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End of Life (2026-) #4
The Menagerie has met its match! No, not Eddie. Come on. It’s Eddie’s father, George! He’s got the jump on the Menagerie’s best tracker, Drahthaar, who has found his way to Pluto. It’s a match of wits and weapons, but George has always said he won’t protect Eddie, so what’s his move here? And what made George into the hard-ass he is today? Well, you’re getting a flashbaaack!
Kindle Edition
Published May 20, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 22, 2026
This might be my favorite ongoing right now. Starks and Pugh are just firing on all cylinders and issue #4 is a perfect example of why. The whole issue pivots to George, Eddie’s hard-ass dad who seems to despise his son at every turn, and through a flashback we finally understand what made him that way. And then when the Menagerie’s tracker Drahthaar corners him, George does something that completely recontextualizes everything. He’s still deplorable. He and Eddie both are, honestly. But watching these two awful, ridiculous men stumble through their dysfunction while bodies pile up around them is just endlessly fun. Pugh’s art is exactly what this book needs, it’s loose and kinetic when the action hits, surprisingly tender when the character moments land. Vertigo is absolutely crushing it right now and this book is leading the charge.
May 22, 2026
2026 - 365 Days of Whatever Is On My Comic Book TBR
Day 141
Still my favorite new series of the year.
Day 141
Still my favorite new series of the year.
May 24, 2026
This series is showing that it can nail the humor and comedy but it also can get the more serious and heartfelt moments right. Continues to be my favorite new series of 2026.
May 24, 2026
That was a series of escalations I did not expect, but what a send off for George. And I love that no matter how hard he tries to push away his humanity, there is always something deep down he cares about to pull Eddie back in. Picking up from the last issue, Richard Smiley has finally pulled in a huge favor with menagerie killer named Kodak (who also wears a bear mask) to take on his nuisance with Eddie. But the bear isn’t much of a tracker and they aren’t exactly sure where Eddie is, but he has his own very loud ways of luring a target out. But shifting to the focus of a real tracker, at this very moment Drahthaar is sitting in George’s house looking for Eddie. Drahthaar also admires the hell out of George for being a founder of the menagerie, but as hard as George tries to play off Eddie being here, explaining how much he hates the kid and cut ties with him, the presence of multiple bowls and packaging from Eddie’s favorite cigarettes are more the enough signs for this tracker to sniff Eddie out. He is just here to do his job and find Eddie, and while he appreciates a father’s desire to protect his son he also knows Eddie has wronged all of them and they just need to get this over with…plus the Raven also has access to advanced cancer treatments not available to the public and then could easily extend his life. But George doesn’t want that, he’s accepted for all the people he killed all that this is karma and what he deserves. When he found out about the cancer he thought about putting a bullet in his head on the spot, but then he thought of Ruth and how mad she would be after she worked so hard to make him a better man. So he won’t kill himself but he also believes the cancer won’t do it either, if it was his choice he’d go out on his feet with a gun in his hand shot down by someone who earned it. So Drahthaar, you pretty bold?
As the tracker proceeds to ask about where Eddie is again we get a funny breakaway where Eddie is sitting in town arguing with the town misfit who also respects George more than him. But as we shift back to George instead of saying anything about Eddie he tells Drahthaar about the start of the Menagerie, way back when it wasn’t international but just a handful of fells who met during the war and decided to use the training to kill people when then got back. One of their members was a kid named hedgehog, he wasn’t the best soldier or killer but he made them laugh. He had a job to shoot someone in Cambodia, he wasn’t the best but he got it done like a good soldier. Turns out his mark was in charge of a wannabe army and his death pissed them off into getting revenge. They ended up blowing up hedgehog and his sweet grandma in a cafe. But then George explains that people think if someone hurts you and you hurt them back that’s revenge…but in his mind that’s just retaliation, true revenge takes time and unfortunately for that bunch he knows all about revenge. George proceeded to go down to Cambodia himself where he scared the hell out of sources to give him the names of the group so he could start hunting. He killed anyone and everyone in his path, they couldn’t hide from him anywhere. If they held up in buildings he burned the buildings and any firefighters that tried to put it out. If they hid in a bunker he sealed them in. And he saved the leader for last, making him suffer and watch his entire empire fall around him. And once George finally got to the leader, he found that the man begged for his life as if it was any more valuable than his men or hedgehog. When the man realized George wouldn’t spare him he began to plead with his god…”but there weren’t no god coming for him. There was only me. The devil that takes.”
But what’s the point of this story? Drahthaar thinks it’s to intimidate him, but George knows better and states the story was simply to inform him…if he did all of that for a coworker, what do you think he will do if someone threatens his son? George then explains what will happen, Drahthaar will call his boss and tell him that Eddie isn’t here. Drahthaar asks what happens if he doesn’t and George proceeds to put a revolver on the table. Drahthaar can only laugh, he is a trained killer in his prime and George is a 70 year old man dying from cancer. George simply states: “Try me.” And Drahthaar proceeds to call in and report that Eddie isn’t in Pluto. The tracker doesn’t believe this will truly change anything, only delay the inevitable but he hopes George is happy…except George won’t be happy until Drahthaar does what he asks…to try him. George suddenly lunges forward and sends his revolver into Drahthaar’s head…but the tracker still got his gun out fast enough to shoot George in the chest. He died protecting his son.
All the while back in town and the killer known as Kodack the bear is making a very loud scene by pouring gasoline all over the gas station and announcing that if Eddie doesn’t come he will kill everyone in town. The street rat Eddie was talking to is freaking out, saying that Eddie has to go do something…but Eddie doesn’t care about that at all, and only plans on getting out of here. Not like there is anyone here he cares about any…oh…hey Sophie! He tells her to try and get everyone to run away really fast as there isn’t anything here worth dying for, but then she reminds him that Trent and Leona are at the gas station…he may have forgot about them but those are two people who definitely don’t completely suck. So while Eddie still wants them to get people out of town he decides to walk towards the station to do his job…and no Sophie it’s not horse insemination, lol.
As Eddie arrives to the gas station he keeps his distance from the pumps as he lights a cigarette. Once the bear turns around he realizes this is his lucky day as this isn’t just some stupid one day easy money job, he is about to make a fortune killing Eddie Stallion. As the bear aims the gun at him, Eddie warns him from shooting as if he pulls a trigger on those fumes he’ll ignite everything. But the bear points out that Eddie is smoking a cigarette…but Eddie is also outside the fumes. The bear isn’t the smartest killer out there and Eddie clearly knows this, but he is fast…so when Eddie throws his cigarette towards the bear he also knows that the bear is fast enough to slap the cigarette away with his megaphone, preventing him from being lit on fire. But the bear isn’t smart enough to pay attention to two places, and the moment he looks back at Eddie it’s already too late as the stallion has put a bullet in the bear, lol. But as the bear goes down Richard Smiley and his crew peel out. Leona runs after the car trying to stop them, only to grab Eddie when she can’t as he hasn’t been listening to her…THEY HAVE TRENT! Eddie’s plans to get out of here were just set back once more, as he isn’t leaving without making sure that kid is safe.
As the tracker proceeds to ask about where Eddie is again we get a funny breakaway where Eddie is sitting in town arguing with the town misfit who also respects George more than him. But as we shift back to George instead of saying anything about Eddie he tells Drahthaar about the start of the Menagerie, way back when it wasn’t international but just a handful of fells who met during the war and decided to use the training to kill people when then got back. One of their members was a kid named hedgehog, he wasn’t the best soldier or killer but he made them laugh. He had a job to shoot someone in Cambodia, he wasn’t the best but he got it done like a good soldier. Turns out his mark was in charge of a wannabe army and his death pissed them off into getting revenge. They ended up blowing up hedgehog and his sweet grandma in a cafe. But then George explains that people think if someone hurts you and you hurt them back that’s revenge…but in his mind that’s just retaliation, true revenge takes time and unfortunately for that bunch he knows all about revenge. George proceeded to go down to Cambodia himself where he scared the hell out of sources to give him the names of the group so he could start hunting. He killed anyone and everyone in his path, they couldn’t hide from him anywhere. If they held up in buildings he burned the buildings and any firefighters that tried to put it out. If they hid in a bunker he sealed them in. And he saved the leader for last, making him suffer and watch his entire empire fall around him. And once George finally got to the leader, he found that the man begged for his life as if it was any more valuable than his men or hedgehog. When the man realized George wouldn’t spare him he began to plead with his god…”but there weren’t no god coming for him. There was only me. The devil that takes.”
But what’s the point of this story? Drahthaar thinks it’s to intimidate him, but George knows better and states the story was simply to inform him…if he did all of that for a coworker, what do you think he will do if someone threatens his son? George then explains what will happen, Drahthaar will call his boss and tell him that Eddie isn’t here. Drahthaar asks what happens if he doesn’t and George proceeds to put a revolver on the table. Drahthaar can only laugh, he is a trained killer in his prime and George is a 70 year old man dying from cancer. George simply states: “Try me.” And Drahthaar proceeds to call in and report that Eddie isn’t in Pluto. The tracker doesn’t believe this will truly change anything, only delay the inevitable but he hopes George is happy…except George won’t be happy until Drahthaar does what he asks…to try him. George suddenly lunges forward and sends his revolver into Drahthaar’s head…but the tracker still got his gun out fast enough to shoot George in the chest. He died protecting his son.
All the while back in town and the killer known as Kodack the bear is making a very loud scene by pouring gasoline all over the gas station and announcing that if Eddie doesn’t come he will kill everyone in town. The street rat Eddie was talking to is freaking out, saying that Eddie has to go do something…but Eddie doesn’t care about that at all, and only plans on getting out of here. Not like there is anyone here he cares about any…oh…hey Sophie! He tells her to try and get everyone to run away really fast as there isn’t anything here worth dying for, but then she reminds him that Trent and Leona are at the gas station…he may have forgot about them but those are two people who definitely don’t completely suck. So while Eddie still wants them to get people out of town he decides to walk towards the station to do his job…and no Sophie it’s not horse insemination, lol.
As Eddie arrives to the gas station he keeps his distance from the pumps as he lights a cigarette. Once the bear turns around he realizes this is his lucky day as this isn’t just some stupid one day easy money job, he is about to make a fortune killing Eddie Stallion. As the bear aims the gun at him, Eddie warns him from shooting as if he pulls a trigger on those fumes he’ll ignite everything. But the bear points out that Eddie is smoking a cigarette…but Eddie is also outside the fumes. The bear isn’t the smartest killer out there and Eddie clearly knows this, but he is fast…so when Eddie throws his cigarette towards the bear he also knows that the bear is fast enough to slap the cigarette away with his megaphone, preventing him from being lit on fire. But the bear isn’t smart enough to pay attention to two places, and the moment he looks back at Eddie it’s already too late as the stallion has put a bullet in the bear, lol. But as the bear goes down Richard Smiley and his crew peel out. Leona runs after the car trying to stop them, only to grab Eddie when she can’t as he hasn’t been listening to her…THEY HAVE TRENT! Eddie’s plans to get out of here were just set back once more, as he isn’t leaving without making sure that kid is safe.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
This title has already found it's groove and is entertaining and genuinely funny throughout. It would be far less enjoyable if the on-the-surface jerk that is Eddie wasn't actually endearing. I want this series to continue for some time so we can see his growth.
This issue sees some great backstory regarding Eddie's Dad, and some more hilarious and strange menagerie hitmen. Eddie is starting to seem relatively normal by menagerie standards.
The gag about Eddie's job continues to deliver - it's so refreshing to read a funny comic that makes me laugh.
The art delivers the comedy beats well and the character designs for the menagerie continue to be fun. It maybe suffers slightly from being in the same handful of locations all the time making the background a little repetitive but this is a limit of the story not so much the art.
DC should give Kyle Starks a shot at Lobo as I think he could make the character funny and likeable.
Overall impression = 5/5
Writing = 5/5
Art = 4/5
Will I read the next issue? Definitely
Wait for the trade collection? This is a fun treat on a monthly basis.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? It works better if you have read from #1 regarding characters and ongoing jokes.
Will I read previous issues No, but I have now read the creative team's "Peacemaker tries hard" and it was also great.
This issue sees some great backstory regarding Eddie's Dad, and some more hilarious and strange menagerie hitmen. Eddie is starting to seem relatively normal by menagerie standards.
The gag about Eddie's job continues to deliver - it's so refreshing to read a funny comic that makes me laugh.
The art delivers the comedy beats well and the character designs for the menagerie continue to be fun. It maybe suffers slightly from being in the same handful of locations all the time making the background a little repetitive but this is a limit of the story not so much the art.
DC should give Kyle Starks a shot at Lobo as I think he could make the character funny and likeable.
Overall impression = 5/5
Writing = 5/5
Art = 4/5
Will I read the next issue? Definitely
Wait for the trade collection? This is a fun treat on a monthly basis.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? It works better if you have read from #1 regarding characters and ongoing jokes.
Will I read previous issues No, but I have now read the creative team's "Peacemaker tries hard" and it was also great.
May 23, 2026
This is slowly becoming one of my favorite ongoing books. The first couple issues were a bit brash but Starks has settled into really funny dialogue and nice character moments. After the events of this issue, with Eddie’s dad getting shot (though I bet he pulls through) and Eddie’s cover in Pluto seemingly blown, I’m also really not sure where the story’s going from here. Also Pugh’s art is just so competent - in the best possible sense of that word - that I know we’re in excellent hands.
The backmatter is spot-on, too. I adore Starks’ wrong dog strips and the bit of world building done in the town’s news updates is very clever.
The backmatter is spot-on, too. I adore Starks’ wrong dog strips and the bit of world building done in the town’s news updates is very clever.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2026
This was the best issue yet, probably because the main character was only in four pages. The dad took the lead.
The art snd colours for this are outstanding.
The art snd colours for this are outstanding.
May 22, 2026
Continues to be a blast. Hilarious dialogue, great art and well plotted action sequences.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews