What do you think?
Rate this book
We Only Kill Each Other #1-5
We Only Kill Each Other
With World War II on the horizon, Nazi sympathizers and fascists have taken root on American soil in alarming numbers, intending to push the U.S. towards and alliance with Germany.
When the lone hope of stopping the American Nazi movement falls to Jewish-American gangsters currently entrenched in a violent turf war, the gangsters find that there's only one thing they hate more than each other: Nazis.
Collects We Only Kill Each Other from the ComiXology original digital series in print for the first time.
When the lone hope of stopping the American Nazi movement falls to Jewish-American gangsters currently entrenched in a violent turf war, the gangsters find that there's only one thing they hate more than each other: Nazis.
Collects We Only Kill Each Other from the ComiXology original digital series in print for the first time.
120 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2022
52 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
March 21, 2022
I've found a Comixology series I like! It's this one, you might not be surprised to read. Nazis are coming up in New York, and the local Jewish gangsters aren't having it.
The writing has an Ed Brubaker-like brutality to it, is almost old fashioned in the way it tells its story, but it's done well. The art is good too, and in the extra materials give a real interesting insight in some of the work processes - there's a scene that takes place surrounding a building, and it's suprising how much work the artist put into staging it correctly, using floorplans as a basis (I'm not saying that an artist putting in the work is surprising, it's more due to my ignorance as a reader).
Good little thriller.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)
The writing has an Ed Brubaker-like brutality to it, is almost old fashioned in the way it tells its story, but it's done well. The art is good too, and in the extra materials give a real interesting insight in some of the work processes - there's a scene that takes place surrounding a building, and it's suprising how much work the artist put into staging it correctly, using floorplans as a basis (I'm not saying that an artist putting in the work is surprising, it's more due to my ignorance as a reader).
Good little thriller.
(Thanks to Dark Horse Books for providing me with a review copy through Edelweiss)
September 26, 2022
If God doesn’t approve of killing a Nazi…I might have to find a new religion.
Amen.
Amen.
May 30, 2024
Jewish gangsters killing Nazis? Hell yeah!
May 19, 2022
The whole work takes itself to seriously, the prattling monologue throughout the story is poorly paced and placed so as to make reading difficult, and for every time our narrators repeats the nonsense about 'not knowing who the villain is' the story as told never supports that assertion - since it's functionally illegal to make a Nazi anything but a villain, making one of your characters a Nazi quite clearly identifies the villain on sight.
March 24, 2022
Strong Ed Brubaker vibes, as another reviewer noted. The ending feels rushed, but I’m sure that’s not the creators’ fault—the series was capped at five issues, and there’s clearly more story here. Hopefully Amazon gives them a “season two.”
Read
April 2, 2022The true story of Jewish gangsters making common cause with the legitimate world to fight Nazi infiltration of the USA is both interesting and fun, and this comic loosely based on the facts can hardly help but ride on some of that. Equally, though, it could really have been a lot better, with even something as crucial as the opening action scene not being entirely clear on who's doing what to whom. Also, I ended up stuck halfway through for a while after apparently being the first person to encounter a new and bizarre glitch in Prime Reading. Still, it has scenes of Jews fucking Nazis right up, so it can't be all bad.
January 3, 2023
Just as I found with Pichetshote's The Good Asian, there is a lot to like and a lot to criticize with We Only Kill Each Other. The historical setting is wonderfully rendered, with gorgeous artwork from Krause and intriguing set pieces built up. Unfortunately, the plot is way too simple for the seemingly intricate set up, making for a very uneven reading experience. The first issue sets up some interesting characters - a young, charming crook beefs with the local charismatic crime boss, but are united under the threat of growing fascism in the United States. The villains are suitably sinister, but the overall story lacks any semblance of thrill to it. It's over quick with very little build-up, making for a fairly unsatisfying read overall.
