"Sheriff of Babylon" #1 is breathtaking. It's hard to look at the two-page splash that doubles as a credits page and not gasp at your first look at Baghdad. The crossed swords over the street, the burning buildings, the sepia color scheme washing over it all -- it's a real tour de force. King and Gerads have taken a modern event, given just enough time since its occurrence so that one can effectively create fiction set inside of it, and turned out a winner. And there are still seven more issues to go! In an ideal world, "Sheriff of Babylon" is going to win a lot of awards in the next year or two. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

It's Fargo meets The Wire, and I defy you not to read it and be hooked. Read Full Review

"The Sheriff of Babylon" launches with one of the best comics I've read all year. The comic book introduces three characters and ties them together by the issue's end. In between are three unique, but equally dramatic mini-stories that tell the reader a lot about what the character's motives and backgrounds are. The comic is supported by tremendous art that brings a higher level of tension with the finely detailed facial features. Whether you like war and/or political comics or not this is a series that simply shouldn't be missed. Read Full Review

Ive said it before, Ill say it again; you need to be in on the ground floor with this Vertigo line start. The quality is overflowing from the books, and Sheriff of Babylon stamps its place as one of the best. I want to binge-watch this comic, I need issue 2 Read Full Review

Beyond that, this could have easily been a political story getting into a lot of details. Happily, that is not at all the case. I could see that being a point to drive readers away and understandably so. The political situation is merely a backdrop to the mystery. Where my curiosity is piqued, is if King will bring any kind of clarity 12 years after the fact. That might be jumping ahead a bit, but there is still plenty of time to make a statement with the story as a whole. Even if he doesn't, “The Sheriff of Babylon” is the type of outside story comics are made for. Regardless of your political affiliation or feelings, this is a look at the circumstances after the invasion. To once again quote Sun Tzu, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.” Read Full Review

All in all, Sheriff Of Babylon is the right amount of real world for someone like me. And, it's good to see Vertigo still churning out great adult material. There's a strong history there and while this won't be the next Sandman in scope, it could turn out to be every bit as enjoyable. Read Full Review

Crime dramas live and die by the mystery and how they're untangled. This story sets up one complex knot that's made strong by an unconventional protagonist in an unconventional land. Read Full Review

I can see this being an Eisner Award candidate, so it's not to be missed if any of these story elements appeal to you or if you're just looking for a great mature rated comic book. My early impression is that this would make a fine addition to the rumored Vertigo film slate or translate well to a TV mini-series. Read Full Review

Sheriff of Babylon isn't your usual Vertigo flare, but with the brand looking to redefine itself in the coming years, it works as a fine example of a creative team showing readers the best of what they've got. Wartime stories are usually reserved for the likes of the Cold War or WW II, but with the more contemporary setting, it's time for audiences to be treated to a whole new side these kind of stories. Read Full Review

I'm not sure what else I can say after all that but this book is one of my new favorites of the year. It's well written with art the brings the story to life. As a reader I'm left with a lot of questions and a desire for more. As a reviewer I have trouble writing about comics, tv, movies, or bands that don't immediately grab me I didn't have that problem here, I was sold after the first page. Read Full Review

Whether you count yourself in support of American presence in the Middle East or stand against US imperialism, Sheriff of Babylon #1 offers a nuanced take on a ornate and insipid time full of uncertainty and frustration. Read Full Review

A fantastically thoughtful and deceptively complex narrative, Sheriff of Babylon is yet another genius contribution to the Vertigo brand by King and Gerads. This is the time to be looking at this moment in history, and I think the creators know it. The question is, are you ready? Read Full Review

For a first issue, this has been an amazing read and it's one that you really need to read for yourself in order to take it in properly. I'm already sucked into the case and I know that if I don't continue on, I'm going to be super pissed at myself. I'm looking forward to the next issue of Sheriff of Babylon and seeing where Tom King and Mitch Gerads take us! Read Full Review

There's very little given about the overall plot until the final pages, so where it goes and how it maintains this pace is still to be seen, but this is an incredible, attention-grabbing bang of a first issue. Read Full Review

"The Sheriff Of Babylon" #1 is a very solid start and I'm eager to see where things go from here. King and Gerads make for a dynamicteam and there's a lot here to like. My biggest concerns is painting this conflict in broad strokes but I have faith in King's ability to deliver a layered script. Read Full Review

The opening installment here is the kind of book that doesn't disappoint in what it does technically, structurally or in execution. King has put together an engaging story right from the start and Gerads artwork, coloring and attention to detail in bringing the city and its people to life is almost haunting. But it disappoints because it reminds you what was done not just during the invasion but afterwards – for years – and the kind of complicity involved in all of it by those who ignored it. There's a lot of tragedy in the offing with this book and that's a compelling thing. I'm excited to read the rest of it with a sense of dread in the pit of my stomach, which is why I'll be that "bad" reader that will wait until it's all collected so I can consume the weight of what it represents in one sitting rather than agonizing over it for the next eight months. Very recommended – for certain folks who can handle this kind of work. Read Full Review

This feels like a comic where the setting will be as fascinating and engaging as the story itself. A gritty crime story set in a location many of us will never see, and a world we truly know little about. This is a comic you'll want to buy, either as single issues or as a trade, I'm going to go with single issues myself because I want to see what happens next as quickly as possible after reading this first issue. Read Full Review

The Sheriff of Babylon paints a very dark and perilous picture of post-9/11 Baghdad that feels true to life, but fails to deliver in many cases in its consideration to character. The storytelling does leave you wanting more, and the intrigue is palpable, but its hard to say in one way or the other whether readers will get that big payoff. Read Full Review

I've never read anything published by Vertigo, but now I can't stop all of their new #1 are great. Can not wait for #2 great writing, art, and real life adventure.

Amazing first issue. Can't wait for issue 2.

Tom King shows us why he's an up and coming star and Mitch Gerard's art style fits perfectly with his highly technical style well suited for military type stories as previously seen in The Activity and Punisher.

Honestly, this deserves a 10, but I need room to go once the story gets rolling!

An attractive enough beginning, storytelling is solid, the art is simply violent and beautiful.

The machinations of a certain enigmatic character carried this issue, but otherwise it felt cold. What seems like it should've evoked emotion and outrage felt inconsequential and passe (the scene between one of our main characters and a girl near the start fell victim to a truly tired trope). The art doesn't help with this, with it's style failing to breathe much life into the characters, leaving them looking more like puppets - dead behind the eyes. I have faith Tom King will give me reason to care in future issues, but this one left me without investment in the story or the characters.