Warning: Contains Spoilers from Big Game #1!
What became of Dave Lizewski, best known as teenage superhero Kick-Ass, following the conclusion of his beloved series has officially been revealed in the massive crossover event Big Game from Mark Millar, which merges many of the creator's titles from the past two decades into a shared continuity dubbed the Millarverse.
Big Game #1 –by Mark Millar and Pepe Larraz – is a culmination of years of stories from Mark Millar's best comics, bringing together characters from Kingsman, Nemesis, The Magic Order, Kick-Ass, and more. The first issue catches readers up with Dave Lizewski's life in the years since he retired from crime fighting, while promising to plunge him back into the action, returning him to the Kick-Ass costume once more.
Dave Lizewski Longs to Get Back Into Crime Fighting
In Big Game #1, Dave Lizewski states that he "did a stint as a cop, a security guard and even a short-order chef" while still living with his girlfriend Valerie over the years. It seems like an ideal life for most people, but not Dave. While seemingly living a comfortable life, away from danger, Dave is depicted as yearning to become Kick-Ass once more and save innocent lives. In fact, he feels guilt for not getting back into the role sooner. When Valerie suggests a trip to IKEA for a night out, Dave's Kick-Ass persona chastises him by saying "IKEA? Are you kidding me? You should be out there making a difference, man!"
Even Retired, Dave Inspired a Generation of Heroes
Big Game #1 reintroduces Dave as he's writing a letter to superhero team the Ambassadors, hoping to be recruited on to the team. He mentions that "I like to think I inspired all these amazing people out there," indicating that he recognizes his influence on the newer generation of superheroes, while at the same time itting that he has attempted to apply countless times to no avail. The shame Dave feels for abandoning his calling as a superhero is on full display in this opening issue. Even with the countless people he inspired out there saving the day, he still feels like he could do more.
Kick-Ass, written by Mark Millar, with art by John Romita Jr., was one of the most popular independent comic titles of the past two decades. The story, following an ordinary teen who attempts to be a real-life superhero, captivated audiences who followed Dave Lizewski as he acquired powers of his own, where he can no longer feel pain while fighting. This led to a massive universe of other heroes making their entrance, as his actions inspired countless other citizens to become heroes themselves. By the comic's end, Lizewski had hung up the outfit and given up on crime fighting. Now, the Big Game crossover will bring Kick-Ass back to prominence in the Millarverse.
In the original Kick-Ass run, Dave's Kick-Ass persona was always critical of his alter-ego, since it felt like he was more capable of doing things with his life in the suit than out. Big Game #1 shows that Dave continues to feel like he made a mistake leaving hero work, in exchange for a relaxing life with his partner. It's amazing to see that all these years after Dave gave up being a hero, he still feels about the same. He still craves the hero life. Now, it appears he'll get his wish in the massive Big Game crossover, as a new chapter in the story of Kick-Ass is forged.
Big Game #1 is available now from Image Comics!
