That Sex Criminals is for adults only goes without saying-as it says on the back cover, “Don't Sell This to A Kid. What Are You, Nuts? Seriously.” But for comic readers of what we might call an “appropriate age,” this is not to be missed. Read Full Review

I don't have much else to say because I can't think of anything to criticize. The drawings are gorgeous, the panel layouts are very clever, the writing is funny and economical, and every little piece counts. Hell, even the back cover of the book is hilarious. This is going to be one of those books I can't wait to read every month. Sex Criminals #1 is an excellent debut, and I urge anyone reading this to pick it up immediately. Read Full Review

This book is definitely not for the faint of heart or the prudish. New readers up for it will likely get a lot of enjoyment out of the book. It's certainly not for kids, but fans comfortable with the material should be able to get a good laugh out of it, while also becoming interested in the odd story that Fraction and Zdarsky are crafting. Read Full Review

Remember that time you were saying, "Man, I wish I could read a comic book that was different"? There are many different comics with different angles but, down at some level, they have similar themes or origins. That is not the case with SEX CRIMINALS. For a series that will contain sex, crime and humor, this book surprises you by showing just how deep the characterization of Suzie goes. This is not a book that simply relies on the fact it contains the subject of sex in order to arouse curiosity. Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky have created something new and exciting. There are some touching moments that will catch you off guard and you won't know what to expect next. Read Full Review

Bravo to Image for taking such a big risk with Sex Criminals #1. And congrats to this creative team. This is a book to keep your eye on. Read Full Review

Matt Fraction has done it again, he has taken a book that based on the cover and synopsis had me going "ok I'll check it out" to "OMG I have to buy this every month"! His way of writing can make you feel so many emotions it tugs at the heartstrings. This book gives you all of that but mostly gives you the biggest laughs you will have in a while from a comic. Add that to the fantastic art from Chip Zdarsky and this is a must have for comic fans. (Well those who can understand the material) Read Full Review

Before I make any more regrettable jokes, I should close out by saying that "Sex Criminals" is one of the most essential comics of 2013. It's heartwarming at points, funnier at even more points, and real all throughout. Plus, the male lead's first words are the opening monologue to Lolita.I have no clue who showed "Sex Criminals" the way to my heart, but it's stuck there with little chance of leaving anytime soon. Read Full Review

Soon enough we're whisked back in time to Suzanne's unconventional origin story. She discovers her power to freeze time (and people) the exact moment she discovers the joy of orgasm in her bathtub. Her childhood has been indelibly impacted by the untimely and unjust murder of her father -- a tragedy that has made many a hero. But Suzanne doesn't take to the shadows and mold herself into a crusading avenger. The decision to gift Suzanne with a relatively healthy personal life (and love interest in Jonathan) is part of what makes Sex Criminals so refreshing. These characters have extraordinary abilities, but they are utterly -- and delightfully -- ordinary. The first issue is a solid beginning and our interest is definitely piqued. Read Full Review

The short and skinny is that this issue blew my fragile little mind with a very different approach to an origin story, that is a fun and fantastic read. Read Full Review

Sex Criminals #1 is a great start to the series. Very relatable, even with a character who gets powers by orgasm. Read Full Review

But why Sex Criminals? Well we do find out some reasoning behind that toward the end. But why ruin it. It's a fun ride and go enjoy it for yourself. Read Full Review

In this day and age where the words "mature themes" in a comic implies unnecessary sex, drugs, boobs and gore simply for the sake of shock value it's nice to see a comic that handles these themes in an actual mature fashion. Don't be fooled by the cover or the first two pages, Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky isn't an immature exploitation of sex and violence; it's a quirky, funny book about growing up that just happens to have a lot of sex in it. Read Full Review

This is a stunning start to a new series that balances character driven storytelling with sex and humor. If you weren't immediately driven off by the title, I say pick this one up. Read Full Review

Sex Criminals is a fun comic that will make readers laugh and smile. It's not erotica. It's a good story that just incorporates some young adults who just want to have sex at times. But if you like superheroes and comics with flash battle scenes, you won't find that here. Read Full Review

Matt Fraction has shown what a versatile writer he is from writing Hawkeye, Fantastic Four, FF, Satellite Sam and now Sex Criminals and the fact that this issue has sold more copies that Hawkeye #1 " I know I'm not alone in the opinion that this is truly the best book out this week. Read Full Review

This is an absolutely phenomenal book. At no point does the sex or the amount seem gratuitous in any way. Each panel of each page develops character and furthers the story. Just because a story is about sex in no way gives it a free pass. At the end of the semester, Sex Criminals #1 passes with flying colours. Read Full Review

I cannot wait for the next issue. I want to know if Jons journey was at all like Suzies, and who knows their secret. I want less Thomas Pynchon jokes. If you dig character driven stories about adults who use their magical sex powers to rob banks, or just really well-written fiction that will make you smile and laugh, give your money to Sex Criminals! Read Full Review

SEX CRIMINALS is a pleasant surprise. When the book was announced, it's easy to understand the apprehension of some to its plot, but once you have the book in your hands and you give the first issue a read, you quickly come to understand that so far, it's hard to do this book justice. In truth, this is definitely not what you expected–in the best of ways–and its sense of fun (anchored by its zippy dialogue) and emphasis on character so far are its strongest assets. Well, not including Zdarsky's great art, of course. Do yourself a favor and check out SEX CRIMINALS…you won't be disappointed. Read Full Review

