I think the best way to describe my feelings of this is cautiously intrigued. I love the concept of a kind of shady and probably supernatural entertainment recruitment agency. This installment sets up lasts down some interesting ground work for what I am hoping will be a much longer series. It's hard to get into a lot of details without spoilers as this is a mere 66 pages. Our two main characters are the recruiter Megan and Jude the guy being recruited. Megan starts off a little pretentious but once she introduces herself to Jude that dies down. Jude is a pretty interesting character he starts off as a performer in a sex club. I think it's hard to give this a fair rating because I am just getting a taste of it. I will definitely read the next installment and depending on how that goes it could definitely bump up my rating on this. My biggest complaint is at times the book feels like it is trying too hard to be gritty. However I think for a lot of people that would not ruin the experience.

This was a great read. I am excited to see what happens next. The story flowed. The main characters were not dug into for back stories. But I am hoping we get a bit more insight.

I enjoyed this graphic novel. A bit more racy than I expected, but very good none the less. The artwork is so vivid and surreal. The artwork and storyline blend beautifully. Now that I have started, I would like to continue the journey with the next installation.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the script writer,Jean Dufaux, and illustrator, Guillem March for an advanced ARC in exchange for an honest review

I didn't really connect to this story. I am not sure if maybe there was just something lost in translation or if it was supposed to just leave me questioning what happened? the art style was nice but other than that it was not what I was looking forward to

I look forward to reviewing these adult graphic novels, especially those from Europe. But do I need to review graphic novels differently than I do from straight forward conventional writings?

Lets see, artwork -- 5 stars! Color, lettering, also 5 stars! Lettering is important. I have started a couple of these graphic novels and had to give up because I couldn't read the lettering, which meant I could read the story. Pictures may be worth a 1000 words, but you still might not 'get it' without the story line. The story line was superb. I enjoyed the telling, the picture craft, the plots and sidebars. Jean Dufaux's storytelling was sexy, the tattoos on The Strange did remind me of the wall piece in Al Pacino's 'Devil Advocate'. Some characters were cliche, like the Chinese mobster but not enough to ruin the story for me. I would definitely keep my eyes open for any sequences to this book.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Prepare to get drawn into this excellent story of a recruiter for Invisible Art Production as she signs a sex performer for a supporting role in an upcoming film. The story is well written and beautifully drawn to tell the story with some unexpected twists. I can’t wait for the next edition.

My first question before even starting the comic was: Is it sex criminals erotic? No. It is strange story but not vulgarly sexual (not to say Sex Criminals is vulgarly sexual).

Like: The noir voice that start right away from the beginning. I would like to see where the story goes.

Faust in a Speedo

There are lots of different versions of Faust around, because there's so much you can do with that story's frame. In this version we get a sort of noir treatment. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't, but it's a fun ride.

Our hero, Jude, is ripped, well-endowed, a little bit clueless, and pretty much an innocent chicken surrounded by foxes. He ends up being played by a talent scout, a gangster's daughter, a gangster, a creepy film producer, a mad seductress, and all of the muscle, hoods, thugs, and heavies who surround them. Like any good noir there's a twist or turn on every other page, everybody cheats or doublecrosses everybody else, inconvenient players get disappeared in various ways, and someone's always holding a gun or brandishing a knife. Also like any good noir, trying to actually follow the plot and tie up all of the loose ends is a fool's errand. This has "go with the flow" written into each scene.

What especially distinguishes this book is the vague supernatural/horror tone that suggests our hero has drifted close to the literal satanic side of Hollywood and the movie business. Is the seductress "Strange" a demon? Is the creepy producer actually Satan, or at least one of his minions? That adds a lot of edge and danger to the proceedings. It also introduces the Faust angle, although Jude is a fairly clueless beefcake Faust who doesn't ever seem to get what might be involved in that contract he signed.

The other distinction is the art work. Strong pencils and restrained colors, (watercolors or the like), complement and carry the story, but the style also adds a dreamy quality that softens the erotic content and yet also, oddly enough, enhances the feeling of menace by showering it with light. For all of its violence and sex this book is at bottom about seduction and the siren call of bright lights and fame. No questions asked.

(Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book without a review requirement, or any influence regarding review content should I choose to post a review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)

This was an extremely strange graphic novel. The art style is superb but the content is relatively dull. Satanic rituals, sex demons and contracts with the devil—we get it, Hollywood is full of vain darkness. There’s just nothing about this world that makes sense or stays with you after the graphic novel is over. It’s hugely disappointing, especially since the art is SO GORGEOUS. I love this art style, I wanted the writing to be so much better than it was.

I liked both the drawings (very nice) and the story, although a bit obvious. I wonder how the series continues...

Sia i disegni (molto belli) che la storia, per quanto un po' scontata, mi sono piaciuti parecchio. Chissá come prosegue la serie...

THANKS NETGALLEY FOR THE PREVIEW!

While I really liked the artwork and the writing, I don't really GET it. The pacing was good, and everything was pretty gritty and dark, but I failed to actually grasp the story.

Another graphic novel series that works in several levels.
While the open sex-act performance of Jude in an off Broadway club may shock a few readers this is one of several mysteries and elements in this comic book.
On stage ‘engaging’ with his partner attracts crowds it also draws a talent scout, Megan from IAP, Independent Art Productions who feels he is potentially the next best thing.
I liked he roll-reversal. A hunk of a male with “measurable” sex appeal sign-up for Hollywood rather than the usual nubile female prospect. This is part of the Dream in the title, that lure of stardom; that desire for ego to hold sway and promotion to be about packaging rather than ability.
Not that this story is one-dimensional. Jude the stud has a number of tasks to do and auditions to pass. Here he meets the strange supporting cast Megan uses to tease out talent from promise. However, nothing is what it seems, the IAP organisation is more sinister than a casting coach and elements of fantasy and horror stand in the wings to enter centre stage.
Sadly, episode 1 ends all too quickly with Megan off to do what she does best and Jude jetting off to LA.
Gangsters, drug induced illusions, serious violence, murder and dodgy backstories are also scripted to the general timeframe outlining our plot.
To the point you question reality, unless it is the thugs who each time they come up against IAP come off a poor second. You may question your reason, your understanding and the direction of travel but you are left in no doubt this is original and very good.