The Untouchables

VOYA - Kristin Fletcher-Spear

This graphic novel in black and white takes a "what-if" approach to the Prohibition Era. It has been twenty years since Al Capone fell off the Chicago map, and Elliot Ness has disappeared. Prohibition is still strong. It now includes a ban on tobacco, drugs, and firearms. Chicago is a casino town filled with mafia, so the Untouchables are reformed. Joe Tarpley comes in to the team, filling Ness's big shoes. He leads a team of motley-with the exception of one member-but honest cops. Two story lines cover the Untouchables fighting against the current mafia boss after two of their own are attacked and one undercover assignment to find the prostitute who is killing off rich johns. The Untouchables succeed but not without casualties. The stories are noir and gritty with deception, mystery, and an honest cop trying to make a difference. Joe's back story is only told with glimpses, but it hints at a painful past. This treatment gives readers hope that there might be more to the story line after the graphic novel ends. The black-and-white artwork continues the story's gritty noir feeling. With the amount of gunshots filling these panels, the reader may be thankful for the lack of color, which allows for desensitization. Schools will need to be cautious of this title, but public libraries that have crime drama readers would be smart to pick this one up.