Kill or Be Killed Volume 1

The character is interesting, even if not sympathetic. I believe other reviewers have mentioned Catcher in the Rye and Deathnote. Less Deathnote and more Catcher, at least in this first volume. I won't rehash the plot, but I will touch briefly on the politics of the protagonist, since that too was mentioned by some reviewers (apparently causing lower review scores than otherwise would have been the case).The protagonist does have some leftist politics, and that is made quite clear in this volume. However, I didn't particularly take it as "preachy" as at least one other reviewer did. To the contrary, it almost seems like we're supposed to frown on the rather simplistic view Dylan has on the world. He's obviously well-educated, but in the way every college liberal arts major is. He knows how to view things through the prism he's been taught. He can reference major literary works and has a grasp on their themes, but it's an uppity sort of intelligence, which is why it hearkens back to Holden Caulfield.Like Caulfield, you get the sense that Dylan looks down on the world. Not only the world, but himself as well. He has enough self-awareness to be a nihilist, but doesn't seem able to push himself beyond it. He's a sad character, without being a sympathetic one. This makes him realistic to me, though tragic.Perhaps Brubaker meant to slam his own political ideology into readers through this work, but it's not the sense I get (I have no knowledge of Brubaker's political leanings). Rather, the political aspects of the narration deepen the character by making him much more realistic than he otherwise would be. He comes across quite genuinely as a young man in college just learning what it means to be a man. He knows a lot without knowing how to apply it, so we get anger and despair. We see a man struggling to understand the world and, when you learn his family history, and that of his "girlfriend," it's not hard to see why he is the way he is.Dylan isn't the liberal champion of the downtrodden like we see with Green Arrow. He's not meant to be a moral pillar on which we hang our hopes, and therefor his politics carry no weight. He lacks any of the rhetorical devices (such as pathos or logos) by which an audience would respect him enough to listen. To the contrary, he's not a respectable character. He's a tragic one, and he's incredibly well developed because of it.I don't know whether Brubaker means for us to like Dylan. I feel sorry for him, but he's not the sort of guy I see most people wanting to be around. He's depressing, snooty, selfish, preachy, and all too realistic. He is human, all too human.

There has never been a more perfect match of writer and artist than with Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. This story is original and intense, with no fat to be found. Multiple Harvey and Eisner award winner, Brubaker, writer of the popular Criminal series, has truly stepped up his game here with a continuing story that hooks you instantly. The dialogue, twists, and shocking violence are as good as it gets. The artwork by Sean Phillips nails the locations in New York City perfectly. Can't wait to dig into the next volume. This gets my highest recommendation. This one is special, folks!

The action revolves around a depressed twenty-something who drunkenly attempts suicide by jumping off his apartment building. Miraculously, he survives only to be haunted by a demon that claims the hero owes payment for his life. One person a month must be killed at the main character’s hands or else the protagonist himself will die. He resists until the very last day, growing sicker and sicker, until he caves. One of the interesting aspects of the story (and I have not read the other volumes, so I have no idea how it plays out) is that the demon might all be a figment of a mental disorder. After all, the protagonist had just hit his head before the creature shows up. Is he crazy? The best indication is that he begins to feel better once he’s thought of a target, not after he’s killed the man. This aspect works best, in my opinion, as the demon insists that Jon kills “bad people”. What qualifies a person for this criteria is up in the air, but my first question in this story is why would a demon really care what sort of person was offered up to it?

I always wanted to buy the deluxe edition but is out of stock so started reading the vol 1 and is a great kick off. I want to read more!

First: I finished Vol 1 and immediately wanted Vol 2. It's not out yet, and that makes me sad.Second, third, fourth, etc. A third of the way through the book, I found myself feeling that the basis of the series' concept was too weak. I just didn't believe that there was enough hanging over the main character's head to justify his actions. I went back and reread, though, and that changed my mind. After rereading the crucial scenes, I thought that the reasoning behind the main character's actions could be better highlighted...but that, given the situation, his actions were believable - i.e., I concluded that the motivating factor behind the series' concept was just solid enough. I went back to reading, finished, and think that the characters, story and execution are excellent. (As I wrote, the second I finished Vol 1, I wanted Vol 2.) If I were a jacket copy quote from Kirkuk, I would probably read: "...one of the best series to emerge...recent years. Once again, Brubaker and Phillips do not disappoint."They really don't.

Discount punisher who's internal monologue about politics is both hilariously outdated and completely reflective of the character. The NRA controls America? Really? (I'm not even a republican, I just have an actual education in Sociology & Social Psychology)Anyway the main character is a completely unlikable, spineless coward (perhaps an unintentional commentary on the modern university student) who murders people because his possibly imaginary pet demon told him to. I really like this story because I hate the main character and love to see him suffer.Maybe i enjoy the book for the wrong reasons, but I actually like reading stories about characters I don't like, especially when they suffer.

Dylan thinks he has nothing left to live for and during his latest suicide attempt he changes his mind at the last minute only to find he slips from the building he is stood atop of anyway. Lying on the ground below he finds himself bruised and battered but somehow still alive. He returns to his apartment only to find he is visited that night by someone or something that has given him a second chance at life. This chance comes at a cost though, payment is required once a month via the death of some very bad people and so Dylan is forced to mix with the worst the streets have to offer until he finds his next victim and increase his chances of survival.This is the first of a four part series and this first book is such a fantastic opener. The artwork is dark, gritty and sleazy and the story hooks in you in straight away as the 'hero' of the story finds himself faced with the moral question of judging the worst that society has to offer and deciding their fates. It takes a twisted look at vigilantism and whether it could ever be justified, especially when the resulting consequence has been saved lives. It is also a harsh look at the unkind and unjust world we currently live in. Looking forward to reading the rest.

this has to be one of the best comics ive read in a while. sticking to mainly DC or Marvel, i havent read much Image comics but this will change. this story is seriously amazing. very well written and great artwork. the premise seems a little sketchy but once you get into it its a very good read. the story hooks you straight away and these 4 issues are a great start to what i hope will be a great run. im now subscribing to the comic on forbidden planet. overall 5 stars for these 4 issues, when the next GN comes out with 5-8 ill review them too, i cant see it fading based on how strong it started but then i thought that about sherlock. keeping my fingers crossed.

Ok I'm gonna start by saying that I'm a huge fan of Brubaker & Phillips (if you've not read Sleeper yet then do so, immediately).Kill or be Killed is the latest addition to their impressive stable of collaborations. This first tpb sets up our (anti) hero and provides the premise for what's to come. As usual with Brubakers stories the central character is isolated & trapped, there's a fair dose of supernatural horror and of course a complex female element. All of which is brought to life in gritty, sleazy, terrifying detail by the artwork of Phillips.I'm really looking forward to the next installment and seeing how the story progresses

Contrary to popular opinion, I thought that KOBK was just ok... and highly derivative of more seminal comics such as The Punisher.Vol One sure was cheap though, so at least that's something worth considering. But man, the main "hero" sure is a bit of a loser. And extremely unlikable to boot.

Definitely one of the best new comics I've read in quite some time. If you're into books like Hellblazer and Outcast then this is up your street... but possibly better.Great story and very fitting art.Can't wait for volume 2.