Monster Kill Squad from Bad Idea leaves an odd impression. You have the monsters of people’s nightmares and the macho soldiers to combat them. But both in and out of the story, it doesn’t really feel as dire as it should. Frankly that’s the point, it’s not about fighting against scary quirks, it’s about the process where they become normal.
Reference Is The Highest Form of Flattery
The way Christos Gage writes Monster Kill Squad has an overdramatic flair to it. I mean to introduce our titular military unit, they fight a group of Pennywise knockoffs. And that’s after making an impression on the standard soldiers who spend more time reacting to the footage of the clowns. The way the kill squad show off their equipment and brush off the threats these jesters feels otherworldly.
That is until seeing these characters up close and how they share cheesy movie dialogue. The clowns are aware they’re ripping off It and their attempts to sound edgier makes them feel more like failed comedians. Unlike the squad commander who with a quote from the late Raul Julia says a lot about our cast. Despite the odd or terrifying elements, once the barriers are down there comes a sense of mundanity. But some people have to get used to these elements first.
The Coming Out Of The Monster Kill Squad
The Kill Squad emphasize the para in paramilitary. Commander Joan Stockard is a Final Girl who went from a survivor in a prologue to the series’ grizzled veteran. Years of experience after her first paranormal encounter keeps her open to company. Take for example Charity who keeps to her Christian values close without being judgmental. Or Jude a supportive witch who takes pride in her identity in addition to being pan/poly sexual. Let’s not forget the last of the ladies, Helena the team’s expert in the paranormal who is also the most empathetic. It is what connects her to the leading man of this team.
Edgar on first impression comes across as a typical soldier who lets his work do the talking. But with the second issue, his character develops a little more. The resulting fallout of a secret is pretty analogous to being ousted before coming out as queer. Especially since his last “coming out” apparently didn’t go so well. But in the company of monster hunters, this feels twice as complicated; especially since Edgar has trouble forming connections and expects the worst from others. I mean the macho man with a bionic arm Javier looks ready to shoot Edgar down.
Which brings me to my favorite character of Monster Kill Squad, the data analyst Glen who isn’t even part of the action. Yet he has what I feel like is the pinnacle to reach for everyone else to reach in character development. The way Glen speaks to a captured clown isn’t just a clever way way to fish out intel, it’s an empathetic link. It gives off the impression that there’s no gatekeeping between anyone; in fact the audience feels like they connect to this crazy world a little better through him.
Mundane Monstrosities
That’s probably why my favorite moments come from the mundane interactions between everything. Take for example Glen arranging a deal with Cenobites. Despite all of the theatrics, they aren’t all that threatening once all of the technicalities get in their way. Where was this guy in Boom’s Hellraiser?
Or when Pandora makes an anti-patriarchy pitch to Joan. Personally I found that so similar to the petty arguments on social media that it was no wonder Joan pulled a fast one. With how many times this subject comes up, it feels hollow. Besides being bested by Hope is what Monster Kill Squad is all about. It’s not about what separates people, it’s about finding the connections between them and going from there.
Get A Monster Kill Squad Poster For The Wall
The art by Tomas Giorello and colors of Diego Rodriguez give Monster Kill Squad a striking aesthetic. To go along with their memorable dialogue, each character’s unique design and equipment stands out. Take for example a fully weaponized prosthetic arm or a pagan priestess whose wardrobe tells her past. Even the grotesque monster designs stand out, octopus clowns and a gorgon are of many creatures that could be figures.
Are You Ready To Open Pandora’s Box?
Monster Kill Squad is one of those series people won’t be able to forget. The dialogue and monster designs can keep up people’s interest, but it’s the characterizations of the squad that keep people around. Compared to the straight campiness of another Bad Idea, Tankers this series feels like a gateway into its normalization. I give this series 8/10 for dumb fun among great breakthroughs.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.