What do you think?
Rate this book
Whiteout #1
Whiteout
You can't get any further down than the bottom of the world - Antarctica. Cold, desolate, nothing but ice and snow for miles and miles. Carrie Stetko is a U.S. Marshal, and she's made The Ice her home. In its vastness, she has found a place where she can forget her troubled past and feel at peace... Until someone commits a murder in her jurisdiction and that peace is shattered. The murderer is one of five men scattered across the continent, and he has more reason to hide than just the slaying. Several ice samples were taken from the area around the body, and the depth of the drilling signifies something particular was removed. Enter Lily Sharpe, who wants to know what was so important another man's life had to be taken for it. But are either of the women prepared for the secrets and betrayals at the core of the situation?
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
35 people are currently reading
1,690 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,430Ìýbooks1,876ÌýfollowersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
February 3, 2021
3.5 stars
"There is nowhere more 'nowhere' than the South Pole. It's not like you can just hop on a bus to the mall, for God's sake. Once you're here . . . well, you're here . . . There is nowhere to hide. So where'd you go, you son of of b****?" -- U.S. marshal Carrie Stetko, at the start of chapter 3
Gritty little murder-mystery graphic novel that is sort of routine, plot-wise, as far as countless crime sagas go, although it had two aspects that made it somewhat unique: 1.) the rarely-used setting, a desolate research outpost in sparsely-inhabited and harshly frigid Antarctica, and 2.) the heroic lead characters, reminiscent of the mismatched buddy cop duos on countless TV shows or movies, are women. However, it's not played for any laughs here - deputy U.S marshal Carrie Stetko and British counterintelligence operative Lily Sharpe are likely the only women on the miserable continent, continually underestimated or whispered about by many of the crude men populating the handful of facilities (one great moment has the terse Stetko, after catching two guys jokily making suggestive comments and hand motions about her, simply yell "KNOCK IT OFF!" in their shocked faces to shame them). The ladies are naturally suspicious of each other at first, but quickly come to depend on one another as their situation becomes increasingly dangerous amidst the homicide investigation. Again, the dramatic narrative may be stock-standard, but it's some of the little moments or details - such as a character plausibly sustaining an irreversible frostbite injury - that provide the suspense.
"There is nowhere more 'nowhere' than the South Pole. It's not like you can just hop on a bus to the mall, for God's sake. Once you're here . . . well, you're here . . . There is nowhere to hide. So where'd you go, you son of of b****?" -- U.S. marshal Carrie Stetko, at the start of chapter 3
Gritty little murder-mystery graphic novel that is sort of routine, plot-wise, as far as countless crime sagas go, although it had two aspects that made it somewhat unique: 1.) the rarely-used setting, a desolate research outpost in sparsely-inhabited and harshly frigid Antarctica, and 2.) the heroic lead characters, reminiscent of the mismatched buddy cop duos on countless TV shows or movies, are women. However, it's not played for any laughs here - deputy U.S marshal Carrie Stetko and British counterintelligence operative Lily Sharpe are likely the only women on the miserable continent, continually underestimated or whispered about by many of the crude men populating the handful of facilities (one great moment has the terse Stetko, after catching two guys jokily making suggestive comments and hand motions about her, simply yell "KNOCK IT OFF!" in their shocked faces to shame them). The ladies are naturally suspicious of each other at first, but quickly come to depend on one another as their situation becomes increasingly dangerous amidst the homicide investigation. Again, the dramatic narrative may be stock-standard, but it's some of the little moments or details - such as a character plausibly sustaining an irreversible frostbite injury - that provide the suspense.
October 5, 2014
This is the tale of a female U.S. Marshall (Carrie Stetko) banished to Antarctica. It's business as usual until a body is found and after a bit of investigation it seems to be murder. What follows is an investigation into a string of murders blended in with the extremely harsh weather of the continent. People get about in the storms on metal wires because you can barely see six inches ahead. In fact, some people have died a few feet away from shelter simply because they couldn't find the door. Don't come out into the storm in wet clothes. A very bad idea. Frostbite is commonplace if you are not extra careful. The center of the continent is so bad that even the wildlife cannot live there. Guess where some of the bases are located? Lots of tidbits about the history of Antarctica included.
Strong female characters are prevalent. The panels play on the black and white shades quite nicely and some of the action scenes “run� almost like an old movie reel. At first I was a bit confused as I hadn't seen something like that done so much in graphic novels but after I got used to it I enjoyed the presentation. The “aha� moments and close ups are nicely done as well.
This was DC writer Greg Rucka's breakout graphic novel which got him enough acclaim to be noticed by the higher ups like DC Comics. I first noticed him from the “Gotham Central� series and “Superman: Sacrifice� and a recommendation prompted me to check this one out. Artist Steve Lieber is someone to watch as well.
For those who must have color be warned that it's black and white. Maybe because it was on limited budget? Based on a novel by Greg Rucka. Also made into a movie with Kate Beckinsdale which I will now move up to the top of my list. There's a volume two that follows.
