Cover of Sleeper

Sleeper

Written by Ed Brubaker. Art by Sean Phillips.

Ranked No. 33 of 100 · 2003 · DC / WildStorm / USA / UK

Undercover espionage, crime conspiracy, psychological noir

An undercover operative is stranded inside the organization he was sent to infiltrate.

Overview

Holden Carver has embedded himself in a criminal network, but a broken line to his handler leaves him exposed. Brubaker and Phillips began Sleeper in 2003 within WildStorm’s shared universe.

Why It Matters

The espionage premise makes every apparent alliance provisional. Carver must act convincingly among people he fears while losing confidence in his own side.

Genre & Themes

Crime noir, undercover thriller and superhuman fiction combine, with the suspense centered on compromised identity.

Art & Visual Identity

Phillips’s dark compositions and economical character acting keep the superhuman elements grounded in a crime story.

Read This If You Like

  • Undercover missions
  • Brubaker and Phillips
  • Noir with superhuman elements