Customer Reviews

5 Shots

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The graphic novel 5 Shots by Jemir Robert Johnson weaves five tales of
murder, mayhem, and action surrounding Jay Nova; an African American investigator who has the gift of reading the minds of others.

In Dead Line she has to find a way to save her partner, Randy, by finding something the men holding him want.

The story Sunset finds Jay looking for a missing person only to end up as prey.

The Knight in Question has Jay searching for a rappers friend's killer, but her search yields a secret that could damage his street credibility.

Forward Fast has Jay and Randy searching for someone held for ransom only to gather that the very person they were paid to find may have ratted them out; blowing their cover.

Burning Flag puts Jay in a compromising position. She owes an ex-friend a favor but this `friend' wants her dead. Will her psychic abilities alert her? Or will Jay Nova only exist in memories?

5 Shots was an intense, quick read. The graphics were on point and realistic. The editing made it difficult to understand and, at some points, I was unable to tell who was talking or if some of the stories were narrated. It was refreshing to see an African American woman with such strong qualities though. It was obvious that Jay Nova could pull her weight in the male dominated world of investigations. Graphic novel fans and those who enjoy Jemir Robert Johnson's work will truly enjoy 5 Shots.

Reviewed by Darnetta Frazier
APOOO BookClub

Jamir Johnson has done it again. This is the 3rd or 4th book I have read that Jamir has written or been involved with. He is a very keen story teller that keeps you hooked and wanting more. The illustrations are pure and true. "Good stories, eye catching art, hip dialogs and an overall nice package. Very well done."

5 Shots takes the reader on an exciting visual thrill ride through the underground world of crime, politics, and love, gangland style. Faint-of-heart readers will serve themselves best to avoid indulging in this gritty slice of Urban Americana as it proffers a straight-ahead look at how justice is meted out in the dark foreboding corners spread throughout the seething underbelly of the streets.

Jemir Johnson's graphic novel is broken down into five fast-paced stories, each centered on the adventures & misadventures of Randy Michaels and Jocasta Novarro, owners & operators of Light Star Investigations. The unflappable private investigators have a collective style all their own, one that's incomparable in style, power, and efficacy.

Readers get a taste of just how effective Jocasta can be in retrieving stolen property in "Dead Line." "Sunset" pairs Randy & Jocasta up in the recovery of a missing party girl whose rescue requires a bit of "heavy handed politicking." In "The Knight In Question," Johnson reveals a few uncomfortable truths about just how much of the "gangster" element is really involved in the creation/evolution of Gangsta Rap. "Forward Fast" is a mind-bending, lightning-fast stint through the fallout of a case gone bad, and "Burning Flag" finds Jocasta returning an ages-old favor that just may lead to her own untimely demise...

Slick, innovative, engrossing, and ultimately impressive, 5 Shots is the perfect combination of prose and animation. In addition, Johnson's fresh storytelling will appeal to lovers of the crime thriller genre with plotlines & dialogue ripped straight from the framework of everyday streets. Much has been made of writers, singers, rappers, and other creative types who attempt to claim prowess in areas of life of which they have no experience, but such is clearly not the case with Johnson. Merely a quick glance into the colorful world of 5 Shots serves as sufficient notice to the reader that Johnson has not only been there and done that; he can also write volumes about it.

Readers brave enough to duck & dodge their way through the nail-biting action of 5 Shots will surely not be disappointed. Highly recommended.

Jemir Johnson knows how to keep a reader interested. 5 Shots features dynamic recurring characters embroiled in action-packed plots. I enjoyed all the different artistic styles at work; most of the stories are by different artists, all liked together by Johnson's writing. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed 5 Shots. The stories pull you in immediately and provide page-turning excitement. The dialogue and text pack a punch in the five fast-moving stories.

I like Comic books but don't love them.

The ones I occassionally read are in the slice- of -life arena. I may even invest in crudely drawn furry animals if they have nasty dispositions about everything in life.

Honestly 5 Shots is a switch up that caught my attention for its cover and me wanting something light to read on a bus trip the next day. In between the covers are 5 short stories focusing on a street smart woman that can read minds and come from the shoulder (fight) with the best of them.

Some of the stories have elements right out of a crime noir action movie with hard edged criminals, violent biker gangs, rowdy rap star entourages and killers who have nothing to lose with not an honest cop in sight. These things, by themselves, are nice devices if you're into that. Likewise the motivation of Jay Nova, the main character, to get her usually spoiled or ungrateful clients out of trouble with these types without going public or involving authorities is also noteworthy.

But what made the reads enjoyable enough to finish in one sitting was the sharp and playfully antagonistic verbal exchanges between Jay and her partner, Randy, which had me chuckling in spots. In fact some of the dialogue strands were a breath of fresh air and brought to mind the banter between the Samuel L. Jackson and John Travolta characters from Pulp Fiction.

The art - the credits list four separate artists working on the five stories - is very engaging and works well with the size and format. My favorite works could be seen in the first story drawn by Luis Sierra and the last story (called Burning Flag) drawn by Shawn Decker which, because it is so thematically layered, happens to be my favorite story over all. It is easy to admire 5 Shots for its strength of vision and, on a personal note, being one of the few graphic novel collections featuring a strong,African-American, female lead of which I'm aware. Top to bottom great popcorn fun for a thinking reader in search of well paced action. Hope to see more Jay Nova in the future.

Jemir Johnson's highly anticipated graphic novel will not disappoint. 5 Shots follows Jay Nova through five stories of spectacular, hair-raising adventures with unparalleled illustrations and text. Johnson's writing keeps you hooked page after page and always wanting more. Keep your eye on Jemir Johnson, I have a feeling we haven't seen the last of him. Highly recommended.