In 1999ÌýWhiteoutÌýwas nominated for the "Best Writer", "Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team" and "Best Limited Series"Eisner AwardsÌýand in 2000 it was nominated for the "Best Graphic Album" Eisner Award (Wiki source).
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B to B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; CLUE TRAIL: A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus; WHEN READ: June to July 2012 (revised review mid July 2012).
Strong female characters are prevalent. The panels play on the black and white shades quite nicely and some of the action scenes “run� almost like an old movie reel. At first I was a bit confused as I hadn't seen something like that done so much in graphic novels but after I got used to it I enjoyed the presentation. The “aha� moments and close ups are nicely done as well.
This was DC writer Greg Rucka's breakout graphic novel which got him enough acclaim to be noticed by the higher ups like DC Comics. I first noticed him from the “Gotham Central� series and “Superman: Sacrifice� and a recommendation prompted me to check this one out. Artist Steve Lieber is someone to watch as well.
For those who must have color be warned that it's black and white. Maybe because it was on limited budget? Based on a novel by Greg Rucka. Also made into a movie with Kate Beckinsdale which I will now move up to the top of my list. There's a volume two that follows.
In 1999ÌýWhiteoutÌýwas nominated for the "Best Writer", "Best Penciller/Inker or Penciller/Inker Team" and "Best Limited Series"Eisner AwardsÌýand in 2000 it was nominated for the "Best Graphic Album" Eisner Award (Wiki source).
ARTWORK PRESENTATION: B plus; STORY/PLOTTING: B to B plus; CHARACTERS/DIALOGUE: B to B plus; CLUE TRAIL: A minus; OVERALL GRADE: B plus; WHEN READ: June to July 2012 (revised review mid July 2012).
January 14, 2023
When a body is found frozen outside an Antarctic research station, US Marshal Carrie Stetko is on the case. Can she find the identity of the victim and why he was killed before she becomes a frozen corpse herself?
When the local used bookstore announced they were closing permanently, this is one of the things I spent my store credit on.
Greg Rucka spins a great crime yarn and this is no exception. The crime, other than the murder, isn't apparent until much later in the tale. His protagonist, Carrie Stetko, is one of the few women on Anarctica and a hard ass, exiled for killing a suspect.
The mystery is a good one, as good as comic book mysteries can be. Steve Leiber does a great job conveying the hellishness of life in Anartica even in the best of times. In addition to standard comic techniques, I think I saw some charcoal and whiteout come into play. I usually walk around the house barefoot all year long but I put on a thick pair of socks while reading this.
The ending was great. I think there's another Whiteout book but I can't imagine it being as good as this one. Four out of five stars.
When the local used bookstore announced they were closing permanently, this is one of the things I spent my store credit on.
Greg Rucka spins a great crime yarn and this is no exception. The crime, other than the murder, isn't apparent until much later in the tale. His protagonist, Carrie Stetko, is one of the few women on Anarctica and a hard ass, exiled for killing a suspect.
The mystery is a good one, as good as comic book mysteries can be. Steve Leiber does a great job conveying the hellishness of life in Anartica even in the best of times. In addition to standard comic techniques, I think I saw some charcoal and whiteout come into play. I usually walk around the house barefoot all year long but I put on a thick pair of socks while reading this.
The ending was great. I think there's another Whiteout book but I can't imagine it being as good as this one. Four out of five stars.
April 27, 2011
I wasn't as impressed with Whiteout as everyone else seems to be, but I think it's just because this isn't my cuppa. Oh well. It wasn't bad. If you're looking for a mystery/thriller in graphic novel format, then you should check this out.
December 14, 2012
Someone in Antarctica is murdering people � enter disgraced US Marshal Carrie Stetko, hot on the cold, cold trail. That’s pretty much it really. The plot is your standard cops’n’robbers template story given a new slant by setting it in the coldest place on the planet. Stetko wanders about asking questions, being overly tough because she’s a woman in a place where they’re outnumbered 10/1 and because she’s supposed to be the law. And as you would expect from a tough woman she knees some guys in the nads and generally goes through the book grimacing every step along the way. Charming.
As the book continues, the bodies pile up but it’s so rote and arbitrary, I didn’t care. I suppose Greg Rucka thinks this counts as “plot�? Then the reason for the murders is revealed which is laughable.
In the best crime stories, the reader is kept guessing as to who the murderer is until the final act but you basically know right from the get go. The ones you suspect � because you’re shown them doing something odd or they’re given an extra panel lingering on their suspicious-looking face � are the ones whodunit. Well, that sure is …� zzzzz…�..
I think the setup is promising but Rucka doesn’t do enough with it, nor create a compelling narrative to make this an interesting story. That and the poorly written characters, dull dialogue, and plodding pace of the book make “Whiteout� a very miss-able book. Maybe back in the �90s this stuff could pass as good, even great comics storytelling to people who didn’t read many comics, but in 2012 this is looks and reads like very poor quality stuff. I find Rucka to be a very mediocre writer at best, his stuff on “Batwoman� and “Punisher� being ordinary and uninspired, and “Whiteout� didn’t change my opinion.
If you enjoy quality crime comics I’d suggest the “Criminal� series by Brubaker/Phillips, Max Allan Collins� “Road to Perdition�, John Wagner’s “A History of Violence� and, best of all, Frank Miller’s “Sin City� series. Don’t bother with this crap.
As the book continues, the bodies pile up but it’s so rote and arbitrary, I didn’t care. I suppose Greg Rucka thinks this counts as “plot�? Then the reason for the murders is revealed which is laughable.
In the best crime stories, the reader is kept guessing as to who the murderer is until the final act but you basically know right from the get go. The ones you suspect � because you’re shown them doing something odd or they’re given an extra panel lingering on their suspicious-looking face � are the ones whodunit. Well, that sure is …� zzzzz…�..
I think the setup is promising but Rucka doesn’t do enough with it, nor create a compelling narrative to make this an interesting story. That and the poorly written characters, dull dialogue, and plodding pace of the book make “Whiteout� a very miss-able book. Maybe back in the �90s this stuff could pass as good, even great comics storytelling to people who didn’t read many comics, but in 2012 this is looks and reads like very poor quality stuff. I find Rucka to be a very mediocre writer at best, his stuff on “Batwoman� and “Punisher� being ordinary and uninspired, and “Whiteout� didn’t change my opinion.
If you enjoy quality crime comics I’d suggest the “Criminal� series by Brubaker/Phillips, Max Allan Collins� “Road to Perdition�, John Wagner’s “A History of Violence� and, best of all, Frank Miller’s “Sin City� series. Don’t bother with this crap.
March 24, 2024
My first acqaintance with Carrie Stetson was with the movie Whiteout starring Kate Beckinsale which made for an excellent thriller of which Antarctica is a important character with its merciless surrounding. Not unlike the dessert in Frank Herberts Dune.
This b/w comic is well drawn and the choice of not using any colours enhances the whiteness of Antarctica.
The story is rather straightforward about a US Marshal who messed up and is send to the Southpole to maintain a policing position. When she comes across some dead bodies her case starts and when she comes across another woman whose background is somewhat mysterious she finds herself in a deadline game of hide and seek in one of the worlds most merciless environment.
It is an excellent thriller that has a twist in the tale and delivers an interesting heroine in a female Marshal.
Like the movie well worth your readingtime.
This b/w comic is well drawn and the choice of not using any colours enhances the whiteness of Antarctica.
The story is rather straightforward about a US Marshal who messed up and is send to the Southpole to maintain a policing position. When she comes across some dead bodies her case starts and when she comes across another woman whose background is somewhat mysterious she finds herself in a deadline game of hide and seek in one of the worlds most merciless environment.
It is an excellent thriller that has a twist in the tale and delivers an interesting heroine in a female Marshal.
Like the movie well worth your readingtime.
January 3, 2024
Whiteout collects issues 1-4 of the Oni Press comic series written by Greg Rucka with art by Steve Lieber.
A dead body is found on the ice near an Antarctica scientific outpost surrounded by mysterious holes. U.S. Marshall Carrie Stetko has been exiled to Antartica for past mistakes and placed on the case. When Stetko starts digging, she will discover a larger conspiracy is afoot.
This surprised me with how good it was. I really enjoyed how nonsensical and butter the protagonist was. You feel her resentment ooze off the pages. Steve Liebers's art is simple black and white inks which captures the desolate, cold, and unforgiving landscape. Definitely worth a read for any fans of a good murder mystery.
A dead body is found on the ice near an Antarctica scientific outpost surrounded by mysterious holes. U.S. Marshall Carrie Stetko has been exiled to Antartica for past mistakes and placed on the case. When Stetko starts digging, she will discover a larger conspiracy is afoot.
This surprised me with how good it was. I really enjoyed how nonsensical and butter the protagonist was. You feel her resentment ooze off the pages. Steve Liebers's art is simple black and white inks which captures the desolate, cold, and unforgiving landscape. Definitely worth a read for any fans of a good murder mystery.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2022
#ThrowbackThursday - Back in the '90s, I used to write comic book reviews for the website of a now-defunct comic book retailer called Rockem Sockem Comics. (Collect them all!)
From the October 1998 edition with a theme of "Limited Series":
INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest innovations of the last two decades has got to be the limited series. My two favorite comics of all time, for instance, are limited series: WATCHMEN and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Even my favorite independent title, CEREBUS, is a 300-issue limited series. In a field where comics like X-MEN can leave plotlines dangling for fifteen to twenty years, it's wonderful to come across the occasional story with a beginning, middle, and -- this is the best part -- an end!
Of course, not all limited series start out with a limit. A series can become a limited series retroactively if it's canceled before reaching, say, #13. In this column, for example, we have FATHER & SON which only made it to issue #3. And the Marvel Knights group of comics have the potential to become Heroes Reborn-style limited series, what with 1) the one-year contractual commitment of Event Comics, 2) the poor track record for timeliness of artists like Jae Lee, 3) the multitude of distracting movie commitments of star writer Kevin Smith, and 4) Marvel's insatiable desire for new #1s. I hope I'm wrong, but I reserve the right to say, "I told you so."
FROM THE BACKLIST
WHITEOUT #1-2 (Oni Press)
Antarctica is the bottom of the world, the end of the line, and a cold, hard place. Deputy US Marshal Carrie Stetko's career has hit rock bottom. On the verge of expulsion from the US Marshals, Stetko is given one last chance at one of America's most remote outposts. To bring law and order to one of the world's last frontier towns -- McMurdo Station, Antarctica -- Stetko will have to prove that she is colder and harder than the miles and miles of ice which surround her.
Antarctica is a doubly inhospitable environment. The weather and the people are treacherous. It's good that Stetko is a loner, because no one on this continent can be trusted. In this land daily survival is a very real issue, men outnumber women 400 to 1, and civilized authority is a far distant presence.
WHITEOUT begins with a murdered man frozen to the ground on a deserted section of ice where a research camp should be. Stetko travels the width of Antarctica and to the South Pole itself trying to locate the five surviving members of the research team. But someone's a step ahead of Stetko, killing the men before she can reach them. And, in a gripping sequence which leaves Stetko permanently maimed and explores the reason she has been exiled, Stetko must survive the wrath of the killer and the brutal nature of Antarctica.
WHITEOUT got off to a slow and tangled start in the first issue, but novelist Greg Rucka's comic book debut has hooked me with the second issue. He has shown that anything can and will happen in this story. Ably supported by artist Steve Lieber (HAWKMAN, GRENDEL TALES: THE DEVIL'S APPRENTICE), Rucka's tale of a strong, angry woman doesn't have to pander to the "Bad Girl" audience. Instead, WHITEOUT will appeal to anyone who likes a complex, well-written mystery with a hardboiled bent.
Issue #3 should be on sale now. Pick it up immediately and snap up the first two issues while they are still available. Don't get left out in the cold here, people, this thriller is . . . chilling.
Grade: B
From the October 1998 edition with a theme of "Limited Series":
INTRODUCTION
One of the greatest innovations of the last two decades has got to be the limited series. My two favorite comics of all time, for instance, are limited series: WATCHMEN and BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. Even my favorite independent title, CEREBUS, is a 300-issue limited series. In a field where comics like X-MEN can leave plotlines dangling for fifteen to twenty years, it's wonderful to come across the occasional story with a beginning, middle, and -- this is the best part -- an end!
Of course, not all limited series start out with a limit. A series can become a limited series retroactively if it's canceled before reaching, say, #13. In this column, for example, we have FATHER & SON which only made it to issue #3. And the Marvel Knights group of comics have the potential to become Heroes Reborn-style limited series, what with 1) the one-year contractual commitment of Event Comics, 2) the poor track record for timeliness of artists like Jae Lee, 3) the multitude of distracting movie commitments of star writer Kevin Smith, and 4) Marvel's insatiable desire for new #1s. I hope I'm wrong, but I reserve the right to say, "I told you so."
FROM THE BACKLIST
WHITEOUT #1-2 (Oni Press)
Antarctica is the bottom of the world, the end of the line, and a cold, hard place. Deputy US Marshal Carrie Stetko's career has hit rock bottom. On the verge of expulsion from the US Marshals, Stetko is given one last chance at one of America's most remote outposts. To bring law and order to one of the world's last frontier towns -- McMurdo Station, Antarctica -- Stetko will have to prove that she is colder and harder than the miles and miles of ice which surround her.
Antarctica is a doubly inhospitable environment. The weather and the people are treacherous. It's good that Stetko is a loner, because no one on this continent can be trusted. In this land daily survival is a very real issue, men outnumber women 400 to 1, and civilized authority is a far distant presence.
WHITEOUT begins with a murdered man frozen to the ground on a deserted section of ice where a research camp should be. Stetko travels the width of Antarctica and to the South Pole itself trying to locate the five surviving members of the research team. But someone's a step ahead of Stetko, killing the men before she can reach them. And, in a gripping sequence which leaves Stetko permanently maimed and explores the reason she has been exiled, Stetko must survive the wrath of the killer and the brutal nature of Antarctica.
WHITEOUT got off to a slow and tangled start in the first issue, but novelist Greg Rucka's comic book debut has hooked me with the second issue. He has shown that anything can and will happen in this story. Ably supported by artist Steve Lieber (HAWKMAN, GRENDEL TALES: THE DEVIL'S APPRENTICE), Rucka's tale of a strong, angry woman doesn't have to pander to the "Bad Girl" audience. Instead, WHITEOUT will appeal to anyone who likes a complex, well-written mystery with a hardboiled bent.
Issue #3 should be on sale now. Pick it up immediately and snap up the first two issues while they are still available. Don't get left out in the cold here, people, this thriller is . . . chilling.
Grade: B
February 16, 2015
Whiteout Vol 1 by Greg Rucka is a stark, black and white graphic novel that at its heart, is a Sam Spade murder mystery of lost fortune, bloody bodies and law enforced prior to the Miranda rights were ever uttered. All in the cold frozen wasteland at the bottom of the world; Antarctica.
US Marshal, Carrie Stetko, has come to make the barren ice world of US Base McMurdo in Antarctica her home. Leaving her past and her career stateside behind her, she has found a peace here in the cold. There is rarely any crime, besides the occasional missing possession and drunken revelers. Its pretty tame to what she left behind. Except for the faceless dead body out in the snow. Except for murder and she is the only law around.
The killer has to be one of five men. But they can be anywhere on the continent and as Carrie begins to hunt them down, the dead bodies begin to pile up. It soon becomes clear to Carrie that this is much more than a murder. What of the ice samples missing from around the first body? And who is Lily Sharpe and why does she want to help?
It soon becomes obvious that there is more to Lily than what meets the eye. More to the dead body than what meets the eye and with McMurdo about to be evacuated by its seasonal run, Carrie has to find the killer before he boards a flight and is gone forever.
Whiteout is Greg Rucka's first foray into the comic book world and with the stark and atmospheric artwork by Steve Lieber, its a terrific one. Whiteout is another one of those small indie comic series that gained critical acclaimed and then was made into a movie (starring the incredibly gorgeous and made less so for the movie; Kate Beckinsale)that did not do quite so great. But don't let that fool you. The movie is good and the graphic novel is great. In Carrie, Rucka creates a strong female lead that has come to grips with her station in life. Her career destroyed for events out of her control, Carrie makes the most of her posting in McMurdo. When the murder comes to the ice, she is ready to tackle the mystery. The addition of Lily Sharpe as the enigmatic British Secret Service agent that helps and hinders Carrie's investigation is a very good touch. This graphic novel reads like a murder mystery that could have been written years ago by Alistair MacLean. Shades of Ice Station Zebra. It is that good.
US Marshal, Carrie Stetko, has come to make the barren ice world of US Base McMurdo in Antarctica her home. Leaving her past and her career stateside behind her, she has found a peace here in the cold. There is rarely any crime, besides the occasional missing possession and drunken revelers. Its pretty tame to what she left behind. Except for the faceless dead body out in the snow. Except for murder and she is the only law around.
The killer has to be one of five men. But they can be anywhere on the continent and as Carrie begins to hunt them down, the dead bodies begin to pile up. It soon becomes clear to Carrie that this is much more than a murder. What of the ice samples missing from around the first body? And who is Lily Sharpe and why does she want to help?
It soon becomes obvious that there is more to Lily than what meets the eye. More to the dead body than what meets the eye and with McMurdo about to be evacuated by its seasonal run, Carrie has to find the killer before he boards a flight and is gone forever.
Whiteout is Greg Rucka's first foray into the comic book world and with the stark and atmospheric artwork by Steve Lieber, its a terrific one. Whiteout is another one of those small indie comic series that gained critical acclaimed and then was made into a movie (starring the incredibly gorgeous and made less so for the movie; Kate Beckinsale)that did not do quite so great. But don't let that fool you. The movie is good and the graphic novel is great. In Carrie, Rucka creates a strong female lead that has come to grips with her station in life. Her career destroyed for events out of her control, Carrie makes the most of her posting in McMurdo. When the murder comes to the ice, she is ready to tackle the mystery. The addition of Lily Sharpe as the enigmatic British Secret Service agent that helps and hinders Carrie's investigation is a very good touch. This graphic novel reads like a murder mystery that could have been written years ago by Alistair MacLean. Shades of Ice Station Zebra. It is that good.
January 17, 2013
A fairly standard mystery, enlivened by the setting: Antarctica. Rucka certainly seems to have done h is research, as Whiteout has a general ring of authenticity about it, and the setting is used as more than a pretty backdrop. That said, the actual mystery itself isn't really terribly interesting. It's executed well enough, but it just isn't that absorbing. Bonus points for strong, realistic, and realistically drawn female characters, though.
December 2, 2021
There is nowhere more nowhere than the South Pole. And this book shows the region in all its frosty glory through excellent black and white images. I liked lead characters, murder mystery, and the art. AN excellent read with some old-school vibes.
November 25, 2017
Strong female characters.
The somewhat dated art style will surely make this book timeless.
I loved how trivia about Antarctica was strategically inserted throughout the narrative.
One sure gets to learn a lot.
The somewhat dated art style will surely make this book timeless.
I loved how trivia about Antarctica was strategically inserted throughout the narrative.
One sure gets to learn a lot.
July 26, 2014
3.5 out of 5
The pieces fall together a little to neatly for me but it's still an enjoyable murder mystery.
The pieces fall together a little to neatly for me but it's still an enjoyable murder mystery.
December 3, 2015
Notable for being Greg Rucka's first foray into comics, this whodunit's plot is pretty straightforward: greed, murder, cover-up. You know, the usual. What sets Whiteout apart from the pack is its (dare I say exotic?) locale: Antarctica. Right there, you know this isn't your run-of-the-mill mystery, as the environment directly affects the story.
A lot of research went into this, yet it never feels like that research is just being *dumped* on you. The whole thing's believable and intelligent, grounded in the "Real World". My only problem with it: it's over [too] quickly. Thinking about it, this isn't a bad thing: the story isn't unnecessarily stretched/decompressed.
Still, in those brisk 120-odd pages, Rucka succeeds in making us care for his characters. They are engaging and "real"; they're regular people with all-too-human failings.
Don't miss the sequel: .
A lot of research went into this, yet it never feels like that research is just being *dumped* on you. The whole thing's believable and intelligent, grounded in the "Real World". My only problem with it: it's over [too] quickly. Thinking about it, this isn't a bad thing: the story isn't unnecessarily stretched/decompressed.
Still, in those brisk 120-odd pages, Rucka succeeds in making us care for his characters. They are engaging and "real"; they're regular people with all-too-human failings.
Don't miss the sequel: .
July 15, 2013
Fairly unsurprising crime story with a couple differences, I guess: main character Carrie, tough woman Marshall, set in Antarctica, part of it taking place in a whiteout... and the black and white drawings with plenty of white/snow/whiteout and the flow of the images are well done, that is the challenge artistically, in some ways, to give that sense of space and yet make it a people focused crime drama, like: in a place with very few people, what would it be like if a few folks suddenly were murdered.. Eh... But I liked it better than I thought I would.... as I saw it as pretty conventional except for the setting... but liked it better than I thought because of the setting (and I have a friend who spent years as a pilot there, so that gave it another aspect of interest for me... the isolation, the bitter cold and wind.., the tough men and women characters and especially Carrie, the kinda edgy main character.. and her sort of homoerotic connections to another woman in command there.... I thought it was good.
October 23, 2014
Really tedious, hard to follow. Even basic things like identifying who is talking were done poorly. Dunno why this is popular at all.
July 25, 2018
This might be one of the few stories I've read that happen in Antarctica. The author was kind enough to highlight several interesting facts about the dangerous conditions of life in that part of the world, so that part was entirely welcome. The story is basically a murder investigation, something quite rare in a place where even breathing hard can get you killed because of the cold. Her investigation is made all the more difficult by the sexist men on the station and by the dangers of confronting men who have killed already, but she refuses to let that stop her from closing the case. She is one solid character and the investigation runs in a believable fashion too, so this comic is easy to recommend, even though the artwork is rugged and in black and white.
The body of a murder victim turns up in Antarctica. Deputy Carrie Stetko is investigating it and is given a deadline of two weeks. She isn't liked by her colleagues as they suspect her of killing a man before her being sent to Antarctica, so they don't jump at the chance to help her. A guy nicknamed Furry is her only friend.
The dead body is identified as Alexander Keller. Stetko's first two suspects are at Victoria Station run by the English. She is giuded by Lily Sharpe to the two men and finds them dead and their killer is still there. He attacks the two women and Stetko ends up outside during a whiteout which usually means death. She fortunately finds her way into a shed before Sharpe finds her and takes her to a doctor. Stetko loses two fingers from frostbite and is depressed about her case not going anywhere. She now has a new ally and is determined to find out the truth and who was involved in the killings.
The body of a murder victim turns up in Antarctica. Deputy Carrie Stetko is investigating it and is given a deadline of two weeks. She isn't liked by her colleagues as they suspect her of killing a man before her being sent to Antarctica, so they don't jump at the chance to help her. A guy nicknamed Furry is her only friend.
The dead body is identified as Alexander Keller. Stetko's first two suspects are at Victoria Station run by the English. She is giuded by Lily Sharpe to the two men and finds them dead and their killer is still there. He attacks the two women and Stetko ends up outside during a whiteout which usually means death. She fortunately finds her way into a shed before Sharpe finds her and takes her to a doctor. Stetko loses two fingers from frostbite and is depressed about her case not going anywhere. She now has a new ally and is determined to find out the truth and who was involved in the killings.
October 25, 2020
OMG
One of the Best Graphic Novels I've EVER LAID EYES ON.
One of the Best Graphic Novels I've EVER LAID EYES ON.
September 19, 2009
Yes, I pulled this out because I had seen the preview for the Kate Bekinsale movie. I haven't seen the movie, but I'm amazed at 2 items from the preview.
1. Kate Beckinsale? What? Carrie Stetko is no Kate Beckinsale (and this is a good thing in my opinion).
2. Lilly has been replaced by a male UN inspector. Again, why? was involved in the filming so I can't see why he allowed these two changes.
is a tight little noir murder-mystery. Like most noir, the setting is a major character, with all of Antarctica (called "the Ice") standing in for such classic noir cities San Francisco, LA, or New York (usually referred to as "the City"). Also like good noir, what saves a pretty standard mystery from total mediocrity is the depth of our detective main-character. Carrie Stetko is nobody's victim (asserting that is what got her stuck on the Ice in the first place). She also is expressly written and drawn as a real woman with faults that make her all the more interesting. Lilly Sharpe, the British agent, plays the role of our blonde-bombshell femme-fatale, except she also refuses to use her sexuality to affect the situation (even though it being female is all the more affecting is a setting with a 200-1 male to female ratio). We still get sparks between these two, especially when Stetko compliments Sharpe on her "ovaries of brass".
Whiteout at time feels like an attempt at a post-feminist story, but it tries a little too hard. I think it is sad that Hollywood had to cast a sex-symbol for our main character and swap the other female role for a male, either to add sexual tension or because it otherwise had 'too many' strong female characters.
1. Kate Beckinsale? What? Carrie Stetko is no Kate Beckinsale (and this is a good thing in my opinion).
2. Lilly has been replaced by a male UN inspector. Again, why? was involved in the filming so I can't see why he allowed these two changes.
is a tight little noir murder-mystery. Like most noir, the setting is a major character, with all of Antarctica (called "the Ice") standing in for such classic noir cities San Francisco, LA, or New York (usually referred to as "the City"). Also like good noir, what saves a pretty standard mystery from total mediocrity is the depth of our detective main-character. Carrie Stetko is nobody's victim (asserting that is what got her stuck on the Ice in the first place). She also is expressly written and drawn as a real woman with faults that make her all the more interesting. Lilly Sharpe, the British agent, plays the role of our blonde-bombshell femme-fatale, except she also refuses to use her sexuality to affect the situation (even though it being female is all the more affecting is a setting with a 200-1 male to female ratio). We still get sparks between these two, especially when Stetko compliments Sharpe on her "ovaries of brass".
Whiteout at time feels like an attempt at a post-feminist story, but it tries a little too hard. I think it is sad that Hollywood had to cast a sex-symbol for our main character and swap the other female role for a male, either to add sexual tension or because it otherwise had 'too many' strong female characters.
October 22, 2020
I love non-fiction stories about Antarctica. I'm something of an Antarctica enthusiast. There's something about surviving in a place that's so inhospitable to life that is fascinating to me. I picked this up basically knowing nothing about it, and I was honestly expecting it to be a bit boring because at quick glance I saw the lack of enthusiasm for it online.
But I really like this considering that it's a murder mystery. Murder mystery's aren't really my thing, and as a murder mystery it's perhaps not the best. (Mild spoiler ahead: Also, what they're murdering each other over seems a bit silly based on my knowledge of mining. I come from a family of miners in a place where the ore in question is mined, and uhh, without getting too spoilery let's just say it seems like a stretch. The idea that every sample would come up with solid ore is crazy. How big is that vein? You saw how far apart those holes are. It would have been the size of a car. There's no way.)
But overlooking that, I really like this story. I love that it's Antarctica and it's got that gritty desolate feel that feels true to everything I know about Antarctica. I love that it has two hard ass women alone with a bunch of dudes. (I love that they're maybe going to hook up!?!?) I went in with low expectations and I was pleasantly surprised.
But I really like this considering that it's a murder mystery. Murder mystery's aren't really my thing, and as a murder mystery it's perhaps not the best. (Mild spoiler ahead: Also, what they're murdering each other over seems a bit silly based on my knowledge of mining. I come from a family of miners in a place where the ore in question is mined, and uhh, without getting too spoilery let's just say it seems like a stretch. The idea that every sample would come up with solid ore is crazy. How big is that vein? You saw how far apart those holes are. It would have been the size of a car. There's no way.)
But overlooking that, I really like this story. I love that it's Antarctica and it's got that gritty desolate feel that feels true to everything I know about Antarctica. I love that it has two hard ass women alone with a bunch of dudes. (I love that they're maybe going to hook up!?!?) I went in with low expectations and I was pleasantly surprised.
August 27, 2016
I am going to openly state that I think you should see the movie. First Kate Beckinsale is pretty cute and she does a great job of playing this role.
The book is all done in black and white pages. It helps enhance the the feeling of the complete cold and desolate continent that Antarctica is. The storyline is pretty intense, Carrie Stetko is a strong female character that gets put through a lot of scary shit as the story progresses and with the added danger of being one of the only females in a isolated place with some very dangerous activity happening, she really does hold her own.
At 128 pages it took me awhile to get through, there is a lot of activity happening and quite a bit of details and dialogue as well as the illustrations to carry the story along. The story line is one of the most dense and intense that I have come across in a Graphic Novel.
