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Deadly Class
Deadly Class, Volume 2: Kids of the Black Hole
Marcus Lopez is settling into life at Kings Dominion for the Deadly Arts, a secret elite school, to train the next generation of assassins. He has a girl, a circle of friends, and he’s learning a trade: the craft of killing. But his murderous past is about to catch up with him, and there are a few things about Marcus that even his friends don’t know. Secrets that threaten the lives of everyone around him. Because there’s a reason Marcus was sought out by the school’s shadowy principal Master Lin, a man who’s long had an eye for Marcus’s unique talents. Continuing the story of a group of damaged, deranged, and struggling teenagers living through one of the country’s most vibrant and chilling eras.
Collects DEADLY CLASS #7-11.
Collects DEADLY CLASS #7-11.
128 pages, Paperback
First published March 3, 2015
76 people are currently reading
1938 people want to read
About the author
Rick Remender
1,238 books1,413 followersRick 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
December 28, 2022
After reading the first volume I had super high expectations for this second volume which were very easily met. Featuring the greatest fart scene in comic book history, the sweetest first night out to a great rock show, and oozles and oozles of ultra violence and insanity as Marcus and co. take it to Marcus's arch nemesis!
So immigrant orphan Marcus's crew is now set, so let's take a look; there's orphaned and Latino gang reared Maria, she with the deadly fans (and I'm not talking supporters); there's Black gangsta Willie looking to establish a real cred one day; there's the mysterious and obvious created to be a fan-fave, Saya, Yakuza and by far and away the most well trained and established assassin, and the one whose past is being kept ...shush; and there's punk rocker Billy, whom at the moment we also know little about. What a cast!
Can't remember ever liking a series so much that I run through the cast in a review! In this volume the multiple story threads, the multiple back story references, the multiple music Easter Eggs, and the glorious 80s setting and near perfect realistic ultra violence are brought together by the original art of Wes Craig and delectable character development of Rick Remender! A feast, a damn feast Four Star, 9 out of 10.
2022 read
So immigrant orphan Marcus's crew is now set, so let's take a look; there's orphaned and Latino gang reared Maria, she with the deadly fans (and I'm not talking supporters); there's Black gangsta Willie looking to establish a real cred one day; there's the mysterious and obvious created to be a fan-fave, Saya, Yakuza and by far and away the most well trained and established assassin, and the one whose past is being kept ...shush; and there's punk rocker Billy, whom at the moment we also know little about. What a cast!
Can't remember ever liking a series so much that I run through the cast in a review! In this volume the multiple story threads, the multiple back story references, the multiple music Easter Eggs, and the glorious 80s setting and near perfect realistic ultra violence are brought together by the original art of Wes Craig and delectable character development of Rick Remender! A feast, a damn feast Four Star, 9 out of 10.
2022 read
May 4, 2023
(A-) 82% | Very Good
Notes: Review pending re-read. Collected review for volumes 1-3 can be found here: Deadly Class, Book One: Noise Noise Noise
Notes: Review pending re-read. Collected review for volumes 1-3 can be found here: Deadly Class, Book One: Noise Noise Noise
February 15, 2021
☠ *Murder 101* BR with the incredible Kat (click to read her review) ☠
Reread before Deadly Class, Vol. 3: The Snake Pit (10/11) : Marcus rocks. 'Nuff said.
░ Color me fucking overjoyed, my friends. ░
► Because this Volume deserves every single star it gets.
Meet the comics which makes...
★ Love triangle ... bloody awesome. For real, I can't believe myself right now! Indeed so soon after my pissed-off rant in Rogue, I wouldn't have bet one euro on my ability to enjoy a story which includes a love triangle. What can I say? When girls are crazy ninjas and bloody psychos, it seems that I can handle it. *shrug*
★★ Grossed-out scenes ... freakin fun. And when I say "grossed-out scenes", I mean scenes which would make laugh ten-years-old children... Annnd us, okay, I admit. No, I won't explain. Go read the thing.
★★★ Action scenes... captivating. No dull moment here. Nope. But murders. Vengeance. Heartbreak. Conspiracies. Revenge.
★★★★ Characterization ... flawless. Indeed no one is forgotten here, and throughout the volume Remender offers us details and background and inner thoughts and well - everything you need to believe in a character because they're all so fleshed-out it's insane. I am in awe, and I can't accuse any of them of being hollow : don't you find this wonderful? Because I do. It's INCREDIBLE how the author manages to make us care about every one of them, including the right amount of flashbacks to make us understand their behavior better, without never impinging on the present tense storyline.
★★★★★ A graphic novel noob (yeah, that's me, duh)... an apologetic fangirl.
Gah, Marcus, I love you ♥
For more of my reviews, please visit:
Reread before Deadly Class, Vol. 3: The Snake Pit (10/11) : Marcus rocks. 'Nuff said.
░ Color me fucking overjoyed, my friends. ░
► Because this Volume deserves every single star it gets.
Meet the comics which makes...
★ Love triangle ... bloody awesome. For real, I can't believe myself right now! Indeed so soon after my pissed-off rant in Rogue, I wouldn't have bet one euro on my ability to enjoy a story which includes a love triangle. What can I say? When girls are crazy ninjas and bloody psychos, it seems that I can handle it. *shrug*
★★ Grossed-out scenes ... freakin fun. And when I say "grossed-out scenes", I mean scenes which would make laugh ten-years-old children... Annnd us, okay, I admit. No, I won't explain. Go read the thing.
★★★ Action scenes... captivating. No dull moment here. Nope. But murders. Vengeance. Heartbreak. Conspiracies. Revenge.
★★★★ Characterization ... flawless. Indeed no one is forgotten here, and throughout the volume Remender offers us details and background and inner thoughts and well - everything you need to believe in a character because they're all so fleshed-out it's insane. I am in awe, and I can't accuse any of them of being hollow : don't you find this wonderful? Because I do. It's INCREDIBLE how the author manages to make us care about every one of them, including the right amount of flashbacks to make us understand their behavior better, without never impinging on the present tense storyline.
★★★★★ A graphic novel noob (yeah, that's me, duh)... an apologetic fangirl.
Gah, Marcus, I love you ♥
For more of my reviews, please visit:
April 18, 2015
[4.5 Stars]
Damn that whole thing was MESSED UP!
Damn that whole thing was MESSED UP!
November 23, 2015
Veerry minor spoilers ahead but sometimes if you don't say it, some baby will throw their toys out of the pram...
Marcus and his friends are back at Kings Dominion after their bonkers Vegas road trip but a villain from his past has reappeared with only vengeance in mind. As Saya tracks down the whereabouts of Fuckface, Marcus and Maria’s relationship hits the rocks - who knew training to be an assassin could be so melodramatic?
Rick Remender and Wes Craig’s Deadly Class continues to be a lot of fun in Volume 2: Kids of the Black Hole. Like most second volumes, Remender spends some time looking into the pasts of the characters. Marcus’ time in an orphanage/sweatshop is nightmarishly recounted, seamlessly tying into his current dilemma with Fuckface - and, by the way, what kinda name is Fuckface?! Is Remender channelling Mark Millar?!
We also see Maria’s horrible childhood at the mercy of gangsters who look like they’re going to play a larger part in the ongoing series later on. I did wonder a bit about her reaction to what she did at the end of the last volume. I mean, she’s in a school for assassins, and she’s all torn up about killing someone - doesn’t that make her totally unsuited to this profession? I know the person she killed was someone she was once close to but still.
Amidst all the darkness and extremely graphic violence, Remender does manage to once again convincingly capture the energy of youth in some scenes. The house parties are as lame and angsty as they usually are, the “cool kids” posing at one another in as louche a way as possible, and I loved the nightclub scene which gave me a new appreciation for slam dancing - it’s 1988 alright!
Marcus does some douchey things in this book but he’s a teenager and you’re supposed to be a douche at that age! He does get his comeuppance though. He’s working part-time in a comics shop and, after waking up late with a hangover, he rushes over there, dealing with the crowds of eager comics fans looking to snap up some bargains in a big sale (why is Marcus working alone on a big sale day - shouldn’t there be at least two clerks around?). One kid hassles Marcus all day to draw him Spider-Man fighting Sabretooth and Marcus decides he’s going to fart on his face instead - and then the previous night’s excesses catch up with him and there’s an epic diarrhea scene in his pants (you could say Marcus has a deadly… ass! Thankyou, thankyou!).
Wes Craig’s art is excellent and Lee Loughridge’s colours are subtle but effective. I really liked how the little bubble panels in the first chapter’s prologue drip downwards at the edge of the page, seguing into the double splash title page. It felt like reading a Bond opening! Maria’s assassin’s outfit is by far the best in the group and I’m hoping the others will start dressing more imaginatively when they’re in persona.
Kids of the Black Hole is very dark, very violent, and, at times, very funny. The love triangle stuff is a bit overplayed and hackneyed, and the action finale wasn’t as gripping as a result, but, all things considered, Remender does a fine job balancing the various elements into an entertaining narrative.
Deadly Class is the best thing Rick Remender’s producing at the moment - check it out!
