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Dead Eyes
Dead Eyes, Volume 1
Meet Martin Dobbs. He's a hot-tempered, foul-mouthed former mercenary and gun-for-hire who's just been forced out of retirement-with both funny and violent results. DEAD EYES is equal parts Unforgiven, The Equalizer, and Robin Hood, from two of comics' most irreverent creators: writer GERRY DUGGAN (Deadpool) and artist JOHN McCREA (Hitman)!
Collects DEAD EYES #1-4
Collects DEAD EYES #1-4
120 pages, Paperback
First published March 4, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
May 2, 2020
Don't overlook this little gem.
This was just a treat for me and I'm so glad I stumbled across it on Hoopla.
You know it's going to be good when you're introduced to this vigilante(ish) anti-hero wiping his ass standing up because his hemorrhoids are killing him.
He's old(er) & retired from bashing in heads and/or stealing his living. Now he's a loving husband who spends his days caring for his disabled wife and working (on the sly) as a pseudo-Walmart store greeter. And I really liked that his relationship with his wife is fun and loving. She's in a wheelchair due to some unnamed illness and can't do everything for herself, but they still obviously have a good time together. It's more hopeful and (I think) realistic than just having her become some sort of a cliche regret that drags him down.
And while he misses the game a bit, he doesn't dip his toes back in the water until his wife has a seizure and he needs money for the hospital bills. That whole storyline was just very well done and I think most Americans can relate to it in one way or another.
I haven't even gotten to the robbery stuff yet! Martin and his getaway driver are definitely not in the prime of their lives and watching the complications that arise from a bit too much booze and low blood sugar adds some flavor to this heist.
And then there's the whole mob angle with the missing money & the dead guy & painting...and how the hell is he going to explain all this blood to his wife?
I'm hooked. I want to see what happens next.
Highly Recommended.
This was just a treat for me and I'm so glad I stumbled across it on Hoopla.
You know it's going to be good when you're introduced to this vigilante(ish) anti-hero wiping his ass standing up because his hemorrhoids are killing him.
He's old(er) & retired from bashing in heads and/or stealing his living. Now he's a loving husband who spends his days caring for his disabled wife and working (on the sly) as a pseudo-Walmart store greeter. And I really liked that his relationship with his wife is fun and loving. She's in a wheelchair due to some unnamed illness and can't do everything for herself, but they still obviously have a good time together. It's more hopeful and (I think) realistic than just having her become some sort of a cliche regret that drags him down.
And while he misses the game a bit, he doesn't dip his toes back in the water until his wife has a seizure and he needs money for the hospital bills. That whole storyline was just very well done and I think most Americans can relate to it in one way or another.
I haven't even gotten to the robbery stuff yet! Martin and his getaway driver are definitely not in the prime of their lives and watching the complications that arise from a bit too much booze and low blood sugar adds some flavor to this heist.
And then there's the whole mob angle with the missing money & the dead guy & painting...and how the hell is he going to explain all this blood to his wife?
I'm hooked. I want to see what happens next.
Highly Recommended.
March 16, 2020
This book tells the tale of an ex-costumed criminal, the titular 'Dead Eyes', who gave it all up years ago but must now come out retirement for various reasons. If that doesn't sound particularly original, that'll be because it isn't. It's also true to say that Dead Eyes isn't a million miles away from Deadpool, a character Gerry Duggan wrote for a number of years quite recently.
That being said, I still really enjoyed this book. It has a nice balance of action and dark humour and it's well illustrated. I think it's safe to say that if you enjoyed Duggan's run on Deadpool, you'll enjoy Dead Eyes. I'm looking forward to seeing where the book goes; hopefully in a direction that will give it more of a unique identity...
That being said, I still really enjoyed this book. It has a nice balance of action and dark humour and it's well illustrated. I think it's safe to say that if you enjoyed Duggan's run on Deadpool, you'll enjoy Dead Eyes. I'm looking forward to seeing where the book goes; hopefully in a direction that will give it more of a unique identity...
