Caper (Holiday 2003)

At one point, Judd Winick might've been best known as ''that guy from ''The Real World'' (season 3),'' but over the past few years he's become a damn fine comics scribe. An engrossing departure from his usual mix of topicality and smart-ass comedy, ''Caper'' is a span-the-century crime saga comprising interlocking tales. The first, set in turn-of-the-century San Francisco (efficiently evoked by artist Farel Dalrymple), tells of two soul-scarred Jewish brothers who become vicious Mob hitmen. Winick's humor, as usual, is winning. The leap he makes here is in depth of characterization. With ''Caper,'' Winick proves he can do smart without the ass.