Stray Bullets Vol. 5 – Hi-Jinks and Derring-Do (2016)
Stray Bullets Vol. 5 – Hi-Jinks and Derring-Do (2016)
𧏠Genre
Crime Noir, Psychological Drama, Neo-Noir, Slice of Life
đ Main Characters
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Virginia Applejack – A runaway girl with a troubled past, whose return home sets off a series of violent and emotional events.
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Leon – A quiet, troubled boy who becomes Virginia’s only friend and reluctant partner in survival.
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Mrs. Applejack – Virginia’s emotionally distant and abusive mother, whose grief and bitterness fuel much of the tension.
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Beth – A key figure from earlier volumes, whose lingering presence shapes Virginia's emotional landscape.
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Joey – A reckless boy whose choices push Virginia and Leon into darker territory.
✍️ Writer
David Lapham – Known for his gritty realism and intense character work, Lapham is both the creator and mastermind behind the Stray Bullets series. His storytelling is raw, personal, and unflinching, making each panel feel lived-in and emotionally charged.
đš Artist
David Lapham – Also handling the art, Lapham uses stark black-and-white illustrations to mirror the moral ambiguity and emotional bleakness of his world. His expressions and paneling are minimalist but carry immense narrative weight.
đ§đŒ Editor Details
Maria Lapham – David’s wife and longtime collaborator, she plays a vital role in shaping the tone, pacing, and emotional consistency of the series, ensuring a cohesive and impactful reading experience.
đą Publisher and Brand
Image Comics – As an independent powerhouse, Image offers creators full control, and this freedom is evident in Lapham’s uncompromising storytelling.
Brand: Stray Bullets series, under Image’s crime and noir storytelling umbrella.
đ Release Year
2016
This volume collects issues #31–41 of the original Stray Bullets series. It serves as a continuation and culmination of long-brewing emotional threads.
đ Brief Plot Summary
After years on the run, Virginia Applejack reluctantly returns to a fractured home where her mother’s coldness mirrors the world she thought she escaped. At school, she's an outsider; at home, she's unwanted. When she meets Leon, a shy, isolated boy who harbors his own darkness, a bond forms—one born of pain, loneliness, and fear.
But this connection becomes dangerous. As the two teens face threats from bullies, abusive parents, and a society that refuses to understand them, Virginia is forced to confront her past trauma and make impossible choices to protect the only person who sees her for who she truly is.
Their descent into violence is not sudden—it’s slow, deliberate, and heartbreakingly believable. Lapham masterfully shows how small choices can lead to devastating consequences, and how even the most damaged hearts long for connection.
đ Notable Arcs or Storylines
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The Return of Virginia – Focuses on her reentry into a broken home and hostile school life.
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Leon’s Transformation – Explores Leon’s emotional awakening as he bonds with Virginia and uncovers his capacity for both loyalty and rage.
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The Gun Incident – A pivotal moment that escalates the stakes, symbolizing the turning point in their descent into crime.
đ§ Fan Theories or Interpretations
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Virginia as a Stand-In for Lapham's Inner Voice – Some fans interpret Virginia as a metaphorical voice of trauma, resilience, and defiance in the face of a society that demands conformity.
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Cycle of Violence – The comic has been read as a commentary on how childhood abuse and emotional neglect perpetuate cycles of violence and alienation.
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Leon’s Arc as a Tragic Mirror of Virginia’s Past – Readers have noted that Leon’s path echoes Virginia’s former life, suggesting she’s trying to “save” her past self through him.
đ️ Review Summary
Stray Bullets Vol. 5 – Hi-Jinks and Derring-Do is a brutally honest exploration of adolescence, trauma, and the cost of survival. đ©ž Lapham’s writing is sharp, his characters heartbreakingly real, and the narrative gripping from start to finish. The stark black-and-white art enhances the bleak, unforgiving tone, while also highlighting moments of rare tenderness.
đ The volume doesn’t shy away from moral complexity—there are no heroes here, only survivors. Every choice feels consequential, and every silence deafening. Fans of crime noir and psychological drama will find this volume haunting, immersive, and impossible to forget.
⭐ Rating: 9/10 – A masterclass in character-driven storytelling and indie comic artistry.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
