My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies

In this taut, moody one-shot from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips, a young woman named Ellie checks into a posh rehab facility in the Pacific Northwest, only to find herself drawn into a dangerous, obsessive romance with a fellow patient. Set in the same crime-noir universe as their Criminal series, this 2018 Image Comics release distills the duo’s signature blend of psychological suspense and hard-boiled storytelling into a single, self-contained graphic novel. It’s a striking standalone entry that showcases their mastery of the genre, exploring themes of addiction, manipulation, and the dark allure of shared secrets.