I’m a huge fan of the comic series The Killer. Through its numerous volumes, it has taken us into the world of a hitman/assassin with a non-American/western viewpoint. The character is the anti-James Bond in a way. His actions have worked against large corporations and corrupt governments. He’s a killer with a bit of a left bent. Where Bond is the human avatar of Wester Imperialism, the Killer is his antithesis, looking to even the power gaps that exist. With a Netflix film on the way, a new volume begins with The Killer: Affairs of the State #1 that shakes things up.
The previous volume ended with the Killer being nailed down by the powers he’s fought against and his life and livelihood threatened. Now, he’s under the guidance of French Intelligence hired to take out a target. But who is it and why?
Written by Matz, The Killer: Affairs of the State #1 introduces us to our familiar anti-hero who’s a bit beaten down. He’s hiding in plain site during his mission working a desk job at some random company. He has a partner now, also hired, and a handler feeding him information. The comic has an interesting layered aspect about it. Where previous volumes featured the main character and his family, this one has him undercover as an office drone. He’s being beat down by the state as well as his corporate bosses. He’s broken in multiple ways struggling to fit in with both settings.
But, even when hired by the state, the Killer is doing good? As we learn about his target, the story becomes a bit clearer that his anti-establishment bent may continue even when he’s hired by an intelligence agency. It’s an interesting aspect to the comic that will leave readers pondering about justice and what current systems will and won’t solve.
Luc Jacamon is back with the familiar style that has weaved through the entire series. There’s a “cool” about it all with a European flair in the look and feel. Andworld Design handles the lettering with Edward Gauvin on translation and everything comes together with a new volume that feels like visiting an old friend. Jacamon nails down the dull and soul sucking experience of an office enhancing Matz’s observations about the cycle of work.
The Killer: Affairs of the State #1 is a fantastic start to the latest volume that’ll have you contemplating its layers. A contract killer is forced to work a “soul sucking” job that’s “worse than death” while plotting to kill someone else. There’s something there about positions and roles one has and later the system as a whole that we’re a part of. If you enjoy action and adventure that Bond brings but not a fan of its imperialist tendances, this is the series to get.
Story: Matz Art: Luc Jacamon
Letterer: Andworld Design Translation: Edward Gauvin
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
BOOM Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
