The Couriers 01 (v. 1) [Paperback]

Brian Wood (Author), Rob G (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 31, 2003

Starring characters from Brian Wood's COUSCOUS EXPRESS, the sleeper hit graphic novel of 2002, THE COURIERS is a fast-paced action-adventure comic set in New York City, featuring Moustafa and Special: mercenary couriers. They do the work the normal couriers are only barely aware of: intelligence, large cash transfers, protection, assassinations, blockade-running... you name it. But there is one job they always knew they would refuse, known as a "biologic." But when the package turns out to be a young deaf/mute girl from Nepal, with a gone-rogue Chinese Red Army Brigade hot on her heels, how can they NOT get involved? THE COURIERS is a pure action movie on paper.

Product Details

• Paperback: 88 pages
• Publisher: AiT/PlanetLar (January 31, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932051066
• ISBN-13: 978-1932051063
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 6.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,226,710 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Brian Wood released his first graphic novel, Channel Zero, in 1997 to considerable critical acclaim and has continued to create at a brisk pace ever since. Focusing almost entirely on creator-owned projects, he's become one of the most important indie creators of the last decade. Standout books include his The Couriers and Channel Zero series, Demo, Local and Supermarket. He's earned multiple Eisner Award nominations and editions of his work have been published in close to a dozen foreign markets. Currently under an exclusive contract for DC/Vertigo, Wood continues to write his unique brand of iconoclastic creator-owned work with DMZ, Northlanders, Demo and The New York Four.

Brian lives with his wife and daughter in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book of the year!, October 16, 2003

By 

Scott D. Nelson "www.sewerden.com" (South Bend, IN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Couriers 01 (v. 1) (Paperback)

I could not put this book down. This book reads like a crazy-insane John Woo film only hipper! The action is practically non-stop! And the very few moments that you feel like you can maybe pause for a minute or two, you don't want to because you're too interested in what's coming next! This book is a wise-ass, thrill-loving, tough-as-nails action fest! Rob G's art is fantastic, too. He really makes New York City come alive in this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars THE COURIERS VOL 1, October 10, 2008

By 

Cai Yixin Jeremy - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Couriers 01 (v. 1) (Paperback)

Another week, another review.

First off, let me just say that, for me personally, this might be the toughest book of Brian's to write a review on. It's very good escapist fiction and I did enjoy it for what it was. And I knew what Brian was going for with this book and that he was attempting to create a good action story. But I felt like there could be so much more in terms of narration and story.

I will first talk about the good: The cinematic approach Brian took was the right one. The introduction and the plot development unfolded in a very dramatic manner, much like a movie. Right from the start we were introduced to the characters. A girl discovers a secret music score and it just so happens that she has a photographic memory when it comes to music. And it turns out that musical score is important enough to prompt the villain, who owns that music score, to hunt this girl down.

So, the Couriers, our heroes (and indeed they are, in this book), step into the picture. Introduced in the same cinematic tone, with campy captions and all, they show just how kick ass they are. They are quick with guns and fists alike, making them very engaging protagonists indeed, in a very action movie kind of way, which was what Brian was going for I think.

But the execution, especially towards the latter parts, wasn't as polished as it could've been. The plot developments felt very lackluster and lazy. One example: the Girl being captured by the General. There wasn't any panels describing how that happened.

Also, what's up with the gratuitous violence? The violence felt ridiculous. Like, how is it that people can let loose rocket launchers in civilian areas without the police at least having anything to say about it. And also, what is it with the over splattering of gore in the restaurant? It felt like it was simply shock value and like it was done for violence's sake. If it were G.I Joe I might have closed one eye. But this is modern day New York for goodness sake.

So, if you are coming into this book with the hopes of finding the next Channel Zero or DMZ, you're going to be disappointed, because this book feels liike a summer movie more than anything. It may have some good moments and it may have plenty of style/chic in it, but THE COURIERS feels very second rate compared to the rest of Brian's work.

2 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Horrible.., June 4, 2007

By 

Mark Richard Guttu "Collecter" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Couriers 01 (v. 1) (Paperback)

This novel was horrible. It's filled with useless plot lines, unimaginative violence, and an anti-climatic ending. Not only that, but the artwork doesnt carry this kind of failure at writing like some artists manage. So over all it a steaming pile of garbage. If you are intested in collecting hard to find or unique comics then maybe this is for you.