Comic Review: Deadly Class #50

Image Comics

Writer: Rick Remender

Artist: Wes Craig

Colorist: Lee Loughride

Letterer: Rus Wooton

Deadly Class #50 continues the unique partnership between modern day Marcus and Saya. And while Marcus divulged his deception between issues, the former loves continue with conflicting views on how to proceed. The issue leverages the mistrust and difference of ideologies to poses a series of bloody “What ifs?”

If this issue is really the last word on Saya, it’s surprisingly light on story. As mentioned, we don’t see Marcus reveal his employment status to Saya, news she couldn’t have taken lightly (particularly after they slept together). And while Marcus offers an opportunity for some deeper resolution, or perhaps continuation, to their former relationship, Saya opts to cut the moment short. Very literally.

However, what Deadly Class #50 lacks in character exposition, it more than makes up for in the action department. We see Saya under cover as a blonde room service waitress. A deluge of bloody, head-rolling swordplay. Brain-splattering gun battles. Fake bomb threats. These pages crackle with kinetic energy. You can really feel Wes Craig putting in supreme effort to give these characters and their stories a proper send-off.

Beyond the very beautiful violence, we’re treated to a collection of stylish pin-ups. Consider Saya posed cat-like on a stairwell railing, gleefully drawing her blade. Or Marcus with a gun pressed to the head of Saya, who dons a very unfamiliar look: surprise.

The issue’s closing pages certainly make sense, and in fact offer about the happiest ending one could imagine in this corner of the Deadly Class universe. “Ambition or happiness, Saya,” is the offer Marcus makes. But only a few pages later he admits to himself, that was never really the offer, the question. The real question he posed was: “Will you help me, Saya? Will you save me?”

Sadly, Saya’s answer comes in the form of a severed head and a farewell letter we’ll likely never read. And in a page reminiscent of Tom Hiddleston’s impeccable silent acting during the closing scenes of Loki, we see Marcus cycle through the frenzied emotions of realization, understanding the life he’s made for himself is far harder to escape than imagined. If it’s possible at all.

Next month’s cover suggests not only an answer to one of the series’ most long standing questions–where the hell is Maria?!–but that Marcus might be mature enough to forgive her betrayal and begin again. If such a reconciliation serves his desires, of course.