March 21, 2020
Whoa this was SUPER fun.
Dead Eyes used to be a hero, well in a way. More like a Robin Hood of sorts. He killed bad guys when they needed to be dealt with, he also fought criminals, and then he would rob a bank because he needed the money. This was all back in his hay days, in the 90's. We are reintroduced to Dead Eyes as a middle aged man named Martin who is wiping his ass standing up because his hemorrhoids hurt so much.
After years of being out of the crime life he enters it again simply because he's out of money. After his wife suffers a seizure and he decides he needs the money. Rob a bank? Go after a crime boss? Why the hell not.
Overall, this was SUPER fun. I wasn't really expecting to like this as much as I did. Lots of fun humor that landed, great art with awesome action pieces, and also it's just too enjoyable not to enjoy especially with the main heroes. The story itself might not be super original but when done this well, how can you dislike it?
A 4.5 out of 5.
Dead Eyes used to be a hero, well in a way. More like a Robin Hood of sorts. He killed bad guys when they needed to be dealt with, he also fought criminals, and then he would rob a bank because he needed the money. This was all back in his hay days, in the 90's. We are reintroduced to Dead Eyes as a middle aged man named Martin who is wiping his ass standing up because his hemorrhoids hurt so much.
After years of being out of the crime life he enters it again simply because he's out of money. After his wife suffers a seizure and he decides he needs the money. Rob a bank? Go after a crime boss? Why the hell not.
Overall, this was SUPER fun. I wasn't really expecting to like this as much as I did. Lots of fun humor that landed, great art with awesome action pieces, and also it's just too enjoyable not to enjoy especially with the main heroes. The story itself might not be super original but when done this well, how can you dislike it?
A 4.5 out of 5.
February 24, 2020
Dead Eyes Vol. 1 collects the first four issues of the Image Comic written by Gerry Duggan, with artist John McCrea, colorist Mike Spicer, and letterer Joe Sabino. It‘s a complete story arc.
Dead Eyes was a burglar in the 90s. He was stealing from the rich and corrupted. He disappeared after his last score, allegedly a cool 12 million taken from the mafia.
Today, he’s not an anti-hero, he’s not a hero, he’s Martin. He is just a middle aged guy. A normal guy with hemorroids, playing golf, and taking care of his disabled wife. However, the money runs out, and Dead Eyes has to return to « work ». But, outdated and out of shape, he ends up really working a retail job for a joint he hoped to rob, in vain.
Then, Martin notices a guy buying the starter chemistry kit for disposing of a body, and Dead Eyes is suddenly back. His legacy is far from forgotten. The people who lost the 12 millions are far from having forgotten him.
This is both a lot of fun, and quite dark noir. Gerry Duggan is at ease in this unusual playground. The main character is narrating his own story with the appropriate amount of dark and self deprecating humor. The pages alternate between showing us the struggles of his personal life, and the struggles of returning to his alter ego. Duggan even manages to insert pertinent social commentary on the state of the healthcare system.
John McCrea isn’t stranger to those parts, having previously worked on Hitman and Judge Dredd. He delivers a fantastic use of panel layout and sound effects. Plain backgrounds enhancing the action when needed, detailed ones captivating the eyes when offered. The use of color contrasts, quite apparent on the covers, gives maximum impact (the bright Red Cross-eyes on the black mask being a nice touch, at times creepy, at times funny)
Oh. And kudos to those old enough to get the joke in issue #3: We’re bros.
Thanks to Edelweiss, Image Comics, and Diamond Books for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
Dead Eyes was a burglar in the 90s. He was stealing from the rich and corrupted. He disappeared after his last score, allegedly a cool 12 million taken from the mafia.
Today, he’s not an anti-hero, he’s not a hero, he’s Martin. He is just a middle aged guy. A normal guy with hemorroids, playing golf, and taking care of his disabled wife. However, the money runs out, and Dead Eyes has to return to « work ». But, outdated and out of shape, he ends up really working a retail job for a joint he hoped to rob, in vain.
