Deadly Class #1

Deadly Class (Single Issues)

by Rick Remender (Writer), Wes Craig (Illustrator), Lee Loughridge (Colorist)

It's 1987. Marcus Lopez hates school. His grades suck. He has no money. The jocks are hassling his friends. He can't focus in class, thanks to his mind constantly drifting to the stunning girl in the front row and the Dag Nasty show he has tickets to. But the jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin's top assassin, the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, the class he's failing is "Dismemberment 101," and his crush, a member of the most notorious crime syndicate in Japan, has a double-digit body count.Welcome to the most brutal high school on Earth, where the world's top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At King's Dominion High School for the Deadly Arts, the dagger in your back isn't always metaphorical, nor is your fellow classmates' poison.Join writer RICK REMENDER with rising star WESLEY CRAIG (Batman) and legendary colorist LEE LOUGHRIDGE (Fear Agent) to reminisce about the mid-1980s underground through the eyes of the most damaged and dangerous teenagers on Earth.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Young Adult, Comic Book, Crime

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2014

About the author

Rick Remender is an American comic book writer and artist who resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the writer/co-creator of many independent comic books like Black Science, Deadly Class, LOW, Fear Agent and Seven to Eternity. Previously, he wrote The Punisher, Uncanny X-Force, Captain America and Uncanny Avengers for Marvel Comics.

Reviews

[Jesse (JesseTheReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The artwork was absolutely stunning. The movement of the images was incredible and really added to the pacing of the story. I felt as though the story lacked a bit of development and I think it could have been a bit longer. I think it would've enhanced the story if a backstory would've been included. (We get a small backstory, but I didn't feel it was enough to grasp what was going on.) Either way, I'm very interested to see where this story goes and to learn more about the deadly class!

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 2.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 3 🌟.

I'll be honest this comic wasn't really my thing. The beginning seemed a bit disjointed and the artwork didn't really appeal to me, which is a disappointment because the cover and story premise held such promise.

[AleJandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy intrigante pero depresivo.
Punros extras por el arte.

[Jessica Saylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

WARNING: This graphic novel contains some SERIOUS violence, sexual situations, drugs and foul language. NOT a young adult read.

I've really been looking forward to reading this graphic novel since I ordered it on Amazon a few weeks ago. The cover is absolutely fantastic, and I have not read many graphic novels before, so I wanted something with kind of an easy concept to get me into the genre again.

This didn't disappoint. I found it eerie, well written for its genre, and pretty jaw-dropping. The language was a bit much for me (did it REALLY need so many f-bombs?) but I could look past it because the characters were from some seriously troubled pasts and in some messed up situations. I felt like it was lacking a little bit of plot development. I wanted to see some back story, and also more of the assassin school. I would not have minded a longer volume for more quality plot. But, I'm kind of amateur in this stuff.

The artwork was stunning. The cover is still my favorite, but I gotta say inside does not disappoint. I didn't struggle finding my way into the art and the words which was refreshing. I usually find myself stumbling into a rhythm, but this read/artwork was a smooth transition from novels.

All in all, this was a great graphic novel for me to read. I plan on continuing on in the adventure as soon as I am able.

First Line:
"A positive attitude is essential to surviving out here."

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

SXSW 2014. South by Southwest is an interactive, music and film festival in Austin, Texas and since Comixology has a major presence there this weekend, it gave some free books accessible to its subscribers as it launched some major initiatives. This is one of those books.

Reading the first issue of Deadly Class, I can already see that this is a departure from the science-fiction heavy superhero comics that I enjoy so much from Rick Remender. In fact, I could even describe this work as his most personal to date, from my reading his afterword to this issue.

Like the hero Marcus, Remender took to the streets early, but unlike in the book, his choice was deliberate and voluntary. Marcus was orphaned early on. But I would like to think that the reader would be seeing more of the world as filtered by a teenaged Remender's eyes.

The artist, Wes Craig, captures the look of an 80's San Francisco. lee Loughridge's colors add to the storytelling by giving Craig's line art a patina that I could associate with old photographs.

If you're into Remender as I am, get this book.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

4,5/5,00
The Artwork is amazing! Almost perfect! The story lacks a bit of development but I can't wait to read more! A nice discovery!

[Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh hell yes. What a rare gem of 80s culture, teen assassins, smart dialog, and honest writing. Rick Remender creates a dramatic metaphor for his childhood of loneliness, violence, cliques, and social inequality. The art of Wesley Craig and Lee Loughridge complements the writing extremely well with its often arbitrary color scheme and thin lines reminiscent of 80s comics, and the mind blasting visions in Las Vegas (with heavy and direct reference to Hunter S. Thompson) are down right exquisite. Even the drug use (quaaludes and coke, etc.) was time appropriate. Usually graphic novels leave me wanting in one category or another, whether it's art, plot or dialog, but this wasn't the case. I was just giddy while reading this.