Marcus and his friends are back at Kings Dominion after their bonkers Vegas road trip but a villain from his past has reappeared with only vengeance in mind. As Saya tracks down the whereabouts of Fuckface, Marcus and Maria’s relationship hits the rocks - who knew training to be an assassin could be so melodramatic?
Rick Remender and Wes Craig’s Deadly Class continues to be a lot of fun in Volume 2: Kids of the Black Hole. Like most second volumes, Remender spends some time looking into the pasts of the characters. Marcus’ time in an orphanage/sweatshop is nightmarishly recounted, seamlessly tying into his current dilemma with Fuckface - and, by the way, what kinda name is Fuckface?! Is Remender channelling Mark Millar?!
We also see Maria’s horrible childhood at the mercy of gangsters who look like they’re going to play a larger part in the ongoing series later on. I did wonder a bit about her reaction to what she did at the end of the last volume. I mean, she’s in a school for assassins, and she’s all torn up about killing someone - doesn’t that make her totally unsuited to this profession? I know the person she killed was someone she was once close to but still.
Amidst all the darkness and extremely graphic violence, Remender does manage to once again convincingly capture the energy of youth in some scenes. The house parties are as lame and angsty as they usually are, the “cool kids” posing at one another in as louche a way as possible, and I loved the nightclub scene which gave me a new appreciation for slam dancing - it’s 1988 alright!
Marcus does some douchey things in this book but he’s a teenager and you’re supposed to be a douche at that age! He does get his comeuppance though. He’s working part-time in a comics shop and, after waking up late with a hangover, he rushes over there, dealing with the crowds of eager comics fans looking to snap up some bargains in a big sale (why is Marcus working alone on a big sale day - shouldn’t there be at least two clerks around?). One kid hassles Marcus all day to draw him Spider-Man fighting Sabretooth and Marcus decides he’s going to fart on his face instead - and then the previous night’s excesses catch up with him and there’s an epic diarrhea scene in his pants (you could say Marcus has a deadly… ass! Thankyou, thankyou!).
Wes Craig’s art is excellent and Lee Loughridge’s colours are subtle but effective. I really liked how the little bubble panels in the first chapter’s prologue drip downwards at the edge of the page, seguing into the double splash title page. It felt like reading a Bond opening! Maria’s assassin’s outfit is by far the best in the group and I’m hoping the others will start dressing more imaginatively when they’re in persona.
Kids of the Black Hole is very dark, very violent, and, at times, very funny. The love triangle stuff is a bit overplayed and hackneyed, and the action finale wasn’t as gripping as a result, but, all things considered, Remender does a fine job balancing the various elements into an entertaining narrative.
Deadly Class is the best thing Rick Remender’s producing at the moment - check it out!
August 20, 2015
Bullet Review:
On one hand, I feel this was legitimately stronger than volume 1. On the other - it's still not what I like to read about:
+ Whiny, pretentious a-hole of a protagonist
+ A school of talented assassins but you rarely see them in school or being talented assassins (they eff up enough that I wonder if maybe they've deluded themselves into believing they are awesome)
+ The Love Triangle
+ Girl Hate (Over a Boy, no less!)
I just don't like this sorta stuff. I can't really make myself care about these awful characters (not badly written, I should clarify - just hard to relate to).
But most of my friends love it so it's probably another nail in the coffin of my humanity.
On one hand, I feel this was legitimately stronger than volume 1. On the other - it's still not what I like to read about:
+ Whiny, pretentious a-hole of a protagonist
+ A school of talented assassins but you rarely see them in school or being talented assassins (they eff up enough that I wonder if maybe they've deluded themselves into believing they are awesome)
+ The Love Triangle
+ Girl Hate (Over a Boy, no less!)
I just don't like this sorta stuff. I can't really make myself care about these awful characters (not badly written, I should clarify - just hard to relate to).
But most of my friends love it so it's probably another nail in the coffin of my humanity.
July 16, 2015
I struggled to get through the beginning, but holy moly the second part of this volume was amazing!
April 23, 2015
After reading vol .1 I thought this series has got real potential and I still do, but I'm so bored of reading inner dialogue and watching the story go nowhere. I'm still not sure if this has potential or if it's just a great idea for a comic with good artwork!?
December 17, 2016
Whoooooooa this shit was intense. The love tringle was okay, my only negative really. So now that's out of the way...
KILL ALL REDNECK INBREEDS!!!! YES! This was like a dream come true. One thing I hate as much as asshole new yorkers (I grew up in Brooklyn) are backwards fucking rednecks. Watching our heroes (are they though?) kill a bunch of dirty fucking backwards ass people was a blast. The fights are intense, wonderfully drawn, and scary as fuck cause you never know who's going to die.
