So, I read the final issue. My thoughts:
Like the rest of the series, it has some cool ideas and moments, but the execution is muddled. It feels like a really good idea that needs a Matthew Vaughn/Jane Goldman-esque revision and reimagining. Sadly, that will never happen.
What I did like is first and foremost JRjr's art. This, along with the first issue of KA2 and most of KA1, is Romita's best work in years. This issue inparticuarly for KA2 was him throwing himself completely into it. The artwork was eye-poppingly good. There were also a few really cool moments in the issue like Hit-Girl killing Mother Russia in a fight/death scene that would've made John McClane cringe. "Relax. I just wanted to make sure she's dead."
Also, I like how Kick-Ass and The Mother****er/Red Mist turned into a couple of whiney fanboys fighting each other. Millar's RM is a true sociopath who seems to think it is entirely a game and tries to go home after thinking he and Dave are even. It may be two-dimensional writing on Millar's part, but it worked pretty well here. Also, Dave just hitting him off the building and realize he's a dumb kid in a wetsuit who just "murdered" another dumb kid was a good note. Also, his inner-monologue/speech after HG saves his ass is good about "Why the movies were created in such a dark decade." I always enjoy socio-analytical navel-gazing like that.
Still, the issue felt a bit underwhelming and anti-climactic. And that
ending. That's a great twist for the middle of a book. But to use Mindy being discovered and arrested as a cliffhanger? I'm sure Millar imagines this is his
Empire Strikes Back moment, but the rest of the story wasn't developed enough to feel like he deserved that. It just kind of ends in mid-story and it will likely be years before he picks up the plot thread. Also, Dave was a downright fool for calling the ambulance for Chris. I don't care how guilty he felt, but calling the police
on his own cell phone while still lat the crime scene got Mindy arrested. Not to mention Chris is obviously going to say who pushed him and get Dave arrested for attempted first or second degree murder.
Still it was "OK," I guess. Certainly entertaining, but like the rest of the book not quite fulfilling. The art is great, but the writing is like a first draft to a potentially great story. Unfortunately, it takes a Matthew Vaughn to realize that potential greatness from Millar (at least as far as Kick-Ass is concerned). After all the delays, I'll wait for the graphic novel editions of Hit-Girl and Kick-Ass 3 before I try and collect them issue-by-issue again.
P.S. There were some glaring plot holes. In the comic continuity nobody knows who Hit-Girl is. She was never broadcast online and nobody knew her as a superhero celebrity of note. In this issue Mother Russia claims to have watched "some of her moves" on Youtube, Dave's BFFs know who she is and even the cops know that she's wanted "for at least 60 murders." How's that possible if the public didn't know she existed until the Times Squares fight? As I said, a gaping plot hole. Oh well.
