See buying choices for this item to see if it's one of the millions that are eligible for Amazon Prime.

34 used & new from $1.31
See All Buying Options
Have one to sell? Sell yours here
 
 
The Road to Perdition
 
See larger image 
Share your own customer images
I own the rights to this title and would like to make it available again through Amazon.
Tell the Publisher!
I’d like to read this book on Kindle

Don’t have a Kindle? Get yours here.
 
  

The Road to Perdition (Paperback)

by Max Allan Collins (Author)
4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)

Available from these sellers.


7 new from $11.13 27 used from $1.31
Also Available in: List Price: Our Price: Other Offers:
Paperback $20.95 $18.85 29 used & new from $11.00
School & Library Binding Order it used!

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

A History of Violence

A History of Violence

by John Wagner
4.0 out of 5 stars (22)  $9.95
Watchmen

Watchmen

by Alan Moore
4.6 out of 5 stars (875)  $13.59
V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta

by Alan Moore
4.5 out of 5 stars (242)  $13.59
Road to Perdition (Widescreen Edition)

Road to Perdition (Widescreen Edition)

DVD ~ Tom Hanks
4.0 out of 5 stars (380)  $7.99
Batman: Year One

Batman: Year One

by Frank Miller
4.6 out of 5 stars (119)  $10.19
› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
Originally published as a single-volume graphic novel in 1998, this is the comics work upon which the Tom Hanks movie is based. It's the story of Michael O'Sullivan, a feared and religiously inclined mob hit man who's brutally betrayed-and the fierce vengeance he wreaks. It's 1930 and O'Sullivan works for the Looneys, an Irish mob family with a stranglehold on the politics and businesses of a small Midwestern city. Curious about his dad's mysterious "job," Michael Jr. stows away in his car to see what he does for a living. He inadvertently witnesses his father and one of the Looneys murder a crooked cop and his partners. Fearing what the kid saw, the Looneys set the O'Sullivans up to be killed. They murder O'Sullivan's wife and younger son, leaving him stunned but determined to have his revenge. The Looneys go into hiding, and O'Sullivan and son set out to find them, encountering the celebrities of gangland Chicago along the way. Collins writes a good gangster yarn based on historical personalities and full of crisp dialogue, violent action and brooding overtones of religious redemption. But O'Sullivan is essentially a superhero in a fedora, and his ability to kill an overwhelming number of adversaries with nary a scratch to show for it is a bit ridiculous. Though Rayner's b&w drawings can be static, they are precisely rendered with strikingly delineated faces. Like movie posters, his drawings capture the action with a combination of slick draftsmanship and the bleak and shadowy forms of cinematic noir. (Oct.)
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Description

Rock Island, Illinois -- 1929. Michael O'Sullivan is a good father and a family man -- and also the chief enforcer for John Looney, the town's Irish Godfather of crime. As Looney's "Angel of Death," O'Sullivan has done the bidding of Chicago gangsters Al Capone and Frank Nitti as well -- but when a gangland execution spells tragedy for the O'Sullivan family, a grieving father and his adolescent son find themselves on a winding road fo treachery, revenge, and revelation.

Writer Max Allan Collins is a two-time winner of the Private Eye Writers of America's Shamus Award for his Nathan Keller historical thrillers True Detective and Stolen Away. Award-winning artist Richard Piers Raynner spent four years working on the artwork for Road to Perdition, a labor of love that has resulted in some of the most stunningly realistic drawings of 1930s Chicago ever seen on printed page.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 304 pages
  • Publisher: Pocket (July 1, 2002)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0743442245
  • ISBN-13: 978-0743442244
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 11.5 ounces
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #181,488 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in this category: (What's this?)

    #14 in  Books > Mystery & Thrillers > Authors, A-Z > ( C ) > Collins, Max Allan

    •  Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Citations (learn more)
51 books cite this book:
See all 51 books citing this book

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

The Road to Perdition
75% buy the item featured on this page:
The Road to Perdition 4.3 out of 5 stars (30)
A History of Violence
9% buy
A History of Violence 4.0 out of 5 stars (22)
$9.95
Road to Perdition (Widescreen Edition)
7% buy
Road to Perdition (Widescreen Edition) 4.0 out of 5 stars (380)
$7.99
Watchmen
5% buy
Watchmen 4.6 out of 5 stars (875)
$13.59
Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

 (What's this?)
Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.
Check the boxes next to the tags you consider relevant or enter your own tags in the field below.
(2)
(2)
(1)
(1)
(1)

Your tags: Add your first tag
 
See most popular tags
Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search
No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more
 

Customer Reviews

30 Reviews
5 star:
 (19)
4 star:
 (4)
3 star:
 (4)
2 star:
 (2)
1 star:
 (1)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.3 out of 5 stars (30 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Good gritty remake of "Lone Wolf and Cub", May 27, 2002
By A. Ross (Washington, DC) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)      
This review is from: Road to Perdition (Paperback)
This grim graphic novel might better have been titled, "The Road to Revenge" and the story is clearly influenced by the legendary Japanese graphic series, Lone Wolf and Cub. Set during the Great Depression, its about a mobster hitman and his son (instead of a samurai and his son iin feudal Japan). Michael O'Sullivan is known as "The Angel of Death" in mob circles for his unflinching gaze and unblemished record as a loyal soldier for the Looney Gang, allies of Al Capone. O'Sullivan lives with his wife and two young sons in the "Tri-Cities" area on the Illinois/Iowa border (Rock Island, Moline, and Davenport). One day, one of his sons-who narrates the story as a flashback-sneaks into his father's car and witnesses a hit he performs. The boys knows killing is a sin and wrong, but his father rationalizes it by explaining that a father's duty is to provide for his family, and being a loyal soldier/killer is all he knows how to do. It's the kind of lip-service to honor and duty that suffices as rationalization in the world of comics and Hong Kong action films, but can't really be held up to the light. In any event, the boy's loss of innocence coincides with his father's betrayal by his employers. Set up to be killed, he escapes, only to discover his wife and other son dead. The father and son duo hit the road for revenge. There's plenty of action and gun-in-both-hand shoot-outs worthy of John Woo, as "The Angel of Death" tries to force the Capone Gang to give up the Looneys. Collins' story and Richard Rayner's meticulous art takes the reader deep into the rackets and slimy lawyers behind the Midwestern mob. Good gritty stuff.
Comment Comment (1) | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A hard road for Michael O'Sullivan and Son, July 8, 2002
This review is from: Road to Perdition (Paperback)
In the Christian vernacular, Perdition is the abode of Satan and the forces of evil; where sinners suffer eternal punishment. It can also mean the utter loss of the soul, or of final happiness in a future state. Here, Perdition is the name of a small town where sanctuary and salvation lie for a young boy and his father.

This comic is part tragedy/part action-flick/part morality play, with each part blending into a complex whole. Historical figures, such as Frank Nitty, Al Capone and Eliot Ness hold the stage with the semi-fictional O'Sullivan family. It is Chicago in the 1930's, a time as operatic as the English middle ages with Knights and Castles, or the Tokugawa era of Japan where "Road to Perdition's" ancestor "Lone Wolf and Cub" is set. Trench coats and Tommy-guns play the part of swords and armor, with equal splendor and symbolism.

The art is splendidly realistic and well-crafted. The realism of the art allows for non-comic readers to instantly enter the story. The comic is black and white, like the characters within. The format is pocket-book sized and is easily portable. The author includes a nice forward, explaining the stories origins and historical setting.

"Road to Perdition" is a great read. I am not generally a huge fan of historical fiction, or of crime fiction, but this one won me over.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)



 
9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars "one great ride" is an understatement., August 1, 1998
By aren@vlink.net.ph (Manila , Philippines) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Road to Perdition (Paperback)
I love this book! I don't usually read comics but, This thing blew me away! from the cinematic action sequences , the great story , even up to some cliches that still blended well with the theme. If you've never bought a comicbook in your life, Buy this book. If you're tired of the repeatative comic book themes you usually get in the mainstream comics, GET THIS BOOK , and experience something different ,yet feels right at home. Mr. Mickey Spillane's review "one great ride" is an understatement.
Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)


Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
 
 
 
Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Father and Son against the Mob.
A 2007 Summer reading list mini review.

Road to Perdition is a disturbing tale of family loyalty and vengeance set in Al Capone era Chicago and it's surrounding... Read more
Published 24 months ago by David C. Roller

5.0 out of 5 stars You must choose a road for yourself.
This is a great black and white "noir" graphic novel. There was a Road to Perdition based on it, which you may have seen. The book is better, in my opinion. Read more
Published on March 10, 2006 by Johnny Heering

3.0 out of 5 stars Could have used a bit of fleshing out.
Max Allan Collins, The Road to Perdition (Paradox, 1998)

This is, of course, best-known as the basis of Sam Mendes' second feature film. Read more
Published on August 23, 2005 by Robert P. Beveridge

5.0 out of 5 stars the book that will keep u coming back for more
Revenge is always sweet no matter how bitter you have to be to taste it. In the book Road to Perdition by Max Allen Collins, a mobster named Angel has to cope with the murder of... Read more
Published on May 4, 2005 by new kid on the block

