Customer Reviews

Family Values (Sin City (Dark Horse))

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the third Sin City story to star "Dwight"; the first two were A Dame to Kill For and The Big Fat Kill. You really should read those books before you read this one. This time around, Dwight and Miho are on a mission for the girls of Old Town, which I won't spoil by revealing anything about. Unlike the other Sin City books, which are serialized and have chapters, this is a continuous story that is about 120 pages long. It doesn't take long to read; I read the whole thing during my lunch break. I didn't feel it was quite as good as the other "Dwight" stories, but it is still a fun, quick read. The storyline didn't intrigue me as much this time around, but the artwork is as great as ever. I think most of Frank Miller's fans will enjoy this book.

I disagree with the reviewer that states the ending fizzles. The Sin City story contained within "Family Values" has the biggest build up and surprise ending of all the Sin City stories in my opinion. Miller again successfully makes dislikeable characters and situations a very enjoyable read.

The art in "Family Values" is not Miller's strongest, but he more than makes up for it with excellent narration and storytelling. While it is at times over the top and almost forced, the deadliness of prostitute/assassin, Miho, is a joy to read and watch because she is truly excellent at her job. Dwight's loyalty the girls of Old Town is awe inspiring, considering the fact that he is an admitted murderer, and someone I would never trust. Dwight and Miho work flawlessly together as the two main characters of this book, and anyone who liked "The Big Fat Kill" will get a kick out of this as well. It's violent, entertaining, and keeps you on the edge of your seat until it's done. A great read.

Frank Miller has set the bar so high with his "Sin City" series of graphic novels that many fans have been somewhat disappointed by Book 5, "Family Values." While it's true that "FV" does not have the power of, say, "That Yellow Bastard" or "The Hard Good-Bye," that is probably because it doesn't introduce any new anti-heroes into the Sin City universe. Nothing can top the shock and awe of your first introduction to Miller's creations, but Miller also shouldn't be criticized when he fleshes out his creations with additional tales.

"FV" follows Dwight and Miho on a job . . . one that involves their unique specialities. Dwight is the lead man of the tandem -- cool, calm, nasty, and carrying a message. Miho is the enforcer -- her job is to kill anyone who gets in Dwight's way. (And boy, there are a lot of guys who want to play speedbump!)

Like many of Miller's "Sin City" stories, the tale gradually unfolds. The earlier pages are full of foreboding and menace, and the tale builds to a mighty crescendo in the final pages. Along the way the reader revels in Dwight's deadpan humor, Miho's lethal beauty, and Miller's amazing images. You can also get quite a kick out of seemingly dozens of hoodlums getting their comeuppance in the most gruesome of ways.

Far from the best of the "Sin City" novels, "FV" has to be content to be "lesser Frank Miller." That is, of course, a very high compliment. Check it out.

This is basically a revenge story staring Dwight and the lovely Miho. Although Dwight and Miho are not the ones seeking revenge. I really have to say that this book didn't make all that much sense at first, and when I did figure out the point the whole plot was kind of pointless. yeah it doesn't make sense but once you read it you'll know what I mean. The art once again is beautiful and the story will keep you reading all the way to the confusing ending. I would much rather give this three and a half stars but the rating scale is only in whole numbers. Don't get me wrong though, I am a huge fan of these books but this one wasn't that great. Miho's ninja style moves are extremely awsome in this book, but that's just about the only highlight here.

Miller once again has another masterpiece on his hands with Family Values.It's Sin City at it's best. The Art is a little rough, sort of like the stuff in Sex and Violence.Lynn Varley's cover colors are a work in itself. The Story was superb, with all the family tones. Miho on Rollerblades is one of the books most memorable scenes in there. It really doesn't tie in with the rest of the series but look for two verbally expressed individuals making a little scene.Great art Great Story, keep it comin Frank !!!!!

This was disappointing, but entertaining enough to read (especially since it is so quick). Unfortunately, this story has an extremely thin plot, and the backstory is crammed in right before the climax (part of which is predictable). There is no real reason to care about the characters or what they are doing, except for the fact that they have appeared earlier in the Sin City series.
The artwork also leaves something to be desired. Compared to The Big Fat Kill (where the main characters here are introduced) the art is not nearly as striking. The characters are depicted somewhat differently (notably Miho) which is off-putting. Also, although Miller doesn't exactly use gray-scale, he uses a lot more shading techniques (crosshatching, etc.) which takes away from the bold, noir look. He also leaves many images just outlined (see Miho, cars, etc.) which seems unfinished, especially in contrast to what is fully shaded.
Overall, this is not a great book to start with, but worth reading just to be complete with the series. I recommend borrowing this or checking from the library (which I did) rather than purchase.

Miller keeps pushing the devil of darkness and brutality found in the Sin City stories, and there is plenty of that to be found here.

A dead hooker, some revenge, and a mission for Dwight and the little white ninja of old town. She has plenty of people to try and blunt her sword and other tools on.

A struggle between the women and the mafia for control of the turf, after earlier events.

After the fast start of THE HARD GOODBYE, the Sin City series seemed mostly able to keep its steam. Although THE BIG FAT KILL was not up to snuff, both A DAME TO KILL FOR and THAT YELLOW BASTARD were solid entries that kept the momentum rolling. Alas, every series hits a dry spell and for Sin City, that dry spell is entitled FAMILY VALUES. Both the story as well as the art work is below the par we have come to expect.

The story is the type of revenge plot that is familiar in the Sin City catalogue. Yet it is not as well developed as others and the characters themselves simply are not as interesting, largely because they are not as fleshed out as they should be. Sure, some of the artwork here is good. But it should be. Frank Miller did not become successful by giving the reader junk. The problem is that, while some of the artwork is solid, some is not only below par but, hate to say it, rather amateurish. This is especially so with respect to some of the portrayals of Miho.

One cannot help but think that Frank Miller was simply going through the motions here and needed a break to regain some fresh ideas. If you plan on reading the whole series, well then of course you will include this book. But if you are only interested in picking the best to spend some time with, pass this one by.

As opposed to his otherwise serialized Sin City stories, Family Values finds Frank Miller taking a continuous approach. Dwight McCarthy, the shady photographer with a new face, is back again and teaming up with deadly, little Miho on a mission of, what else, revenge. Without ruining the story, which offers up some surprises, Dwight and Miho run afoul of the crooked cops of the city as well as the blood thirsty mob behind them. As one would come to expect from Sin City, Family Values is packed with enough bloody action and even some dark humor to satisfy the biggest fan of Miller's books, but the book also goes into a breakneck pace as well, which doesn't work out well. Miller's best Sin City books, most notably Hard Goodbye and That Yellow Bastard, worked so well because of the deliberate pacing. That's not the case with Family Values, and that really hurts the graphic novel overall. Negatives aside though, Family Values is still a pretty solid Sin City story regardless. It's definitely worth picking up, but it can be best saved for last after the other books in the series.

This might not be a popular idea going along with the rest of the reviews but Family Values (Sin City, Book 5: Second Edition)
was my favorite book in the Sin City series. It's about Dwight (who has shown up in a bunch of Sin City books prior to this) and he is investigating a murder scence. He starts asking questions and then trouble shows up. While not spoiling any of the story this story shows again why Dwight is such a great character. He is willing to throw himself in harms way to help people and he always has a plan and he always comes out on top. While Miller has shown this time again in his other books I feel this is where it is best executed. Another thing I like about this book is the ending. The Sin City books (except for maybe book 4 and book 6) have always had depressing endings except for the stories that revolve around Dwight. I liked the ending for this book a lot. I feel that the last 10 pages make the cost of this book worth it. The last page was also really great. While some people think this was one of the weaker books, it was my favorite and it is worth reading.