I haven’t been this excited for a comic in a long time.

The first series (volume?) of The Paybacks was fantastic, but then it inexplicably disappeared from Dark Horse Comics’ line-up. The series was an entirely fresh take on the business of superheroing, and thank the comic gods that Heavy Metal  have given the series a new home. If you’re unfamiliar with the series, the elevator pitch would probably be something like “what happens when superheroes run out of money, and who lent it to them in the first place?”

Unless the heir in question is Bruce Wayne or Tony Stark, that would most often be met with an “it’s comics, who cares?” response. We’ve always just accepted that broke college students could afford to pay for the supplies to make web fluid, and that somehow four teenagers living in the sewers have access to technology that would make your average techie drool.

But, when those superheroes inevitably default on those loans they took out from the mysterious Mr. Pierce, then it’s time for The Paybacks to get involved. A group of repo men, women, and sasquatches, also coincidently failed and indebted former heroes, that turn up to collect on your debt. The last series ended after The Paybacks had just collected a debt on The Command (think a knock off Justice league), and the new number one opens just as the identities of said super team has been leaked, and the shit is about to hit the fan.

There’s going to be two different types of people reading this comic; those who read the first four issues, and those who didn’t. The Heavy Metal published The Paybacks #1 will welcome both with open arms; serving as both direct sequel to the fourth issue in the previous volume, and an excellent jumping on point for new readers to the series, the newest number one issue of The Paybacks is an absolute joy to behold. The characters are flawed, easily believable despite the fantastical setting; at the heart of it, these men and women are just trying to work for to pay off their debt. Something that many of us can all relate with, I’m sure.

Artist Geoff Shaw gives each character a distinct look and visual personality and his ability to convey the often times batshit crazy moments genuinely had me grinning from ear to ear as I was reading this issue.

There is no reason you shouldn’t be reading this. Can’t afford another comic each month? Drop one of the ones you’re iffy on, because The Paybacks promises to be one of the best series you’ll read in a long time.

Ladies and gentleman, The Paybacks are back. And they’re fucking amazing.

Story: Donny Cates & Elliot Rahal Art: Geoff Shaw
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Heavy Metal Comics provided Graphic Policy a FREE copy for review