DEADLY CLASS #40
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Wes Craig
Colorist: Jordan Boyd
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image
Rating: 9/10
Finally, a new issue of DEADLY CLASS!!! It always feels like an eternity in-between arcs. For those of you that aren't reading one of the best series in comics, here's a rundown of...
The Story Thus Far
When homeless orphan Marcus Lopez joined Kings Dominion, a school that trains the next generation in the Deadly Arts, he knew it wasn't gonna be easy by any means. After a Freshman year full of love, drugs, death, and a short-lived taste of the good life on the beach in Mexico, he and Maria are back at "school". They're the new power couple, each enjoying their own newfound status—Marcus as a Legacy, and Maria as the new head of the notorious Soto Vatos gang.
But there’s more to life than school, even one as cutthroat as Kings Dominion. Helmut is hell-bent on vengeance for his departed love, Petra. And it turns out Saya just couldn’t stay gone...
Reunited and It Feels So Good
To say that Saya and Maria have a somewhat complicated relationship, would be putting it mildly. They both were in love with the same guy (Marcus), Saya betrayed Maria and Maria tried to kill Saya. So seeing these two reunited was an unexpected sight to behold. Saya needs help and seeks it from the only "friends" she has. But Saya's brother Kenji, hasn't taken his eyes off her, as he sends assassins to kill her. After making quick work of the killers, the girls are greeted by Master Lin who is less than pleased to see Saya.
Lin decides that Saya needs to die for her betrayal, but Maria does the unexpected, she makes Saya her pledge. Which as Maria points out, students aren't allowed to kill each other, thus saving Saya.
It's Remender's amazing dialogue that makes you love these characters. And it's his narration that really makes this book shine. These opening scenes with Saya and Maria are both exciting and full of emotion. You can feel the weight of what these two have gone through since we last saw them. Craig's art conveys this expertly through the eyes of these characters. Plus I can never get enough of these fight scenes by Craig.
Cult Leaders and Orgies
Still reeling from Petra's death, Helmut seeks revenge on anyone that has hurt her, starting with the cult that she was raised in. Tosawhi, who has become somewhat of a "brother", joins him on his crusade. Nobody could have guessed what to expect as they walk in the doors of this church. Everyone starts taking their clothes off as they prepare for the 3 cult leaders to enter the room.
The mayhem begins as one of the leaders decapitates one of the followers. Wasting no time, Helmut begins killing as many people as he can. The mayhem that ensues is drawn to perfection by Wes Craig. Naked bodies, stabbing and body parts flying. It's stuff like this that makes me love this book. After trapping the people in the basement. Helmut and Tosawhi, go they're separate ways, with Helmut seemingly on a dangerous path.
What's Next?
As always, Remender leaves us begging for more. With one hell of a cliffhanger and so much drama over at King's Dominion, I cant wait to see what's next for our loveable group of killers.