End of Life #3 is written by Kyle Starks and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Steve Pugh, colours by Chris O’Halloran and letters by Becca Carey. Main cover art (left) is by Gerald Parel.
End of Life #3 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
Eddie has a Big Cock problem: The chicken-headed Menagerie assassin has found his way to Pluto. Who could’ve given up Eddie’s secret? Or is Big Cock here for another purpose? Whatever the answer is, it’s obviously all Eddie’s fault, and now the whole town is in danger. Oh, and it gets worse. Deep within the confines of the abandoned Wrongdog Park, Richard Smiley is working on a plan to take Eddie down and tighten his criminal grip on the town…
Review
From its first two issues alone, End of Life has quickly and confidently established itself as one of the best new comic series of 2026. With its stylish artwork, brief but intense violence and a sense of humour that keeps you coming back for more, this series continues to outdo itself in every aspect…and issue 3 is no different.
This issue opens with a rather funny exchange between Richard Smiley and his gang members, trying to figure out a way to kill Eddie. The conversation is short-lived, but it is just as chaotic as one would expect, with constant interruptions and lines that are supposed to sound threatening but are instead backhanded. This is followed by a brief moment where we see Eddie actually showing concern for his dad for once.
Kyle Starks balances this issue perfectly by having the first half carry over the same dialogue-driven character drama from the last instalment, leaving all the action for the second half. The interactions Eddie has here, whether with his dad, Sophie, or the gas station owner, are equal parts comic as they are tragic. One second, Eddie can be a normal human being and show a small ounce of sympathy, only for his next breath to be the most naive or arrogant thing you’ve ever heard. It’s moments like these that hint at his past relationships with these people, emphasising how his personality caused these frictions in the first place.
However, as previously mentioned, the tone shifts during the second half when Eddie comes face-to-face with a Menagerie assassin by the name of Big Cock…yes, that is actually his name. This encounter is just as funny as you would expect it to be in more ways than one. Firstly, this assassin’s appearance may be intimidating to begin with, but the comedic potential really shows itself when you realise every word that comes out of his mouth is ‘Big Cock’ and literally nothing else. Secondly, Starks uses this moment to play into Eddie’s big-headedness once again, as his onslaught of cockiness goes nowhere as the assassin ignores him the entire time to look up Eddie’s bounty on his phone.
This comes to a head when Big Cock strikes Eddie down and proceeds to chase him towards the gas station. From this point onwards, it is nonstop as Eddie tries to one-up the assassin any way he can. Steve Pugh brings this brilliantly to life as the chicken-headed threat looms over every panel like a demon possessed. This is then matched by Chris O’Halloran’s colour work, especially in the final part of the chase, as Big Cock encroaches further, while on fire.
Issue 3 of End of Life is over the top and hilarious in the best way possible, continually throwing new obstacles into the mix that keep the story moving at a consistent pace. If you’re not reading this series yet, do yourself a favour and pick up the first three instalments, as you will be in for arguably the funniest and most engaging read of the year.
Verdict
Once again, End of Life keeps readers on their toes by going from quiet character moments to bombastic action setpieces, all whilst sticking with its hilarious writing that has defined this series from the start.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
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