Oh and let's talk about the fart scene. I hate fart scenes, so badly done 99% of the time. But this 1 percent was...fucking amazing. I mean I was already cracking up before the punchline cause of the setup. So this deserves a extra star for making me laugh just based on a fart scene. YES! A fart scene.
Overall this series is quickly building up to be one exciting and fun as fuck series. A 4/5 easy!
KILL ALL REDNECK INBREEDS!!!! YES! This was like a dream come true. One thing I hate as much as asshole new yorkers (I grew up in Brooklyn) are backwards fucking rednecks. Watching our heroes (are they though?) kill a bunch of dirty fucking backwards ass people was a blast. The fights are intense, wonderfully drawn, and scary as fuck cause you never know who's going to die.
Oh and let's talk about the fart scene. I hate fart scenes, so badly done 99% of the time. But this 1 percent was...fucking amazing. I mean I was already cracking up before the punchline cause of the setup. So this deserves a extra star for making me laugh just based on a fart scene. YES! A fart scene.
Overall this series is quickly building up to be one exciting and fun as fuck series. A 4/5 easy!
June 13, 2015
Omg, this was sooo good!!
It was even better then the Vol. 1, and as it seems to me, it will become more intense with every new issue.
It will be too hard for me to wait for a Vol. 3 so I'll be buying every new issue as it comes out. It's just THAT good!
There's just one thing I have to phrase:
This one particular scene made me laugh so hard, like I have never laughed in my life (at least not while reading). That scene only would make me rate this Volume 5 stars, but there's so many good scenes, I would give it 10 stars if I could.
It was even better then the Vol. 1, and as it seems to me, it will become more intense with every new issue.
It will be too hard for me to wait for a Vol. 3 so I'll be buying every new issue as it comes out. It's just THAT good!
There's just one thing I have to phrase:
This one particular scene made me laugh so hard, like I have never laughed in my life (at least not while reading). That scene only would make me rate this Volume 5 stars, but there's so many good scenes, I would give it 10 stars if I could.
February 23, 2016
Really enjoying this series. Very intense and full of tough subjects but dealt with in a witty and clever way. Enjoying the flashbacks in storyline and development.
February 16, 2018
I'm reading slowly because I'm trying to pace myself!! I don't want to catch up just yet
April 19, 2015
So, I wrote in my review for Vol. 1 how it struck me that Deadly Class is actually a teenage drama, but where teenagers are going to school for assassins. Basically, same problems, but with bloodier consequences. :D
I stand by that opinion 100% after reading Vol.2.
With group of adolescent characters and their flair for dramatics, Remender is following formula to a T giving us the biggest teenage drama of them all- Love Triangle.
So, Vol. 2 finds Marcus in hard situation: he's dating Maria (but doesn't really want to);
they all have to keep secret of what happened to Chico in Vegas from their teachers, classmates and Chico's cartel lord father;
and his old nemesis Chester is back.
So, Marcus is in relationship with Maria, but she is heavily depressed due to everything that happened. It's like her calavera face was perpetually tear-stained in this volume. Remender is killing it with excellent writing, which I chose to mention here because he wrote this:
"Depression is a big fucked-up monster.
Everyone gets a turn, whether or not they want to own up to it. It's hard fight that fucks you top to bottom. Drains you hollow. And when you're finally rid of it, there is something about having overcome it that robs you of compassion.
It's next to impossible to deal with someone else who's still fighting the shit you just bit. Secretly, in the darkest pits of your self-centered subconsciousness...
...you're just happy it's not you anymore."
Then there is a whole that chemistry going on with Saya, so Marcus is between rock and hard place and it all blows up spectacularly.
Chico's father is something else, and we get a good screen on him through Maria's flashback.
Chester, who decided to adopt a public name 'Fuckface' got himself a gang. A gang of disgusting, mad and even worse, organized group of inbreeds. Behold:
If you are anything like me, what disturbed you the most about that picture is the fact he has a lamb. :|
Chaos and destruction ensues.
I chucked the star off because we don't spend nearly enough time in school and because, unlike Vol. 1, it didn't give me that unmistaking '80s vibe. Beside Reagan picture in orphanage, I missed seeing it in small details they so perfected in first volume.
This doesn't go for Loughridge whose coloring is so on point- his work here is flawless.
January 19, 2019
“... the difference between old friends and new friends is that new friends just haven't let you down yet.
She told me that everyone has let her down...
... except for me.
And all I could think was, "give me time.”
I flew through this one much faster than the first one.
It is still as good as the first one.
But I feel like this one was more emotional, and it focus a lot of Marcus’s and Maria’s history which is so interesting.
Especially Maria’s. I am very interested in her history and what she went through. I want to learn more about her. And with that ending, things might get even crazier.
I was rooting for Marcus and Maria though, they are quite cute but too toxic.
“Sometimes, remembering a moment in your life can physically hurt as you relive everything that mattered to you then, and realize how far gone it is now.”
She told me that everyone has let her down...
... except for me.
And all I could think was, "give me time.”
I flew through this one much faster than the first one.
It is still as good as the first one.
But I feel like this one was more emotional, and it focus a lot of Marcus’s and Maria’s history which is so interesting.
Especially Maria’s. I am very interested in her history and what she went through. I want to learn more about her. And with that ending, things might get even crazier.
I was rooting for Marcus and Maria though, they are quite cute but too toxic.
“Sometimes, remembering a moment in your life can physically hurt as you relive everything that mattered to you then, and realize how far gone it is now.”
November 6, 2015
Wow. Violent, fucked up, dark, and depressing. That's the 80s I mean...the book just so happens to echo the decade.
The assassin kids' road trip had consequences, and it's not until the end of this excellent second volume that we see just how the pasts of Maria and Marcus intersect in their present.
Teenage angst with mad kill skillz.
Racism and sexual assault, sweatshops, religious imagery used by psychopaths, oh and a comic book sale where someone gets explosive diarrhea! Word.
Rick Remender is on fire. So is that dude who jumped over the fridge.
I will jump on this next volume for sure. Even if everyone's parents are assassins or mafia.
The assassin kids' road trip had consequences, and it's not until the end of this excellent second volume that we see just how the pasts of Maria and Marcus intersect in their present.
Teenage angst with mad kill skillz.
Racism and sexual assault, sweatshops, religious imagery used by psychopaths, oh and a comic book sale where someone gets explosive diarrhea! Word.
Rick Remender is on fire. So is that dude who jumped over the fridge.
I will jump on this next volume for sure. Even if everyone's parents are assassins or mafia.
January 15, 2019
I LOVE ONE GIRL AND HER NAME IS SAYA KUROKI
August 13, 2017
More like 3.5 stars, as I do really like the energy and pace of this story. I like the coloring, the art is almost awesome but there is a certain stylization to the human figure drawing that just sticks in my craw. I don't mean to be insulting by saying that, everything looks good (backgrounds, compositions, excellent!) and the art is good but the proportions on the characters is stylized a certain way, hands, feet, arms sometimes drawn real small, and face drawn big, with facial features exaggerated or tweaked in certain ways that just doesn't work for my tastes and it sort of jars against the rest of the drawing style (which like I said I think is great). So that is more of a me thing as I'm real persnickety about such things but it's something I noticed and that took away a bit from my reading experience.
So these kids are in school, ninja assassin school or something. That's kind of neat. Lots of angsty teenagerish sort of stuff so that is a warning for you, but done in a passable manner that doesn't drive the reader (at least me) bonkers. The main character is rather obnoxious and super whiny and self-pitying which really does wear thin, but the other characters help balance that out. But you would think they'd try to avoid admitting angsty kids for teenager assassin school but what do I know, I'm not dean of admissions for a teenager assassin school and those that are probably know what they are doing I would hope (my blind faith in institutional competence helps me sleep at night).
I thought the writing was good, and that's probably what made the angsty stuff work to some degree. The best parts of this story for me were the insane whackjob villains and the flashbacks that helped flesh out some of the backstory. Glad I didn't read this as a child those villains would def have been prime candidates for recurring nightmares.
I do look forward to reading more of this series. Sometimes a bit schlocky and twisted, but fun. There is a level of demented going on here, and I dig that.
So these kids are in school, ninja assassin school or something. That's kind of neat. Lots of angsty teenagerish sort of stuff so that is a warning for you, but done in a passable manner that doesn't drive the reader (at least me) bonkers. The main character is rather obnoxious and super whiny and self-pitying which really does wear thin, but the other characters help balance that out. But you would think they'd try to avoid admitting angsty kids for teenager assassin school but what do I know, I'm not dean of admissions for a teenager assassin school and those that are probably know what they are doing I would hope (my blind faith in institutional competence helps me sleep at night).
I thought the writing was good, and that's probably what made the angsty stuff work to some degree. The best parts of this story for me were the insane whackjob villains and the flashbacks that helped flesh out some of the backstory. Glad I didn't read this as a child those villains would def have been prime candidates for recurring nightmares.
I do look forward to reading more of this series. Sometimes a bit schlocky and twisted, but fun. There is a level of demented going on here, and I dig that.
January 4, 2019
Trigger Warning: Graphic and Extreme Violence
DAFUQ THIS IS FCKING INSANE AND ADDICTIVE?!? If you think the first volume is gold this one is so much more solid! (Wow wtf is that analogy vine?) I'm sorry for the lack of appropriate analogies. Anyway, this second volume has all the grit and teeth. It's messy and brutal. The violence is sharply directed on revenge and it's highly unapologetic with how sick and psychologically damaged the characters are.
I've grown to know more about the side characters especially that of Maria, and seeing all her inner workings led me to understand her more. And to understand that sometimes, it's hard to not let yourself be swallowed up by situational forces. I like the fact that this is fast paced and straight to the point while still effectively interspersing Marcus' personal monologues w/o interference. Also, that cliffhanger!!!
This was a good read and I can now prove that graphic novels are effective slumpkillers!
DAFUQ THIS IS FCKING INSANE AND ADDICTIVE?!? If you think the first volume is gold this one is so much more solid! (Wow wtf is that analogy vine?) I'm sorry for the lack of appropriate analogies. Anyway, this second volume has all the grit and teeth. It's messy and brutal. The violence is sharply directed on revenge and it's highly unapologetic with how sick and psychologically damaged the characters are.
I've grown to know more about the side characters especially that of Maria, and seeing all her inner workings led me to understand her more. And to understand that sometimes, it's hard to not let yourself be swallowed up by situational forces. I like the fact that this is fast paced and straight to the point while still effectively interspersing Marcus' personal monologues w/o interference. Also, that cliffhanger!!!
This was a good read and I can now prove that graphic novels are effective slumpkillers!
October 9, 2021
I own this book.
I think I enjoyed volume 2 of Deadly Class more than I enjoyed volume 1 if I'm honest. Marcus is setting into school life okay. He has his friends that he made in the last volume, a girlfriend (despite her massive depressive episodes) who he likes, he goes to parties, has a part time job and so on. But you can only run from things for so long, and while his life seems to be going okay at the start, it quickly falls apart. Marcus's past is catching up to him, and the source of his special skills is about to be revealed.
This story is so good so far. Marcus isn't a character you're supposed to root for, and I love that the story doesn't hide his flaws or his faults. He's messed up, impulsive, an absolute idiot in places, but I think that makes him the perfect main character for this story. The fight scenes are brilliantly drawn and I do think that time and time again, the creators show that this is a passion project and not just a run of the mill comic.
I think I enjoyed volume 2 of Deadly Class more than I enjoyed volume 1 if I'm honest. Marcus is setting into school life okay. He has his friends that he made in the last volume, a girlfriend (despite her massive depressive episodes) who he likes, he goes to parties, has a part time job and so on. But you can only run from things for so long, and while his life seems to be going okay at the start, it quickly falls apart. Marcus's past is catching up to him, and the source of his special skills is about to be revealed.
This story is so good so far. Marcus isn't a character you're supposed to root for, and I love that the story doesn't hide his flaws or his faults. He's messed up, impulsive, an absolute idiot in places, but I think that makes him the perfect main character for this story. The fight scenes are brilliantly drawn and I do think that time and time again, the creators show that this is a passion project and not just a run of the mill comic.
July 7, 2015
“Depression is a big fucked-up monster. Everyone gets a turn, whether or not they want to own up to it. It’s a hard fight that fucks you top to bottom. Drains you hollow. And when you’re finally rid of it, there’s something about having overcome it that robs you of compassion.”
I have recently been on a major graphic novel binge. I keep putting down whatever novel I’m currently reading so I can pick up yet another graphic novel. I had recently read Deadly Class, Vol.1: Reagan Youth and I fell in love with it. I knew I needed the second novel as soon as possible, so when I placed a pre-order in for another book I just had to throw in Deadly Class, Vol.2.
The synopses for both Reagan Youth and Kids of the Black Hole do not do this story justice. Yes, the descriptions are both intriguing and are part of what pulled me in to this series but, I feel like they both make this series seem a little more fun and playful than it actually is. It definitely feels as though it is marketed toward the teenaged demographic, but as you can clearly tell just by the quote I posted at the beginning of this review, this story contains some heavy, dark material. These stories can definitely be read by teenagers, in fact I think I would have related to this story and it’s characters even more so if I had read it when I was a teenager. I just wish the synopsis didn’t make it seem like an everyday cookie cutter young adult novel because it is so much more than that.
This series continues to be perfect and the writing was on par if not better this time around. Within the first couple of opening pages we get to be a part of Marcus’ internal monologue once again. The things Marcus thinks and feels are so unbelievably relatable it hurts. He continues to be my favourite character within this series and I think it’s safe to say it will continue to be that way for the remainder of this series. Of course, all of the characters we met in the first volume are back, although some have changed emotionally after events that took place in the first installment. We also get to learn a lot more about the protagonist that was introduced earlier in the series and how he is connected to Marcus. We learn more about Marcus’ past as well as the back stories of some other minor characters. We also get inside the minds of Saya and Maria this time around rather than just hearing Marcus’ thoughts which I thought was a pretty neat change.
Both volumes were very fast paced and extremely well written. The artwork is fantastic and mesmerizing. I cannot wait to continue on with this series as it continues to be one of my favourite graphic novel series of all time.
You can find my review of Volume One here.
I have recently been on a major graphic novel binge. I keep putting down whatever novel I’m currently reading so I can pick up yet another graphic novel. I had recently read Deadly Class, Vol.1: Reagan Youth and I fell in love with it. I knew I needed the second novel as soon as possible, so when I placed a pre-order in for another book I just had to throw in Deadly Class, Vol.2.
The synopses for both Reagan Youth and Kids of the Black Hole do not do this story justice. Yes, the descriptions are both intriguing and are part of what pulled me in to this series but, I feel like they both make this series seem a little more fun and playful than it actually is. It definitely feels as though it is marketed toward the teenaged demographic, but as you can clearly tell just by the quote I posted at the beginning of this review, this story contains some heavy, dark material. These stories can definitely be read by teenagers, in fact I think I would have related to this story and it’s characters even more so if I had read it when I was a teenager. I just wish the synopsis didn’t make it seem like an everyday cookie cutter young adult novel because it is so much more than that.
This series continues to be perfect and the writing was on par if not better this time around. Within the first couple of opening pages we get to be a part of Marcus’ internal monologue once again. The things Marcus thinks and feels are so unbelievably relatable it hurts. He continues to be my favourite character within this series and I think it’s safe to say it will continue to be that way for the remainder of this series. Of course, all of the characters we met in the first volume are back, although some have changed emotionally after events that took place in the first installment. We also get to learn a lot more about the protagonist that was introduced earlier in the series and how he is connected to Marcus. We learn more about Marcus’ past as well as the back stories of some other minor characters. We also get inside the minds of Saya and Maria this time around rather than just hearing Marcus’ thoughts which I thought was a pretty neat change.
Both volumes were very fast paced and extremely well written. The artwork is fantastic and mesmerizing. I cannot wait to continue on with this series as it continues to be one of my favourite graphic novel series of all time.
You can find my review of Volume One here.
December 27, 2018
I really really like this second volume, but...... the first one was a lot better, every issue was full of new surprises. Vol. 1 was THE BEST book i read in 2015 so.... the exceptions for vol 2 were really high.
The story: Its more focus on Marcus and the love triangle. We learn more about Maria and Marcus past. Watch the gang in a big action scene at the end and basically thats it. I can't say too much more about this. There were some really funny moments, which is very cool.
THE ART: Was even better then the first one! I love the art god. So unique.
Overall a good read. Nothing that blew my mind. But, i still love this serie and recommend it. Cant wait to read vol.3 !
The story: Its more focus on Marcus and the love triangle. We learn more about Maria and Marcus past. Watch the gang in a big action scene at the end and basically thats it. I can't say too much more about this. There were some really funny moments, which is very cool.
THE ART: Was even better then the first one! I love the art god. So unique.
Overall a good read. Nothing that blew my mind. But, i still love this serie and recommend it. Cant wait to read vol.3 !
dnf
October 8, 2015It's not that this book is terrible.
It isn't.
I just have a weak stomach, and I just couldn't hack this one.
It isn't.
I just have a weak stomach, and I just couldn't hack this one.
February 12, 2018
Didn‘t like it as much as the first volume. I wish the school life would be more present in the story. I‘m really not a fan of love triangles but have to admit it was handled pretty epic. (2.5 stars)
March 15, 2022
“... the difference between old friends and new friends is that new friends just haven't let you down yet.
She told me that everyone has let her down...
... except for me.
And all I could think was, "give me time.”
So fun and intense! Enjoyed it just as much as I did the first one.
Also, fun fact about me, I adore a good ol' a-hole protagonist, and oh boy is Marcus one. I love him, I hate him, he's great.
She told me that everyone has let her down...
... except for me.
And all I could think was, "give me time.”
So fun and intense! Enjoyed it just as much as I did the first one.
Also, fun fact about me, I adore a good ol' a-hole protagonist, and oh boy is Marcus one. I love him, I hate him, he's great.
