Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Deadly Class #8
Image Comics
Remender, Craig & Loughridge
Deadly Class provides an origin issue with this book. This is out of character for how this series has been going so far, but this is definitely a straight up origin comic book. Marcus decides to let his friend in on the danger they all are to face in the coming issues. He does this by handing over his journal. The journal outlines Marcus' encounter with the individual that has been haunting them for the past few issues. The book is violent, but elegant. It's bloody but tactful. It's vindicating but ironic. The book is definitely one to pick up, even if you haven't read an issue of this series yet.
Marcus grew up in a twisted orphanage. This comic goes through the ways he was abused. This includes the old lady headmistress, the guards, the sweatshop that they were forced to work in and his overly abusive roommate. The comic doesn't hold anything back as it portrays a bleak picture for all involved.
Marcus takes matters into his own hands. His meticulous planning allows him to figure out a way to get the authorities involved and free the other kids while pinning a ton of blame on those he hates. Oh, and he will enact some revenge as well. The bloody ending doesn't quite work out the way Marcus intended.
The comic is a great read because it brings up some emotions. There is tension, anger and drama. The book feels like there will be a happy ending even when you kind of know there can't possibly be. It's a swift read as well, which helps to keep the heart accelerated. It's a really good story.
The artwork is fantastic. There aren't too many books out there that use full-page coloring quite the way this comic book does. When you turn the page you immediately snap out of your mindset to reset to the new mood presented for the particular scene. While the book is bloody, the comic steers clear of overly intense images. The artwork hiding some of this only helps to build the tension in the visual story.
Deadly Class is a gem of a book. It's a bit of a period piece as it takes place in the 1980s but it relies on emotions that are timeless. This origin issue pulls on the reader's strings and delivers a great ride even if the reader knows how it's going to end. This is one to pick up.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
