be a bit too cartoony for some, but the loose styles of the various pencillers didn't take anything away from the story for me (though the artist on the third story arc in this book drawing Tara to Barbie-like proportions did get old quickly). It all got the point across without getting bogged down in too much fine detail, which I appreciated. I'm never going to Kabul if I can help it, so it doesn't matter if it doesn't look exactly right. Just get the point across, please.
Long story short: damn fine comics. I wish I had discovered this series sooner, but I inadvertently waited for a reprint format that allowed me to read huge chunks at a time, so I appreciate that.
The art may be a bit too cartoony for some, but the loose styles of the various pencillers didn't take anything away from the story for me (though the artist on the third story arc in this book drawing Tara to Barbie-like proportions did get old quickly). It all got the point across without getting bogged down in too much fine detail, which I appreciated. I'm never going to Kabul if I can help it, so it doesn't matter if it doesn't look exactly right. Just get the point across, please.
Long story short: damn fine comics. I wish I had discovered this series sooner, but I inadvertently waited for a reprint format that allowed me to read huge chunks at a time, so I appreciate that.
ramonnogueras's review against another edition
5.0
Una magistral obra de espías, ambientada en los primeros años del siglo XXI. Muy LeCarré, cero James Bond. Estoy enganchado. De lo mejor que he leído en el género.
ceeelizabethreads's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed the story, as I always do when Rucka is writing. However, I did find the change in art slightly jarring. Especially Tara, I can't say I enjoyed her 'enhancements' in the last arc very much.