First Look: Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips Strike Gold Again with Criminal OGN ‘Five Gears in Reverse’
The undisputed champions of modern crime noir have returned to the gritty streets they built. Multiple award-winning masterminds Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are back with an all-new Criminal graphic novel, titled Five Gears in Reverse. Published by Image Comics, this highly anticipated hardcover release hits local comic book shops exclusively this week, offering fans an immediate dose of raw, street-level suspense.
If you are trying to keep up with the biggest weekly drops, make sure to check out our latest New Comics listings to ensure your local shop has a copy waiting in your pull box.
Back in the Dark Alley: Ricky Lawless Takes Center Stage
At its core, Criminal has always been a sprawling, multi-generational tapestry of lowlifes, grifters, and doomed lovers. In Five Gears in Reverse, Brubaker and Phillips turn their spotlight onto one of the series’ most tragic and volatile figures: Ricky Lawless.
Set in the neon-flecked, rain-slicked landscape of Bay City in 2004, we find Ricky trying to dig his way out from under a substantive debt to a ruthless bookie named Karl. When Karl presents a “nothing job”—robbing a three-time world poker champion named Vincent Gabbo at the high-end Vista-Luxe Hotel—Ricky leaps at the chance. It is supposed to be easy money, the kind of job Ricky boasts he could do in his sleep.
Of course, in a Brubaker-written universe, nothing is ever that simple. What starts as a quick score rapidly spins into a chaotic, action-packed road trip of survival and desperation. In the midst of this downward spiral, Ricky crosses paths with Mallory, igniting a wild, bullet-riddled romance that defines the emotional core of the book.
Why Brubaker & Phillips Remain Unmatched
What makes this release so special is how easily it welcomes both long-time collectors and total newcomers. You do not need years of backstory to appreciate the dread building on every page. Brubaker’s dialogue is sharp and completely stripped of fluff, moving the plot forward with an active, fast-paced intensity.
Sean Phillips’ art remains the gold standard for the genre. His use of heavy inks, deep shadows, and expressive close-ups captures the grime and heat of a Bay City summer perfectly. Combined with a cold, striking color palette, every panel feels like a still from a classic 1970s neo-noir film. It is a stunning visual style that proves why this creative team has remained at the top of the industry for decades.
Furthermore, if you want to explore the history of other great series from the publisher, you can check out our Image Comics spotlight.
A Speculator and Collecting Guide
For serious collectors, Criminal books are always a blue-chip addition to any graphic novel shelf. Because of the limited nature of original graphic novel releases, physical first printings of these hardcovers tend to hold their value incredibly well.
- Five Gears in Reverse (OGN): Available at local comic shops on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. General bookstore release follows on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.
- Unfinished Tales (Hardcover): Arriving in comic shops on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
Whether you prefer physical copies from your local comic shop or reading digitally on Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, or Google Play, you do not want to miss this ride. For those wanting to see how this release stacks up against past classics, check out This Day In Comics to see how Brubaker and Phillips have shaped the industry over the years.
When the final page is turned, Five Gears in Reverse stands as a triumphant monument to the power of independent crime fiction. It is a story born from absolute creative freedom, executed with years of shared experience, and delivered directly to fans who appreciate the art of a perfect heist gone wrong. Make sure to follow our weekly drops and discover your next read with our Comic Book of the Day selection to ensure you never miss a hit!
📢 Join the Conversation
Do you think Ricky Lawless is the most tragic character in the Criminal universe? Are you picking up your copy of Five Gears in Reverse this Wednesday? Tag us on X @comicbookaddt and share your reviews!
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