SNAPSHOT #1 by Andy Diggle and Jock, the Image Comics debut of the renowned creative team, has sold out after hitting stores on February 6. A second printing (JAN138087) is set to be on shelves on March 13.

The four-issue, black-and-white mini-series follows Jake Dobson, an ordinary comic book nerd who becomes entangled in a bizarre murder plot when he finds a cell phone with a gruesome photo stored on it. Now, whoever is responsible for the killing depicted wants the phone back and Jack out of the way… permanently!

To celebrate the success of SNAPSHOT — and as a nod to its City-by-the-Bay setting —James Sime, owner of Isotope Comic Book Lounge in San Francisco, is launching a special SNAPSHOT contest for fans of the book!

Simply take a picture of a staged “murder” on your cell phone and post it to Twitter with the hashtag #snapshotcomic or on the Tumblr page snapshotcomic.tumblr.com. The pictures will be posted on the Tumblr page, and selected fans whose pictures are posted will receive a limited edition SNAPSHOT bookplate signed by the series creators. In addition, Diggle and Jock will choose their favorite picture as the grand prize winner, who will receive a piece of original art by Jock from SNAPSHOT!

“Diggle & Jock’s SNAPSHOT is so great, definitely one of the best reads on store shelves!” said Sime. “And the action takes place in a comic store here in San Francisco? On Fell street at Gough?! The Isotope had to celebrate!”

The first issue has garnered excellent reviews:

“Reading Snaphot #1, the world that Jock draws has the paradoxical feeling of being both detailed and minimalistic at once. He is selective — choosing to focus the reader’s attention in certain places with densely rendered patches of texture and depth and in other places, using only a few lines to suggest space and presence. The reader gets a sense that every line was precisely placed and serves a purpose, just like how in good prose, every word counts.”

- Comic Book Resources

“Jock and Diggle have established strong creative chemistry over the years, and Snapshot takes advantage of both creators’ strengths to create a satisfying story with striking visuals.”
-The A.V. Club

SNAPSHOT #2 will be in stores on March 6.

Seriously, this is one of the best series I have read, and can’t wait for the next issue. I love everything about it, and I’m sure you will too.

Agent Burgos, SNAPSHOT #1 GETS SNAPPED UP

Andy Diggle doesn’t waste any time in bringing the reader into the story.  Diggle forgoes extensive characterization for Jake, instead diving right into the story.  This works for the best, as it gives the reader a chance to put themselves into Jake’s shoes.  Jake is written well enough, not being annoying like most teens in this situation.  He responds somewhat logically given the information we are given about him.  He doesn’t seem to be the brightest bulb in the bunch, but he’s not an idiot either.  I’ve seen enough horror films to be sick of the idiot teenager who can’t think their way out of a paper bag to serve the plot.  I would have liked to see some deeper characterization for Jake, but that is more from me being invested in the plot so quickly.

Diggle does a surprising amount with a tiny amount of information.  The reader has no clue as to what is going on, which is just as much as Jake.  Much like The Losers, Diggle gets right into the action.  He doesn’t waste any time giving detailed back stories for these characters.  In an age when every book has to have some ongoing mystery to keep an audience, it’s refreshing to see a book get to the point and give the reader some fast fun.  I love a book with a good mystery, but occasionally I like to have some fun.  The twist at the ending threw me for a loop.  I consider myself a some what jaded comic reader (reading all the books I do will do that), and didn’t see the ending coming.

The decision to make the comic black and white was an inspired design.  It gives the title and noir/horror vibe.  It helps that Diggle and Jock have an amazing creative relationship.  They are like Bendis and Maleev; whatever they touch is gold.

I’ve never seen Jock pencil a bad issue.  His detailed, emotional pencils shine in black and white.  The backgrounds remain largely unrendered, which is something I’d like to see change.  Jock has a great amount of detail when Jake is bicycling through the park, so why isn’t there more when Jake is talking to the police detective?  With black and white though, having to much will clutter the scene.  It’s a fine line that Jock uses well and then drops.  Each and every character is full of emotion and personality.  Even the throw away guy who is made fun of is brimming with personality.  Diggle knows how to write for Jock, and Jock knows how to bring Diggle’s writing to life perfectly.  The ending is visceral and hits the reader really hard.  With the reader easily slipping into Jakes shoes, the ending hits that much harder.

Snapshot #1 is a good start to a miniseries.  It’s pure fun, and beautiful looking.  Give this book a shot.

Snapshot #1 gets 4/5.

MrComicBook, Review: Snapshot #1