Rating: 
Summary: GANGBUSTERS EPIC...MYTHIC MORALITY FABLE
Review: Unlike the gangster adventure film starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman THE ROAD TO PERDITION presented in original graphic novel(comic)format is a Gangbuster Epic. Set in 1930--at height of Prohibition and depths of The Great Depression--Max Allan Collins renders this tragic story of former WWI decorated soldier selling his soul as ruthless hired killer for Ganglords of incipient Organized Crime (for sake of family in a bleakly unforgiving time of destitution). The anti-hero is Michael O'Sullivan. He is Enforcer("Angel of Death")to Irish mob oligarch, John Looney(in the film, Rooney).A series of violent mishaps and a young boy's(O'Sullivan's son)terribly costly curiosity frames this tale of betrayal, vengeance and SIN.The movie evades PERDITION's theme: reality of mortal sin and damnation over against HOPE FOR REDEMPTION. Mendes--who directed Yuppie New Age Classic, American Beauty--was perhaps incapable of more than meretriciously glossing what is a complex study of evil. The fact the film ignores featured roles of archetypal figures Al Capone,Frank Nitti; Eliot Ness & The Untouchables will suprise viewers who enjoyed the film but sensed something was missing. The Jude Law/Dutch Shultz character(in the film)is typical of Hannibal Lecter psychopaths who are allowed to preen in "glamour of evil" as if conscienceless embrace of EVIL were admirable. In the graphic novel, Law's character is nameless and appears on a single page(297). Theology and iconography of Roman Catholicsm (definitively nuanced, pre-1960's middle-class mid-Western Irish sensibility)defines THE ROAD TO PERDITION as quest of a Good man choosing EVIL to protect those he loves from this Evil. "GREATER LOVE HAS NO MAN THAN ONE WHO WILL YIELD HIS VERY SOUL FOR THE SAKE OF THOSE HE LOVES"? "The movie ROAD does not dare radical Christian paradoxes evoked in this "comic" book.(A horrendous movie "novelization"--aegised by Warner Bros--is to be avoided under pain of eternal perdition). Max Allan Collins graphic novel(accompanied by starkly realistic, black and white photo-GRAPHIC art work of Richard Piers Rayner, which some reviewers condemn as too minimalist)is mythic morality fable that will startle readers with its literary "gravitas" and its gripping gangbuster epic action...
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and hard boiled
Review: What a powerful read. The pure power of morality and love coupled with the intensity of the violence in these pages make this book unforgettable. The art meshes perfectly with the writing. In fact, if I had to pick Max Allan Collins or Richard Piers Rayner as the star of the book, I'd have to go with Rayner. Some of the detail in his panels are simply mind numbing. Collins has crafted a great father-son/assassin tale along the lines of the Japanese comic Lone Wolf and Cub, but Rayner's work is what really puts Perdition over the top as a graphic novel. This book is a touching if disturbing look into a mob assassin's relationship with his older son, and his quest for vengence for the death of his wife and younger son. A noir-ish tale deftly told as it weaves in conflicting notions of religious morality, loyalty, vengence, and proper guidance for a child. A gripping tale.
Rating: 
Summary: John Woo meets the Untouchables Comic Style
Review: When i heard this was going to be made into a movie, I wanted to see the book that would be the inspiration for such a powerful and unique Tom Hanks movie character.
Upon reading the book, it was enjoyable and thrilling, it featured some amazing artwork and a suspenseful storyline.
I feel the movie will be better, the movie is also written by the same author as this book.
To sum up, this is an amazing book and will provide great inspiration for what will be a great novel-to-movie adaption.
Rating:
Summary: Unusual Origin
Review: When you think of a graphic novel, (comic book), a variety of tales may come to mind. A story that will premier on the screen July 12, is destined to be a bit different. Max Allan Collins wrote the original graphic novel, and he has also written this novel based on the screenplay by David Self. Paul Newman, Tom Hanks, Jude Law, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and others are not names one would associate with a comic book. The origins of, "Road To Perdition", began with the graphic novel format, and based upon the pieces of the film I have seen, and this written adaptation, this final stop of this tale will likely end with a variety of prestigious nominations and awards. One of the more interesting aspects of the film is the man who plays, "The Angel Of Death". As an actor Tom Hanks has played a wide variety of roles, with the exception of, "Saving Private Ryan", which was a military role, this time out he steps as far away from his usual roles as possible. Michael Sullivan is a professional killer, and he displays his skills frequently in this film. The film is very violent and also presents a very conflicted primary character. Sullivan confines his trade to others that exist in his world until a particularly brutal act converts him to a killer driven solely by revenge and betrayal. Paul Newman is a legend, and placing him on the screen with Tom Hanks should be as memorable as his pairings with Robert Redford in films like, "The Sting", and "Butch Cassidy And The Sundance Kid". Jude Law also appears to be working toward the small list of class "A" actors, so if this film does not prove to be excellent, I would be surprised.
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