With the “Kick-Ass” movie buzz, one may have overlooked this week’s release of issue #7.  Unfortunately, the release schedule has been sporadic, but nevertheless Kick-Ass is here.

Mark Millar’s expose into every comic nerd’s daydream to squeeze into tights and start kicking ass gets a bloody dose of reality.  The author left our gang of comic book hero wannabes in the hands of angry mobsters, who are all too real.  Red Mist betrays Big Daddy, Hit-Girl, and Kick-Ass; torture and death ensue.  No need to reveal who dies and how – it’s brutal, messy, sadistic, cringe-worthy, and blood soaked.

John Romita Jr.’s art takes center stage this issue, simply because a plot is non-existent.  By allowing these pages to be dominated by uber-violence, the talented writing skills of Millar are not evident.  I found the level of violence disturbing in this issue for one reason – these characters are kids!  This issue could have used a little more plot.  Romita does a fine job of capturing the details of the tortures and executions (if that’s a good thing).  The art is bloody, but very well done.

Mark Millar sets the stage to conclude this inaugural story arc (or series?) with the next issue.  How much more can the characters take and keep going?  We are pushing the limit here, but Kick-Ass is a fun comic fan fantasy, as long as you can stomach the violence.  As Kick-Ass plans his revenge for next issue, I’m looking forward to it.  I just hope it comes out on time.

4 out of 5

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