Kick-Ass #7 – Review

By Mark Millar (writer) John Romita Jr. (pencils), Tom Palmer (inks), Dean White (colors)

The Story: Red Mist’s ambush of Dave, Big Daddy, and Hit-Girl, comes to a brutal crescendo with the death of a major character, while Millar and Romita pay homage to the everyday fanboy.

What’s Good: Well, this series has finally caught up to its opening scene of Dave getting tortured and recounting his origin story. If you like the gory, ultra-violent stuff that has characterized this comic to date, then you’ll love this issue. Personally, I have always liked the whole concept/existential aspects of the idea behind this comic and not really cared for the gore. I’m happy to say that Millar does explore these themes a little here and satiates gore-prudes like me.

It’s weird, unique, and borders on great when the characters in this comic talk about comics being just fantasy. It reminds the reader that this comic is “real,” i.e. based on everyday life and no superheroes, but then in clicks that this is still a comic. This dynamic coats a nice “4th wall” layer to the comic in a un-in-your-face, non-Dead Pool manner. So, the way I view this comic is that it is a unique use of the medium to play on the whole comic metaphor, while exploring the real-world sociological effects of comic books.

Outside of all this, there is some interesting character work and Millar does a good job of making Red Mist into a true “villain” and Hit-Girl into a hero.

The artwork is off the hook, but I gotta be honest, something doesn’t sit right with me seeing JRJR drawing guts and blood to this level. I’m not sure why this is, but it is.

What’s Not So Good: Big Daddy’s narrative seemed very, very contrived. I know this is all about fanboy culture, but the specifics of his tale we’re a “Come on, man!” moment. If it wasn’t for JRJR drawing an unbelievable micro-shot of all the great Marvel Silver Age Covers, it would have been a total loss. Also, Dave actually surviving his torture and beat down was far less than plausible. It would have been better to just lighten the torture and make his escape believable. Lastly, Hit-Girl has one of the all-time corny lines ever to be written in a comic. I’ll leave it to the reader to find it (hint: combination).

Conclusion: It’s hard to get into this series’ momentum when issues are produced so sporadically, but KA has so much charge and energy that it is easy to fall back into its kinetic feel. Truly, there is nothing else like this on the stands. It’s one of a kind.

Regarding this issue specifically, it does what every previous issue has done: leaving you excited for more. But in this issues, there is that true heroic pseudo-superhero vibe to the ending and the direction of the series. However, I’m sure Millar will turn this flow around into some twisted, distorted and unexpected fun current.

Grade: A-

-Rob G.

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Sweet Tooth #1 – Jeff Lemire new monthly series is off to a good start. With this debut issue, he introduces us to a character worth caring and thinking about. Sweet Tooth is off to become one of the best new books of the year.

Most Anticipated: Kick-Ass #7 – It’s been way too long. It’s hard to believe that the last time I read this book was in April.

Other Top Picks: Wednesday Comics #10, Unwritten #5, Blackest Night Batman #2, Dark Avengers/ Uncanny X-Men Exodus, Dark Reign List Avengers, Green Lantern Corps #40, Ultimate Comics Avengers #2, Red Robin #4

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Deadpool #15 – While I really liked seeing Tony Stark trip up in a big way, Deadpool going all existential scores Wade the win.

Most Anticipated: Dark Avengers/Uncanny X-Men: Exodus – I’m picking this not because I’m looking forward to reading it, but because it means that Dark Avengers can finally return to being one of my favorite titles.

Other Top Picks: Wednesday Comics #10, Unwritten #5, The List: New Avengers, Dark Reign: Young Avengers #4, Kick-Ass #7, Thunderbolts #135, Witchblade #130

Rob’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Invincible Iron Man#17 – Man this book is just great. I’m thinking more and more that Fraction’s Iron Man will be alongside Brubaker’s Captain America and Bendis’ Daredevil. Obviously, Fraction learned from Brubaker the benefit of a sloe burn, character-driven story. I really love this; it’s like the super hero Flowers For Algernon. That being said, the art isn’t quite there as it was for those runs, but there is still time.

Most Anticipated: War of Kings Who Will Rule One-Shot – This title just beats Unwritten for my most anticipated read.  The end of War of Kings left me needing more. Cosmic Marvel is for sure the best thing in Marvel U right now.

Other Top Picks: Amazing Spider-Man #604, Blackest Night Batman #2, Dark Avengers/ Uncanny X-Men Exodus, Dark Reign List Avengers one shot, Green Lantern Corps #40 (blackest night), Kick-Ass #7, Ultimate Comics Avengers #2, Unwritten #5, War of Kings who will rule one-shot

Alex’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Sweet Tooth #1 – A haunting issue that makes for a very solid debut.  Particularly as it’s only $1, there’s no reason not to give this one a try and I look forward to seeing where this series goes.

Most Anticipated For The Week: The Unwritten #5 – I loved last month’s issue, which saw a really intriguing ending. After every issue, my reaction is the same: give me more!Tony’s Top Picks

Most Anticipated For The Week: Dark Reign: The List – Avengers One Shot – “The List” is my point of no return in terms of whether or not “Dark Reign” can stop sucking and become something worth reading, and it begins here with this issue. I will be paying close attention to this one.

DS’ Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Immortal Weapons #2 – Great art evokes the continuing spooky, weird, different and original stories in the world surrounding the Iron Fist.

Most Anticipated: Red Robin #4- Solid, solid story telling, month after month….

Other Top Picks: Adventure Comics #2, Secret Six #13, Titans #17