Steve Niles and Marcelo Frusin become the first creative team to tackle Kick-Ass other than the character’s creators Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. with the start of a new arc in KICK-ASS #7.
Kick-Ass has wiped out Hoops Lucero and seized control of his criminal operations, but Violencia’s set to bust out of jail and get his bloody revenge on our favorite superhero.
Kick-Ass #7
Written by: Steve Niles
Art by: Marcelo Frusin
Colors by: Sonny Cho
Letters by: John Workman
Kick-Ass created by: Mark Millar & John Romita Jr.
Writing
Steve Niles has no problem picking up the baton from Mark Millar in his first issue. Right from the first narration box, Patience Lee’s (aka Kick-Ass) voice is consistent with the groundwork that was laid before. Niles actually has a knack for a more ‘hardboiled’ narrative voice (like his excellent Criminal Macabre series of noir/horror books) and that skill is in full effect throughout the book. That voice helps push the idea that Patience is now almost as much a criminal as she is a hero now that she has literally taken control of multiple gangs. It gives her a more harden edge, makes her more dangerous.
There’s also a dive into the more mundane parts of Patience’s world outside the mask, a detail the further humanizes the superhero.
However, Niles doesn’t entirely rely on dialog and narration, as there is a fantastic and almost wordless action piece that ends the issue. It’s a great example of pure comics storytelling.
Art
It’s a little jarring seeing that familiar green and yellow suit come alive under the pen of someone other than Romita Jr., but Marcelo Fruisn and colorist Sonny Cho do an excellent job. They keep the characters looking consistent, but like Niles, they bring their own style that lends the book a different feel. This is a more muted issue, with art that feels a little bit more old school in its layouts and composition.
And then there is the aforementioned climactic action set piece. Short, fast and tense, the last four pages are a highlight. Notice must be given to letter John Workman for his contribution, especially in this scene.
Conclusion
A new creative team means a good starting point if you have been waiting on starting a series, and that’s a great way of looking at Kick-Ass #7. Patience Lee is quickly growing into her own under that scuba suit and having multiple creators continue her story is exactly what the title and character need. Great job.
