The New Deal by Jonathan Case Frank, a bellhop, and Theresa, a maid, works at the Waldorf Astoria. Therese gets accused of theft by an old lady. but is cleared from that and she suspects that Frank is the one that stole from the old lady. But is he really guilty or is there a cat burglar in the hotel?

I found the story quite charming to read even though it took me some time to really get into the story. The last issue in this volume was best, but I don't want to give away the plot. All I say is that the ending tied the story together very well and was very funny to read. I look forward to reading more volumes.

The art was good, loved reading it in black and white which suited the story very well since it takes place in the 1930s.

3.5 stars

I received this copy from the Dark Horse Books through Edelweiss in return for an honest review! Thank you! ( )

Set in the 1930s, this book portrays the big class divide after the Great Depression -- the guests of New York's acclaimed Waldorf Astoria Hotel live in great contrast to the employees that work there. But this book isn't a dry look at social classes; instead it's a fun caper with a quick plot. The characters are interesting, although some are a bit over the top. This is a highly readable one-shot comic in which the story is introduced and concluded; while potentially the author could choose to show us more stories involving these characters, this book doesn't end with any cliffhangers. The illustrations -- done in black and white with blueish grays -- are very lovely, although there are a handful of panels here and there that are bit unclear. Overall, however, this is a solid read when you're looking for something short and entertaining that doesn't involve knowing an entire comics universe. ( )

It’s 1936 and the height of the Great Depression but you wouldn’t know it at the Waldorf Astoria…unless, of course you’re a bellhop or a maid and you have to be constantly at the beck and call of the spoiled rich guests or the constant demands of management. When Nina Booth arrives in grand style with her trunk and her bird cage, bellhop Frank O’Malley is immediately smitten. But she’s way out of his league. Besides, he’s been unlucky at the poker table and he better pay up or else. Meanwhile, Theresa, an African American maid with acting aspirations (she’s in Orson Welles’ stage production of Macbeth staged with an all-black cast) has her own troubles. When a very expensive jewel-encrusted dog collar goes missing, the help is immediately suspected and the owner of the collar wants Theresa fired immediately despite her pleas of innocence. Fortunately (maybe), Nina steps in and asks to have Theresa assigned as her personal maid. But Nina may be more than just your average spoiled rich girl and Frank and Theresa may be in a whole lot deeper than they ever could have imagined.

Okay, I’ll admit it, I’m a huge fan of graphic novels and The New Deal is a fine example of why. Published by Dark Horse and written and beautifully illustrated by Jonathan Case, this, his latest graphic novel, is one heck of a fun heist story as well as an homage to the classic caper films of the era. With Case’s attention to both the costumes of the period as well as the Art Deco details of the architecture, it is also a feast for the eyes. ( )