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.

This comic book introduces us as readers to a gritty and visceral world. At the same time this comic book presents a unique blend of teenage angst and violent intrigue, set against the backdrop of a 1980s underground school for assassins.

The story in this comic book follows Marcus Lopez, a homeless teenager recruited into King’s Dominion Atelier of the Deadly Arts, a secret academy where the children of crime families learn the ins and outs of the deadly trade. The creators of this comic book creates a narrative that dives into Marcus’s troubled psyche, exploring themes of alienation, survival, and the search for identity.

The writing in this comic book is both raw and engaging, capturing the harsh realities of Marcus’s life on the streets and his struggle to find a place in a world that seems relentlessly against him. The dialogue is sharp and often laced with dark humor, effectively conveying the intensity and danger of Marcus’s new environment. However, this comic book sometimes feels overloaded with exposition, which can slow the narrative’s momentum.

The artwork itself in this comic book is a standout feature of this comic book, because it is bringing the chaotic world of “Deadly Class” to life with dynamic and energetic illustrations. The art we get in this comic book captures the gritty and frenetic atmosphere of the story, reflecting the turbulent emotions and high stakes faced by the characters. In a way the artwork in this comic book has the ability to convey motion and emotion through expressive character designs and panel layouts enhances the storytelling, making each page visually compelling.

The pacing of this comic book is a mixed bag. While this comic book effectively introduces key plot elements and character dynamics, some scenes feel rushed, impacting the overall flow. This inconsistency has left me personally wanting more immediate clarity and deeper exploration of the characters’ motivations and the school’s inner workings.

Despite its shortcomings, the concept of a high school for assassins holds potential for future development. With more focused storytelling and character exploration, subsequent comic book could delve deeper into the themes and offer more satisfying narrative arcs.

I Give This Book 3 / 5