DEAD END KIDS – THE SUBURBAN JOB #1 review – A Dead End Worth Taking (Gogol, Cvitcanin, Rinehart, Madd) Source Point Press

• Writer: Frank Gogol
• Interior Artist and Colorist: Nenad Cvitcanin
• Letterer: Sean Rinehart
• Cover Artist: Criss Madd

Thanks to Frank Gogol for the review copy!

DEAD END KIDS – THE SUBURBAN JOB is not your normal comic book. It’s an entirely grounded story about three high schoolers, each dealing with his or her own issues. No super powers, no alien invasion, no end of the world stakes. Just very relatable characters dealing with some understandable trauma in their past. It is fascinating to see how one event impacted these characters in different ways. This introductory issue cuts back and forth between each of them as individuals but also adds an additional element to drive the story forward – a separate group of ominous characters who are looking for something. It will be interesting to see if DEAD END KIDS – THE SUBURBAN JOB uses this as a tool to examine the characters more, or it becomes the primary focus of the book.  

The plotting in this issue effectively keeps the reader slightly off balance. You want to learn more about the three main characters, and how they might relate to each other. But your brain also demands to know what is the deal with the shady guys. How do they fit in? What are they looking for and why? Who bought their wardrobe? (Ok, that might just be me).

The art in this book is essential to the story. Much is left unsaid, with the most informative panels providing visual clues without dialogue or narration. DEAD END KIDS – THE SUBURBAN JOB is able to pull this off by masterfully showing emotion in the characters’ faces and body language. Each panel provides another piece to the puzzle, though I imagine this series has a few surprise curveballs up its sleeve. 

The end of the issue provides just enough information to make certain things clear, while opening up more questions. DEAD END KIDS – THE SUBURBAN JOB is kind of a heavy book, with some adult themes. But it executed so well that is a satisfying read. Younger readers probably won’t enjoy it, and there are some curse words. Adults and teenagers will definitely appreciate and relate to this book. Based on its first issue, I could definitely see the title being adapted into an excellent television show. 

DEAD END KIDS – THE SUBURBAN JOB #1 will be released on January 27th, 2021.

Are you going to pick up the issue? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter.