Now, though, there’s no longer one big enemy in the Communists of the Soviet Union. Warren Ellis’ introduction informs us that Queen & Country has a lot in common with a British television series of the 1970s called The Sandbaggers about operatives of the British Secret Service. Even then, they’re part of a government bureaucracy, with bosses who may find them expendable when it comes to advancing their own careers. Their work keeps them alone, with only co-workers to understand what they go through. It is a great read, taut action against a background of complicated alliances populated by intriguingly flawed three-dimensional characters. It’s not techno-porn, in love with gadgets and fancy equipment. In talking about this series, it can be easier to say what it isn’t than what it is. For instance, during an escape, they shouldn’t be caught with a weapon in their possession to avoid suspicion, so during the most dangerous time of their lives, they’re often left empty-handed.

The Minders are frequently on their own, with a country not willing to admit their mission and unfortunate factors driving the choices around them. Players in this world have long memories and complicated economies of favors owed and due. Tara’s role as sniper makes her a target for revenge-seekers. Plus, actions have consequences, and missions don’t always end when expected.

If she manages to shoot him, then she has to worry about successfully escaping the country, avoiding both the general’s accomplices and the occupying peacekeepers and checkpoints. If something needs to be done but no one’s willing to go on record as doing it, that’s a mission for a Minder.Īs the book opens, Tara’s in Kosovo to assassinate a mob-connected general during an undercover arms deal, but that task is only the beginning.

They’re the ones called in to clean up when missions go bad or sent on morally questionable errands. Writer Greg Rucka has created a gripping spy saga with the Queen & Country series of graphic novels illustrated by a variety of talented modern creators.īook one, Operation: Broken Ground, introduces Tara Chace, one of three Minders (operatives) for the Special Section of the British Ministry of Intelligence.

Queen and country comic