Sex Criminals Volume 1: One Weird Trick

A few months prior to the release of Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky's SEX CRIMINALS, the buzz amongst creators was huge. Ed Brubaker, an occasional collaborator with Fraction from his IMMORTAL IRON FIST days, called it the best new series in years. While I don't know if I'd go QUITE that far, this delicious, hilarious, heart-felt, smart and shameless comic is by far the best new series of 2013.

Suzie is a smart and attractive young woman with a host of problems. She lost her parents at too early of an age. She's working at a library that is soon to be torn down in the way of 21st century progress. And she can make time stop when she has an orgasm.

Wait... what?

Yes, you read that right. Suzie can stop time when she has an orgasm; something she discovered as a teenager. In this space she calls "The Quiet", time stands still around her for a few minutes. She uses this as an escape from the pain and drudgery of her ordinary life. And this also led to her believing that sex with a partner would always produce this. But after too many unsatisfying attempts, she's given up on that belief. Cue Jon, a smart and handsome young man who Suzie has more in common with than she knows. He's in a dead-end job as a lowly office peon. Both of them are similarly disaffected by life, and both of them are extremely charming. When Suzie has sex with Jon, she discovers that she's not the only one with this gift. Jon has it too, but he doesn't call it "The Quiet". He calls it... well, he calls it something that decorum prohibits me from mentioning here. They have no choice now but to fall in love with one another. They're just too damn adorable as a couple. And they use this ability to just have some general fun initially in the local sex shop, but Jon begins to formulate a plan to alleviate Suzie's frustration with the impending closing of the library where she works: Go into "The Quiet" and rob banks. But it only stands to reason that if Suzie and Jon have this ability, others have it too, and have taken it upon themselves to police others who possess this gift.

One of the most extraordinary things about this book is how it manages to be both astoundingly hilarious and surprisingly touching. Much of the humor is derived from the absurd sight gags that Zdarsky's art provides, but a lot of it also comes from the book's honesty. There's a great moment where Jon shows Suzie the picture of the porn actress he fantasized about while discovering his gift and the picture comes alive to Suzie, explaining how her career was her choice and she shouldn't be judged for it, which was a winning moment. SEX CRIMINALS doesn't try to shame anyone. Not its characters (except maybe when Jon uses his time-stoppage to defecate in the office's plants), and especially not its readers. A centerpiece moment of the comic so far is a huge song-and-dance routine where Fraction and Zdarsky were hoping to get the rights to the lyrics for Queen's "Fat Bottomed Girls" but didn't, so each word bubble is blanked out with the writer's apologies for not getting the rights. It's mentioned a lot when people discuss this comic, and rightly so. It's a huge stand-out moment so far, and it works better for the lack of the lyrics. If they had gotten them, the anarchic joy of this sequence would be lessened.

Oh, before I forget, this book is IN NO WAY for young kids. While there's no "graphic" (and by "graphic", I mean this isn't a hentai book) sexual goings-on, this is definitely for older readers.

Fraction is one of only a few writers that I've loved, then was impartial about, and then loved even harder. I loved his early work for Marvel, with books like the aforementioned IMMORTAL IRON FIST, as well as the short-lived PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL and THE ORDER. But once he started getting really successful, he wrote the main books for the "event" series FEAR ITSELF, and the really interesting but perhaps too high-concept reboot of THE DEFENDERS. But as soon as he started writing HAWKEYE, he was in the zone he'd started with IRON FIST, but so much more so. And now, with SEX CRIMINALS, he's at the very top of his game. There aren't many books I buy regularly, but now two of them are written by Fraction. Zdarsky is an artist that I was wholly unfamiliar with prior to this book, but his deep defining lines and penchant for gleeful insanity make this book work at the level it does, showing that we seem to be in a new golden age of comic artists, despite the fact that most of them are either doing independent comics or major-label books with an indie feel.

The title of the comic is meant to be provocative, and it will instantly turn off people who think that this is somehow going to be a comic about sex crimes, where it's anything but. There's crime in the book, and there's sex in the book, but it doesn't get to the levels of grotesquerie produced by something like LAW AND ORDER: SVU.

If this sounds like it's not your cup of tea, stay away. But for those of you who are comfortable enough to go down *aheh* the road this book travels, you are going to be blown *ahem* away by SEX CRIMINALS.

The premise is intriguing, but the story moves slowly and the dialogue wasn't well written. I expected more shenanigans from a pair of bank robbers who stop time by having sex and the ( of course) extra-temporal police force who opposes them.

The book itself is actually pretty good; typical well-done Fraction writing, interesting concept, etc, etc. Just try and avoid buying it through this company. They are getting worse and worse to deal with.

The story is different. Completely different, and that's the stuff.
Everybody with some years has already read about bank robbers, and about the benefits of sex, and even about the discoveries of sex by teenagers.
But not this way.
Great story. When the continuation?

One learns to recognize the exact moment where it all goes to Hell. If it appears quickly you're in luck (unless you're like me and are not able to put the book down, however bad it might be), you know you can quit. If it appears late, then the problem intensifies. There's already some time invested into a particular fictional universe, it would be pointless to stop – yet, you know it can only go downward from now on.

For me, this moment came right about the time when the 'police squadron' arrived. Lights lit and I just knew it's going to be yet another “Chew” debacle. Number of super-powered beings will grow exponentially and their powers will get weirder and weirder up to the point where an entire universe will inevitably implode under the pressure of convoluted story-arcs and unbelievable plots. That's the thing with “Sex Criminals”. It starts as an interesting take on sexuality, filled with a bizarre reference and so-bad-it's-good toilet humor; it quickly devolves into yet another larger than life action-drama. With costumes.

Sure, right from the start you know that, despite the sex theme, this isn't going to be yet another molested-trans gendered-lesbian-in-suburbia-looking-for-industry-award type of thing. It's not that kind of graphic-novel. You can spot the light-heartedness of it all (bleeding saturated colors representing “The Quiet” kinda scream just that), you can see that both Friction and Zdarsky are intelligent guys who like to have fun with things. However serious those things are (make no mistake, sexual development of children/young adults in todays culture is a serious topic, despite societal anathema surrounding it). So you go in prepared. And for a moment or two (maybe three) you're entertained, interested, and fascinated by the story told. All of those things that comics are 'supposed' to do.

Being able to have fun with serious things is an important thing for a writer. Humor communicates well. It doesn't alienate. It connects with you in a way which makes you able to look at things from another perspective. Not so serious one. You remember your teenage years? Where all things were serious and larger than life? Where all seemed either/or? It was much healthier to laugh than to brood. And, god knows, one can brood about sex in all sorts of way. It never helps though. Zdarsky and Friction choose to play.

Yet there are limits to playfulness. There's a line out there, imaginary like all these lines are, which can be crossed. Upon crossing, one enters 'okay, this is just stupid' territory. There's a comedy and then there's a comedy with a studio laughter mixed in. “Sex criminals” cross this line and what once was intelligent, somewhat hyperbolic narrative about way people interact with each other, suddenly becomes chaotic, shallow “blockbuster” with no clear vision guiding the sailors holding the helm.

We can as well face it. Hardly anyone goes to comics for sex ed. There are other ways to learn all about it. Yet we all remember our initiation. Part of what we learned can be glimpsed within these pages. We can glimpse other things as well. We saw them before, delivered in many a variant form. We have no particular inclination to see them again.

Zdarsky and Friction burned out their original idea too soon. Which means that they have a lot to learn about storytelling. Personally, I'll give them a chance to draw me back into their world. The beginning of “Sex Criminals” merits as much. Apart from that, I'm interested if things really go that much downhill in second volume. You can do what you like. After all, what you just read was nothing more than a singular take on a particular comic and you hold no allegiance to it. See you on a review page of vol. 2.

Avoid the hubbub about this book. The story is often incoherent and it is written simplistically. The only thing the book has going for it is that the art is decent. It’s a shame that this book falls flat because the premise of the story is actually really interesting. The execution is just terrible. Avoid this at all costs.

This was a super-hilarious graphic novel, I'ma say right now this novel is just for adults because it is a bit graphic (they actually start the book off with sex in the bathroom).

The story is about Suzie and Jon, however, the story is mainly told from Suzie's point of view and she is really the main character of the story. The story begins with Suzie telling the story of how her father died and later discovering that when she has an orgasm she can actually freeze time. For a long time Suzie believes that she is the only one with that ability. At a party she meets Jon an actor/secretary (yeah, he's that confident, he actually calls himself a secretary not an assitant); Suzie and Jon hit it off and well they have sex and in the process discover that holy s*** they can both stop time.

Suzie and Jon get to know each other and eventually well come on you can stop time, what are you gonna do? Yeah, they turn to crime (its for a good cause at least for Suzie, she wants to save her local library) and in the process learn about the Sex-Time Police (I know right, it's such a funny name). The novel ends with a cliff hanger and the book is titled "Volume 1" so we will get to see more of the Sex-Time Police (god, that sounds like perfect name for a Comedy Central show).

I really like this book its so crazy funny it becomes a must read, the characters have interesting back stories and they are engaging. Plus the jokes / puns are just so in your face. I've a lot of graphic novels; yes, aside from my love for romance novels I'm also a super comic book geek, and though I like my super-heroes being able to fly and punch a hole through a wall, I have to say sex-time stop is super power I've never thought about, but it would be interesting.

Suzie has a secret.... when she was just a teenager Suzie learned that when she orgasims the time comes to a halt literally. Now Suzie is going through life looking for a love that can match her own in time stopping fashion which could be hard if she is the only one.....or is she?

Jon hates his job and his life. He has been living his life with what he calls a curse. When he cums time stops and his penis also glows like a glow stick. Jon has been using his ability to steal petty things for years, he also uses it to get back at his boss. Jon thought he was the only one until he met Suzie and together their time stopping love is AMAZING but with their abilities comes a chance to save the local library where Suzie works from going bankrupt. The only thing they must do is

A: have sex in public
B: rob the bank

Sounds like a piece of cake for people who can stop time right? Wrong because they aren't the only ones that have this gift/curse and the others aren't happy about their abuse of power.

Thoughts: I found this graphic novel to be hilarious and found myself laughing out loud a couple of time at the antics of the two main characters. This is an ADULT GRAPHIC NOVEL though so there are some graphic sex scenes which some might find offensive but if that sort of thing doesn't bother you then I would give this one a read and LOL with me. ;)

Lots of graphic novels have lots of sex. Loads of pinup style bosomy babes and so on. Eye candy. If the actual content of the novel involves sex it is often angry sex or violent sex or transgressive in some fashion. The other direction is frat boy sex and graphic versions of old sex jokes. This book is remarkably fresh, interesting and rewarding because it blends a clever plot device with two engaging adults who speak frankly and openly, but cheerfully and comfortably, about sex. It's also very funny in a sly but totally non-smarmy fashion.

The premise is that when Suzie has an orgasm, time stops and everything freezes except for Suzie who can move freely in this frozen world. When Jon has an orgasm the same thing happens. They meet and make love, and are astonished when they find they can share this frozen world. Much of the plot involves what they do during this suspended time.

But before that we follow each character, as a youth, discovering and figuring out this special ability. Then we follow Suzie and Jon's budding relationship. And this does have to be one of the best "meet cute" premises ever.

This is a coming of age story, a love story, a caper story, and a meditation on loneliness and sexual longing and satisfaction. It is funny and it is very comfortable in what it is. It is "adult" not in the movie rating sense, but in that it is wise, a bit wistful, and reflects a grown up, but still puckish, sense of humor. This book was a surprise and delight and so much more than was expected.

This TP collects the first five issues of the continuing Sex Criminals series as well as some bonus content that is actually pretty interesting.
Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the authors or the publisher of this book.

Originally written for and posted at the Fantasy Literature Review Site: Comic Book Column.

Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky

Sex Criminals is not just as dirty as it sounds — it’s far more perverse than that. So, if you are even slightly likely to be offended by intentionally offensive material, then I’d stop reading right now. On the other hand, if offensive material becomes less offensive to you by the very fact that it IS intentional — as is the case here for me — then please read on: You just might find Sex Criminals does it for you.

Matt Fraction is currently one of my favorite writers, and he’s created a shocking work of fiction with Sex Criminals. The premise isn’t that complicated, but it’s bizarre: A guy and a girl have sex and discover after the big O that they both have the same secret power — a secret power that each one of them thought was unique — the power to stop time and the people around them right after they’ve peaked. So, whenever young Suzie has had sex up until she meets Jon, the guy she is with freezes in time, and she is able to get up and walk around, enjoying the contemplative post-coital moment. Imagine her surprise when she has sex with Jon, and they are both still moving around in “the quiet,” as Suzie calls it (Jon has another, less poetic, name for the quiet). And that’s the Sex part of Sex Criminals.

The Criminals part involves Jon’s past and his personality: He tends to be socially deviant as well a sexually deviant, and he likes to use his special power to play pranks in public places. Many of his acts are very disturbing, I should warn potential readers. Eventually, he lures Suzie into his prankish activities. However, they break even more laws when Jon realizes that Suzie needs money to save the library at which she works from closing. They then start robbing banks with a method — I feel safe in saying — that has never been employed as a plot device in the history of fictional narrative.

So why read this book? First, it’s funny, if you find this type of humor amusing. Second, the art is fantastic — particularly the colors and effects used to create and signal to the reader that Suzie and/or Jon has entered “the quiet.” But ultimately what make this comic book worthwhile are the serious topics and themes that Fraction explores through this otherwise outlandish story.

My favorite parts of the story are the coming-of-age components: Suzie talks to the reader in first person as she relates to us the struggles she faced as a child who is trying to understand her newfound sexual power. Obviously, Fraction is talking to us about what we all go through, and by Suzie’s realizing that she is unique, Fraction hits upon a great truth about sexual discovery: For each one of us it is actually a discovery that feels like finding out we have some secret power that nobody else knows about and that we certainly can’t talk about. It makes us feel special, it terrifies us, and it isolates us all at the same time until we find that one person with whom we feel we really click, with whom we share that exact same “power.”

I love the method of story-telling: Suzie in the present talks directly to us as readers while in the panels we watch the young girl Suzie stumble through school, take time alone in the bathroom, and confront the schoolgirls she hopes will tell her more about sex. This story-telling is aided by a visually effective trick: In many of these past scenes, the older Suzie is actually in the panels with the young Suzie. As she narrates, the present-day Suzie can see the younger Suzie, but the young Suzie obviously can’t see the present-day Suzie.

Jon’s presence adds at least two other levels to the story: First, he tells his coming-of-age story, his discovery of his power, his origin story. And Fraction shows us how different people are in reacting to their sexual discovery and sexual coming-of-age. Second, Jon allows Fraction to address a common problem: What happens when the person with whom we are most sexually at one turns out to be somebody we aren’t in sync with as much as we had at first hoped? How important is sexual compatibility? How potentially dangerous is sexual compatibility in misleading us to think somebody is the “right” person for us?

As with any sexually explicit artistic work, Sex Criminals will not be appreciated at all by those it will offend based on the premise alone; however, I do believe it is not merely a goofy, sexually explicit comic. I believe that Sex Criminals — like the first, and only the first, American Pie movie — basks in its sexual content while considering serious, everyday issues involving human sexuality.

This is quite simply one of the most original and creative graphic novels of the year, certainly deserving of whatever Top 10 list or Eisner or other award recognition it earns. I won't repeat plot details as they have been amply covered already but I will ay that the art work is not just terrific but handles nudity and sex in a way that conveys to the reader what is going on but is not in any way on the obscene or "dirty" side. It flows naturally from the story - well it has to as it is really the centerpiece of the story. The idea that the couple could enter a time warp through orgasm and there time did not exist is truly original and somewhat mind blowing. The very funny twist of running into the sex police while attempting a bank heist was totally unexpected and highly original. All in all , a most entertaining book and I look forward to the ongoing series and Vol.2 of the graphic novel.

This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This comic is funny and just downright delightful. I couldn't believe how much I enjoyed reading it - it was impossible for me to put it down. I received the volume (issues 1-5) as a gift from my partner (an avid graphic novel reader). Even though I loved the idea behind the story, my first thought before reading it was that I was a bit worried that a male writer and artist team might miss the mark on portraying female sexuality realistically (as so many other popular graphic novels do)... but then I started reading it and realized right away that I was completely wrong: they nailed it!

This is a great read, and I'd highly recommend it to any reader - and not just to the comic book/graphic novel fans out there. I loved this series. Matt Fraction's clever and insightful story-telling and Chip Zdarsky's beautiful art compliment each other perfectly to depict the inner worlds of the female and male protagonists in a way that is honest and joyful. I was so charmed by this series and it's characters right off the bat and the humor had me giggling out loud. In spite of the adult subject matter, the series is more awkward than sexy most of the time.

I think this book would make a wonderful gift for a partner or a nice little treat for yourself! Get it - you'll love it!

Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction & Chip Zdarsky

Suzie is an average girl but the ability she is able to do is anything but.

Suzie freezes time every time she has sex. She starts to investigate what is happening to her. She begins to think she is the only one who has this unique ability. Until, she meets Jon.

The two of them decide to take advantage of their ability and commit bank robberies. After all, they couldn't possibly get caught could they?

I have read both volumes that are out right now. While the story is crazy and ridiculous I did really enjoy this hilarious series! The art was beautiful!

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Sex Criminals is a book that I resisted picking up for a while, since in my experience, anything with praise that universal is mediocre and pandering, or somehow otherwise completely obnoxious. But I admit it, ok, Matt Fraction? Your stupid comic is really really good. Competent (if not masterfully) illustrated, it's the little words with the pictures that make this one stand out. The characters are very likable, the jokes are actually sharp instead of groan-worthy, and the concept and execution are both outstanding. If it wasn't about humping, it'd be a comic for everyone.

Although the artwork is gorgeous and conveys energy and movement… I just couldn’t get into this because I didn’t particularly like the characters. There wasn’t much to dislike - except Jon and the plant thing. Eeewwwww. Dude. That’s just wrong. And can’t anyone think of something better to do with weird powers than rob banks?

Cool, funny, and high concept!

This silly comic book series centers around a young couple who stop time when they have sex. There is a little more subtlety to the story than that, but not much. The characters are fun, the dialogue is clever, and the artwork is vivid and cool.

Not as "dirty" as you might think, this book is definitely aimed at the Vertigo rather than Marvel crowd.

The art is obviously very computerized and the artist even explains his process in the extras in the book. But it fits in perfectly with the subject matter and tone of the stories.

A light, fluffy fun-filled romp- not shakespeare - but still smart fun with comics.

“So the woods was, like, really slow internet basically.”

Sex Criminals is a funny comic in more ways than one. It’s very simple premise is that some people have the power to stop time for everyone else temporarily when they orgasm. The two main characters eventually meet and realize they both have this power, and use it the way anyone lacking strong moral fiber and the slightest imagination would—to rob banks.

For a comic that’s supposed to be, well, comedic, there isn’t much that’s really funny outside of the above quote, the volume subtitle, the inherently funny term “butt stuff,” and the background art in the marital aid store. And then the “magic system” doesn’t really make sense. The “villain” (banks are bad!) is boring and trite, and the bright idea of robbing banks is neither smart nor zzzzzzzzzzzz [falls asleep]. The comic is, though, technically proficient with a time hopping storytelling structure that works well, and it works on an allegorical level as a stand-in for the biting loneliness of so much of the modern sex life.

This is very imaginative. The central idea is that two characters enter a special time warp when they have orgasms. In that time warp they can go anywhere and do anything while there. Eventually they get the idea of planning a bank heist while in the time warp but there they meet the sex police! Not only is this imaginative but it is also funny. The sex is very soft. There is nothing xxx about it at all. The surreal state is what is interesting. There are not many fresh ideas in graphic novels but this is one. The drawing is good but I think the artist needs to make the women characters look more different from one another. The drawn men do not have this problem.

Note: this is the trade paperback edition of volume one of a continuing series of comics, also known as graphic novels. It consists of art and writing on every page. Graphic novels used to be called comic books and some still call them that.

Visit my blog with link given on my profile page here or use this phonetically given URL (livingasseniors dot blogspot dot com). Friday's entry will always be weekend entertainment recs from my 5 star the store reviews in film, tv, books and music. These are very heavy on buried treasures and hidden gems. My blogspot is published on Monday, Wednesday & Friday.

Sex Criminals is a well-balanced comic series that follows Jon and Suzie as they come together(literally and metaphorically) and discover they have the same ability to stop time when they orgasm. They use this ability like anyone else would; by robbing banks to save a local library.

The series is well-paced and well thought out, and it explores an interesting idea very well. While it features a lot of sex jokes and other such humor, it also handles the ideas of sex education, sexual exploration, identity and a variety of other complex issues in a respectful manner. It discusses the struggles of growing up as a kid with little access to information about sexual health and sexuality, and it explores how these ideas shaped the main characters in a variety of ways. This respect caries on into the 'current day' chapters of the story, as Suzie and Jon discuss their sexual histories. The two treat each other's journeys with respect, and find mutual comfort in not being seen as weird for their struggles, and, moreover, for their ability to stop time. For example, Jon mentions having explored relationships with other men, and while Suzie questions it a bit at first, accepts his reasoning of trying to find out his identity and find other people with a similar ability.

The characters are interesting and relatable, and they work well together and lead to an interesting 'on screen' chemistry. They interact in a realistic manner, and have their own sets of complex stories and motivations. Their dynamic is interesting, and I can only imagine it will be fleshed out even more as the story goes on.

The series also has a lot of humor in it, and many subtle jokes can be found in background things such as book and move titles that may be missed on a first read-through. These jokes often poke at pop culture references or are just overly ridiculous in the best way possible. They lend themselves to an overall very amusing read, and seek to help make a book about a traditionally taboo topic lighthearted and more 'approachable'. Most of the humor is focused on sex and such, and may not be everyone's 'cup of tea'.

The art style is more simplistic than some styles, but it fits the lighthearted nature of the comic very well. Aside from hidden jokes, the simpler art style prompts the reader to focus less on various specific details and more on the general, carefree focus and nature of the story. It lends itself to allowing the reader to focus on the story and the characters more, and is a positive in my opinion. The art style is especially visually appealing in 'The Quiet', the paused world the characters enter when they stop time. It features swirls of bright colors and an overall feeling of separation and distinction from the rest of the story; It seems otherworldly and almost too bright, almost off somehow, like a dream. The colors are visually appealing, and really give the scenes in 'The Quiet' a unique feeling.

All in all, the writing, humor, art, concept and characters all come together in one complex and fantastic story. It will leave you thinking as well as laughing, and is well-worth a read.

Suzie has a secret. After orgasm she enters "The Quiet". Time stops allowing her to move through the city unnoticed, until she meets Jons. Sharing a gift, the couple set in motion a plan to save Suzie's library while sticking it to Jon's bank manager boss.

Sex Criminals is the best new HBO show that hasn't been adapted yet. Fraction's book is nothing short of incredible. Filled with humour and a playful awareness of the genre conventions it's the single greatest comic to be released in the last five years.

A girl discovers after having an orgasm time stops for her. In adulthood, girl meets guy who can do the same thing. They decide while time is stopped to rob banks to raise money for the local library who is in desperate need. Sounds like a crazy premise? It is and so enjoyable. The graphic panels throughout were amazing, gorgeous rich colors. The dialogue was funny. It was pretty much what I was expecting from a graphic novel called Sex Criminals.

Sex Criminals caused a cerebral overload which shut down my motor skills, initiated seizing, collapse and climaxed with excessive drooling and my face in a pool of spit. True story.

This is one funny book. It’s quirky, smart, the premise is fresh and you know what? People in the story talk the way normal, non-comic book people talk. Behind all the sex talk and puns are real people with real, legitimate real people problems. We get pulled into their world and we care about what happens next. That’s a sign of a well-written story; you want to find out what happens next.

The premise is this: time stops while you’re having sex. What do you do with that? How do you deal with having a partner under or on top of you in freeze frame? You’re screwed (ha!) and probably very sexually frustrated.

Consider the possibilities of what two people with this ability could do. Our protagonists are such a couple. They’re not alone in the sex-paused world and they’ve invaded someone’s turf.

Step into Cumworld (but beware the Kegelface).

An interesting and original series in which our “heroine”.discovers that her orgasms stop time. She then discovers that she is not alone to have this strange ability. She and her partner turn to crime during the Quiet (when time stands still) but get discovered with consequences.

The artwork is basic but well-executed with a little too much colour for my liking.

Quite fun, not for the prudish.

Matt Fraction is the reason I read my first traditional super hero comic book, Hawkeye. (It isn't very traditional as far as super hero comics go, actually, and that's why it's such a fun and interesting read.) In Sex Criminals, Fraction shines once again.

This book is masterfully balanced with Fraction's clever, honest, and out-right hilarious writing and Chip Zdarsky's colorful and beautifully-composed art. Fraction's considerate story-telling mirrors the awkwardness, fun, absurdity, and sweetness of our collective first sexual experiences. In a premise where time literally stops when the protagonists orgasm, the story has the potential to devolve into an orgy of poor taste and misogyny--penis joke and outlandish boobs. While you might encounter a penis joke or two, Fraction and Zdarsky pay mind to the unique experiences of both women and men. Yet, they never take themselves too seriously.

Centuries ago, Aristophanes proved a universal truth: sex is funny. Fraction and Zdarsky continue the tradition proudly in Sex Criminals.

Imagine of the first time you found pleasure with yourself you found a special power. A power to stop time. Awesome right ? Well she practices through her teen years and moves into adulthood with the job and such. The job sets her up to meet somebody who has the same ability. How could they not fall for each other ? They also decide to use the gift for a little criminal activity. So who are you going to call to stop this ? The Sex Police ! Yes, they exist and they are going to stop this lusty pair from their abuse of the powers.
It’s funny, weirdly sweet and has nice complimentary artwork. It all works for this older teen to adult read.

An interesting and original series in which our “heroine”.discovers that her orgasms stop time. She then discovers that she is not alone to have this strange ability. She and her partner turn to crime during the Quiet (when time stands still) but get discovered with consequences.

The artwork is basic but well-executed with a little too much colour for my liking.

Quite fun, not for the prudish.

Matt Fraction is the reason I read my first traditional super hero comic book, Hawkeye. (It isn't very traditional as far as super hero comics go, actually, and that's why it's such a fun and interesting read.) In Sex Criminals, Fraction shines once again.

This book is masterfully balanced with Fraction's clever, honest, and out-right hilarious writing and Chip Zdarsky's colorful and beautifully-composed art. Fraction's considerate story-telling mirrors the awkwardness, fun, absurdity, and sweetness of our collective first sexual experiences. In a premise where time literally stops when the protagonists orgasm, the story has the potential to devolve into an orgy of poor taste and misogyny--penis joke and outlandish boobs. While you might encounter a penis joke or two, Fraction and Zdarsky pay mind to the unique experiences of both women and men. Yet, they never take themselves too seriously.

Centuries ago, Aristophanes proved a universal truth: sex is funny. Fraction and Zdarsky continue the tradition proudly in Sex Criminals.

Imagine of the first time you found pleasure with yourself you found a special power. A power to stop time. Awesome right ? Well she practices through her teen years and moves into adulthood with the job and such. The job sets her up to meet somebody who has the same ability. How could they not fall for each other ? They also decide to use the gift for a little criminal activity. So who are you going to call to stop this ? The Sex Police ! Yes, they exist and they are going to stop this lusty pair from their abuse of the powers.
It’s funny, weirdly sweet and has nice complimentary artwork. It all works for this older teen to adult read.

(Electronic copy provided by NetGalley for review)

Premise: Susie and Jon have something unusual in common. When they orgasm, time stops. No, literally. Once they find each other, what else would they do with such a talent... Collects Sex Criminals #1-5

I had heard only good things about this title, so I jumped at the chance to read the trade. I did really enjoy it, but I think it starts much stronger than it ends.

The story starts in medias res, then flashes back and forth to fill in all the background. Susie's origin story in the first issue was probably my favorite part. I'll agree with other commentators here, and say that for a book written by two guys, it does a fantastic job with a girl's sexual awakening. Susie's confusion, angst, loneliness and curiosity all felt very real and plausible.

I have less context for the plausibility of Jon's story in issue two, but it's interesting and sad.

As the book goes on, and we eventually get more and more of the present and less of the past, it feels like the theme loses focus a little. It's still interesting, but it becomes less an intriguing metaphor for sex and intimacy and more a story about people with weird powers. Still good, but not as good.

I really enjoyed the art. Both poses and body types are at least semi-realistic! I love the issue covers, too, and I’m glad they were included. They're evocative, simple, vibrant and just gorgeous.

I'm curious to know where Fraction and Zdarsky are planning to go with this, or if they had a plan beyond this point. The volume ends, not with the end of the story, but at a possible end. And it's satisfying, mostly.

One Weird Trick is based on the premise that Suzie and Jon both stop time for others when they have sex. After meeting and discovering they were not alone with this "trick", they decided to rob the bank that Jon works for to get the money to stave off the foreclosure of the library that Suzie works at. Complications of course arise, the greatest being the "Sex Police" that arrive to stop their crime spree due to a tip. An interesting take on the caper novel in a graphic format. Enjoy where appropriate.

It's an original idea and something that was recommended to me with rave reviews. I don't know if the reason I was let down was because the title was overhyped or that it is just plain boring. I got the first issues as a gift and a go between while I wait for the next issue of Saga. I don't like the writing, the graphic style is not really my taste and I didn't really love the characters. I gave it three stars because my review is based on my own tastes. It is not the worst but it definitely wasn't something I could get into...ever.

Don’t let the name prevent you from reading one of the strangest, funniest, and truest comics on the market. Yes, SEX CRIMINALS (Vol. 1) by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky is about sex. Yes, it contains nudity and some graphic material. But it also contains some of the most charming depictions of teenage awkwardness, puberty, sex, and love as well. There’s a reason Time magazine named SEX CRIMINALS the #1 comic in 2013.

SEX CRIMINALS isn’t so much the story of sex crimes–at least in the way you’re probably thinking–as it is the story of Suzie and Jon. Although I expect cops and robbers to play a bigger part in Volume 2, that’s not the case here. Instead, the story begins with Suzie’s family falling apart. After the death of her father, her mother shuts down emotionally, and Suzie is left to grow up alone. So when Suzie has questions about sex, there’s no one to turn to. Not her mom, not the dirty girls at school. No one. She’s just alone.

And boy does Suzie have questions. You see, when she orgasms, she stops time. Yeah, you read that right. Everyone freezes, but she is free to move about. But it makes her feel even more alone when she learns that this doesn’t happen to everyone. At least until she meets Jon. You see, Jon has the same ability. He has his own past and issues, but suddenly, they are not alone. They have hope. They fall in love. And that’s when the real trouble starts.

Suzie works for a library that is facing foreclosure. And Jon works for the big, bad bank. Suzie hates the idea of the library shutting down, and Jon hates his life at the bank, so what do you do? Why, have sex to freeze time so you can rob banks, of course. It’s just a shame that the cops have a special unit with the same powers too. And so the game of cat and mouse begins and Volume 1 ends.

Fraction’s writing is top-notch. It’s witty, funny, and very well constructed. On the surface, Suzie’s and Jon’s childhoods are very different (as is their approach to their powers). But as I kept reading, I saw how similar they really were–how much they needed one another. And I loved watching the two of them fall in love–often while trading embarrassing stories about their past.

Fraction also frequently breaks the fourth wall. On the one hand, this technique takes the edge off the more uncomfortable, sadder moments, and on the other hand, it made watching Suzie and Jon’s relationship grow even more wonderful (I won’t spoil it, but you’re going to love their date at a pool hall that plays Queen).

Zdarsky’s artwork is just as clever as Fraction’s writing. Real life is depicted in a simple, almost cartoony fashion. But life inside that post-orgasmic freeze is depicted as this beautiful, almost psychedelic way. And if you have a really sharp eye, during flashbacks, you’ll notice easter eggs that show Jon and Suzie’s childhood overlapped a bit.

Yes, I felt a little awkward reading this comic, and I found myself shielding the cover or pages from the prying eyes of others. But that’s just me and my issues. The truth is, the way Fraction and Zdarsky portray puberty, sex, and love is one of the most honest, heart-warming, and heartbreaking I’ve seen in a long time. The fact that on top of all that Fraction and Zdarsky have also created a comic that is laugh out loud funny means that SEX CRIMINALS deserves to be shared, not shielded.

(Full disclosure: I received a free copy of this book for review through Goodreads’ First Reads program.)

Time-stopping sex in public places. Revenge workplace masturbation. A kickass librarian with a can-do attitude, a love of learning, and a magical clitoris. A Robin Hood-style crime spree to save the books. Halloween candy as far as the eye can see. What more can you ask for in a comic book? (Vegan finger food at the fundraiser would have been nice, but. I guess there’s nothing saying it wasn’t vegan, right?)

When I spotted a giveaway for SEX CRIMINALS, VOLUME 1: ONE WEIRD TRICK on Goodreads, I figured it could go one of two ways: Either the series would turn out to be a smart and insightful look at human sexuality and all that it entails – or a weak and juvenile excuse to bring the pornification of comic books full circle. And, you know, ogle women’s disembodied parts. I decided to give it a try, because what did I have to lose except for an hour of my time?

I’m so glad that I did, because SEX CRIMINALS? It be bangin’

Suzie isn’t like the other girls in school. For starters, her father – an accountant at BankCorp – was murdered by a disgruntled investor who lost his life savings in the stock market. That Halloween, she dressed up as “the little girl whose dad just died.” (“I practically made myself diabetic.”) Suzie arrives home from trick-or-treating only to find her mom drunk. Again. She beats a hasty retreat to the upstairs bathroom for a relaxing bath, where a fortuitously placed faucet causes her to accidentally discover the “Big O” (and I’m not talking about Overstock-dot-com).

And then…time stops. Literally. Suzie finds that her orgasms result in “The Quiet” – a brief period of time-freeze, during which she’s the only person left conscious in the world. Or so she thinks.

After a string of lovers (and many weird, mostly unanswered questions), Suzie arrives at the conclusion that she alone lives in The Quiet. That is, until she meets Jon – and they stop the world together. And so, faced with a foreclosed library and an abusive boss, the couple does what comes naturally: they fornicate like rabbits, freeze time, and rob banks. (But it’s for a good cause, so it’s okay!) Little do they know, a group of fellow time-stoppers called the Sex Police are hot on their trail – and desperate to keep their powers a secret from the rest of the (sexually average) world.

It may sound juvenile, but SEX CRIMINALS is anything but. Fraction and Zdarsky use the outlandish premise to explore various aspects of human sexuality: The loneliness and alienation of adolescence. Taboos concerning masturbation. Pornography and sex work. The time-freezing and bank-robbing are just incidental; metaphors for the human condition.

Masturbation? Sex outside of marriage? Coveting they neighbor’s wife? BDSM? We’re all sex criminals, at some time, in someone else’s eyes.

Incidentally, SEX CRIMINALS is quite progressive in other areas as well. For example, take the subplot of Suzie the struggling librarian. Jon manages to convince her that robbing BankCorp simply to give the money back to them in the form of the library’s mortgage is morally permissible, since the bank doesn’t need and won’t miss the money. Fraction and Zdarsky touch upon a number of important social issues – the corruption of our financial institutions, unnecessary foreclosures, library cuts, the accessibility of information – right next to panels which feature angry men brandishing giant purple dildos and BARTON FINK knockoff porn.

I also loved the scene in which a young Suzie visits a (male) gynecologist to ask about sex: “DOCTOR WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU HAVE AN ORGASM I’M ASKING FOR A FRIEND” “Usually fall asleep, Suzanne. With your husband.”

Both the writing and artwork are stellar. Suzie’s voice is both relatable and highly entertaining. The art is colorful, with lots of vibrant pinks and purples and greens. The Quiet (“Cumworld” to Jon) looks like the love child of a lava lamp and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. (Groovy!)

There is some nudity – probably a lot, by parental standards – but it’s not nearly as gratuitous as you’d expect. The male body gets as much real estate as the female (as a matter of fact, I think Jon dominate the full frontal category), so there’s gender parity too. This is definitely an “adult” comic, but I hope that parents aren’t too quick to ban their kids from reading it – I suspect that teens could benefit from Suzie and Jon’s early experiences. SEX CRIMINALS helps to normalize teen sexuality and show kinds that they’re not alone, freaky, or perverted for thinking about or even exploring sex.

This is, quite frankly, one of the funniest things I've ever read. I was literally LOLing at the dozens, perhaps hundreds or more of visual gags and puns, not to mention some of the most ridiculous scenarios ever put to paper or drawing tablet. But besides all this, there are feels--goodhearted, sweet little feels--for these characters. A must-read.

The acclaim this book has received gives the comic-book genre a bad name. Only those far removed from the act of sex would enjoy this misguided read. The writing is puerile drivel – childish, juvenile, and unfortunately just plain dumb. A good amount of would-be guffaws are derived from the age-old corny porno pun. Are those still funny? Certainly, any young teenager can revel in the naughtiness, but any older reader will not enjoy the stale humor. Do not mistake this humble reviewer as any sort of prude who can’t handle crass sex jokes. The opposite would be closer to the truth. But no, this book is just not funny, deep or interesting. It also purports to be so revolutionary with its full-frontal vocabulary, but the illustrations are limp and tame. It talks, but doesn’t walk.

Before you decide to read this series please be aware that, true to the title, Sex Criminals contains explicit sex scenes, as well as light drug use.

Sex Criminals is a romantic comedy that unabashedly embraces sexuality and the human condition, while poking fun at sex and the porn industry. It’s also about a couple that finds out they share the power of stopping time via orgasm and use it to rob banks. The art is beautifully done, especially the colors—Chip Zdarsky did a great job making The Quiet otherworldly while juxtaposing the wonder of it by having moments in The Quiet occur in a porn shop or a bank or during a horrible first time, keeping everything from being too fantastical.

The dialogue feels like real conversations, tongue-in-cheek while making sure to create a backstory that grounds the characters in a realistic situation—Suzie isn’t just a reckless vigilante; her cause is one that many would probably empathize with, even if they don’t support the method. At times however, the scenes did feel disjointed, particularly in the way the authors decided to flick back and forth between the past and present. A linear storyline would have had a cleaner effect, and perhaps a more effective buildup.

While Sex Criminals isn’t ground-breaking, it is a great way to pass the time. Just make sure you’re in a place where you’re comfortable reading comics with nudity—this story has a lot to do with sex after all!

Intresting. Starts off slow, and you don't really get a feel for all of the characters right away, but by the end, you immediatly start hoping that Vol 2 is out so you can continue the story. I don't know how long the authors will be able to keep this "universe" going, but it's a fun read, and not as "skanky" as you'd think.