Review: DEADLY CLASS #1
Story: Rick Remender
Art: Wesley Craig
Color: Lee Loughridge
Lettering + Design: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
I didn’t know what to expect from Rick Remender and Wesley Craig‘s Deadly Class. From interviews I heard it was about a group of teens attending a school for assassins. Okay, sounds self-explanatory. Then as the release date approached, Remender let it be known this was a personal book for him. Highlighting his time as a teenager and some of the things he experienced.
So with that in mind, I gave issue one a read. I must say I’m glad that I did.
What I Liked
This whole review can be filled with things I liked. From Remender’s internal dialogue for Marcus, a homeless kid during the year 1987, to his battle against the insanity he feels creeping inside him. We find out Marcus’ background of moving to the states with his parents, to the tragedy that has left him to live on the streets.
With a lot of Image comics lately, there seems to be a pattern to make them more complex than I feel they need to be. Besides the school for assassins part, this is a relatable story of a kid going unnoticed in the world. Then one day he’s offered an opportunity to improve his lease on life. Do you take this opportunity or let it pass you by?
I was not familiar with Wesley Craig before Deadly Class, but his artistic styling seems like a perfect fit. The whole art team of Craig, Lee Loughridge on colors and Rus Wooton designing the lettering deliver a unique storytelling perspective. I can’t say I’ve seen it done before, but I can definitely appreciate it.
What I Didn’t Like
Only thing I can point out is after I was done, the story reminded me of the movie Wanted. Our protagonist is a down-on-his-luck nobody. Then a woman comes along and offers him a chance to join an exclusive club of killers. This will probably be the only similarity to Wanted this comic provides.
Also, why were the cops so interested in Marcus? Unless I missed something, all he was doing throughout the issue was minding his own business and sleeping on the streets. Doesn’t seem like enough for cops to be hunting him down.
Summary
I’ve found a new favorite Image Comic in Deadly Class. The story is so simple, yet complex. How will Marcus adjust to this new life? Where did this school come from? Why are they recruiting Marcus in the first place?
Rating: 5 out of 5
This review is written in partnership with Pop Culture Network. They can be found at their website http://www.popculturenetwork.com/
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
