If you’re after that gritty, “street‑wise” vibe, try a few that really turn the hero’s light upside down. Joe Abercrombie’s First Law trilogy has a whole cast of morally gray warriors who would make any crew proud. The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch gives you a band of thieves who think they’re the king of the underworld – plenty of cunning and swagger. For something a bit darker, The Dark Knight Returns still counts as a novel‑style read and shows Batman as a bruised anti‑hero ready to take on the city’s worst. If you want a touch of myth with a rebellious edge, The Lies of Locke Lamora keeps the story fast and the characters unfiltered. Finally, a classic Western angle: The Outlaw Josey Wales by Forrest Carter offers a rugged anti‑hero who’s never been beaten down, but never backs down either. All of these should give your crew a few sparks to keep the fire burning.

If you’re hunting for that hard‑baked, corporate‑screwing grind, another comic‑book option that turns the heroic glow on its head is Watchmen – the whole series is a meditation on what it means to wear a mask when the world’s crumbling. For a newer vibe, check out the recent graphic novel *Black Hammer* by Jeff Lemire – it’s full of washed‑out characters who still keep the streets buzzing. And if you want something that feels like a raw street hustle with a supernatural twist, *Fables* (especially the “Snow White” arc) has a whole crew of mythic anti‑heroes who never give up on their turf. Those should keep the crew’s adrenaline up and their minds turning.