END OF LIFE #1 (DC COMICS)
Can a hitman go home again?
That is the question circling around Eddie Stallion. After his latest job puts him in the line of fire of his own group of assassins, Stallion needs to hide. He turns to the one place he thinks is safe and off the radar: His childhood home. However, that proves more complicated than expected.
Stallion’s dad is not thrilled to see his estranged son. That’s the least of their issues. George Stallion is dying of Cancer.
END OF LIFE #1 by Kyle Starks, Steve Pugh, Chris O'Halloran, & Becca Carey (DC COMICS) witnesses the team from Peacemaker Tries Hard! enter the DC VERTIGO realm!
Let’s not wait another second and dive into this debut!
END OF LIFE #1 by Kyle Starks, Steve Pugh, Chris O'Halloran, & Becca Carey (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Starks tackles many themes in this opening chapter. Eddie Stallion is a emotionally warped soul. His assassin work has led to channeling his inner joy. Readers sense there’s more to his past than meets the eye. As the current job is commencing, the dialogue is very crass and delivered with charm. No better example than his talk with his business handler about “dating”. This twisted humor continues as he advances to his goal. The good times stop once he’s realized who he’s robbed. Never bite the hand that feeds.
This error in judgement speeds pacing up quickly. The writing shows Stallion’s frantic moves to dodge his fate. It doesn’t go off without a hitch. This is driven home once back home in Pluto. George’s “welcome home” is filled with pent up anger and regrets. The clashes of personalities shine in these moments. Readers watch as the father-son relationship takes a few dips before landing. Once in the closing phases, Starks throws in more revelations to complicate things even more. The final pages will hit their marks with a wild final page. There’s something special happening here.
Pugh & O'Halloran start Eddie’s tale with a vision of what he does best. Seeing the bodies lying around his devilish smirk makes quite a statement. This free-spirit sense continues through the heist. The sequence with Edgar Alle Poe will jump out at readers. Watching Eddie’s range of reactions is a delight while the tension quietly builds. The flashback sequence adds a piece to the puzzle before the big reveal. Eddie’s moment of truth comes with a great reaction panel. This kickstarts the second phase of the book in style.
The escape to Pluto carries a more somber tone to the panels. Images show the childhood town run down and falling apart. Readers get a shot of action when a simple gas station visit turns violent. The panels tease more of Eddie’s skills before sending him to his destination. His father’s welcome conveys the strain on their relationship. Watching their reactions adds the needed drama to their situation. This amplifies when George tries handling Eddie’s decision. The full page image of George “waking” Eddie up hits on all levels. It moves into the final act with much anticipation. George’s omission of his health hits readers hard before the final page drops. Once here, another full page surprise shakes things up heading into the next round. A perfect send-off for this captivating chapter.
FINAL GRADE: 10
What happens when you mix an immature assassin, his failed mission and unwelcomed homecoming? It becomes your new favorite series. Starks pens a lights-out debut filled with humor and family drama. Pugh & O'Halloran bring out the best of this dynamic with the art. What an incredible debut that readers won’t want to miss!
Let me know your thoughts on END OF LIFE #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
