Stray Bullets Vol. 1 – Innocence of Nihilism
Description:
Stray Bullets Vol. 1: Innocence of Nihilism collects issues #1–7 of David Lapham’s critically acclaimed crime series. A visceral noir saga filled with lost innocence, brutal choices, and unforgettable characters, this volume marks the beginning of one of the most influential independent comics in modern times.
Overview:
Stray Bullets Vol. 1: Innocence of Nihilism marks the harrowing beginning of David Lapham’s gritty, character-driven crime anthology. First published in 1995, this volume introduces a world where violence is sudden, consequences are irreversible, and lives unravel without warning. A series of interconnected stories reveals how innocent people—young children, teenagers, small-time criminals—become entangled in tragic situations far beyond their understanding or control.
From a young girl whose life is shattered by a gruesome murder, to a boy seduced by a dangerous older woman, to the infamous Amy Racecar—an explosive criminal who may be the end of everything—each tale is soaked in raw emotion and dark realism.
Comic Book Details:
- Genre: Crime, Noir, Psychological Drama, Independent
- Writer & Artist: David Lapham
- Editor: Maria Lapham
- Publisher: El Capitan (original), later re-released by Image Comics
- Imprint/Brand: Image Comics
- Publication Date: Originally released in 1995, reprinted by Image Comics
- Collects: Stray Bullets #1–7
- Format: Trade Paperback
Main Characters:
- Virginia Applejack: A young girl whose childhood is destroyed by trauma.
- Joey: A shy teenager whose first experience with love becomes a cautionary tale.
- Amy Racecar: A hyper-violent, mythic figure born from imagination and trauma, who embodies chaos and rebellion.
- Beth & Orson: Small-time criminals who reflect the desperate underbelly of American life.
- Nina: A troubled woman who drags others into her downward spiral.
Themes & Impact:
David Lapham’s Stray Bullets is known for its bold storytelling, unflinching violence, and emotional depth. It explores the loss of innocence, nihilism, and how ordinary people can spiral into extraordinary darkness. It doesn’t romanticize crime—it shows its consequences in the most painful ways possible.
Praised for its unique visual storytelling and tight scripts, Stray Bullets became a defining work in the indie comics scene, influencing countless creators and readers with its raw and real portrayal of the human condition.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
