Customer Reviews

On the Road to Perdition: Oasis

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The history of the crime gangs during prohibition have been the material used for many movies, magazine articles, television shows and books. In this case that same material is used to describe the actions of a father and son team that operate slightly on the good side of the crime fence. Told in comic form, the story is a gripping one with just enough historical truth to make it at least slightly plausible.
Michael O'Sullivan was a lieutenant in the ruling machine of Kansas City headed by Boss Pendergast when there was a hit by crazy man Connor Looney against his family. Looney had intended to kill Michael but he killed his wife and oldest son instead. Looney is the only son of another crime boss so he is under powerful protection against retribution, even though he violated the "avoid the family" taboo.
This event causes O'Sullivan to take his remaining son and embark on a path that earns him the nickname "The Angel of Death." O'Sullivan engages in a running battle with the Chicago and Kansas City mobs, with some bounty hunters included. It is a world of shifting loyalties and an unusual code of honor between men that kill as part of their business plan.
The story is very engaging as you follow O'Sullivan in his quest for vengeance and justice, he is basically an honorable man enmeshed in a ruthless and brutal situation. This is listed as the third book of three and I am now on a hunt for the other two.

If your a fan of the filmed adaptation of Max Allan Collins' "Road To Perdition" but haven't read the graphic novel upon which the movie is based, I suggest you pick up a copy today. The story is masterfully told by Collins and features gritty, brutally realistic artwork by the great Richard Piers Rayner that effectively captures the essence of the 1930's. "On The Road To Perdition: Oasis" is the first of three new graphic novellas written by Collins that are intended to serve as a continuation of his original story and also written presumably to cash in on the popularity of the movie adaptation. Rather than serve as sequels to the story presented in both the original graphic novel and the film, the new "On The Road To Perdition" series instead features three untold tales of adventures that Michael O'Sullivan and his son had as they made their treacherous journey to Perdition, Kansas. For fans of the original, "Oasis" is a somewhat interesting affair but pales in comparison to the original story. Collins seems to be on autopilot with this one, scripting a story that feels rushed. Fans of the original graphic novel will also be disappointed to learn that Richard Piers Rayner does not return to do the artwork for this story and his presence is sorely missed. On the upside, Collins introduces three new endearing characters not previously seen in the original story and the relationship between Michael and his son is explored further with results that are quite touching. The subplot involving the three bounty hunters feels a tad redundant if your familiar with Jude Law's character in the movie (who does not appear in the original graphic novel) but it does add an interesting element to the story. All in all, this is one is for diehard fans of the original graphic novel only. It's far from terrible, but Collins should have left well enough alone.

Michael Sullivan is a gangster that they call the Angel of Death. Having crossed Al Capone and Frank Nitti, he is on the run, taking with him his son Michael.

Having escaped capture so far, Nitti hires two bounty hunters to do the job. They track the two Michaels down, but two past relationships influence the outcomes.