I don't think Fraction did a good job at introducing Jon. Hopefully issue two gives us a little more about him. I like first issues to give us a proper introduction to the main characters. I don't feel I know him well enough. I know more about Suzi's mom than him and he obviously has a large part in this story. I gave it an 8.5 as well because I wasn't crazy about the art. I don't think it was anything that great. Pretty typical stuff to me. Read Full Review

This is a recommend, but only for mature audiences only. Obviously. There are some pretty funny parts, some good emotional beats, and some shway art to behold. It's deeper than you'd first suspect, so you can tell people you're reading it for the plot and actually mean it! This time. Read Full Review

The idea of using sex as an escape is a fine line to walk, but Fraction's script is able to navigate it well, showing the empowering qualities of Suzie's sexual decisions while also showing that sex and the following "Quiet" superpower ultimately is not the solution to Suzie's lingering feelings of loneliness. Fraction and Zdarsky understand that sex is not simple, that it is a powerful thing, a confusing thing, a funny thing, and an exciting thing all at once. Sex Criminals is very frank and open about its approach to sex, giving readers a very adult and entertaining approach to sex in storytelling. Read Full Review

I feel that we gush over Matt Fractions writing here to much at times since we often talk about the greatness of Hawkguy. So I went into this looking for flaws but there aren't many. I found this a genuinely funny and engaging read. The characters were well-developed, the concept for all it's silliness was tightly set up and the art on the book was out of the norm. All of which is a breath of fresh air compared to the monthly sea of superheroicswe are exposed to. Read Full Review

The details, both in the script and dialogue and in the visual, are suggestively modest but thorough. Sex Criminals has the trappings of a romantic comedy and the frankness of a sex comedy. It's also a book about two people with powers. That set-up, which is pretty much the entire first issue, will have to give way to something deeper, something that continues to be frank about our sexual knowledge and creates a connection between protagonist and reader. It's partially there already, but like the transition of movie genres and the transformation of comics, Sex Criminals will need to take the best of its influences and make them its own. Read Full Review

Overall, then, "Sex Criminals" has a ways to go. The art is lovely and mature, but the writing suffers from first issue syndrome: all the time setting up the dark backstory creates a bleak situation at odds with the comics purported rom-com feel, making the humorous moments feel a bit awkward and out-of-place. Hopefully "Sex Criminals" will hit its stride in future issues, but the first issue is worth reading (by adults only!). And hey, you get 32 pages of comic for only $3.50, a better deal than almost anything on the stands, which seems somehow appropriate for a book about people who love books. Read Full Review

Sex Criminals is a unique read, there isn't a lot of similar books out on the shelves getting this kind of attention so while it may be jarring it was also stimulating. This story isn't going to be for everyone and most people will probably judge this book on the goofy but honest title or the adult subject matter. Sex Criminals is a book that most people should check out and make up their own minds about but it is also an example of never judging a book by its cover, or title. Read Full Review

Now it comes to artwork. It's decent and rather nice looking, with its bright colors and decent looking characters. It does one rather clever thing when Susie meets the man of her dreams and the only possibly funny scene in the comic was because of the artist more than the writer (Though, I just don't get Candle in the Wind. It looks extremely painful). Besides the occasional character that looks way older or younger than they are supposed to be and the fact the faucets often seem to be pouring out glue instead of water (At least, I'm hoping it's glue), I say the art was an overall win. 5.0 The main character is fully developed and realized.The artwork is good.It's more awkward and uncomfortable than funny.The pacing and flow is rather bad at times.?Narration is kind of weak. Read Full Review

Fraction meanders around fascinating ideas and refreshing honesty while Zdarsky gives a crash course in the pros and cons of stylized art. Sex Criminals remains a fascinating experiment, but it's not a conclusive one*. I suggest additional testing, but it's up to you if you're willing to fund it.* Read Full Review

This issue suffers from a lack of a real hook. Fraction has a lot of range as a writer. He can tell any story, from very down-to-earth ones that have no frills and are incredibly moving to plots that seem completely insane but actually have a lot of heart. Sex Criminals has yet to be defined because the creative team has barely scratched the surface. They spend so much time in the past that we don't get to see the present or move into the future. A few questions are raised by the events in this book but nothing that will really grab anyone. Fraction buried the lead. Let's just hope it's not six feet under. Read Full Review

Amazing

Matt Fraction is NUTS. Seriously. I'm enjoying a lot his completely unpredictable take on Hawkeye, but this story seems even weirder and at the same level of quality. Sure, the art isn't as competent as that by David Aja, but still we get a comic book with a crazy idea and a magnificent realization, topped with some deep thoughts and silly moments (the best being the "slut" teaching the protagonist the strangest sex positions... I freaking loved it.

I was completely shocked by how much I enjoyed this one. Touching (pun not intended) and hilarious.

A killer starting issue with 32 uninterrupted pages of comic with all ADs at back! i am very intrigued, as the concepts for this story are pretty interesting! i think im jumping on

- For additional ratings and previews of this issue, visit my blog at Images Unplugged

The reviews for this are all over the map! Here are my two cents:

The story seems like it might be good in the future. However, this issue is mostly a flashback about a young girl's awkward experiences with sexual education and body "discovery." In short, we are watching an underage girl have orgasms. I don't want to be doing that. Ever.

The artwork is very inconsistent. There's a reason you haven't heard of Chip Zdarksy.

I'll stick to Hawkeye.