March 11, 2024
There were plenty of gangs in large American cities in the 1920s and ’30s, mostly as a result of Prohibition, and they naturally tended to reflected the ethnicity of the communities where they developed and which they came to control. And that includes New York Jewish gangs in Queens and the Bronx that were just as ferocious and bloody handed as any mob of Italians or Irishmen. The two protagonists and territorial rivals in this graphic novel, set in 1938, on the brink of World War II, are the aging Levi Solomon, who has gotten wealthy running drugs, gambling, and other rackets, and the much younger Jonas Kaminskyy, who is still basically a cocky punk with ambitions. The other difference between them is that Sol (a nickname he hates) is an observant Jew who is very aware of his heritage, while Jonas thinks religion of any kind is for suckers (even thigh he lives with and looks after his synagogue-attending grandmother). And, of course, each of the two would love the opportunity to bump off the other.
But then the new high-powered District Attorney has both men rounded up at a demonstration by the German-American Bund down at the docks and he lays it on the line for them. He has gathered enough evidence and documentation of their many and various crimes to put both men behind bars for life and the only way they can avoid that is to work together on a project the D.A. has in mind for them, and on which they will be required to cooperate. He wants to destroy the Bund, quietly and secretly, before the American Nazis drag America into the war they can all see coming -- and on the wrong side. They’re welcome to use any gangland method or tactics they like -- as long as they don’t actually kill any of them, the D.A. can’t condone that.
Solomon is all for it because he barely escape the pogroms in Poland himself, but Jonas regards the Nazis as none of his business. What’s one gangster more or less? But that changes when Fritz Kuhn, leader of the Bund and (in his own mind) the future American Führer. Orders the firebombing of the local synagogue and puts Jonas’s nana in intensive care. Suddenly, the old Jewish gangster and the young one discover they have something very much in common: Their hatred of Nazis.
It’s a pretty good yarn, almost a fairy tale for those of us who absolutely loath fascists, whether past or present, domestic or foreign. The art is entirely representational, not at all comic-bookish, and is very well done. There’s a certain amount of reality-bending, but it stays within reasonable limits -- even the climactic conspiracy. The titles page, by the way, calls this “Volume 1,” but the story is complete in itself and there is no indication at Amazon or elsewhere about a continuation having been published.
But then the new high-powered District Attorney has both men rounded up at a demonstration by the German-American Bund down at the docks and he lays it on the line for them. He has gathered enough evidence and documentation of their many and various crimes to put both men behind bars for life and the only way they can avoid that is to work together on a project the D.A. has in mind for them, and on which they will be required to cooperate. He wants to destroy the Bund, quietly and secretly, before the American Nazis drag America into the war they can all see coming -- and on the wrong side. They’re welcome to use any gangland method or tactics they like -- as long as they don’t actually kill any of them, the D.A. can’t condone that.
Solomon is all for it because he barely escape the pogroms in Poland himself, but Jonas regards the Nazis as none of his business. What’s one gangster more or less? But that changes when Fritz Kuhn, leader of the Bund and (in his own mind) the future American Führer. Orders the firebombing of the local synagogue and puts Jonas’s nana in intensive care. Suddenly, the old Jewish gangster and the young one discover they have something very much in common: Their hatred of Nazis.
It’s a pretty good yarn, almost a fairy tale for those of us who absolutely loath fascists, whether past or present, domestic or foreign. The art is entirely representational, not at all comic-bookish, and is very well done. There’s a certain amount of reality-bending, but it stays within reasonable limits -- even the climactic conspiracy. The titles page, by the way, calls this “Volume 1,” but the story is complete in itself and there is no indication at Amazon or elsewhere about a continuation having been published.
February 6, 2022
3.5/5 stars
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)
The year is 1938, and young upstart Jonas Kaminsky is trying to unseat Levi Solomon as the leader of the Jewish mob in New York City. When the pair are apprehended at a near-shootout at the docks, the district attorney proposes an outlandish bargain: all charges dropped, if only they team up and fight the growing fascist movement taking root in their country. Off the books, naturally.
