Kill Or Be Killed #1 Review

If you had any doubt about the quality of this new book by the super team of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (as well as Elizabeth Breitweiser) let me assure you, you want to pick up this comic.

Kill or be killed is a story about Dylan a young man who is forced to kill bad people, and how he struggles to keep his secret as it gradually ruins his life and the lives of his friends and family.

This is not your typical vigilantly story. Many people were under the impression when the book was announced that this would follow the lines of Marvel’s Punisher, despite Ed Brubaker saying multiple times that it is nothing like the Punisher. Don’t worry I’m not going to spoil anything for you.

From the first page, you get a taste of the violence and gore as Dylan unleashes harsh justice on evil men. Dylan being the narrating voice of the story then quickly brings you back to how it all started for him. Dylan is a down on his luck young adult that doesn’t have much going for him and is a bit of a loser. Dylan is a person who lacks confidence when faced with trials that test his courage and abilities. He also goes through relationship issues and friction, depression and multiple suicide attempts. During one of his attempts, something happens to him that changes his life forever. You get to see quite a progression and range of emotions in just one issue.

I enjoy the fact that there’s no filler in Ed Brubaker’s writing. Every dialogue box and word bubble feel necessary. He even breaks the fourth wall a little bit which is done tastefully. Ed is defiantly making this book relevant to the times we are living in today. He references police shooting unarmed black kids; the farce that is the 2016 presidential race, mass shootings, terrorist attacks, the tension in the Middle East, and generally how totally screwed up and dark the world is today. It will be interesting to see if any of these social commentaries continue throughout the book and how they will play out.

Sean Phillips art is once again fantastic. He manages a style that’s like a painting come to life with comic book undertones and that trademark noir feeling.

Elizabeth Breitweiser’s colours complimented Sean art perfectly. I felt she used right range, of colour and tones and the shadowing was great.

 This may or may not be something important to you, or just something you never thought of, but the page quality of this comic is excellent. It’s thick, good quality paper. Why is this important you ask? It’s important to point out that the big 2 (i will give DC credit for its improvement in quality for it rebirth line) who are multi-billion dollar companies use garbage quality paper for print. Nothing is worse than reading a comic that can rip while reading when you accidently sneeze let alone just turning the page. You’re also paying more for less generally regarding content.

My point is the price you pay for the big two you should be getting the quality paper that Kill or be Killed is printed on, but you don’t. It’s just a pet peeve of mine I’m sure this is the last time you will see me write about this (i make no promises)

If you pre-ordered this comic then great job! If you have not picked it up, I suggest doing it quickly because Ed and Sean’s books have a healthy habit of selling out quick (at least of the first printing, there’s usually 2nd or 3rd printings but first is what you want). Go to your local comic shop now, or if your content with digital go to comixology, purchase and read right now.

I tried to find something negative about this comic (it’s rare for me not to find something ) but I just couldn’t this is how you do a #1 issue start off with some great action then set up the story to hook you in for issue 2,3,4,5, until then end.

Kill or be Killed #1 was my most anticipated comic of the summer, and it does not disappoint.

10/10

Bates Motel SN4 EP3 – ‘Till Death Do You Part’

Quick recap of last weeks episode ‘Goodnight Mother’ SN4-EP2

So last week Norman and Norma each think that the others has committed a terrible deed, meanwhile Dylan thinks about his future with Emma. Remero Romero makes a choice that has a dramatic impact on the Bates family

‘Till Death Do You Part’ SN4-EP3

Ok so let’s get down to business……. Romero and Norma tie the knot albeit awkwardly, during the ceremony Norma tells the celebrant she can that part we’ve heard it before, I actually laughed out loud, they seal it with a kiss and you can see there is a little spark between them. Norman is at Pineview and struggling to accept his new circumstances. Now that Remero and Norma are married he tells her he has to moves some of his stuff into the Bates home so the marriage looks real.

Emma is getting better with each day, her and Dylan take a walk around the hospital and he tells her he is sick of growing weed and he wants to do something better with his life. While Norman is being shown around Pineview, he spots a woman wearing pearls and he gets a little twinkle in his eyes as if he is reminiscing killing Miss Watson (Keegan Connor Tracy). Dr. Edwards asks Norman if he has ever been in therapy and Norman tells Dr.Edward, he believes that his mother is the problem not him. While having dinner another young man Julian sit with Norman and strikes up a conversation. Definitely foresee trouble ahead if they become friend’s they are both unstable.

As they have drinks, Norma tells Romero this is her 3rd marriage and with a little more alcohol she opens up about parts of her past. Remero tells Norma he was married once before while in the Marines, when they get home he helps a tipsy Norma up to bed and says “goodnight Mrs Remero” Norma quickly replies “I’m keeping my name”. The following morning Norma wakes to find a wedding present of a coffee machine in the kitchen with a note attached saying he called some one to fill the pit. One of the nurses asks Norman if he would like to participate in yoga, he replies that he would rather stick pins in his eyes. One of the men filling in the pit hands Norma an earing – an earing that belonged to Audrey Decody (Emma’s mother).

As Dylan gets to the farm, Gunner (Keenan Tracey) is about to leave for California saying he is quitting. Dylan calls Emma and complains that Gunner had quit, he wanted to fire him as he had prepared himself for it. Romero returns home to find his ex girlfriend there, when she tries to kiss him, he tells her he got married widow Norma Bates. Before she leaves she asks him about Bob Paris, as she hasn’t heard from him since the DEA stormed his house. She is worried she might be in danger, but Remero reassure her she’s safe. Remero returns home to Norma’s with Bob Paris’s money.
Dylan goes home to see his mother and she tells him she married Romero, she believes that Remero doesn’t like her but I beg to differ there is definitely little sparks starting, she is also worried about Norman and leaving him at Pineview, but Dylan reassure’s her she has done the right thing. Norman has another session with Dr. Edwards, and tells him he has blackouts occasionally and can’t he just give him medication for them, he goes on to tell Dr. Edwards that he never wants to upset his mother, because she is the most wonderful person in the world and that he is in Pineview because of her, when Norman is asked why he is so angry at her if he loves her that much, he breaks down and starts ranting before storming out of the room.

Norma arrives at Pineview and convinces Dr. Edwards to let her see Norman, even though it’s against Pineview policy but we all know how persuasive Norma can be when she wants something. Before she see Norman she removes the her rock from her finger, she finally gets to see Norman but he is not happy to see her and tells her as much, he tells her that he will never for give her for putting him in Pineview. A very upset Norma returns home and Romero comforts her, then they kiss and Remero tries to stop her but she tells him it’s what she wants and he carries her upstairs and you can all use your imagination for what would have happened once upstairs. After seeing his mother Norman storms into Dr. Edwards office, but his behavior lands hin into solitary confinement. Norman tells Dr. Edwards that he believes his mother is insane and maybe killing people, a surprised Dr. Edwards tells Norman that such an accusation warrants being reported and investigated to which Norman agrees.

Call me crazy but I think Romero and Norma might just work, I have always thought they an undeniable chemistry, and after this episode you definitely see little sparks between them. Let me know your thoughts on this episode. Check back next week for episode 4, i know i can’t wait! It just keeps getting better and better each episode.
I give this episode: 🎬 🎬 🎬 🎬 🎬