Editor’s note: Last week when we reviewed this issue, we neglected to mention that in addition to the standard comic book format issue, it was also available in a faux period movie magazine style format as well. It’s a terrific gimmick entirely in keeping with the story and setting of series.

Image Comics; $3.50 (comic), $5.99 (magazine)

Writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips have produced some stunning work together over the years, including Criminal and Incognito for Marvel’s Icon imprint and Fatale at Image. Their combined noir sensibilities have worked to both expand the boundaries of crime comics and to reach fans who might not otherwise have tried the genre.

Now they’ve got another home run on their hands.

With The Fade Out, they place themselves squarely in post-World War II Hollywood. It’s still the era of powerful studios and cover-ups, and of course being a Brubaker and Phillips production there is something to cover up, a murder. There’s plenty of action, intrigue and off-kilter characters.

This first issue is 40 pages and it’s a great read, one that left us immediately ready for the second installment.