Connect with us
Kill or Be Killed #12 Review

Comic Books

Kill or Be Killed #12 Review

It’s Dylan vs. the Russians, with the whole city caught in between!

[amazon_link asins=’B075FCGSN6′ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e1bd54cd-966e-11e7-b0d2-734eee8c3c7b’]

So now Dylan’s going to take on the entire Russian mob. This should turn out well…

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!

First Read Reactions

  • Whenever a shady dude in this book is speaking without articles, you can pretty much assume that they’re Russian mobsters.
  • Argh! These multiple flashbacks within flashbacks are killing me!
  • That being said, I am now totally ready to ship Dylan and Kira (despite the inevitable tragedy that will almost certainly entail.
  • Not sure what to do about the love of your life (and you) potentially being hunted by the Russian mafia? Go to a Russian strip club for answers, of course.
  • …and now we’re back to where the issue started.
  • …and now heads are getting blown off by shotguns.
  • …and now we’re starting to see how the neurotic Dylan we started off with eventually turns into a stone cold killer.

The Verdict

Okay, I know I should be used to the non-linear storytelling of this title, but flashbacks within flashbacks within flashbacks is a little too Inception-y for my tastes.

That being said, I love the way Dylan is hurtling toward the badass vigilante we saw at the beginning of the series. Brubaker has done a superb job of believably guiding Dylan on a character arc that initially seemed nearly impossible.

I also like the fact that we are revisiting Dylan’s relationship with Kira in a way that doesn’t feel quite as parasitic as it did before. Unfortunately, the fact that these two really do seem to have genuine feelings for each other is likely setting us up for some horrific heartbreak down the road.

[amazon_link asins=’B075FCGSN6′ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e1bd54cd-966e-11e7-b0d2-734eee8c3c7b’]

On the art side of things, I’m once again at a loss for a different way to describe just how beautiful Sean Phillips and Elizabeth Breitweisers’ work is. Their work on this title is a near perfect intersection of aesthetic and storytelling. Also, they do about one of the classiest looking shotgun executions you’ll ever see.

And speaking of shotgun executions, I have a feeling we’re about to start seeing Dylan use that particular weapon a lot more beginning next month…

Kill or Be Killed #12 Review
Kill or Be Killed #12 Review
Is it good?
Aside from an overabundance of flashbacks (that makes the movie Inception look subdued by comparison), Kill or Be Killed brilliantly edges us closer to Dylan's transformation into a full blown killing machine.
Sean Phillips and Elizabeth Breitweisers' work on this title is a near perfect intersection of aesthetic and storytelling
Ed Brubaker has done a superb job of believably guiding Dylan on a character arc that initially seemed nearly impossible.
Dylan and Kira's relationship is a lot more fun to read this time around (which of course means something terrible will happen soon)
Seriously...the flashbacks within flashbacks are getting to be too much.
8

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

José Luis García-López gets Artist Spotlight variant covers in July 2024 José Luis García-López gets Artist Spotlight variant covers in July 2024

José Luis García-López gets Artist Spotlight variant covers in July 2024

Comic Books

Marvel Preview: Spider-Woman #6 Marvel Preview: Spider-Woman #6

Marvel Preview: Spider-Woman #6

Comic Books

Marvel reveals details for new X-Men series 'NYX' #1 Marvel reveals details for new X-Men series 'NYX' #1

Marvel reveals details for new X-Men series ‘NYX’ #1

Comic Books

New ‘Phoenix’ #1 X-Men series to launch with creators Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo New ‘Phoenix’ #1 X-Men series to launch with creators Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo

New ‘Phoenix’ #1 X-Men series to launch with creators Stephanie Phillips and Alessandro Miracolo

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup