Deadly Class #47 Review

(W) Rick Remender (A) Wes Craig

  • I’m sure everyone is bored at this point with me waxing lyrical constantly about this title.  But there’s a very good reason why I do.  It is one of the most consistent titles on the shelves and will go down as one of THE great all time comic series.
  • Coming from Rick Remender and Wes Craig, as indeed has every single issue so far, issue 47 is at turns absolutely brilliant but also worrisome.
  • I say worrisome, because we have been dealing with some time jumps in this particular arc, and I’m not sure the series is going to continue much longer.  Now while there has been no official confirmation to back up my worries, that number 50 definitely looms large on the horizon…..
  • With Issue 47, we are catching up with Saya who, like many of her foirmer Kings Dominion classmates, has fallen on hard times. The story jumps ahead to 2001 (you have to remember Deadly Class kicked off originally in 1987), where Sya is sans a hand, and addicted to stealing to fund her drug habit.  But the narration is always heartbreaking, having Saya’s thoughts openly on display detailing regrets for the road not taken.
  • The early years were all about the coolness of being a teenager, having your whole life ahead of you, having opportunities at every turn.  The middle arc focused on that transition to adulthood, and now we’re firmly in the realm of realising you were never as prepared for the world as you thought you were.
  • But you know what?  This issue ends with the best of things – hope.
  • The writing has always been strong in Deadly Class, bristling with commentary on Generation X and the punk movement, but this title has always been a two man show.  Without Wes Craig’s frenetic, vital, dynamic, but also in this issue, wistful art, this title would not be the masterpiece it is.
  • I will always try to stay away from recommending Deadly Class a pick of the week, because this is a series that needs to be enjoyed from the start.  There are no jumping on points.  But maybe if I keep eschewing its virtues, you will know that this is a title that not only is consistent from issue 1, but arguably is able to get better the longer it goes.
  • If I can convince you of one thing, it’s not to pick up Issue 47, but it’s to pick up that first trade and enjoy one of the best indie comics of modern times.  And before you know it, you’ll reach issue 47 and understand why it’s such a special issue, and such a special series..