Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass (published by Marvel imprint Icon) has delivered and all the hype is warrented. It is the story of a 15-year-old boy who decides to become a superhero even though he has no super powers or any training whatsoever. He becomes a YouTube celebrity after a video of his exploits is uploaded. In this video he is brutally beaten by some hoodlums whom he confronts. Eventually the internets dub him “Kick-Ass.” Check out this viral video posted on YouTube.

What I like about it: a skewed take on the superhero genre, teen-angst that isn’t annoying, the possibility that there is something deeper brewing in the storyline (hinted at by the brief, utterly violent appearance of a young girl assassin at the end of the last issue.)

What I don’t like about it: over-simplified depiction of criminals. That’s pretty much the only thing I don’t like about it.

Now comes word that there is a movie version in the works. That is great, if the violence isn’t toned down. Nicolas Cage is slated to star as a cop. He better not fuck this up. This could be a chance for him to regain some of his cult status which he has hopelessly lost over the last 10 years or so as he doggedly pursued mainstream stardom. The rest of the cast are relative unknowns. The most recognizable being Christopher MIntz-Plasse who played McLovin in Superbad.

In the mean time, I am looking forward to issue #4 which is due out next week. Who is this young assassin that saved Kick-Ass in the last issue?