DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3, from Titan Comics on 9/27/23, finds the Legion the boundaries between mischief and something much worse when Frank pushes Joey outside his comfort zone.
The Details
- Written by: Nadia Shammas
- Art by: Dillon Snook
- Colors by: Emilio Lecce
- Letters by: JAME
- Cover art by: Jesus Hervas
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: September 27, 2023
Is DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 Good?
DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 draws the newly formed Legion one step closer to crossing the uncrossable line in Nadia Shammas’s latest entry in the prequel series based on the hit video game. This issue is a step up from the previous entries because all eyes are on Joey when he’s pushed to embrace the infection rather than embracing it willingly, showing a unique perspective on Legion membership.
When last we left the gang, Frank and Julie’s attraction for each other bloomed into a full romance, forming a bond that made them partners in crime. When the gang formerly inaugurated themselves as the Legion, the time for masks had begun. Now, Frank pressures Joey to use his weekly turn at selecting the mischief by choosing something hardcore. Uncertain about how far he’s willing to go, Joey receives a game-changing push.
If you’re a fan of the video game of the same name and are expecting bloody, gory violence, reset your expectations. Sammas’s tale is still in the genesis stage of what the Legion will eventually become, but worry not, Sammas is moving the Legion exactly in the right direction.
What’s great about DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3? Joey is presented as the good kid under unfair pressure from multiple angles, so Sammas constructs a perfect scenario for Joey to embrace the infection. Admittedly, Frank and Julie come across as bored kids looking for a thrill, which isn’t always relatable, so a good kid with too many worries and too much stress is ripe for snapping, and Shamas makes it work beautifully.
What’s not so great about DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3? Shammas’s general premise for pushing Joey over the line makes sense at a high level, but the execution doesn’t make sense visually. It could be a disconnect between the art and the script, but the action and the consequences don’t exactly line up.
How’s the art? Dillon Snook’s loose, sketchy art style gets the job done (barring the disconnect between art and script in the point above), but it’s Emilio Lecce’s coloring that elevates the visuals with sullen shading and an oppressive atmosphere. Lecce’s coloring creates a heavy twilight, reflective of the Legion’s dwindling grasp on hope.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at the covers, or Click Here to jump right to the story description with some spoilers.
What’s DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
Check out our DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #2 review to find out how the masks came to be.
We begin with Joey waking up from a gruesome nightmare, portending things to come. He showers and gets ready for a day of work, pausing to regretfully examine the tattoo he got made on his side, as did every other member of the Legion. Frank calls to meet Joey for breakfast to discuss their weekly act of mayhem.
At breakfast, Frank urges Joey to use his turn to choose a prank that pushes the envelope. Joey feels the pressure of not following in his brother’s criminal footsteps, making his mam proud, and getting good grades in school, so he resists Frank’s “encouragement.” Frank doesn’t push, and the two part ways at the shop where Joey works.
Joey completes a full day of work. He finishes his shift by asking for his wages. Instead, the boss fires him with an accusation of theft after seeing someone steal a candy bar when Frank and Joey were talking earlier. We conclude the issue with Plan A, Plan B, an admission, and a surprise.
Keep scrolling for a closer look at preview images of the internal pages, or Click Here to jump right to the score.
Final Thoughts
(Click this link 👇 to order this comic)
DEAD BY DAYLIGHT #3 solidifies and accelerates the Legion’s descent into darkness when Joey’s stressful life gets the push he needs to embrace the way of the mask. Sammas’s story sets Joey up for the perfect fall, and Snook’s art is elevated by Lecce’s outstanding coloring.
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
If you’re interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.