By Wesley Messer — The Kill Lock is one of the most uniquely emotional reading experiences out there. Four robots of different types — The Artisan, The Wraith, The Laborer, and The Kid — are connected by The Kill Lock as they travel the stars knowing if one dies, they all do. Each of them with their own story as to how they got branded with the lock that seals their fate, and their search for a potential cure for it. I caught up with this series for this review and to say the least, it has left an impression in the best way. You can already likely tell I love this series, but here is where I explain to you why I love it as much as I do. I will be focusing on this issue but by the end of this, I hope you will want to get the rest of the series leading up to this point as well.

One thing I appreciate about the series is the character work Livio Ramondelli puts into this universe. Though impeccable character work, Ramondelli also accomplishes incredible world-building. Throughout the first four issues, Ramondelli has crafted a brilliant universe. There are well thought out characters, and the motivations for each of them are not as clear cut as you’d think. You can tell that there is so much thought put into this, it is incredible. Which is why you can’t help but get lost in the story at this stage of the game.

It’s hard to talk too much more about this without spoiling aspects of the issue but needless to say, things take a turn and fast here. I think what makes this issue hit as hard as it does as with the entire series to this point, it’s all about each facet of the art working in tandem along with the writing. Since these are robots with limited to no facial movements, the story must express much through how a character moves. The Wraith has no face at all and yet in how he moves and interacts, you can feel his emotion. It’s especially helped by Tom B. Long’s lettering giving Wraith this solemn yet powerful text to express himself. 

On the other end, I want to talk more about the emotions of the characters. The Kid, in particular, is meant to have the most emotive face along with the Laborer. They also have brighter colors too, in comparison to the darker ones of Wraith and Artisan. Considering that a lot of this book since it has a darker sensibility to it has mostly muted colors, the bright moments pop out, and the violence at points just feels that much more intense. Especially with what goes down in this issue, which will all have the ultimate effect of making you excited and nervous for The Kill Lock #6

It’s just a beautiful comic in general from many perspectives. A well-told story that each element builds upon one after another. It’s weird to review such a pivotal issue, but trust me when I say if you’re intrigued by anything you’ve read here today, you should go get the other four issues too and thank me later. The Kill Lock is a comic I went into knowing nothing about, and I came away from it having had an unforgettable comic experience. For all of these reasons, I highly recommend this book. 

Overall: Get this issue and the other four and then wait impatiently for the next issue. The way The Kill Lock #5 ends, you’re going to be anxious for the story to continue. This is, overall, a beautiful comic that breaks your heart and leaves you wanting more. 10/10

The Kill Lock #5
Writer/Artist: Livio Ramondelli
Letterer: Tom B. Long
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
Run down. Beat up. On their last legs. The Linked know that this is their final chance to find a cure for The Kill Lock. Face-to-face with the last hope for salvation, will it be relief or pain? If one dies… they all do.
Release Date: June 10, 2020
Buy It Online: Click here!

Read more great comic book reviews here!

Wesley Messer