Then, Martin notices a guy buying the starter chemistry kit for disposing of a body, and Dead Eyes is suddenly back. His legacy is far from forgotten. The people who lost the 12 millions are far from having forgotten him.
This is both a lot of fun, and quite dark noir. Gerry Duggan is at ease in this unusual playground. The main character is narrating his own story with the appropriate amount of dark and self deprecating humor. The pages alternate between showing us the struggles of his personal life, and the struggles of returning to his alter ego. Duggan even manages to insert pertinent social commentary on the state of the healthcare system.
John McCrea isn’t stranger to those parts, having previously worked on Hitman and Judge Dredd. He delivers a fantastic use of panel layout and sound effects. Plain backgrounds enhancing the action when needed, detailed ones captivating the eyes when offered. The use of color contrasts, quite apparent on the covers, gives maximum impact (the bright Red Cross-eyes on the black mask being a nice touch, at times creepy, at times funny)
Oh. And kudos to those old enough to get the joke in issue #3: We’re bros.
Thanks to Edelweiss, Image Comics, and Diamond Books for the ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
March 19, 2020
SUPER FAST REVIEW:
Hmm... I dunno.
So at first it was only “okay” IMO for the first 3 issues but then the last issue was awesome.
The story is kinda meh, it’s not bad but typical. I honestly didn’t really care about the characters any. The humor is a tad hit or miss IMO. The action scenes are frequent and very well done. I really like the art and the bad-ass costume design.
Overall, nothing amazing but it is pretty good. I’ll definitely be reading volume 2.
4/5
Hmm... I dunno.
So at first it was only “okay” IMO for the first 3 issues but then the last issue was awesome.
The story is kinda meh, it’s not bad but typical. I honestly didn’t really care about the characters any. The humor is a tad hit or miss IMO. The action scenes are frequent and very well done. I really like the art and the bad-ass costume design.
Overall, nothing amazing but it is pretty good. I’ll definitely be reading volume 2.
4/5
February 1, 2021
Dead Eyes offers a pretty generic crime narrative with a memorably attired main character. Dead Eyes used to be Boston's most-feared burglar. Now, he's retired, but is (of course) coaxed back into action to pay his wife's medical bills.
The caper is functional at best, notable mostly for its brutal action scenes. I had enough fun to not regret my time with Dead Eyes, but it definitely feels like a lackluster effort for Gerry Duggan. I also had issue with Dead Eyes as a character. Are we supposed to see him as a gentleman bandit? Or a ruthless anti-hero? Because he's both over the course of the book, so it's hard to get a grasp on the guy.
The caper is functional at best, notable mostly for its brutal action scenes. I had enough fun to not regret my time with Dead Eyes, but it definitely feels like a lackluster effort for Gerry Duggan. I also had issue with Dead Eyes as a character. Are we supposed to see him as a gentleman bandit? Or a ruthless anti-hero? Because he's both over the course of the book, so it's hard to get a grasp on the guy.
March 30, 2020
Pretty much the same as Dead Rabbit...
This series started a while back under a different name, but that's pretty much all that changed. A professional thief has to come out of retirement to help pay for his wife's medical bills. I really liked the art work and the main character design. It's fun and It has its moments but doesn't do anything new. The ending was good but wasn't very exciting and I'm surprised they set up for vol two...
This series started a while back under a different name, but that's pretty much all that changed. A professional thief has to come out of retirement to help pay for his wife's medical bills. I really liked the art work and the main character design. It's fun and It has its moments but doesn't do anything new. The ending was good but wasn't very exciting and I'm surprised they set up for vol two...
February 1, 2020
4.5 stars. Ah man this was dope. So Dead Eyes is like this masked criminal/Robin Hood type. Robbing banks and rich drug dealers and what not. Been retired for several years and some things come about that make him jump back in the game. Pretty violent with some nice action. Definitely looking forward to a vol 2 if they are going to make one.
November 20, 2020
Skvelý začiatok (dúfam pokračujúcej) série o chlapovi, čo zvykol masakrovať kriminálnikov a sem tam niečo pobrať z banky a po 20 ročnej pauze sa k tomu vracia aby sa jeho ženská na vozíčku mala dobre. Naozaj parádne napísané, veľa scén ma pobavilo, akčné je to tak akurát a netečie z toho testosterón. 4.5/5
March 26, 2022
4.5
Interesting book that plays with the standard vigilante template. I’m a little annoyed there’s no volume 2 but this is isolated enough to have some closure.
Interesting book that plays with the standard vigilante template. I’m a little annoyed there’s no volume 2 but this is isolated enough to have some closure.
Read
February 19, 2020A legendary masked urban bandit comes out of retirement; storywise it's nothing new, but the art is by John McCrea so it sure is purdy, in a scuffed-up, bloody sense of the word. Aside from the occasional muttering about young people and their screens which I'm coming to recognise as the hallmark of Duggan's creator-owned stuff, its main thematic depth comes with the reminder of how utterly horrific American healthcare is; much like Breaking Bad, these are crimes motivated by massive hospital bills, which we're further reminded here are sneakily inflated like unfettered capitalism always will. Procedures are charged for but never received; restaurant prices are charged for prison-quality food. For a British reader, the main impact is thus to remind us that the NHS really was nice while it lasted.
(Edelweiss ARC)
(Edelweiss ARC)
March 7, 2020
The story just didnt seem overly orignal. Im not sure it has lasting power. Still a solid read
September 19, 2024
Dead Eyes was a criminal, a pretty damn successful one if the TV documentary playing over the opening pages is to be believed, but he disappeared in 1997. Speculation about his fate ranges from retirement with the millions he stole, to a murky death, the corpse never discovered. The truth is resolutely mundane: Martin Dobbs is a middle-aged man in a dead end service job caring for his wife Megan, who’s confined to a wheelchair. Gerry Duggan makes it clear from the start that physical restriction hasn’t impaired her mentally, and when Dead Eyes makes a brief comeback she knows. Circumstances dictate, though, that Dead Eyes has to pull another job, and his sudden reappearance awakens the interest of a very powerful man who’s not forgiven being robbed in the nineties.
Duggan and John McCrea show how criminal activity during someone’s twenties is a very different proposition from picking up the trade again after a twenty year absence. The senses are dulled, and the reactions are that bit slower. The story told over the opening chapter ensures we realize Martin’s a sympathetic character, but acquired criminal knowledge can only take him so far.
Despite being involved with several high profile series, McCrea’s versatility remains under-rated. He’s best known for slightly goofy, comedic pages, but even when working that style his storytelling and mood shines through. Here he’s taking a straightforward noir crime approach, heavy on the black ink even in daylight, and not overselling the comedy. There’s a fair amount of that despite Dead Eyes ostensibly being a realistic, although imaginative, crime story, noting that Duggan’s humour is a dry and bleak form of comedy, and he’s especially resentful about the American healthcare system.
Each of the four chapters in this opening volume tells a complete story within a larger tale, supplying some respect for readers who still prefer their individual comics. Anyone who enjoys a sharp crime drama with a few points to make along the way is going to love Dead Eyes.
Duggan and John McCrea show how criminal activity during someone’s twenties is a very different proposition from picking up the trade again after a twenty year absence. The senses are dulled, and the reactions are that bit slower. The story told over the opening chapter ensures we realize Martin’s a sympathetic character, but acquired criminal knowledge can only take him so far.
Despite being involved with several high profile series, McCrea’s versatility remains under-rated. He’s best known for slightly goofy, comedic pages, but even when working that style his storytelling and mood shines through. Here he’s taking a straightforward noir crime approach, heavy on the black ink even in daylight, and not overselling the comedy. There’s a fair amount of that despite Dead Eyes ostensibly being a realistic, although imaginative, crime story, noting that Duggan’s humour is a dry and bleak form of comedy, and he’s especially resentful about the American healthcare system.
