It is time to bring the curtains down on the Sin City Graphic novel series. In this post, we will look at the last volume of the series, Hell an Back. It is also the largest volume in the series and features only one yarn . The plot of this yarn, is a romantic, violent tale set in the city everyone loves to hate, brought to us from the imagination of the one and only, Frank Miller.

As mentioned before, the entire series is a tribute to Film Noir. movies and themes, set in a fantasy Universe, with 70s cars and tall skyscrapers. A Vet who has returned after a stint of service is one of the male archetypes in Film Noir. The protagonist in this yarn fits this archetype.

Volume 7: Hell and Back

Hell and Back introduces us to a new tough guy of Sin City, Wallace. Wallace is a navy seal and a gold star recipient, and an artist, struggling to make ends meet.

On a joy ride, on a cool night, fate places Wallace, just at the right time, and just at the right place to save a gorgeous suicidal woman who just took a deep dive from a cliff to the ocean below. In typical heroic fashion, Wallace jumps in after her and saves her, and brings her home to his kind-hearted landlady who conveniently, also is a former nurse.

When the woman recovers, she identifies herself as Ester, an actress, who has given up hope on pursuing her dream.

When things are just about to get romantic between herself and Walalce, Ester is kidnapped by a couple of thugs, who are working for someone very powerful. Just like the rest of the heroic men, featured in all the other Sin City yarns, Wallace launches a rescue mission with all the expected drama.

In his quest, Wallace encounters Delia, the nympho-maniacal assassin we saw in a previous volume of the series , Booze, Broads and Bullets. Of course, there are going to be corrupt cops, loads of gun and fist fights, and a few humorous moments. Manute the gigantic strongman also makes an appearance in this yarn. In his quest to find Ester Wallace gets some assistance from his former superior officer and the officer’s lover.

The most unique aspect of this volume, is a part where Wallace is injected with narcotics, by the bad guys. Miller uses color and some of the most bizarre of images, to depict Wallace’s hallucinations. ‘Hell and Back’ is a wild ride from beginning to end.

Wallace’s quest will reveal a diabolical operation run by one of the corrupt and powerful many, that reside in Sin City. Can Wallace save Ester before it is too late? ‘Hell and back’ is a fitting end to the Sin City series and one of its most most enjoyable volumes.

This is the final installment of my review of the entire Sin City Graphic Novel Series. Miller has said that he will reprise the series. If he keeps his word, reviews of the new Sin City yarns will reappear on my blog. I hope you enjoyed reading this series of reviews. If you are new to the Sin City novels, or graphic novels in general, this series can be a good place to begin your adventure. A review of the two the Sin City Movies is reserved for a future post.

If you enjoy my reviews of graphic novels, stay tuned for my reviews of some of the finest works in this genre.