Sex Criminals #1 Kindle & comiXology

If you can buy the premise and aren’t too squeamish about sex, then Sex Criminals is a creative, fun title that has a refreshingly non-judgemental, easygoing attitude towards sex. Sure, there are some ugly names thrown around, but the narrative is pretty strongly on Suzie’s side, and it takes great pains to illustrate just how difficult it is for a young girl to learn about sex in a safe, productive, positive environment. It’s sort of refreshing to see a story like this, a frank and funny rendering of a young girl’s sexual awakening, and the superpower element could easily double for the sense of alienation and “other”-ness that a young girl can feel while she’s going through puberty. It’s throwing out jokes, sure, but it also (deliberately or no) speaks to a real problem.

Overall, I sort of loved Sex Criminals, and can’t wait for the next one. Just a warning, though: while it’s very tasteful, this one’s probably not for the kids!

There's a reason that "Sex Criminals" is enjoying some incredible hype right now, and it's not just because of the title. (Though it's a hell of a title.) The letters column in issues two and three make it clear that this book is a better source for information about sex than many sex ed classes, and of course, "Sex Criminals" is also hilarious. (Seriously, it's just painfully funny--and extremely well-written, and beautifully drawn and colored.) Issue one offers a refreshingly honest look at growing up, discovering sex, and how the mysteries surrounding both can be a blessing and a curse...particularly if you're able to stop time. This is one of the best comics of the year.

Lots of graphic novels have lots of sex. Loads of pinup style bosomy babes and so on. Eye candy. If the actual content of the novel involves sex it is often angry sex or violent sex or transgressive in some fashion. The other direction is frat boy sex and graphic versions of old sex jokes.

This book is remarkably fresh, interesting and rewarding because it blends a clever plot device with two engaging adults who speak frankly and openly, but cheerfully and comfortably, about sex. It's also very funny in a sly but totally non-smarmy fashion. (For example, in a flashback young Suzie asks the top high school slut to explain sexual positions to her. With the aid of a sharpie and the whiteboard that is the wall of a girl's bathroom stall, the slut illustrates a number of increasingly random and bizarre practices. My favorite was the "Danish Microwave", which appeared to require a paper bag with eyeholes. Who else can be silly, deadpan and funny about sex?)

The premise here is that when Suzie has an orgasm, time stops and everything freezes except for Suzie who can move freely in this frozen world. When Jon has an orgasm the same thing happens. They meet and make love, and are astonished when they find they can share this frozen world. Much of the plot involves what they do during this suspended time.

But before that we follow each character, as a youth, discovering and figuring out this special ability. Then we follow Suzie and Jon's budding relationship. And this does have to be one of the best "meet cute" premises ever.

This is a coming of age story, a love story, a caper story, and a meditation on loneliness and sexual longing and satisfaction. It is funny and it is very comfortable in what it is. It is "adult" not in the movie rating sense, but in that it is wise, a bit wistful, and reflects a grown up, but still puckish, sense of humor. This book was a surprise and delight and so much more than was expected.

This is the first of five issues in the series. There is a trade paperback book thatcollects the first five issues of the continuing Sex Criminals series as well as some bonus content that is actually pretty interesting. Please note that I received a free advance ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the authors or the publisher of this book.

I read this and honestly thought I'd downloaded the sample. I like the story and the art, but for the price I think I should have purchased the "Volume 1" edition instead of just "#1" so I'd have had more story to read. I ended up returning this and will purchase the larger edition instead. I'm not a comic book reader typically, but this seemed like a good place to jump in because it sounded humorous. The story seemed to be off to a good start and the dialog was entertaining.

I picked this up after a recommendation from the SF Squeecast. And all I knew was, "it's not what you think." So, I had no idea what I was getting into, but This was really interesting. And I have to read more now.