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The Opportunity

Regular price $19.95
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A modern-day Death of a Salesman, this thrilling debut graphic novel casts a spotlight on the unforgiving world of door-to-door selling.
  • 31 March 2016
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Colin is an ambitious door-to-door salesman on the verge of ‘making it’ as the owner of his own sales office. And the future is looking good. First thing I’m going to buy when I get my own office is a Porsche Boxster… But when the terms of his promotion change without warning, Colin and his team find themselves with just five days to achieve a new sales target – and to prevent his rival, Paul, from being promoted in his stead. Colin has to keep his disgruntled team from ‘negging out’ while a gang of ruthless debt collectors are getting even closer. Of course, everything is going to be fine, more than fine, in fact. Meanwhile, he runs out of coins in the phone box and the boss isn’t taking his calls. As Colin’s grasp on reality dissolves, we see how the relentless focus on positive thinking – in the face of exploitative management, pay and conditions – leads to delusion, vulnerability, failure and, finally, human tragedy. Set amidst the rain-lashed estates of southern England, The Opportunity is a darkly disturbing, stylish and compelling character study, set to become a classic of graphic noir.
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Price: $19.95
Pages: 136
Publisher: New Internationalist
Imprint: Myriad Editions
Publication Date: 31 March 2016
Trim Size: 9.45 X 6.30 in
ISBN: 9781908434791
Format: Paperback
BISACs: COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Crime & Mystery, FICTION / Psychological, COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / General, FICTION / Noir
REVIEWS Icon

‘Volley’s dark and subtly menacing visuals perfectly complement his grim tale with an almost mainstream noirish feel to them. Atmospheric and frighteningly entrancing, The Opportunity is a contemporary urban fable that presents a world that is both familiar and yet totally detached from our experiences.’ – Andy Oliver, Broken Frontier

‘This darkly pensive character study is brought to the page with gritty visual realism and a broodingly atmospheric pacing.’ – Broken Frontier: Comic of the Week

‘A fine example of Brit noir illuminated by Volley’s sharp, clean and expressive artwork.’ – Teddy Jamieson, Herald

‘A masterly graphic novel debut.’ – David Lloyd

‘The forces that drive Shakespearean tragedy are always massive and elemental. The characters, though nominally in charge of their own destinies always bow to forces larger than those that will ultimately consume them. Will Volley’s The Opportunity has that same sense of impending calamity and yet compels you as a reader not to look away. That's the most powerful form of drama and storytelling.’ – Aneurin (Nye) Wright

‘Gritty urban noir... This is an impressive debut from a promising author.’ – The Quietus

‘This is one of those gleefully painful reads… Tremendously accomplished illustration’ – Page 45

‘A great contemporary story and a powerful drama that reminded me of Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross.’ – Jake Arnott