End of Life #7 — Kyle Starks and Steve Pugh keep the chaos rolling
Eddie Stallion is in trouble, Pluto is struggling, and the Menagerie is closing in. Kyle Starks and Steve Pugh deliver another round of high-stakes, character-driven mayhem in End of Life #7.
There is a specific kind of magic in a series that understands its characters well enough to put them in impossible situations, only to let their quirks carry them through. End of Life has been doing exactly that since the start, and issue #7 is no exception. Kyle Starks writes with a pulse that never lets up, and Steve Pugh’s art brings a gritty, lived-in texture to every frame. This isn’t just another issue in the run; it’s a moment where the stakes feel personal, the danger feels real, and the humor hits just as hard as the punches.
The setup here is classic Starks: everyone’s having a terrible week, and things are about to get worse before they get better. Eddie Stallion, usually the one dishing out the chaos, is currently on the receiving end. He’s been beaten, he’s locked up in some sicko’s shack, and he’s sidelined. That absence creates a vacuum in Pluto that’s quickly filling with trouble. George’s health is failing, the Menagerie is drawing near, and the team is trying to hold the line without their usual heavy hitter. It’s a precarious position, and the tension is thick enough to cut with a knife.
But here’s the thing about this book: even when the odds are stacked this high, you never lose the heart of the characters. Starks has a knack for finding the humor in the direst circumstances, and Pugh’s art makes every struggle feel visceral. The dynamic between the trapped Eddie and the allies back at base creates a wonderful push-pull narrative. You’re rooting for the underdogs, waiting to see how they navigate a crisis that feels both epic and intimately grounded in their relationships.
If you’ve been riding this wave from the start, you know that End of Life is a masterclass in balancing tone. It’s violent but never mean-spirited, chaotic but always coherent. The creative team has built a world that feels dangerous, yet the characters’ resilience makes it feel like home. This issue is a perfect reminder of why this series has become such a standout in DC’s lineup. It’s bold, it’s funny, and it’s unapologetically itself.
Keep an eye on Gerald Parel’s cover A for this one. It captures the essence of the issue perfectly, hinting at the trouble Eddie is in without giving too much away. It’s a striking piece of art that stands on its own, but it also serves as a great gateway for readers who might be on the fence. If you haven’t picked up the earlier issues, this is a great time to jump in, though the continuity is woven in tightly. Just trust the ride; Starks and Pugh know exactly where they’re going.