[Comic Book Review] IDW's THE KILL LOCK Vol. 1 TPB

PopCultHQ received advance review copy of THE KILL LOCK Vol. 1 TPB from IDW Publishing. Available December 9th, the creative team for this book features writing and illustrations by Livio Ramondelli, and letters from Tom B. Long.

Here is PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of…

THE KILL LOCK Vol. 1 TPB

Writer: Livio Ramondelli
Artist: Livio Ramondelli
Letterer: Tom B. Long

Cover Artist: Livio Ramondelli

Collects THE KILL LOCK #1-6

Banished for their crimes, four robots are bound to each other’s fates in this sci-fi graphic novel.

Each found guilty of an irredeemable crime, four robots find themselves banished from their home world and bound together by the Kill Lock–a programming link that means if one of them dies, they all will. Now a soldier, an addict, a murderer, and a child find themselves forced to protect each other while in search of a cure to survive. Their only clue is a bot known as The Axial, supposed to be the creator of the Lock and keeper of its secrets.

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
THE KILL LOCK Vol. 1 TPB

Imagine a society where the worst of the criminal class are forced to live out their days branded, knowing that at any moment when one dies, the rest die. Four individuals, all condemned to a walking doom, fighting to be free of their curse. Their mission is the same, yet their motivations vary. They are the victims of The Kill Lock. This is their story.

Writing: Livio’s writing is very layered and complex. On the surface it seems to be a sci-fi take on a prison story. However, he goes deeper by breaking down and bringing out the backstories and darker aspects of these four figures. They are united by a common cause, though deep down these robotic rascals are all the sum of not only their parts but their different personalities as well. Masterfully done and incredibly executed.

Art: Taking on the artwork as well, Livio gives readers a fantastic sci-fi world. Interplanetary travel, space colonies, the stuff of science-fiction fantasy made real. However he also deftly highlights the darker aspects of this world as well. The violence and criminality, not to mention the crazy designs and shapes of the various robotic beings. It is page after page of artwork that is both visually amazing and disturbing at the same time.

Letters: Accomplished letterer Tom B. Long tackles the challenge of giving a voice to not only the four criminals of The Kill Lock, but everyone they encounter along the way. The good and the bad. Some of his best work is the lettering for the criminal labeled the Wraith. There is such power that pours from the pages when Wraith shows up, due not only to Livio’s script and art, but Tom’s totally terrific lettering.

PopCultHQ’s overall assessment:

A graphic novel about four felonious fiends fighting for their lives, The Kill Lock is an engaging and fun read. There’s so much going on and springing to life from the printed page, that it is utterly mind-blowing. Sci-fi fans will not be able to put down this great graphic novel, and be begging for more when they finish.