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GRAPHIC NOVEL REVIEW: Deadly Class, Vol. 3 The Snake Pit

 
Deadly Class Vol 3 cover
Deadly Class Vol 3 cover
Deadly Class Vol 3 cover

 
Overview
 

Story by: Rick Remender
 
Art by: Wes Craig
 
Colors by: Jordan Boyd
 
Publisher:
 
FG RATING
 
 
 
 
 
4.5/ 5


User Rating
1 total rating

 


To sum it all up..

ABANDON ALL HOPE After the vicious cat-and-mouse chase in the streets of San Francisco City, Rick Remender and Wes Craig continue their class sessions of the infamous Batch ’91 in Deadly Class, Vol. 3 The Snake Pit. It consists of issues #12 to #16 and clocking 128 pages. It also features some great artworks by […]

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Posted October 13, 2015 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

Deadly Class Vol 3 cover

ABANDON ALL HOPE

After the vicious cat-and-mouse chase in the streets of San Francisco City, Rick Remender and Wes Craig continue their class sessions of the infamous Batch ’91 in Deadly Class, Vol. 3 The Snake Pit. It consists of issues #12 to #16 and clocking 128 pages. It also features some great artworks by co-creator Wes Craig. Simply put, this volume carries on what happened in the previous itineration and as the title literary says—our characters are going to the pits of adolescent hell. And, who could not love the Shakespearean Romeo-and-Juliet twisted archetypes that would put many love and action film and television scenes into absolute shame?

The Deadly Class creative team places a couple of death scythes on some of our beloved (and hated) characters that can only match by George RR Martin’s Game of Thrones. Lastly, the creators take us further to the phase we can cringe and relate with—burning bridges. What some more of emotional and psychedelic rollercoaster ride? How about self-loathing, drug experimentations and tripping, sex-capades, and teenage snitching and betrayals roll into one tumultuous volume only Remender and Craig can pull off. Sure, the most painful moment many readers and/or fans can connect upon is the main protagonist’s fall to the abyss in the most literal and emotional sense that results or paves way to that cliffhanging last page that would surely make readers gasping for more Deadly Class story arcs to go. Therefore, let’s enjoy the ride!

Unlike the previous chapter, this one is deliberately paced slow, particularly the middle parts to illustrate the spiraling descent of the main cast through embracing drastic forms of escapism which paradoxically, that same dude must endure, escape and almost exploded if not for the last-minute sympathy from his unlikely batch mate. In addition, this slow-paced motion is actually appropriate because to create the necessary tensions and conflicts around the main protagonist and other supporting casts. As a matter of fact, this volume has a larger participation of batch mates and other students, including some parents and relatives involved. This is an interesting turn-of-events for the overall story because many of the scenes Craig illustrated are highly relatable or interconnected to the prevailing norms of the late 1980s or more specifically, 1988, which already started last volume. Additionally, readers are ensure of the longevity of the series until the batch’s graduation three years later if many of them stays alive and kicking. This shows the writing prowess of Remender in dealing with highly and disturbing topics like drugs and drug addictions, bullying, power-playing and tripping, subterfuge, teenage angst, and the prevailing issue in the 1980s, HIV/AIDS epidemic, particularly referencing some nasty stereotypes and socio-medical myths surrounding and concerning the deadly disease. Remender tackled adolescent life as if he is showing us some of his pieces of real-life experiences and other personalities as well, most especially the major character. And, the writer emphasized a balance of character development especially those considered as peripherals, alongside with slowly intensifying or thickening the plot towards that climatic typical superhero inspired cliffhanging fashion. Henceforth, Deadly Class delivers more and more.

Wes Craig’s trademark illustrations exceed further expectations that he draws more confidently than ever, more particularly the finale act where his storytelling interpretations carry-on even with less dialogues and thought balloons combined. He may have some panels that are unorthodoxly done but he is basically drawing outside the box and virtually unhinged at the same time. Jordan Boyd’s colors help a lot on accomplishing Craig’s harmonious artistic vision with Remender’s by synchronizing warm and dark contrasts and color palettes that helps create an illusion of both depressing and/or psychedelic (with a sprinkle of hope if there is one actually at all).

Naturally, Deadly Class is a very mature book. Sex, drugs, violence, decapitations, and tons of politically incorrect terms and phrases are littered from page to page, and it is not for the ironically-challenged and myopic-minded types of readers either. But anyways, Deadly Class, Vol. 3 The Snake Pit starts and ends with the tragedy that William Shakespeare can surely approve upon. This is definitely a TASTY READ!

Rating: 4.5/5


Paul Ramos

 


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