A Vicious Circle #1

9.1

Critic Rating

7 Reviews
9.2

User Rating

13 Reviews
Writer Mattson Tomlin
Artist Lee Bermejo
Cover Price $9.99

Iconic artist Lee Bermejo (Batman: Damned, Joker) partners with director and screenwriter Mattson Tomlin (Batman: The Imposter)!

Shawn Thacker is a trained assassin from the future who seeks revenge on the only other man with his affliction-each life they take forces them both to travel between vastly different past and future eras.

Spanning from 22nd century Tokyo to 1950s New Orleans to the Cretaceous Era and beyond, the two mortal rivals are locked in a battle of wills that spans millions of years, all to alter the course of history.

With each time period, Lee Bermejo adjusts his artistic style to pay homage to l more

Reviews (7) User Reviews (13) Rate / Write A Review

CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top

  • 10

    COMICON - Tom Smithyman

    Dec 12, 2022

    A creative team featuring superstar artist Lee Bermejo is at the top of their game in this time-travel drama. Great writing will have readers flipping through pages at warp speed. The only downside is a $9.99 price tag, though the issue is oversized. Read Full Review

  • 10

    GWW - Emmet Davis

    Dec 14, 2022

    Hype level is beyond the stars for Vicious Circle. Prestige Format and Lee Bermejo, Mattson Tomlin and creative freedom and narrative. All of this leads to a prefect first book. Beyond expectations, beyond the stars, beyond the future. Read Full Review

  • 9.6

    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally

    Dec 16, 2022

    Bermejo delivers some beautiful art in the issue. I love every tonal and visual change in the issue and how each new world is given its own unique visual style. Visually stunning art on every page. Read Full Review

  • 9.5

    AIPT - David Brooke

    Dec 14, 2022

    People use the word awesome too much these days, but make no mistake A Vicious Circle is an awesome first issue. From the visuals to its ability to entertain and keep up your interest while keeping you in the dark, A Vicious Circle is a comic you can't put down. A Vicious Circle plays off how we think about time travel while using an arch rivalry that connects in exciting ways. Read Full Review

  • 9.0

    Geek'd Out - Cameron Kieffer

    Dec 18, 2022

    While the narrative may be a lot of doom and gloom, its also a glorious artistic experiment with Bermejo altering his style with every timeline. While the 1960 scenes are depicted neatly, in a stark, monochromatic style, the future is brighter, full of color but with sketchier line art. The change in styles continue with every shift, some of which occur on the same page. These changes can be jarring but theyre all part of the experience and are certainly less disorienting than theyd be for our protagonist. My only critique is that the lettering by Becca Carey doesnt always work. The font for Thackers inner monologue is great but the word balloons used for dialogue just feel so out of place against the superb realism of the art in the first act, although her work matches the style of the later timelines perfectly. Read Full Review

  • 8.7

    Comic Watch - Theron Couch

    Dec 17, 2022

    A Vicious Circle #1 has at its core a compelling idea, not just in the time travel mechanism as a stand alone concept but in how it shackles the two characters together. Unfortunately Tomlin doesnt really turn the compelling idea into a compelling narrative. By the time the issue ended I had lost all interest in the story. Ultimately the issues saving grace is the art. Bermejos work will bring me back for the second issue. Read Full Review

  • 7.0

    ComicBook.com - Jamie Lovett

    Dec 14, 2022

    A Vicious Circle #1 indulges in the too-familiar trope of killing a barely developed, innocent supporting character to motivate its protagonist in what feels like a transparent attempt to add unearned, instant emotion to the plot. Read Full Review

USER REVIEWS Back to Top

  • 10

    retcon_D

    Dec 14, 2022

    Quite possibly one of the best first issues I've read all year. Do not miss this one.

  • 10

    motorik

    Dec 22, 2022

    Utterly fantastic.

  • 10

    Pepish

    Dec 28, 2022

    The photorealism of the opening chapter's art is beyond amazing. The shifting of art styles is jarring (but in the best way), just like I imagine the experience of shifting through time would be for Shawn Thacker. Thanks BOOM for the oversized format, the story/art from Tomlin/Bermejo deserves it. Can't wait for book 2.

    + Like Comment
  • 10

    Toonstrack

    Dec 30, 2022

    One of the best single issues O read all year. A masterful display of artistic genius and clever writing with a highly interesting premise makes this a must read. Not gonna waste too much of your time with this review, this book is best taken in with little to no foreknowledge. Just go read it. You will NOT regret it.

    + Like Comment
  • 9.5

    Avanvolk

    Oct 28, 2025

    A fast-paced, well-written time travel story with absolutely jaw-dropping artwork from the great Lee Bermejo. The level of detail in some of his panels was beyond comprehension... It was an incredible showcase for his amazing talents that reminded me a bit of Mike Huddleston's work on Decorum with his changing styles. Really enjoyed this start and looking forward to seeing the story continue to unfold and learning more about our main protagonist and antagonist.

  • 9.0

    Stand Up Comic Reader

    Jan 14, 2023

    This could be the best book of 2023 so far. An absolute fantastic debut. Bermejo absolutely kills the art in this issue, wow. Although, one minor gripe. They called the protagonist...Ferris? Really? Full review at: https://standupcomicreader.blogspot.com/2023/01/vicious-circle-1-review.html

  • 8.5

    DDJamesB

    Dec 18, 2022

    A good start to a series. I can't ask for much more.

    + Like Comment
  • 10

    Swanktub

    Dec 18, 2022

    + Like Comment
  • 10

    + Like Comment
  • 10

    Happywifelife

    Feb 22, 2023

  • 9.0

    ed1138

    May 07, 2023

  • 7.0

    AleSiryus

    Mar 08, 2025

  • 6.5

    Adsun22

    Jun 11, 2025

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