5.0 out of 5 stars The novelization is better than the movie
My first comment about Max Allan Collins' Road to Perdition novelization is that I admire him for sticking to the changes of David Self's screenplay, despite his being the author... Read more
Published on December 9, 2004 by Craig Clarke

1.0 out of 5 stars A waste of my money
This was hands-down the worst graphic novel that I've ever read. I got it at Barnes & Noble thinking that the original novel would *have* to be better than the movie (which I... Read more
Published on July 3, 2004 by Susan F. Krusleski

5.0 out of 5 stars much better than the film
Max Allan Collins has earned his reputation as an incredibly prolific writer. If you've read a novelization of a film in the past five years, chances are good that he wrote it. Read more
Published on September 3, 2003 by Steven E. Higgins

3.0 out of 5 stars Hey, I know that guy! And this story!
The story in "The Road to Perdition" is nothing too unique. Max Allan Collins knows the period and the setting very, very well, but he didn't fill it with a whole lot... Read more
Published on June 3, 2003 by B. Reed

2.0 out of 5 stars Merely Competent
I picked up Road to Perdition along with "From Hell" by Allan Moore, and I honestly suggest that you read that instead of this. This book has no brain, really. Read more
Published on May 8, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars Historical Fiction and the Art of Comics.
Even though the art seems simplistic and derivitive at times and the story perhaps somewhat cliched, when one actually takes the time to read ROAD TO PERDITION it becomes... Read more
Published on April 10, 2003 by tvtv3

Only search this product's reviews


Customer Discussions

 Beta (What's this?)
New! See all customer communities, and bookmark your communities to keep track of them.
This product's forum (0 discussions)
  Discussion Replies Latest Post
  No discussions yet

Ask questions, Share opinions, Gain insight
Start a new discussion
Topic:
First post:
Prompts for sign-in
  [Cancel]


Active discussions in related forums
   
The Adventure community
Latest activity 20 minutes ago
21,122 customers have contributed 20,557 products, 2,368 lists & guides and more...
› Explore the community
The Action community
Latest activity 56 minutes ago
13,578 customers have contributed 11,926 products, 1,846 lists & guides and more...
› Explore the community
The Hard-boiled community
Latest activity 20 hours ago
546 customers have contributed 591 products, 49 lists & guides and more...
› Explore the community
Explore more

Product Information from the Amapedia Community

Beta (What's this?)

Listmania!

Create a Listmania! list

Look for Similar Items by Category

Get Creative with Dremel Power Tools

Dremel power tools
Take on your next project with a versatile Dremel power tool. Shop now and save on Dremel power tools and take advantage of FREE Super Saver Shipping to save even more.

›Shop Dremel tools

  

Best Books of 2008

Best of 2008
Find our top 100 editors' picks as well as customers' favorites in dozens of categories in our Best Books of 2008 Store.
  

Dive into Summer Reading

Summer Reading for Kids and Teens
Don't even think about hitting the beach without browsing the books in our Summer Reading Store. Discover bestsellers, paperback picks, beach reads, and more terrific titles all summer long.
 

Best Books

Best of the Month
See our editors' picks and more of the best new books on our Best of the Month page.
  

 

Feedback

If you need help or have a question for Customer Service, contact us.
 Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
Is there any other feedback you would like to provide?

Your comments can help make our site better for everyone.



Where's My Stuff?

Shipping & Returns

Need Help?

Your Recent History

  (What's this?)
You have no recently viewed items or searches.

After viewing product detail pages or search results, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in.

Look to the right column to find helpful suggestions for your shopping session.
Continue shopping: Top Sellers
Free
Free by Chris Anderson
3.5 out of 5 stars (13)$0.00
 Paranoia
Paranoia by Joseph Finder
4.1 out of 5 stars (200)$0.00
 My Soul to Lose
My Soul to Lose by Rachel Vincent
4.2 out of 5 stars (4)$0.00
 Glenn Beck's Common Sense
Glenn Beck's Common Sense by Glenn Beck
3.8 out of 5 stars (282)$6.59

amazon.com Amazon.com Home  |   Directory of All Stores
International Sites:  Canada  |  United Kingdom  |  Germany  |  Japan  |  France  |  China
Business Programs: Sell on Amazon  |  Build an eCommerce Site  |  Advertise With Us  |  Developer Services  |  Self-Publish with Us
Help  |  View Cart  |  Your Account  |  1-Click Settings
Investor Relations  |  Press Releases  |  Careers at Amazon  |  Join Associates  |  Join Advantage
Conditions of Use | Privacy Notice © 1996-2009, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates