The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: Chapter 6 >>> BOOM!

by Sean Tonelli on December 31, 2013

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: Chapter 6 >>> BOOM!
It came into our lives like a bolt of lightening. For a split-second it hung in the air, showing the world its majestic beauty then, in a crashing boom, it was gone leaving behind it scorched earth and distant memories. I am of course referring to Gerard Way and Shaun Simon’s post-apocalyptic love song to rebellion called The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys. Far and away my favourite series of 2013, it’s with a heavy heart that I bid it farewell. So did the Killjoys go out with a bang, or did it merely burn out and fade away?

During the previous five issues, Way & Simon laid out a lot of threads leaving many to wonder if they could tie them all up in time. While they did manage to put a cap on their tale, this final issue did suffer a bit due to the page restraints. Everything moves along at such a breakneck speed that the reader barely has enough time to let the events sink in. This is however my only gripe, and wanting more of something is hardly a negative.

What is on page is fan-freaking-tastic. From the Killjoy’s rebellion, to Destroya’s rampage on Battery City, each page is packed with enough satisfying morsels, reader’s will be spending days trying to digest everything that’s been thrown at them. One stand-out for me is the redemption of Val, a character whom I loved to hate. Sweat dripping from his brow, coupled with the relaiztion that he’d have to live with his sins, readers are left wondering what will become of the ill-tempered leader no matter how hard they tried to hate him. A true testament to the mastery Way and Simon hold over their characters.

It may have seemed like Becky Cloonan had been giving it her all in the previous issues, but boy, we ain’t seen nothing yet. You can feel the joy she must have had with each line she'd drawn as she outdoes even herself. She perfectly captures the human aspect of the story and the overall grandiose of the set-pieces making every panel stand out as an exquisite testament to pop-art.

Dan Jackson’s colours have made him the unsung hero of the series as he takes Cloonan’s art and splashes it with a vibrant palette. While Cloonan’s work stands on its own merits, it’s Jackson’s bold colours that sell the imagery. The two work perfectly in tandem and I would love to see Jackson and Cloonan work together in future projects.

While Way and Simon may have given the characters life, it’s because of Nate Peikos excellent job on the letters that gives the story its voice. Shifting from robotic dialects, to grief fueled flashbacks, the lettering immerses the reader further into the mindscape of the characters. Clever use of colour coded captions makes the story seem as if the characters thoughts are being whispered right into your ear, which is no easy feat.

While the sun may be setting on this series, it doesn’t necessarily mean this is the end-- we hope. The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: Chapter 6 >>> BOOM! puts a near-perfect cap on the series, let leaves enough dangling threads to have readers clamoring for a much anticipated sequel. For as long as there is oppression the Killjoys will always be needed. So look alive sunshine, the future is calling. Make sure you're there to answer.   

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: Chapter 6 >>> BOOM!
Script / Gerard Way & Shaun Simon
Art / Becky Cloonan
Colours / Dan Jackson
Letters / Nate Peikos
Cover(s) / Becky Cloonan & Gabriel Ba
Publisher / Mike Richardson for Dark Horse Comics
Purchase / https://digital.darkhorse.com/

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside