This is one of the most intense of the Sin City Stories, with a pace that barely allows you to take a breath.

A prequel of sorts, Hartigan is about to retire from the police force. He's hot on the tail of Roark Jr, who is the son of Senator Roark, one of the most corrupt politicians in this universe. Jr. loves raping and killing underage girls, and Hartigan's trying to find a missing kid, Nancy, that Jr. has set his sights on as his next victim. He gets his justice on him removing a few parts and things, but is shot in the process by Roark's goons before he can kill him. That spirals into the Senator making Hartigan's life a living hell and 20 years of revenge set into motion with an explosive ending for Hartigan, who is a old man by the conclusion.

Great story, crappy artwork. ( )

This is likely the most infamous of the Sin City volumes, and with good reason. It's the goriest, but also likely the most satisfying in the way it employs the gore. It introduces the most heinous villain, that yellow bastard, and finally gives us the backstory we've been waiting for with Nancy. Perhaps even why she likes Marv.

John Hartigan is a cop less than a day away from retirement. In the last hour of being on the job, he completes the bust of a lifetime. The man he's seeking the expose? Senator Roark's son. The crime? It turns out Junior has been raping and murdering children, and is about to do the deed once more. Nancy Callahan is only eleven. Hartigan does what he feels is right, and nearly kills Junior. But Senator Roark is a difficult man to beat, and very protective of his son. Hartigan is framed, but he doesn't intend to go down easy...

This volume is a tale of revenge and justice. It gives the visceral pleasure of all that is done to Junior to start off this tale, and the odd pride in how Hartigan stands up or keeps silent, in how he conducts himself throughout. It's a good noir novel from start to finish, complete with the tragic ending. ( )

"Breathe steady old man. Prove you're not completely useless."

Hartigan is just an awesome character! And Miller gives him one hell of a story to get through! Great read!

"An old man dies, a little girl lives. Fair trade." ( )

Part of movie one. Continued. ( )

This one was excellent. ( )