Good Cop Bad Cop – The novel

A couple of days ago I was contacted by an old friend of 5D (though he would probably deny even knowing me), comics writer, Jim Alexander who wanted to know if I would like a peek at his latest release. In fact, not only was his latest release, but it also just happens to be his debut novel – GoodCopBadCop. 

For those of you in the know, you will be fully aware of my past ravings about the work of Jim and his press label, Planet Jimbot. However, if you are  completely  oblivious to my words of wisdom on many things Jimbot, well you can find a couple of prime examples of my scribbling attempts HERE & also  HERE.

In a nutshell, Jim has written “Judge Dredd”, “Calhab Justice”, “O’Rork” and “Pandora” for the Judge Dredd Megazine and “The Grid” for 2000 AD in the early mid 1990s. Since then he was worked for Marvel, DC, Tokyopop and Metal as CV’s go that’s annoying good……jealous? Moi? Yes. In 2012 he set up a small-press label called Planet Jimbot. Its publications include Amongst the Stars (drawn by Mike Perkins), Wolf Country (drawn by Luke Cooper), the anthology Amazing & Fantastic Tales and Savant (drawn by Will Pickering and Fin Cramb; originally conceived for Strip Magazine). GoodCopBadCop and Gabriel have also been rebranded as Planet Jimbot comics  Click Here for more info.

So, my impatient reader, yes I can hear you say, “You could actually tell us something about GoodCopBadCop, you know”

GoodCopBadCop was originally released as a Graphic Novel, which went on to win the True Believers Comics Awards.

I was lucky enough to get hold of a copy of Casebook#3: Only Pigs and HorsesPart 1.  Essentially, the tale is a modern crime take on Jekyll and Hyde where the good cop and the bad cop are the same person. This is not a story about a good man turned bad, or indeed a bad man turned good.  Both good and bad arrived at the very same time. Casebook#3 was told over 3 issues and saw Detective Inspector Brian Fisher and his bad cop alter-ego driven further down into the hell that is the Glasgow underworld. 

Be warned me hearties, there is a distinct mature theme here, so those of a nervous disposition or the many in the world who seem to be daily waiting to be offended by just about anything and everything – well let’s just say that GoodCopBadCop may not be for you. Bless your fragile hearts.

The novel delves deeper into the psychological trappings, black humour and surrealist overtones that made the title such a hit with readers. It really gets into the gut(s) and mind(s) of the main character as I found out when Jim was gracious enough to send me a digital version of the novel.

This is a deliciously twisted, gritty and violent story set in the equally twisted, gritty and violent underbelly of the Glasgow criminal world – not that I actually know much about Glasgow’s underworld……. obviously. 

Yes, my dad was born and bred there, however his nefarious criminal activities amounted to nothing more than an unpaid overdue library book and some particularly unseemly business on the 18th hole of the local golf course after a drunken night with his friends. Apart from that he was as clean as a whistle.

Anyhow, back to the story. I must admit that I do like my characters to have certain shades of grey in their personality make-up. I simply cannot abide cardboard cut-out black and white figures………boring!! I think it’s safe to say that Detective Fisher has more than his fair share of grey texture as he battles with a sadistic figure from his own mysterious past, the wonderfully named ‘Horse Peter’ who seems keen to wreak his own particular brand of horror on the local police and populace.

GoodCopBadCop is a hugely enjoyable no-holds-barred romp of unhinged psychosis and violence (and I’m not just talking about the bad guy). The dialogue, courtesy of Mr Alexander is as crisp and dynamic as ever which provides a nicely authentic feel of that area of the world without ever falling into Rab.C. Nesbitt territory of pastiche. As I’ve already mentioned, this is a violently harsh tale (though it must be said, not without its humour) that deals with subjects that some may find challenging in their grim depiction. I personally found the reading experience completely pleasurable and simply cannot wait for the world to get a hold of a copy of this deliciously dark story.

The lovely Mr Alexander has also offer up a competition prize of a digital version of the novel plus an actual proper paper type copy of a GoodCopBadCop graphic novel. To enter, just go to the competition page of this website.

 

In case you don’t win, or simply want a print copy of the novel, the book is available far and wide…..

UK

Amazon (print & digital): https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1916453503

Blackwell’s (print): https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/9781916453500

Kobo (digital): https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/goodcopbadcop

US

Amazon (print & digital): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1916453503

Barnes & Noble (print & digital): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/1129823698

Kobo (digital): https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/goodcopbadcop