September 18, 2019
Another solid entry in the series. This felt like it was full of a lot more drama than volume one. Probably the whole love triangle thing going on. We learn more about Marcus' background, which is a plus.
June 12, 2015
Deadly Class 2 continues in the direction started by Vol. 1, and that direction is not what I expected and hoped for from reading the back covers of these trades. I wanted to know all about the methods of their school - what tactics and politics are involved in determining what world leaders to assassinate.
Instead, this series is much more of an explicit teenage soap opera, complete with sex, drugs, epic ultra-violent fight scenes, and some gross or freaky mistakes made by the protagonist in a way that many readers can basically relate to, but in this case it's all turned up to 11.
The racist stereotypes and cliches are still there, and rather than getting taken apart or flipped, much of this volume relies on the reader ignoring the heroes' ridiculous costumes by focusing on the more obvious, constant stream of vocalized vitriol from the trailer park variety of white supremacist psychopaths.
Last volume featured an extensive LSD overdose that allowed the artist to do some really fun, interesting, and scary things. This volume we instead get public puking and explosive diarrhea. And the most dramatic plot points are driven by really petty emotions.
Seems like I just listed several reasons to hate this comic, and yet I'm keeping my 3 stars intact because the whole thing is written and drawn from the heart and keeps moving nonstop. It's engaging and different and I'm really hoping Remender remedies some of the most glaring spots of bother.
Instead, this series is much more of an explicit teenage soap opera, complete with sex, drugs, epic ultra-violent fight scenes, and some gross or freaky mistakes made by the protagonist in a way that many readers can basically relate to, but in this case it's all turned up to 11.
The racist stereotypes and cliches are still there, and rather than getting taken apart or flipped, much of this volume relies on the reader ignoring the heroes' ridiculous costumes by focusing on the more obvious, constant stream of vocalized vitriol from the trailer park variety of white supremacist psychopaths.
Last volume featured an extensive LSD overdose that allowed the artist to do some really fun, interesting, and scary things. This volume we instead get public puking and explosive diarrhea. And the most dramatic plot points are driven by really petty emotions.
Seems like I just listed several reasons to hate this comic, and yet I'm keeping my 3 stars intact because the whole thing is written and drawn from the heart and keeps moving nonstop. It's engaging and different and I'm really hoping Remender remedies some of the most glaring spots of bother.
October 14, 2015
Not as great as the first volume, but the action towards the end made up for the weird love-triangle-mess it was offering as the theme for the volume. I liked the insights into the character’s backstory and how we learn more about their pasts to – in a way – justify their current personalities and insecurities. Their own brand of crazy.
The artwork and the color schemes continues to be my favorite thing about this graphic novels. It’s done stunningly. If I were to just look at the artwork without reading the story, I would be happy. Beautiful. It adds so many layers to the atmosphere of every “scene”.
At times, however, it did get a little too wonky. Don’t get me wrong, my favorite part about the first volume were all of those LSD scenes, so I was happy with wonky. What I didn’t particularly enjoy was the – how do I put this – the disgusting aspects of it. All the poop, basically. There was a lot of poop in this volume. A lot. After a while, that got pretty off-putting.
Excited for the next volume coming out soon!
The artwork and the color schemes continues to be my favorite thing about this graphic novels. It’s done stunningly. If I were to just look at the artwork without reading the story, I would be happy. Beautiful. It adds so many layers to the atmosphere of every “scene”.
At times, however, it did get a little too wonky. Don’t get me wrong, my favorite part about the first volume were all of those LSD scenes, so I was happy with wonky. What I didn’t particularly enjoy was the – how do I put this – the disgusting aspects of it. All the poop, basically. There was a lot of poop in this volume. A lot. After a while, that got pretty off-putting.
Excited for the next volume coming out soon!
June 25, 2019
I praised the first book for having such great gore also balanced with story but this felt over the top with the gore and the creepiness of the villains. I think this books gore, violence, and like language and just other things were way to much and a little over the top. It didn't have as many amazing character moments as the last one and was a little meh for me, but the art work is still incredible.
March 5, 2019
This comic was honestly hilarious. I wasn't expecting that. With the Deadly Class comics it always takes me a minute to get into the grove of reading it. The art and the style of writing takes a minute to get used to. As soon as I get adjusted to the style though the comic really takes off. I started to read this series because of the show and am glad I did. Such a unique story even though it would seems like it's the same plot lines a lot of stories have. A bunch of kids going to a boarding school (in this case kids who are learning to be assassins) and these kids have adventures. Most of the time though I'm used to read ing these books and they are more rated PG. This boarding school book has blood, drugs, sex, and all that jazz even though these are teens. I look forward to reading the next volume.
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