What follows, of course, is a whole lot of Nazi punching (and more!), set in the late 1930s to the tune of an odd couple trope. Though both Jewish, Kaminsky and Solomon adopt opposing approaches to their heritage: the former eschews everything that sets him apart from 'just-American Americans,' while the latter keeps his family's traditions alive as a way of honoring his late father, who fought and died in WWI. Kaminsky is a hot head who (justifiably) wants to kill as many Nazis as possible to get revenge for the synagogue bombing that put his nana in the hospital, while Solomon insists they follow the DA's directive (murder is off the table).
What ultimately lands these antiheroes on the same page? A plot to assassinate the president.
I love the premise of WE ONLY KILL EACH OTHER; the main reason I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars is simply because I wanted more. The ending feels rushed, like it comes up abruptly; there's room for at least another chapter there. (Unless this is the first volume in a series, in which case, my apologies.)
Though the plot is a work of fiction, it is inspired by real events; WE ONLY KILL EACH OTHER might have been even more engaging as a nonfiction graphic novel.
(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through Edelweiss.)
The year is 1938, and young upstart Jonas Kaminsky is trying to unseat Levi Solomon as the leader of the Jewish mob in New York City. When the pair are apprehended at a near-shootout at the docks, the district attorney proposes an outlandish bargain: all charges dropped, if only they team up and fight the growing fascist movement taking root in their country. Off the books, naturally.
What follows, of course, is a whole lot of Nazi punching (and more!), set in the late 1930s to the tune of an odd couple trope. Though both Jewish, Kaminsky and Solomon adopt opposing approaches to their heritage: the former eschews everything that sets him apart from 'just-American Americans,' while the latter keeps his family's traditions alive as a way of honoring his late father, who fought and died in WWI. Kaminsky is a hot head who (justifiably) wants to kill as many Nazis as possible to get revenge for the synagogue bombing that put his nana in the hospital, while Solomon insists they follow the DA's directive (murder is off the table).
What ultimately lands these antiheroes on the same page? A plot to assassinate the president.
I love the premise of WE ONLY KILL EACH OTHER; the main reason I'm giving it 3 1/2 stars is simply because I wanted more. The ending feels rushed, like it comes up abruptly; there's room for at least another chapter there. (Unless this is the first volume in a series, in which case, my apologies.)
Though the plot is a work of fiction, it is inspired by real events; WE ONLY KILL EACH OTHER might have been even more engaging as a nonfiction graphic novel.
March 26, 2022
Two Jewish gangsters put aside their turf war to fuck up some Nazis. I've heard of this kinda thing before but the concept is evergreen. Who doesn't love seeing people beat the hell out of some Nazis? I like Jonas' arc about having to come to terms with who he is- is he nothing more than a gangster, is he Jewish or is that just his grandmother's religion, is he a killer, is he a etc. etc. etc. Each of our co-protagonists have a different view on religion but the rise of fascist Nazi groups bring them together anyways.
The art is great, manages to stay grounded and a bit gritty without being overly dark. In fact I was surprised at the colour to most of it, with some more vibrant daytime scenes and building interiors. It helps sell this not as a story specifically about killing Nazis, and gangster turf wars, but a troubled man stepping between the "light" and the "dark" parts of himself. He's a thug and a hoodlum, but compared to the villains of the series... well, he's certainly not a Nazi. And that's a good line in the sand to measure someone by.
The art is great, manages to stay grounded and a bit gritty without being overly dark. In fact I was surprised at the colour to most of it, with some more vibrant daytime scenes and building interiors. It helps sell this not as a story specifically about killing Nazis, and gangster turf wars, but a troubled man stepping between the "light" and the "dark" parts of himself. He's a thug and a hoodlum, but compared to the villains of the series... well, he's certainly not a Nazi. And that's a good line in the sand to measure someone by.
May 17, 2022
Isso aqui me irritou profundamente. Tudo tudo. O tema, a execução tanto de roteiro quanto de imagens, a quantidade de clichês por quadrinhos nas páginas (tem até uma porcaria de um plano holandês num cara numa mesa de cassino), a narração estilo voice over foi usada de maneira confusa, os inimigos que precisam se aliar contra um inimigo maior, a vontade de ser história alternativa... não gostei. Não gostei. Foi tudo muito mal executado. Esse argumento é bom, mas tem que ser desenvolvido de maneira muito inteligente em 2022, o que claramente não achei que foi.
June 19, 2022
Stephanie Phillips writes the story of two Jewish gangsters in 1930s New York who make an unlikely pair tasked with stopping Nazis. The story is a really good story about family, faith, and antifascism. Its an interesting time period and Phillips handles it really well. The story felt authentic and real. The art by Peter Krause was very good. Overall, a very good book with an interesting dynamic.
November 28, 2022
Definitely not based on true events. The concept (Jewish gangsters employed by US to harass US Nazis) is true and, though the story is somewhat compelling, it is VERY clear where they stray far, far from reality. The plot becomes just entirely too silly to take seriously. Also lacks character development. And the "Voiceover" is a bit much as it comes during action sequences and becomes a chore to switch between dialog and narration.
March 11, 2024
American gansters vs american nazis
This is somewhat a wish fullfilment comic of american jews vs american nazis, exploring the shame of a man about his heritage vs a man that owns it but kind of twist it to his benefit, working together against a common treath. An OK reading enchanced by the art of Peter Krause.
This is somewhat a wish fullfilment comic of american jews vs american nazis, exploring the shame of a man about his heritage vs a man that owns it but kind of twist it to his benefit, working together against a common treath. An OK reading enchanced by the art of Peter Krause.
May 16, 2022
One fine comic
With two anti heroes and Nazis what's not to like. The art puts you into the 30's and 40's. The story was straightforward but not too predictable. If you like gangsters, WWII and killing Nazis then you will like We Only Kill Each Other.
With two anti heroes and Nazis what's not to like. The art puts you into the 30's and 40's. The story was straightforward but not too predictable. If you like gangsters, WWII and killing Nazis then you will like We Only Kill Each Other.
October 9, 2022
Two Jewish mobsters put aside their turf war to fight Nazi infiltrators in the US in We Only Kill Each Other by Stephanie Phillips and Peter Krause, and who doesn't like that? Could have been some fuller characterization, but a reasonably good read.
Read
April 28, 2023We only kill each other
It's a good story with all the twists of a walk through the park.
I found it exciting and insightful.
It's a feel good about America comic set in the 1930's how Jews stopped the war for us temporarily at least.
It's a good story with all the twists of a walk through the park.
I found it exciting and insightful.
It's a feel good about America comic set in the 1930's how Jews stopped the war for us temporarily at least.
April 19, 2024
Surprisingly Great!
Short and crisp with sucker punch story line. The sketches were absolutely bang on. Sometimes it gives the vibe of a Martin Scorsese’s mafia gangster movie with all the narration and live action stuff. This series has got pretty interesting now. Planning to check out more.
Short and crisp with sucker punch story line. The sketches were absolutely bang on. Sometimes it gives the vibe of a Martin Scorsese’s mafia gangster movie with all the narration and live action stuff. This series has got pretty interesting now. Planning to check out more.
January 15, 2023
Hackneyed potboiler done far better in Warner Brothers 1942 flic “All Through the Night”.
Read
April 28, 2023Reinforces the old adage, 'the only good Nazi is a dead Nazi'. Loved it.
November 23, 2023
Jewish mobsters killing Nazis is a fun premise, and is executed well enough here, but this isn't anything a regular graphic novel or historical fiction reader hasn't seen before.
February 2, 2024
Not my favorite. I like the genre but this didn’t land for me
February 9, 2024
Captivating story telling
Liked how main two characters were introduced
The second main character has not explored much
At the end it felt like it was easy
Liked how main two characters were introduced
The second main character has not explored much
At the end it felt like it was easy
May 17, 2024
great story.
Love the art and story telling. Over all a great find and read. Go go go get it now yaay
Love the art and story telling. Over all a great find and read. Go go go get it now yaay
December 27, 2024
Pleasantly surprised by this more than decent work. Stephanie Phillips likes to draw inspiration by not-so-well-known parts of history.
August 16, 2025
Another underdone historical graphic novel from Phillips...
January 29, 2023
Middle of the road art and story.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews