Pop Kill

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.