Streets of Paris, Streets of Murder: The Complete Noir of Manchette and Tardi Vol. 2
The second of two volumes presenting all four hardboiled graphic crime novels by Jean-Patrick Manchette and Tardi. Like a Sniper Lining Up His Shot -- Martin Terrier, killer-for-hire, needs just one more big job so that he can turn in his guns for good and return home to marry his childhood sweetheart. But soon, he's on the run -- not only from the authorities and his treacherous ex-clients, but also from a crime syndicate seeking revenge for an earlier hit on one of theirs. In Run Like Crazy, Run Like Hell, philanthropist Michael Hartog hires Julie, just out of a psychiatric asylum, as a nanny. But he plans to fake the kidnapping of his son, Peter -- and frame Julie for it. But Julie is no pushover, and soon, Julie and Peter are on the run, pursued by the police, and by Hartog's enforcer, the hulking contract killer, Thompson.
Jean-Patrick Manchette (1942–1995) was a French novelist and screenwriter renowned for his contributions to the neo-noir genre. His works, including The Prone Gunman and Fatale, combine crime fiction with sharp social and political critique, often featuring anti-heroes caught in violent, morally ambiguous situations. Manchette’s writing is marked by its stark realism, exploring themes of alienation and societal corruption. Though his output was limited, his influence on French crime literature and film remains profound, and his works continue to resonate with readers and filmmakers alike.
Jacques Tardi is a celebrated French comic book artist and writer, best known for his distinctive graphic style and work in the crime, historical, and war genres. His most famous series, Adèle Blanc-Sec and The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec, blends elements of mystery, adventure, and fantasy, while his war comics, like It Was the War of the Trenches, offer a stark, unflinching portrayal of World War I. Tardi's detailed illustrations and powerful storytelling often delve into themes of violence, human suffering, and the absurdity of war. Highly influential in French comics, Tardi’s works are marked by a deep sense of historical awareness and a unique blend of dark humor and social critique. His impact on the bande dessinée world continues to inspire both fans and creators alike.