Each of the four chapters in this opening volume tells a complete story within a larger tale, supplying some respect for readers who still prefer their individual comics. Anyone who enjoys a sharp crime drama with a few points to make along the way is going to love Dead Eyes.
February 14, 2021
This fun story is a quick read that is easy to recommend. The anti-hero is anything but a guy to take home to mother, but his over-the-top adventures are a joy to see. You can't help but root for him to escape his money troubles and gangster enemies.
The vigilante called Dead Eyes was highly successful in the 90's, stealing from both the good and the bad, but eventually retired and dropped off the map. Now he is just regular old Martin Dobbs, trying to live an honest life. The money issues force him back into his old ways. Martin's wheelchair-bound, epileptic wife Megan knows he is back in the game. He needs the money to pay for her medical bills, but this also draws his old enemies to him, like don Digirolamo. Martin get his driver friend Wheels (obviously) to do a quick bank job that goes sideways. He gets the money, but Wheels ends up in hospital. The don finds Wheels and he is finally going to get some answers about Dead Eyes.
The vigilante called Dead Eyes was highly successful in the 90's, stealing from both the good and the bad, but eventually retired and dropped off the map. Now he is just regular old Martin Dobbs, trying to live an honest life. The money issues force him back into his old ways. Martin's wheelchair-bound, epileptic wife Megan knows he is back in the game. He needs the money to pay for her medical bills, but this also draws his old enemies to him, like don Digirolamo. Martin get his driver friend Wheels (obviously) to do a quick bank job that goes sideways. He gets the money, but Wheels ends up in hospital. The don finds Wheels and he is finally going to get some answers about Dead Eyes.
April 27, 2020
Loved the down-to-earth, real-life problems sprinkled across this. I'm trying not to describe the contents of a book in reviews but the view of the healthcare system here was really well handled, and was probably the core issue raised in the book. Slightly reminded me a little of Better Call Saul when he helped the old folks getting ripped off by their retirement homes. The creators in both cases added a mundane situation into their tales and breathed fresh interest and life into it. Impressive.
The overall setup of the thing was very by the numbers (Duggan's Deadpool gig looms quite large in the background) so this isn't yet going to win gold stars from me for being top of the class but the grounded perspective was great. Looking forward to more.
The overall setup of the thing was very by the numbers (Duggan's Deadpool gig looms quite large in the background) so this isn't yet going to win gold stars from me for being top of the class but the grounded perspective was great. Looking forward to more.
May 18, 2020
This a very timely (for the teens) story about a criminal who got out, but gets pulled back in by the state of the world (health care costs are the primary villain throughout the story). Dead Eyes isn't the most innovative character, but Duggan's dialogue is very much on point, and the story feels very relatable. There are some strong relationships, and the sense of what it would be like to try to get back into crime after decades retired is very effective.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with some very topical themes and realistic characters. I'm not sure it'll stick with me for long, but I would be interested to see where it goes.
Overall this was an enjoyable read with some very topical themes and realistic characters. I'm not sure it'll stick with me for long, but I would be interested to see where it goes.
February 20, 2024
Gerry Duggan tells a different kind of Robin Hood tale as a career criminal comes out of retirement to pay his wife's medical bills. Its gory and violent and really good. Duggan creates a world that's believable and gritty. Dead Eyes is a character that frightens and inspires. I thought John McCrea's art was perfect for this book. Overall, an overlooked book that thoroughly entertained.
March 23, 2020
A fun story better than I expected. Reminiscent of the Equalizer as the main character is a retired Robin Hood type criminal who has pulled a heist since the 90s. His wife is in a wheelchair and he ends up needing more money for her medical issues than his Walmart greeter job is pulling in. So, he looks to get back into his old ways... will look to get the next volume.
March 19, 2020
This little hidden gem was a lot of fun.
January 10, 2022
Two stories, one goal. Money's tight, but robbing gets you more. Drawing style was perfection.
