100 Bullets
100 Bullets is an American crime noir comic book series written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Eduardo Risso, published by DC Comics under its Vertigo imprint from August 1999 to April 2009 across 100 issues, followed by the sequel miniseries Brother Lono (2014–2015) and the announced 2026 continuation The U.S. of Anger.[1][2][3] The central premise follows Agent Graves, a enigmatic operative who approaches individuals wronged in their past, providing photographic evidence of the perpetrators' betrayal along with an attache case containing a handgun and 100 untraceable bullets, thereby granting them the means and impunity for revenge without repercussions.[4][5] Unfolding through interconnected standalone stories that gradually reveal a larger conspiracy involving the Minutemen—an elite cadre of agents formerly in service to the Trust, a shadowy consortium of thirteen crime families exerting covert control over the United States—the narrative explores themes of vengeance, loyalty, and moral ambiguity in a gritty, stylized world.[6] Critically acclaimed for its intricate plotting, sharp dialogue, and Risso's high-contrast black-and-white artwork, the series garnered multiple Eisner Awards, including Best Continuing Series in 2002, Best Penciller/Inker for Risso in 2002, and additional honors for serialized stories and coloring.[7][8] In October 2025, DC Comics announced a continuation titled The U.S. of Anger, reuniting Azzarello and Risso to extend the saga focusing on the character Lono.[9][10]Publication History
Development and Influences
Brian Azzarello conceived 100 Bullets as a crime noir series for DC Comics' Vertigo imprint, with the pitch leading to its debut issue in August 1999. The core premise revolves around untraceable revenge opportunities, structured around episodic tales that build into a larger conspiracy, drawing from pulp fiction's emphasis on gritty moral dilemmas and film noir's fatalistic tone.[11][12] Azzarello's writing incorporates influences from noir authors such as Jim Thompson and David Goodis, whose works explore psychological decay and criminal underbellies, while integrating historical conspiracy motifs like the CIA's MKUltra program to drive elements of induced amnesia and institutional betrayal. This approach privileges causal mechanisms of power retention in secretive organizations, akin to real-world intelligence operations documented in declassified records.[13][14] Eduardo Risso, an Argentine artist, was selected for his high-contrast, chiaroscuro style that amplifies the series' shadowy intrigue, influenced by noir forebears Alberto Breccia and José Muñoz in their use of stark blacks and expressive distortions to convey tension. Risso's technique, rooted in Latin American comic traditions with European publication exposure, aligns with hardboiled aesthetics by prioritizing atmospheric depth over photorealism, enhancing the depiction of hierarchical crime dynamics where visual opacity mirrors informational asymmetry in syndicates.[15][16]Serialization Details
100 Bullets was published as a monthly comic book series by DC Comics under its Vertigo imprint, spanning 100 issues from August 1999 to April 2009.[1] The first issue went on sale June 2, 1999, establishing the core creative team of writer Brian Azzarello and artist Eduardo Risso, who remained consistent throughout the run without changes in primary personnel.[17] This uninterrupted collaboration contributed to the series' steady production, adhering to Vertigo's mature-audience format focused on crime narratives.[18] The serialization concluded with issue #100 in April 2009, marking the end of the planned 100-issue arc after a decade of monthly releases.[1] No significant delays or hiatuses were reported during the run, reflecting reliable scheduling typical of Vertigo's longer-running titles at the time.[19] Commercially, the series sustained publication long enough to become Vertigo's fourth-longest ongoing title, behind only Hellblazer, Swamp Thing, and Fables, indicating consistent reader interest and sales viability within the imprint's niche market.[19]Collected Editions
The series was originally collected in thirteen trade paperback volumes published by Vertigo between 2000 and 2010, with volumes typically compiling 4 to 9 issues each. The first volume, First Shot, Last Call, gathers issues #1–5 and was released in September 2000.[20] Later volumes include Split Second Chance collecting #6–14 and Hang Up on the Hang Low compiling #15–19.[19] DC Comics issued five deluxe hardcover editions from 2011 to 2014, presenting larger segments of the series in oversized format. These editions divide the 100 issues across volumes as follows:| Volume | Collected Issues | Release Year |
|---|---|---|
| Book One | #1–19 | 2011 |
| Book Two | #20–36 | 2012 |
| Book Three | #37–57 | 2013 |
| Book Four | #59–80 | 2014 |
| Book Five | #81–100 | 2014 |