[James Flanagan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art style and movement in this graphic novel is superb and extremely well thought out. At first glance the concept of a secret school for assassins seems like something that has been explored over and over again in novels and comics over the years, but in this case 'Deadly Class' surprises you with this sinister, gruesome, action packed world that promises a roller-coaster of events and amazing dialogue. the characters become, as the comic progresses, more and more complex and intriguing and the main character himself becomes somewhat more relatable for those of whom feel uncomfortable in social situations and has towards the end some very real and relatable moments. although if drugs make you uncomfortable I would suggest maybe opting for a different comic.

[Elena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intersting story about a boy who gets picked up from the streets and joins a school for assassins. It is about being a outcast, living with anxiety and killing..

I'm in love with the color palette. And some of the pages, just wow. I just wish there was a bit more I could conect to, that is why I give it 4/5.

[Kaleb · Rating 3 out of 5]

It could've been a bit longer. There was no build up to the story. It just went from one part to the next with no development in-between. But I like the idea of the story, so I'll pick up the next issue in the near future.

[Halah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5
The artwork was pretty awesome, amazing movement and you can feel the emotions.

But the story wasn't really my type. Too much violence and very disturbing acts, not that this was bad but I just didn't enjoy it as much as the cover made it seem. I don't think I'm going to continue the series.

[Jojo · Rating 4 out of 5]

opinião em vídeo:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hB2rx...

[lu.books07 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zajímavé uvedení do děje.
Námět na komiks celkově dosti originální.
Rozhodně to není nic pro slabší povahy, jelikož se zde nachází hodně brutality v podobě nemalé dávky sprostých slov a vyobrazení krvavých vražd atd.
Celkově to ale není tak hrozné, jak jsem očekávala. (Ta síla té brutality).
3.5/5*

[Mariano Di Maggio · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hogwarts for assassins? El primer TPB promete mucho y ya me gustaron un par de personajes.
Esto promete ponerse interesante. Image no falla loco!

[Cherry (_forevermint) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Insanity. I can't wait to watch the show.

[Rayyan · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was actually so good
but so short

[Kay ☾ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good! I am going to continue this once the series is done. Amazing artwork as well.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this and enjoying the short lived TV show.

[Tar Buendía · Rating 2 out of 5]

Una introducción demasiado larga para mi gusto pero el apartado gráfico tiene cosas espectaculares.

[Vladimir Jankovic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would start this by saying this graphic novel is awesome!

Then I have to be sincere and say that if you describe this book as 'Teenage (and slightly older) school for assassins' you would be 100% correct. If I had read description like that before I read the book I wouldn't touch it with a long stick, so I was hoping you would trust me at the beginning and with that thought then confront the truth afterwards.

Yes, it is a school with tradition trying to teach these kids how to be honorable assassins. There are some rules and these kids, being misfits by definition, are bound to break them. In this school you don't get detention, you get killed.

Anyhow, this is not why I like this book. For me theme is some yet another young adult setup which I don't enjoy particularly. BUT if you just take this and make your peace with it, you will see where this novel truly shines: story is great, characters are also pretty good, pacing of the comic is masterful, good 'camera' angles, nice action scenes...

There are some moral issues these characters go through, and these are not vanilla flavored, but are deep and dark. While stumbling into these I felt like I went to cross the small stream and suddenly found myself in neck deep water.

Art is also very nice, has a very graphic design feel into it which I dig. Characters look simply drawn, but don't let that fool you: poses, anatomy, captured movement - all is top notch.

I'll continue to read this and I hope rest of the series will be good too.

[Monty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Deadly Class seemed like something I would've really liked. There's talk about punk rock, there's assassins and normally I'm okay with violent comics and context. Who doesn't like a violent, punk rock assassin?

I read through this book just to make sure I wasn't going to miss anything or that I didn't misjudge it, but my initial instinct was right, which is this is just not a book for me. I love the art and the style of it (the acid trip part is especially great), but I can't get passed most of the dialog or the set-up of the story. None of the characters are likable either, so it's hard to identify with any of them or route them on.

I think that the author is almost too accurate with how teenagers in this situation might talk, and I don't really want to listen to it. It's teenage drivel that you would've written down as poetry when you were 16 and thought you knew the world. It's like reading fight club in your 30's and agreeing with Tyler Durden. It's just dumb.

The book also seemed like it just wanted to be messed up or gross at times just for the sake of it. I'm okay when it's believable or contextually used but when it's just so you can say you put it in there, it's not very appealing to me.

Like I said, not for me.

[Ryan Mishap · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this. The dark atmosphere of Reagan's 80's is recreated beautifully, along with the feelings of being the outsider and the freak--celebrated in today's culture, back then it was grounds for incarceration, internment in psychiatric facilities, and violence.

So much violence in this. Using hyperbolic violence and amorality to highlight the sins of an era can work, but it is easy to fall into becoming what you are attempting to highlight, Deadly Class falls into that trap, especially with an over-the-top villain: a disfigured, violent redneck who we first meet raping a goat. Here's where they always go to far. We've got a school for assassins ( a hedge against kings, a nice touch, actually), so our villain has to be realllllyyy bad.

Sigh, lost me there, fellas.

[Lady Godiva · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing original. Orphan boy, gets admitted to a secret boarding school, everyone hates him, there are cliques, then there is this special girls.. Yada-yada-yada.
I'm not even saying it's Harry Potter with Assassins instead of magic. It's just what we have seen 9000 times in books, shows and movies about underdogs being admitted into special secret circles, and being secretly special and better than everyone else. Except this time it's with murder.
Art-work is pretty neat though.

[Nayeomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you made a graphic novel out of Locke Lamora's mischievous beginnings, then you'd have this on your hands.
However, it's also very relatable to me who was already around in the 80s so it's a bit closer to home. Gonna keep reading this series.

[Irena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very promising beginning, great art! Don't forget to read the Letters page :)

[Anthony Chan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Assassin school underneath SF?! Sick!

[Ahmad · Rating 3 out of 5]

I give this graphic novel 3.5
All I got to say it was a great graphic novel and I want to read volume two! :)

[Anna Sorensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rick Remender is honestly amazing. I love his work and this one is no different. I got interested in this comic because of the new tv show it has out right now and I wanted to just read some of the comics before I started the series to see how they did it. I really loved this tho. Like it is honestly so well done. There were a few parts of the story when it jumped around a bit and brushed past some stuff they could have explored or explained a bit more but for the most part, it was really amazing and well done. I love these badass characters that have these super messed up skills but are still all just kids. Like they are all scared, and playing the social game of high school, and just trying to get by or move past the pain their families put them through. Marcus is an interesting character because is obviously has a shit ton of trauma in his past that made him the way that he is and makes it easier for him to do the things he does, but he has this voice in his head that eats away at him and gives him anxiety that a lot of people can relate to even if they don't go around killing people. They are all just a bunch of broken kids that can only see the way to help themselves being to act tough and start a fight with the world before anyone can stab them in the back which is just a very relatable way to live life. The introduction to the comic talks about how if you just take all the violence and murder and see it as a physical manifestation of the mental and emotional state of mind that kids have. It really read that way to me and it helped push the story out to me and let me connect to what was happening. So all in all it was an amazing story and I'm excited to read the next comics and see the tv show. Also, side note, the art work for acid trips is something out of this world! Love, love, love.

[Siann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow just wow. This book utterly impress and exceeded my expectations. I can’t fathom and express into words how brilliant this book is. Really you have to read it yourself. You can see the authenticity of the story and art work/ style. Definitely read it! There’s Whole lotta gore, lotta tripping on acid, lotta psychopathic maniacs.

There are a number of things that stand out in the graphic novel but I’ll talk about 2 things.

~ONE~
How personal this book is to the collaborators. It feels so real and so true from the roots even though it is fiction. We know some of these scenarios were based on true events the creators have experienced themselves. Poverty, violence, drug usage overdose. MISFORTUNE

~TWO~
The bloody artwork is great. I love the style of wes Craig 👌🏽👌🏽. There’s so much motion and action. You can see the fighting scenes. Each little line has a purpose and the composition of the artworks are stunning. They don’t normally follow the strict borders of the page and uses all the spaces on a page. And especially in fighting scenes the motion lines and colouring are fantastic!! I love how the characters are unrefined and a little bit incomplete. Colour pallet by lee loughbrigde is sensational. It’s kinda dirty, kinda grungey, kinda eighties.

The only issue I have with this novel is the lack of back story. I’m constantly confused on what is happening and I wishes the creators would have done this aspect better.

I can’t wait to read the other volumes.

Siann out.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The use of different color themes throughout the pages is spectacular. The psychedelic scenes were literally brutal talent. The story kicks off about a young boy who is homeless with a thirst for revenge against the corrupt governor who put him in that situation and murdered his parents. There is mystery about his murderous past because he is somewhat of a psycho. The school for assasins is fun and colorful... a twist from the typical highschool cliches. Each character has a background story for why they are in assasin school and their difficulties coming to terms with killing, despite the irony of their character. I am looking forward to the next volume and character growth among these bands of misfits. The whole idea of assasin school is to allow the oppressed in society the ability to fight back against corruption. And that idea itself is wonderful, but the means are not socially acceptable....