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Review: “Deadly Class” #5

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The acid kicks in full stop and pushes “Deadly Class” into its best chapter yet. Remender’s stream of consciousness inner monologue beautifully captures the desperation and enlightenment of a drug trip that just won’t end.

DeadlyClass_05WRITTEN BY: Rick Remender
ART BY: Wes Craig
PUBLISHER: Image
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: May 28, 2014

Holy hell, I’m at a complete loss. Wes Craig and Rick Remender team this month to give the seamless expression of an acid trip gone haywire. There is enough here in the character drama to push the emotive chapter to one of the best yet, but the action relentless, too.

The acid has sunk into Marcus’ head and poisoned his brain in the worst way. He sits bathing in the blue light of the television baked into a state of subconscious thought that will soon propel him into a wild ride. Although this drug trips is like most, featuring crazy colors and warped visuals, it rises above any other depiction in any other medium because it captures the pacing of acid.

The intense moments happen in a flash, a blink and you’ll miss it feature from the script and a quick panel set up and payoff from Craig. Yet, the moments of sheer bliss, the tiny moments, like falling out a window are lingered on for far too long. Allowing the inner monologue to take over and smooth everything out. Nothing feels concrete, everything has a wavy quality that doesn’t exactly feel safe, but doesn’t threaten either.

The hectic nature of this issue is bound to get under people’s skin. Yet, it allows Wes Craig to ease into his most comfortable state. His work has always played with paneling and experimented with page layout and this month he goes wild. Whether it’s the flickering blue television panels, or the final showdown in the 7/11 something here will blow you away.

I actually have to be honest when I say “Deadly Class” has been a little hit or miss for me. It never feels like it completely embraces Remender’s wilder side and the overall story always felt left behind. Neither of those criticisms hold water here this month. The creative team has created a seamless expression of an acid trip gone horribly awry and never misses a beat.

The result is a frantically paced comic that never ceases to entertain or invoke awe. This is a master class in comic book storytelling told through the bent lens of heavy hallucination. Every single page is more fun than the last.

Comics

‘The Wicked Trinity’ – Preview New Archie Comics One-Shot Inspired by ‘The Craft’ [Exclusive]

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From Sabrina’s Magical World, Bloody Disgusting has learned this afternoon that Archie Comics will be releasing brand new one-shot comic The Wicked Trinity this coming June.

You’ll be able to meet The Wicked Trinity in the 32-page comic on June 12, 2024.

In The Wicked Trinity, “Sabrina’s magical nemesis Amber Nightstone and her sidekicks, Jade Kazane and Sapphire Gill, are intent on becoming the most powerful witches in the world. Isolated from so many around them, the three have formed a coven based on their individual needs for vengeance and true freedom.

“But when there is some dissent among the ranks, their small coven is threatened to be obliterated from within.”

The Wicked Trinity features a script by Sam Maggs, art by Lisa Sterle, colors by Ellie Wright, letters by Jack Morelli, main cover by Lisa Sterle, and variant cover by Soo Lee.

Archie Comics Senior Director of Editorial Jamie L. Rotante tells Bloody Disgusting, “When Editor-In-Chief Mike Pellerito came up with the idea of the Wicked Trinity—Amber Nightstone, Jade Kazane, and Sapphire Gill—I was immediately intrigued. I even had the good fortune to work on the script for Jade and Sapphire’s first appearance in last year’s SABRINA ANNUAL SPECTACULAR comic for younger readers. What I especially loved about these magical teens is that they could seamlessly transcend from classic-Archie stories into more mature, even horror stories. I was eager to start developing their world with a modern sensibility, taking cues from the great work of Kelly Thompson and Veronica Fish on our SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH series, and Sarah Kuhn and Carola Borelli on our recent DARKLING one-shot. Inspired by series like Charmed and films like The Craft, I knew there was so much potential to build up this coven in a story that beautifully blends magical fantasy with horror.”

Writer Sam Maggs previews, “Real witches writing real witches—that’s how we do things over at Archie Comics! I was named after a famous witch—Samantha from Bewitched—and so I grew up absolutely obsessed with everything witchcraft, devouring every book series I could about teen witches. That makes WICKED TRINITY a dream project for me. The power and energy of teen girls is absolutely unmatched (just look at the engine behind fandom culture) and being able to harness that metaphorically for a story like this is such a delight. Everything I write focuses on the power of female friendship, and this story is no exception. And what’s better than a morally grey female character? I struggle to think of anything. Cat familiars, maybe? Also, I’m totally a practicing witch now. So maybe if you read this, you’ll find yourself imbued with magical powers, too.*

Artist Lisa Sterle adds, “I can’t wait for people to be re-introduced to The Wicked Trinity! Witches, fashion, and Archie Comics; this is truly a magical trifecta and I’m so happy to have the opportunity to put my own personal stamp on this. I love to create stories in which girls find their own power, both from within themselves and through their friendships and coven. If you’re a fan of my Modern Witch tarot, you’ll find this comic just as magical.”

Exclusively check out the two covers for The Wicked Trinity one-shot comic below!

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