January 12, 2022
Funny, gristly, and smart. Excited to see what this crook is up to next.
February 19, 2020
The characters made this graphic novel work for me. The anti-hero who decided to go straight, but has to be a little crooked to make his life work. The sick, wheelchair-bound wife, who knows darn well he's up to something. Getting together with his old wheelman, and doesn't that lead to some interesting adventures. It was both light-hearted most of the way through with some really violent bits thrown in to keep the action going. I thought this book had heart. I hope Dead Eyes has some more adventures soon.
December 26, 2020
Full of energy, style, and humor, and sometimes a lot of fun, Dead Eyes nonetheless strains credulity. A legendary criminal who wore a mask with Xs over his eyes is forced out of retirement after 20 years in order to pay his wife’s medical bills. I don’t mind the cliched storyline as long as it’s fun to read, and this almost works. But the story ignores reality far beyond what is believable. A lengthy fight in a hospital, for instance, is devoid of hospital staff, and I’m not sure it’s all that easy to gain access to an MRI machine. I know, it’s supposed to be fun, but there’s a fine line between believability and fun, and Gerry Dugan crosses it.
March 28, 2020
I loved this. The art from John McCrea is the best I've ever seen from him and the writing sparkles. I thought this was going to be a typical vigilante story and it does have that but there's so much more. Really great character building and story. I laughed a lot and I found myself enjoying everything about this. I don't know that everyone will enjoy it as much as I did, I love the idea of a costumed anti-hero that is an actual good person while still being violent. I would recommend this to anyone who likes a fun, ridiculous anti-hero.
October 12, 2023
Dead Eyes was a legend of 1990s Boston lore. A sort of Robin Hood but one who stole from anyone and everyone and killed when necessary. However, he retired after his last supposed haul and has been living the homebody life with his wife. Until, that is, she gets really sick and the mounting hospital bills run Dead Eyes’ finances dry. So he decides to take one last job, but is it really just the one?
This was a lot of fun for something I’d never heard of until I saw it on the shelf. The art is great and the pacing is well done. I’m gonna have to find volume 2.
This was a lot of fun for something I’d never heard of until I saw it on the shelf. The art is great and the pacing is well done. I’m gonna have to find volume 2.
February 12, 2020
Reasonable and entertaining book featuring your token indestructible, violent, modern-day Robin Hood. I suppose I'm supposed to rave over the fact that it features a wheelchair-bound character, and a pair of gay men all off the cuff like, but that's not worth extra marks in my book. In this book, however, is enough entertainment to just about deserve four stars – there's seldom any threat for our anti-hero, but there is fun to be had in watching the man who will do anything to do good.
May 5, 2021
The notorious thief Dead Eyes is back after a 10-year hiatus, and this time he needs a whole lot of scratch to pay for his wife’s medical bills. What follows is a take on “nobody ever really retires from crime that features a none-too-subtle critique of the healthcare system and some fairly improbable mini-capers while our anti-hero tries to clear his debts. It all shows promise but the writing feels rushed and not especially well thought out. Not a bad start, though.
January 29, 2020
Very good crime comic series
Dead Eyes is an “honourable” retired career thief forced to return to his criminal ways to pay bills. The series depicts the reasons why and the characters, both with him and against him. Plotting is very good as is the artwork which is clear and not over-colourful. It’s a captivating series which is highly recommended.
February 19, 2020
One of those series that are good but not great. Gerry Duggan seems to like to play sympathetic jokers, since a good chunk of his work involves Deadpool. This series is a wish fulfillment exercise about the thrills of vigilantism and burglary unlike working a mundane life. Not the most memorable tale especially how preachy people get about hospital bills, but one that's fun enough to get through.
March 29, 2020
Wow, this surprised me. I looked into this comic because a lot of other goodreader's that I like enjoyed this and I'm glad I got around to reading this. It's your typical 'robin hood' crime noir story except it's done better than most. The writing and art go really well together and the story kept me engaged. Looking forward to the second volume.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews