Syfy’s adaptation of the bestselling graphic novel Deadly Class, written by Rick Remender and illustrated by Wesley Craig, has sadly been cancelled by the network. But hope’s not gone yet! Sony’s shopping the show around to other networks and streamers, and here’s why the show deserves a second chance!
#1 The cast and characters are super diverse and super kickass
Set in the eighties, Deadly Class is about a group of misfits who go to a school for assassins. It explores the counter-culture of the decade, submerged in punk rock style, and features an amazing cast of characters.
Benjamin Wadsworth stars as the main character, Marcus Lopez Arguello, while the supporting cast includes Lana Condor of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Benedict Wong from Doctor Strange and The Avengers, Liam James from The Way Way Back, and relative newcomers María Gabriela de Faría and Luke Tennie.
#2 The action is SO GOOD, and it’s produced by the Russo Brothers
As it’s about a school for assassins, it’s not a surprise that there’s an abundance of action and violence. The action sequences are intense and fun, and since it’s produced by the Russo Brothers, they’re very well-choreographed.
Each character has their own choice weapon and style of fighting, allowing there to be varying and changing scenes. For example, Maria has her bladed fans, Saya has her katana, and Marcus, new to the art of killing, likes to throw random things at his opponent.
#3 Deadly Class addresses tough topics, like mental illness and abuse, through compelling ways
Along with that, the relationships between all the characters feel very honest and deep. A big example of this is Maria and Marcus’s relationship. They both, along with pretty much all the other students, had a very tough childhood, and they latch on to each other. Maria is hiding the fact that she has Bipolar Disorder, and Marcus deals with depression and anxiety.
The show explores that complex dynamic really well, and isn’t afraid to go to those really dark places to portray it truthfully. All of the characters have their own interesting backstory and issues. Surrounded by stylistic action and life-threatening situations, Deadly Class successfully balances it all to make for an entertaining but sincere show.
#4 The show’s really stylistic and takes risks with the visuals
Deadly Class really embraces its origins in graphic novels, and every episode features one scene animated and drawn exactly like the books. But the show also takes risks visually in other ways. The biggest example of this is the major acid trip in episode five, when the group goes to Vegas. The show goes through different styles of animation to show the journey through Marcus’s mind.
Also, in a later episode, the show uses intense contrast and color, as well as text on the screen showing Marcus’s thoughts. With some other tricks that can only happen on a tv show, Deadly Class improves on the source material, bringing it to life in a vibrant, powerful way.
Note: This gif is NOT EDITED. This is exactly how the episode did it.
#5 We NEED to see what happens next
The season ended with a clear cliffhanger, as Marcus and Maria are caught redhanded by Chico’s dad. Lex gets shot, Saya leaves, and we don’t know where Billy, Petra, and Willie are right now.
Are Maria and Marcus able to get away? Does Lex survive? Can Saya and Maria ever fix their friendship?
We need resolution, and the show needs a season two, so how about somewhere else picks it up already??
