Twenty-four days. That’s how long until the next issue of End of Life #1 comes out, and it couldn’t feel longer. Writer Kyle Starks bursts out of the gate with a debut issue full of stylized violence, crude humor, and an instantly memorable lead. If you’ve been craving a break from superheroes, then this action-comedy is the comic for you.
What is End of Life #1 About?
We’re introduced to Eddie Stallion, a hitman with a colorful vocabulary and name to match, as he’s in the middle of a colossal blunder. Eddie’s part of the Menagerie, an international cabal of assassins, but decides to take part in a routine heist. He soon realizes his misstep once he reaches the safe. The house belongs to a fellow Menagerie member, and disrespecting an associate’s turf is a big no-no.
Is the Art in End of Life Good?
Artist Steve Pugh renders the scene like the intro to an action movie. Eddie instantly stands out, wearing a pair of Aviators as a cigarette dangles from his mouth. Twin pistols explode in bright yellow while dark red blood coats the ground, courtesy of colorist Chris O’Halloran. Watching Eddie figure out who he’s robbing is hilarious. It’s a joy following along on page six as his expression goes from curious, to contemplative, and finally lands on shock.
Why Eddie Stallion is the Next Great Comic Protagonist
Eddie’s soon on the run, escaping to his hometown to hide out with his estranged father. There’s no love lost between the two, and they instantly clash. It gets tense when we learn that Eddie’s father was a former Menagerie member himself. He’s not happy to see his son, even pulling a shotgun on him. This could make for uncomfortable reading, but Starks’ dialogue is too entertaining. It instantly endears you to the pair’s dynamic and potential reconciliation.
Eddie’s destined to become a classic character. He’s like if John Wick was mixed with Johnny Cage from Mortal Kombat, and is as quick to make a joke as he is to pull a trigger. These traits are going to get him in trouble, and that’s exactly where he belongs.
Emotional Depth Behind the Stylized Violence
Despite the laughs, there’s a surprising depth to this book. Eddie suffers from childhood trauma, and Starks embraces his discomfort. You can tell his bravado is a coping mechanism. He might be sarcastic, but his pain is clear as he argues with his father. Pugh plasters emotion across his face, twisting his features into fits of rage or sadness, while letterer Becca Carey drives home Eddie’s anger by bolding pointed words in his speech bubbles.
End of Life #1 packs a punch. Starks has conjured a lead character who wields quips like firearms, while Pugh ensures each panel feels like a movie. Eddie’s complicated relationship with his dad is only going to get worse as the Menagerie hunts him down. Issue two can’t come out soon enough.
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‘End of Life’ #1 | Meet Eddie Stallion, DC’s Vertigo Newest Hitman
End of Life #1 packs a punch. Starks has conjured a lead character who wields quips like firearms, while Pugh ensures each panel feels like a movie. Eddie’s complicated relationship with his dad is only going to get worse as the Menagerie hunts him down. Issue two can’t come out soon enough.