The book is all done in black and white pages. It helps enhance the the feeling of the complete cold and desolate continent that Antarctica is. The storyline is pretty intense, Carrie Stetko is a strong female character that gets put through a lot of scary shit as the story progresses and with the added danger of being one of the only females in a isolated place with some very dangerous activity happening, she really does hold her own.
At 128 pages it took me awhile to get through, there is a lot of activity happening and quite a bit of details and dialogue as well as the illustrations to carry the story along. The story line is one of the most dense and intense that I have come across in a Graphic Novel.
May 30, 2020
Really dug this one. A US marshal down in Antarctica dealing with a murder mystery. As the investigation moves forward, more bodies pile up. I believe this may be my first time reading something from Greg Rucka and man has he found a fan. He does a great job with the suspense, slowly cooking the story up to a really satisfying conclusion. The reason behind the murders was a cool idea I think. I didn’t know how to react when I found out this was black and white but with it being called whiteout and dealing with the white snow covered landscape of Antarctica, it worked. If you enjoy a good crime drama, I highly suggest checking this one out.
June 2, 2023
It’s okay! It’s probably better if you like cops and Antarctica, but I have mostly negative opinions on both of those topics.
Actually, though, the writing and art are both passable. The whole thing is remarkably unremarkable. Also, I legitimately had a hard time telling what was happening or who was talking in some of these panels. Maybe not a good sign�
Actually, though, the writing and art are both passable. The whole thing is remarkably unremarkable. Also, I legitimately had a hard time telling what was happening or who was talking in some of these panels. Maybe not a good sign�
November 20, 2019
The art put me off a little
April 22, 2023
(Zero spoiler review) 3.25/5
I liked this, but I didn't love it, though at times my enjoyment threatened to spill over into something more. In the end it didn't quite get there. It was perhaps a chapter too long, outstaying it's welcome just a little. Not finishing quite as strongly as it started. The whodunnit aspect of the book was for me, the weakest element. I didn't really care who the murderer was come the end of the book. It was the setting that truly stood out as the star attraction. The little slithers of information interspersed through the story about Antartica, and the harsh realities of life in such an inhospitable and unforgiving part of the world. It was certainly an interesting place to set a murder mystery. But like I said, the mystery was the weakest part.
Rucka's initial dialogue and characterisation were good. The rough and rugged nature of the landscape coming through with Lieber's sparse and evocative drawings. The two of them worked well together, and created something well worth a look, even if it came up a little shorter than I wish it had. 3.25/5
OmniBen.
I liked this, but I didn't love it, though at times my enjoyment threatened to spill over into something more. In the end it didn't quite get there. It was perhaps a chapter too long, outstaying it's welcome just a little. Not finishing quite as strongly as it started. The whodunnit aspect of the book was for me, the weakest element. I didn't really care who the murderer was come the end of the book. It was the setting that truly stood out as the star attraction. The little slithers of information interspersed through the story about Antartica, and the harsh realities of life in such an inhospitable and unforgiving part of the world. It was certainly an interesting place to set a murder mystery. But like I said, the mystery was the weakest part.
Rucka's initial dialogue and characterisation were good. The rough and rugged nature of the landscape coming through with Lieber's sparse and evocative drawings. The two of them worked well together, and created something well worth a look, even if it came up a little shorter than I wish it had. 3.25/5
OmniBen.
May 25, 2018
Nice Crime Thriller Although Expected More
I have enjoyed Greg Rucka works in Gotham Central so was expecting something special from him, kind of disappointed on the plotting, it’s just not exciting. Still, he does show us a unique side of our world in this murder mystery based in Antarctica, loved all the trivia we get to know about of this continent, the story telling does feel realistic but can’t say entertaining. The author gives away the murderer right from the start, this kind of made it boring, he does keep few surprised in-hold but they become predictable before the end.
I would have liked the comic more if not for the black & white art, it’s not that it is bad, just that it feels dated and I would have preferred it in colour.
PS: Funny how I love Manga’s black & white style but don’t like it in western comics!!
I have enjoyed Greg Rucka works in Gotham Central so was expecting something special from him, kind of disappointed on the plotting, it’s just not exciting. Still, he does show us a unique side of our world in this murder mystery based in Antarctica, loved all the trivia we get to know about of this continent, the story telling does feel realistic but can’t say entertaining. The author gives away the murderer right from the start, this kind of made it boring, he does keep few surprised in-hold but they become predictable before the end.
I would have liked the comic more if not for the black & white art, it’s not that it is bad, just that it feels dated and I would have preferred it in colour.
PS: Funny how I love Manga’s black & white style but don’t like it in western comics!!
August 9, 2019
Is it still noir if it’s all blanc? Atmospheric thriller at the Antarctic with a heroine who doesn’t have all the answers but who has the determination to uncover them. I picked up the sequel at the same time and I’ll get to it soon.
January 31, 2020
Decent whodunnit with some evocative art and unique setting.
June 27, 2022
3.5 rounded up
Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
Can't find what you're looking for?
Get help and learn more about the design.