A review by libertyreads789
Deadly Class Volume 1: Reagan Youth by Rick Remender

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Have you ever been so disappointed by something you were sure was going to be *for you*? Well, that’s me with this comic. I should have known better since I’ve read Rick Remender before and not enjoyed it. This is a comic that sells itself as an introduction to a school for murderers: future assassins and the like. But we spend maybe two pages looking at the school and how it works. First, we get introduced to Marcus who is a homeless, mentally ill youth trying to survive. Then he gets introduced to the headmaster of this school and decides to join them. However, we spend almost no time in the school itself. Dark academia this is not. I also didn’t love all of the drugs and people trying to seem tougher than they are. I know this was the 80s when the comics happened and I know it’s got to be rough if you’re surrounded by future assassins. But this all felt a little too self-satisfying. In the introduction (and in the author’s note at the end), we see how much of this comic is all about Rick Remender and his childhood. Minus the murder...maybe?

Overall, this comic wasn’t for me. I’m positive there’s an audience for this series (otherwise there wouldn’t be 12 volumes). I just can’t think of who those people are off the top of my head. I tried to give myself a little space and time away from this before writing my review but I still struggle to find the positives here.