Palomino

Set against the neon-soaked backdrop of Los Angeles and the legendary Palomino country music club, Palomino is a six-volume neo-noir epic that spans two crucial moments in American history: 1981 and 1995. This sweeping crime saga follows former Burbank Police Department detective Eddie Lang and his teenage daughter Liz as they investigate a case that will upend their lives and haunt them for generations.

Created by Stephan Franck, the series spans two distinct eras.

The First Act: 1981

The story begins in 1981 Los Angeles, where readers meet Eddie Lang—a hardboiled former detective who juggles his six-nights-a-week gig as guitarist in the Palomino house band with his private investigation business. Eddie’s daughter Liz—thirteen going on thirty—might be even more hardboiled than her father, with a killer sense of humor and an unbreakable bond connecting them despite the tragedy that looms large over their past.

When a brand new case hits too close to home, father and daughter find themselves on dangerous paths that will test their skills, their bond, and their will to survive. The first three volumes (Palomino 1981) capture the club’s heyday as Eddie leads the investigation into the unsolved Eileen Wilcox case.

The Second Act: 1995

Volume 4 launches a 14-year time jump to 1995. The world has moved on—the Palomino club enters its twilight years, the digital revolution looms on the horizon—but Liz hasn’t. Now 29 and going by Liz (no longer Lisette), she’s a hard-ass reporter for one of the Valley’s free weeklies who refuses to own a cell phone or embrace this newfangled “e-mail.” But when a routine assignment reopens old wounds, Liz takes it upon herself to revisit the case her father was never able to close.

The only way out is through.

Themes and Style

“PALOMINO is about the impermanence of all things we wrongly assume will always be there for us, as a society, as a culture,” Franck explains. “The only thing that truly remains is the moral fiber of individuals, passed-down from one generation to the next.”

Creator Stephan Franck brings his animation background to every page, creating a kinetic visual style that captures the energy and presence of each moment. The series combines action, suspense, humor, drama, and slice-of-life irony into a seamless narrative tapestry.

Awards and Recognition

Palomino earned Stephan Franck a 2024 Ringo Award nomination, cementing its status as one of the most acclaimed indie comics of recent years. The Hollywood Reporter called it “LA neo-noir like you’ve never seen it before,” while creators like Jimmy Palmiotti, Alex Segura, and Zeb Wells have praised its distinctive voice and masterful storytelling.

Complete the Saga

The complete Palomino saga—all six volumes—will soon be available via Kickstarter. The campaign features exclusive merchandise, slipcase editions, and the propulsive Volume 6 finale that promises to settle all scores.

Perfect for fans of hardboiled detective fiction, neo-noir crime dramas, and comics that capture the texture of Los Angeles history. Palomino will appeal to readers who love the crime work of Ed Brubaker, the atmospheric noir of Sin City, or the generational storytelling of True Detective.