As head of the National Center for Infectious Diseases, Dr. Laura Regan isone of the world's foremost authorities on viral and bacteriological stud...
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reviews
Jan 12, 2012
Seth
rated it: 
Thrillers are fluff. There's really no way around it. Even the best are designed not to engage the philosophical beast but to entice the reptile man. Thrillers appeal to our base instincts, our demand for survival. They stoke the fires or our adrenaline and even the smartest of them fail to thrill if they get too smart. At that point, they cease to be thrillers and become some kind of careful literature that makes knowing use of the thriller's mode. Either that or they become bad thr More...
Aug 16, 2011
Rick
rated it: 
For his first creator-owned work since the groundbreaking Surrogates, Venditti delivers a taut thriller that elevates the genre within the comics medium. After Dr. Laura Regan's research partner is murdered and she is blamed for the crime, police, the FBI, cyber-detectives, and mercenaries hunt for the CDC researcher. Why does everyone want Regan dead? What are the upper echelons of the federal government trying to hide? Who are the mismatched quartet of inter-agency spooks trying to protect Reg
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Sep 25, 2011
Eric
rated it:
The only reason I'm giving this four stars is because the concept is pretty intriguing. The rest of the book is a fairly standard government conspiracy thriller and cat-and-mouse tale. The writing is clear and the dialogue is good overall, but there's nothing too gripping about the story, except for the "what's it all about" element, which makes it worth reading. (But I don't blame anyone who waits to find it used or to find a library copy.)
The art style is intriguing and the More...
The art style is intriguing and the More...
Feb 10, 2012
Sonic
rated it: 
In Talking Head's song "Don't Worry About The Government" David Byrne paints a portrait of typical (American) naive complacency.
This book does an excellent job at shaking one's complacency and assumptions up.
Well not me so much, as I already mistrust the government.
I do not think it is outlandish to imagine forces in our government fabricating a "terrorist" attack if it gave them more control and power over it's citizens as a result.
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This book does an excellent job at shaking one's complacency and assumptions up.
Well not me so much, as I already mistrust the government.
I do not think it is outlandish to imagine forces in our government fabricating a "terrorist" attack if it gave them more control and power over it's citizens as a result.
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Oct 30, 2011
Mike
rated it:
A compelling plot and creative art. Wow, what more could I ask for?
This book starts us out slow and builds fast. It tells a story from "on the ground", not as if there's a narrator or any inkling that outsiders are peering in and wondering what's going on.
This was a lot more fun to read than I usually give credit to non-capes graphic novels. So many lack a really tightly-plotted story and imaginative backstory - this must've taken Venditti quite a while to put together.
The ar More...
This book starts us out slow and builds fast. It tells a story from "on the ground", not as if there's a narrator or any inkling that outsiders are peering in and wondering what's going on.
This was a lot more fun to read than I usually give credit to non-capes graphic novels. So many lack a really tightly-plotted story and imaginative backstory - this must've taken Venditti quite a while to put together.
The ar More...
Nov 07, 2011
Kim
rated it: 
Typical post-9/11 story of a powerful government officials conspiring against a seemingly ineffective president. A virus being spread using contaminated cash is supposed to be determined to be a terrorist attack, so the government can take away more freedom in the name of security. Caught in the middle is a rather extraordinary American citizen whose job makes her a target for the conspirators. The story is well paced and well illustrated but very predictable. Teenagers would probably enjoy t
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Oct 18, 2011
Andrew Shuping
rated it:
I really wanted to like this book. It has such an interesting premise being set in the US right after 9/11 and there's murder, intrigue, and conspiracy...and the government may be behind it all. But...it draws way too much inspiration from V for Vendetta and from political thrillers like Enemy of the State.
The story, while well written, is predictable if you've read "V for Vendetta" before or any political thriller where the government has gone bad. It follows the same basi More...
The story, while well written, is predictable if you've read "V for Vendetta" before or any political thriller where the government has gone bad. It follows the same basi More...
Aug 28, 2011
Rich
rated it:
There's such an interesting conspiracy at the root of this story about a government-made viral outbreak that I won't spoil it here except to say that this is a sophisticated and plausible tale about that sort of thing. It feels very of the moment and hits all the right notes about national security.
This is also a really nicely designed book with an interesting and unique art style that really helps set the tone for the book.
This is also a really nicely designed book with an interesting and unique art style that really helps set the tone for the book.
Oct 26, 2011
Matthew
rated it:
A fun, fast-paced tech thriller with really interesting art. I thought the overall beats for the plot were pretty predictable, but the main character of Regan and some of the fine details Venditti worked in are nice. I don't think I've seen Huddleston's work before, but I really liked the overall look of this. He was able to go from detailed to sketchy, depending upon what the scene called for, and made an interesting use of color.
Sep 29, 2011
Terry
rated it:
Somewhat predictable. Taps into the American conspiracy zeitgeist. Political background is thinly drawn, as if the author did not want to point fingers at the obvious right-wing nut-bar Republicans that are clearly at the heart of the conspiracy. The dodging of real American politics is kind of a letdown. Time to call out the fascists and fanatics for what they are and take it to where they live...
Nov 12, 2011
Lauren
rated it:
A relatively solid plot for this post-9/11 conspiracy thriller. It has an intriguing terrorist plot, but it wrapped up really quickly and the whole "why was this happening?" was never really answered. Great art and strong character development for the short stint.
Oct 17, 2011
Dan
rated it:
The Homeland Directive is a solid conspiratorial thriller. The story is definitely plot-driven; it's main weakness is a lack of deep characterization. The art is great -- stylized and sketchy with mixed-media flourishes. Overall, it's a fun read, but not a future classic.
Feb 23, 2012
Electric
rated it:
a great plot worthy of the best x-files episodes and very good artwork that really makes the story and setting shine. I loved the sketchy quality of the art and I was literally on the edge of my seat the whole time. great commentary on the war on terror, every conspiracy theory out there and the opposing forces of freedom and safety. highly recommended!
Dec 18, 2011
Alex
rated it:
The plot is obvious and a bit underdeveloped. However, the art is so stunning that the word bubbles could have been empty and this would have been worth the price of admission. Great work by Mike Huddleston.
Dec 19, 2011
Dru
rated it: 
A perfectly fine graphic novel about a group of government agents trying to prevent a biological attack, which is being masterminded by other people within the government. There is nothing overally original, interesting, dynamic or exceptional about the story, the script or the art.
Feb 16, 2012
Sarah
rated it:
An engaging graphic novel thriller. I didn't see the ending coming and it was populated by fascinating characters and an interesting use of color in the art.
Jan 08, 2012
Bradley
rated it:
I really, really liked this book. I'm a secret fan of a good conspiracy tale and this had me on the edge of my seat and thinking about how much of a Gretel I am.
Nov 08, 2011
Jacob
rated it:
Public library copy. I really enjoyed this book, I kept placing it toward the bottom of the my to-be-read pile and actually renewed the book more than once. I'm glad I gave it chance, it reads with an intensity matched by, say, an episode of the television show 24 or a popcorn flick produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The artwork isn't quite as fancy as many may want, but the digital colors set the tone and the pictures service the story well enough.
Jul 24, 2011
Nate
rated it:
Bought primarily because it was written by the same guy who did "Surrogates" (and its sequel). Thoroughly entertaining. Also thought-provoking.
Sep 28, 2011
Scott
rated it:
Excellent grapic novel with real world issues. Almost scary to think something like that could actually happen. Trust no one!
Jan 16, 2012
Jim
rated it:
I'd really like to see this adapted as a movie; but hopefully in a better adaptation than Surrogates. I also wouldn't mind the third act being fleshed out a bit.
Jan 03, 2012
zxvasdf
rated it:
Chilling account of what could (and probably is happening) happen when governmental authority becomes oppressive. Nice art, and there are some thrills and chills throughout. Surely enjoyed this more than the surrogates.
Nov 05, 2011
The art work was fantastic but this was fast paced read that played-out like an action film. The storyline about the US government releasing an infectious disease and ways and means (the patriot act) they are able to control the public and keep it a secret could be based in some reality but seemed to be a bit paranoid to me.
Feb 17, 2012
Feb 16, 2012
