The writings of Andrew Vachss are known for unflinching portrayals of the underprivileged and abused, seeking the cold justice of vengeance. Described as "crisp, stark, sharp—and darkly humorous" (San Francisco Examiner), Vachss' tales of vigilante justice, hardened criminals and even harder cops, and the brutality of life and death on the streets mesh perfectly with the world of graphic storytelling.

Harder Looks contains fourteen of Vachss' stories, brought to life by some of the greatest talents in comics, including the previously unpublished story "It's a Hard World," a cover gallery from the comics series Hard Looks, and a new cover illustration by Geof Darrow, cocreator of hit series Shaolin Cowboy.