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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
I read the first issue back when we were still doing the podcast, and I really enjoyed it. It's kind of a Harry Potter tale, except the kid goes to assassin school instead of wizard high.
The reason to read this book is Wes Craig's art. It's stylized perfectly. His panel layout is cool, his sense of anatomy looks great, and when he breaks from standard storytelling for a flashback or a trip, his art soars.
The first couple of issues in this collection are excellent. Probably five stars. Unfortunately, Remender has this really weird, really intense premise, and he can't seem to leave it alone. He amps the story up in odd ways that took me out of the book.
If you like superbly drawn ultra-violence, this book is great. I would definitely buy pages from this book and hang them as art. As a story, I'm willing to try out volume two, but if it continues to try and constantly up the shock factor, I may have to bow out.
Reread In 2023: I could barely finish this. It tries So Hard to be edgy that it ends up being really boring. I'm not going to follow this up by bothering with the other volumes.
The reason to read this book is Wes Craig's art. It's stylized perfectly. His panel layout is cool, his sense of anatomy looks great, and when he breaks from standard storytelling for a flashback or a trip, his art soars.
The first couple of issues in this collection are excellent. Probably five stars. Unfortunately, Remender has this really weird, really intense premise, and he can't seem to leave it alone. He amps the story up in odd ways that took me out of the book.
Spoiler
When you've got a book about kids going to school to be assassins, do you really need every adult to be a pedophile, and for the shadowy villain in the background to be a dude who fucks a goat in the opening scene? Nah.If you like superbly drawn ultra-violence, this book is great. I would definitely buy pages from this book and hang them as art. As a story, I'm willing to try out volume two, but if it continues to try and constantly up the shock factor, I may have to bow out.
Reread In 2023: I could barely finish this. It tries So Hard to be edgy that it ends up being really boring. I'm not going to follow this up by bothering with the other volumes.
The more I think about this, the more I don't think I'll be able to continue with the series. The stars here are primarily for the art, which is retro in all the right ways, and the acid trip scenes were magnificent!
Now, I think I would've been a lot less forgiving of this book had I not read the author's note which explains his own violent history and how much of this book draws from his own experiences growing up in the 80s. That said, this book is extremely violent. It takes 'gritty' to another level and the characters are a dark shade of gray when they aren't the epitome of awful. I struggled to care for the characters and found the slurs
Now, I think I would've been a lot less forgiving of this book had I not read the author's note which explains his own violent history and how much of this book draws from his own experiences growing up in the 80s. That said, this book is extremely violent. It takes 'gritty' to another level and the characters are a dark shade of gray when they aren't the epitome of awful. I struggled to care for the characters and found the slurs
Spoiler
the words fag and retard make an appearance among others and treatment of the female characters enough to make me unlikely to continue with the series. Yes, it's set in the 80s. Yes, it draws from real, lived experience. Yes, one could argue that it makes it authentic to the era, but it makes the story hard to love for me and with so many other awesome books out there, I don't see myself continuing with this series.
Just wasn't my thing.
Reread: I like the story but it’s just not my cup of tea.
Reread: I like the story but it’s just not my cup of tea.
I know that this may get more stars, but I have a bias against the concept
... it was a decent read, and interesting concept: a school for the youth designed to teach the next generation of assassins. I like how people's phony nature is exposed - no one is who they seem. I also like that there is more representation for varied ethnicity or cultures, even if they play up to negative stereotypes. The part that sucks is that it glorifies the aggression, hatred, and violence of the youth which we have so many problems with these days; this is why I gave it only 2 stars
Art and story flow without bias I would give 3 stars. The narrative left me longing and unfulfilled. Things just happened (can't explain)
... it was a decent read, and interesting concept: a school for the youth designed to teach the next generation of assassins. I like how people's phony nature is exposed - no one is who they seem. I also like that there is more representation for varied ethnicity or cultures, even if they play up to negative stereotypes. The part that sucks is that it glorifies the aggression, hatred, and violence of the youth which we have so many problems with these days; this is why I gave it only 2 stars
Art and story flow without bias I would give 3 stars. The narrative left me longing and unfulfilled. Things just happened (can't explain)
The beginning was very scattered but once everything got sorted out it was very enjoyable to read.
4.25 stars. This was AMAZING. It was my very first graphic novel and I really enjoyed this volume. The art was so cool and the colouring was just the best! I can't wait to pick up Volume II, I want more of the story, especially about the background of the assassins!
i started the tv show before reading this, and i honestly liked the episodes i've watched so far better than this. nevertheless, i'm going to continue the series and we shall see how i like it in the end
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal cruelty, Cursing, Drug abuse, Gore, Blood, Death of parent, Classism
Characters entirely relying on stereotypes. Crude drawings and somewhat uninteresting colors. There are some pretty violent moments and graphic details, but not in a charming way like The Boys.
Content warnings: violence, murder, drug use, bestiality
Content warnings: violence, murder, drug use, bestiality