Based on 49 Goodreads ratings
Pop Kill
by a menpō\u002Dmasked hit squad and a half\u002Dburned, knife\u002Dwielding enforcer, Dina believes her best hope is to explain to her boss she has no intention of jumping ship. However, her newfound superspy bodyguard knows just how vengeful Koizumi can be, and that it’ll take more than words to survive his wrath. Writer/artist Johnson tackles his first full\u002Dlength, creator\u002Downed series alongside Painkiller Jane co\u002Dcreator Palmiotti, crafting a tale of espionage that effectively balances the serious and absurd. The multibillion\u002Ddollar companies’ antics mirror real\u002Dlife acts of corporate manipulation, although the cola\u002Dcan silencers and booby\u002Dtrapped six\u002Dpacks are on the wild side. The villains shine bright here, and Goro and Kaito’s antics are hilarious and horrifying. Jon and Dina have good banter, but a perfunctory romance. Santacruz’s pencils fit the genre perfectly, with a modern, cinematic approach to action scenes and a bit of Howard Chaykin influence apparent in the character designs. The soda logos are standouts—as dynamic and believable as real\u002Dworld brands."
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This high-octane graphic novel plunges readers into a world of corporate espionage where soda is serious business, featuring a half-burned, knife-wielding enforcer and a menpō-masked hit squad. Write...
Our Review
This high-octane graphic novel plunges readers into a world of corporate espionage where soda is serious business, featuring a half-burned, knife-wielding enforcer and a menpō-masked hit squad. Writer/artist Johnson, teaming with Palmiotti, crafts a tale that masterfully balances the serious stakes of multibillion-dollar company manipulation with the absurd thrill of cola-can silencers and booby-trapped six-packs. The action is immediate and the premise is wildly inventive, pulling young adult readers directly into a conflict that feels both over-the-top and strangely plausible.
The villains are a particular highlight, with Goro and Kaito's antics providing a hilarious and horrifying counterpoint to the protagonists' struggle. The dynamic between Jon and Dina is grounded by their good banter, even if a romantic subplot feels a bit rushed. Santacruz’s cinematic pencils and character designs, with a touch of Howard Chaykin's influence, perfectly suit the genre, making every action scene pop. The incredibly believable and dynamic soda logos are the cherry on top of this explosive, fizzy adventure that will particularly resonate with teens who enjoy their thrillers with a heavy dose of dark humor and style.
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