Sometimes you kill. Sometimes you get killed. But no matter what, everyone dies the first time they go on stage. Read Full Review

Knock 'em Dead has a lot of potential going by the strength of the setup in this first issue to get us to connect with Pryor combined with the strength of Rahal's writing and overall body of work. I'm curious to see what he has in store with this because it could go in some really neat ways and it's impossible to tell at the moment from a teaser blurb. I really liked how he presented Pryor in all of this and the work to figure out how to dialogue stand up routine material. Mattia Monaco captures the decaying and disturbing look of a lot of these places and the way it infects those that perform there as well so I'm excited to see what they get to shift things up with as more of the full story is realized. It's a strong opening even without the full sell-through of the “gimmick” of it all and that makes it easy to come back for more. Read Full Review

Knock Em Dead #1 sets things up for what's to come. It focuses on its main character to set him up before knocking him down. The second issue will be a shift from this and it'll be interesting to see where it all goes but as a start, this is a comedy career I want to see explored and where it goes. Read Full Review

Knock Em Dead #1 takes its time with its story and craft in a solid first issue. Read Full Review

All in all, Im a fan of this series. Pryor is a likeable protagonist, and his complicated family situation established via a rather endearing exchange with his older sister only helps to cement that. Minor niggles about the pacing of the reveal aside, its clear that this series is really going to hit its stride from issue two onwards, and if you want to read a supernaturally charged tale of a failing stand-up comedian and the near-death experience that gives him his big break (and who doesnt?), this is just the book for you. Read Full Review

Knock Em Dead #1 is a stellar character piece. Here's hoping the additional supernatural element in future issues proves additive rather than a distraction. Read Full Review

Knock Em Dead #1 starts off a little underwhelming plot wise, but sets up for a hopefully interesting comic accompanied by fantastic art. Read Full Review

While I am curious how Knock Em Dead #1 would read if we got the big cliffhanger earlier in the issue, this is an effective debut that pulls us into this young man's life. We want to see Pryor succeed, especially since he's already been through so much. Can laughter emerge from all this tragedy and pain? Or is something darker lurking nearby? Knock Em Dead gives new meaning to the phrase "I'm dying up here" by adding a supernatural spin on it. Read Full Review

I had a bit higher hopes for the first issue of Knock 'Em Dead. I loved the look but only kinda liked the story portion. That said, I'm definitely picking up the rest of this series as I tend to like everything Eliot Rahal writes. But, with how the story is playing out, I'm sure it really kicks into gear with the next issue. Here's hoping for that. Read Full Review