Random Acts of Violence

by Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Giancarlo Caracuzzo (Artist)

Random Acts of Violence is the blood-soaked story of two comic creators and their ultimate horror character creation gone very bad. A "done-in-one" graphic novella that truly lives up to its title, it's all brought to you by the twisted minds of Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (Jonah Hex, Power Girl, Back to Brooklyn) and illustrated by Giancarlo Caracuzzo (The Last Resort) and Paul Mounts (Power Girl, Wanted).

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Horror, Thriller

72 pages, Paperback

First published April 28, 2010

About the author

James "Jimmy" Palmiotti is an American writer and inker of comic books, who also does writing for games, television and film.

Photo by Luigi Novi.

Reviews

[Dimitris Papastergiou · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of all I'm a fan of Palmiotti and Grey. I really like their work. Especially their Jonah Hex work.

I liked it. It's about two friends making a comic book and then sales blow out with the first issue, and then a typo on a contest for their next issue ruins their lives.

They create a serial killer, and someone takes their story a bit too seriously.

The artwork is really nice and the coloring too, you mostly see how it's like to break into comics and the industry in general, comic book talks all the time between the main character and in general, while they're touring to signings and comic book stores etc.etc.

Something I didn't like was how easily the killer, was... well.. killing. It was like, if he wanted he could have killed the whole city without much struggle. But, when the shit hit the fan (for him), he was barely able to do any damage. So it was kinda cringy that up until we get fully introduced to the killer he seemed like a professional psychopath and then like a common thug.

And another thing that was really missing was that there was no mystery. It was all like it was structured to be a linear story with no twists.

Ok, so other than that. It was a nice little creepy story about things going real, real fast. Also, the comic book dialogues inside are the best. Mocking everything from overreacting feminists, to stupid comic book nerds who don't/won't accept something. From the industry and the addicted fanboys to the fans who will complain and bitch about anything they don't like.. If you don't like a series, stop reading it. Go read something else. also Stop constantly bitching about a title/book series/character Go find a new hobby that makes you happy. Or you know, just.. rate everything you read here with 1 star and bitch about it.

Getting off topic here, it was GOOD. I liked it. Some horror, some action stuff, a creepy feeling here and there, and lots of comic book talks with 2 guys struggling to get their comic out. Nice stuff!

[Lel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing deep and meaningful but quite fun, graphic and some awesome illustrations.

[Aaron White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Amazing graphic novel. The story-within-a-story concept is well executed and suitably twisted. Yet, there is a much deeper meaning at play here. It's not about the killer, it's about what made the killer, and the affect the killer has on the lives of his creator. It's brilliant stuff, really, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Docked one star only because I wasn't a huge fan of the artwork. I'm pretty sure that it is purposely rugged and rough, but I didn't love it anyway. Highly recommend this for any fan of horror comics or short stories. This isn't superficial superhero stuff, this is real life... imitating art... imitating life.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crime fiction and comics goes WAY back to at least the late 40s and early 50s. But what separates Palmiotti and Gray from the pack is that they tend to make their crime stories about something other than just the criminal, the detective and victim. In this case, there it pokes fun at the idea that violence media creates violence, rather than bring out violence in people who were already ticking time bombs. What makes this one even more special is that- if you're into comic books as a whole- is full of inside jokes and nods to the industry. And the main characters being two long time friends making it big and everything going horrible wrong... it delves into some deliberate self-parody.

[Gareth Hogan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant.

I read this after watching the amazing film. A brutal, philosophical take on the impact of violence in media.
I recommend.

[Damian Herde · Rating 2 out of 5]

A comic by a bunch of guys writing slasher horror, about a pair of guys writing slasher horror.
The in-universe comic is over-the-top but an amazing success, gaining them a publicity tour and a bunch of fans. Then they get copycat murders stemming from a typo that reads as a call for fans to commit murder.
A quick read with decent art; however, it’s peppered with casual homophobia, ablism, sexism and transphobia.

[Devon Munn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly interesting look at the idea of violence in fiction influencing violence in real life as well as life imitating art however the casual anti-gay sentiment, anti-trans slur, anti-fat sentiment and pretty questionable depiction of feminist criticism of violence against women was a huge issue with this book. And the casual bigotry displayed by the characters should have been interrogated more

[Isaac Oden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I forgot Jay Baruchel had a film adaptation of this one coming out! Hopefully the movie zags where the graphic novel zigs. Definitely a great addition for fans of Outlaw comics and Italian giallo horror movies.

[Edd Sanders · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Mediocre 3/5 Graphic Novel

[Johan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got this via a Humble Bundle.

A writer and artist of comic books have their first success with avery gory comic. But then someone starts imitating their art for real ...

[camila · Rating 2 out of 5]

entretenido .

[Saif Bagmar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Real life story. We should be careful about the unthinkable impacts of our acts on others.