Getting back to my remark about not needing superheroes with a book like this, this book is a great tonic for that jaded reader who is sick of more of the same from the superhero line. This title is one of those rare books that you could lose yourself in looking for clues to the overall story and no one does subtle like Brubaker which makes this book so enjoyable. Combined with luscious art from Phillips the discerning comic reader needs little else than books like this as an example in how to much you could love this medium. Awesome stuff. Read Full Review

After presenting readers with an absolutely breathtaking first issue, it's hard to believe Brubaker could top the first issue -- but he did. The story is slowly coming together and readers will be able to witness the first connections between characters. Still, there are plenty of things we still do not know. What is the connection between Josephine and these three men? What is her connection to this occult organization? How dark will Brubaker delve? This is one of the best books out right now. Highly recommend this title to anyone who loves a good mystery. Read Full Review

I can't help but think that, with a little less adult language and sex, this is what it would have felt like reading a crime comic in the early 50s and, I'll tell you this, it's a great feeling. Read Full Review

I read Criminal to get more familiar with Brubaker's independent titles and I have a much better appreciation for his work. He's a natural storyteller who's clever plot devices are a thing of beauty. Sean Phillips' art is perfect for this stunning, tense, on the edge of your seat thriller that is the definition of cool. Brubaker has struck gold twice this week with Winter Soldier and Fatale! Read Full Review

This is absolutely the best of creative teams, clearly doing something they love. And there's nothing better than that -- creators at the top of their game, pouring that much energy and passion into a story -- the exceptional results simply cannot be denied. Read Full Review

Fatale really shows the promise of being part of a much larger tapestry with lots more stories to come. The only concern for me is that working on this series will take away from their work on Criminal, which I love. Read Full Review

Because of the narration, Fatale is not your obvious detective story. It characterizes unique people who you want to learn more about and begins to unravel a story that could get very complex. Ignoring the sometimes clichd moments that are not saved by narration and the mostly poor to hysterically bad artwork which has only one spark of brilliance, the issue is a fantastic reader for any fans of dark detective drama. There is always an air of mystery, but this issue made that air much more clear. Just not enough to see anything yet. And I look forward to the next issue when the fog clears a little more. Read Full Review

This book is off to an extraordinarily strong start, and continues the tradition of excellence that the work Brubaker and Phillips have done together in the past has reached. The issue ends ominously, and tips the scales of the series ever so slightly towards the horror side " but that is a good thing. The horror elements here continue to distinguish this work from others in the noir genre. Bishop and his cult members are downright creepy and add a strong evil presence to a book full of morally ambiguous characters. So far, there isn't really a purely "good" character in the whole comic, which fits right into the noir playbook. But the pure evil of the cult recontextualizes the other characters as basically good (well, maybe not Walt) " it is still too early to see the long game here, but I am confident in the talents of this creative team that they will make this series as interesting as its second issue was. Read Full Review

Fatale #2 remains a slow-boil, substituting immediate thrills for more of a slow, creeping dread. Its not the easiest sell, and I imagine its not going to be everyones cup of tea. But this elusive tale is growing on me, and I get a real sense that were going to be rewarded in the long run for sticking with it. Image has a big year ahead of it in 2012. But Fatale has already set the bar high. Read Full Review

As we said with this series' first issue, if you dig Brubaker and Phillips' Criminal series, then you'll enjoy Fatale. Outside the Lovecraftian influences, Fatale feels like another story set in the Criminal universe. Some might balk at that idea, expecting Brubaker and Phillips to tackle something entirely fresh with this series; but for everyone that enjoyed what this creative duo has churned out in the past, this series will continue to satisfy. Read Full Review

If you have any interest in pulp and noir tales, with a little horror thrown in, here's a comic you really should enjoy. I would have like more of Nicolas' story here as well, but I can wait until next month. Worth a look. Read Full Review

Phillips' art is still good, but it's the same deal he's nota rookie. This just feels like a safe book. Like neither creator really wantedto put themselves out there with it, but rather see if it took off. Well ithas, which is a shame because I would much rather them create something they'repassionate about and there is no passion in this series. Although I'm sureseveral people will talk about it as if it were amazing and changed comics, ithasn't" and won't. If for some reason you loved the first issue than you'll digthis one, it's more of the exact same. Personally, I'm not interested orimpressed. Read Full Review