Book Review: Unemployed Killers Support Group By Rio

Please join me in welcoming Rio to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for their graphic novel, Unemployed Killers Support Group.

Unemployed Killers Support Group is a razor-sharp, darkly hilarious noir-esque manga from Taiwanese creator Rio, this is not your average self-help group. Selected by Taiwan Pavillion as a featured work to be showcased at the 2023 Angoulême International Comics Festival.

Locker Loyed, once a deadly sniper, lost his vision—and his job—on a mission gone wrong. Now, he’s joined an unlikely circle of former contract killers, each grappling with their own personal collapse. Among them: Gloria Maze, a meticulous assassin whose career imploded after catching her husband cheating and killing the mistress in a jealous rage; Jerry Cole, a justice-obsessed lawyer turned bloodthirsty executioner; and Jordi Joe, a delusional con man who’s never actually killed anyone.

As they try to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, Locker begins to realize his past isn’t done with him. A dangerous figure—the one responsible for his blindness and a friend’s death—is still at large. And revenge is still on the table.

For fans of dark comedy, crime thrillers, and twisted found family, Unemployed Killers Support Group is a bold, bloody, and brilliantly offbeat ride through the lives of society’s most dangerous burnouts. Welcome to the group—check your conscience at the door.

*****

This is the first graphic novel I have reviewed although not the first I had read. The plot centres around a group of 4 people all of whom are members of a support group of unemployed killers. I love the concept of hitmen and assassins having their own support groups, it conjures scenes of “hello my name is Chris and I’m an assassin. It’s been 10 days since I last killed someone, and every day is a struggle….”.

The book was printed in black and white in what felt like newsprint (it certainly came off on my fingers). I felt that this really gave it a gritty feeling which helped to immerse me in the story and give it a suitable unpolished feel. I really liked the use of black pages and panels which helped to convey a sense of despair which the main character was feeling.

As I mentioned earlier, this is not the first graphic novel I have read but I am far from experienced. What I find takes me a period of adjustment is taking the time to really look at the book, not just read the words. When you start to look closer you see so much of the characters detail in their clothes, their homes and their facial expressions- things which in a text-only book would take paragraphs or even pages to convey. It allows the author and / or artist convey more in a short space, but it requires an adjustment on the part of the reader too.
I have read this book twice now and I can honestly say that I enjoyed it more the second time as I took more time to truly take in the artwork.

Rio has done a great job and I do hope that there is a follow up.

I enjoyed this book very much and I would recommend it to anyone, especially if they don’t have a lot of experience with graphic novels as the text alone is very compelling.

(Thank you to the publishers for an advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review). 

Unemployed Killers Support Group was released by Titan Comics on 21st April 2026. Click to buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books A Million, Amazon UK, Waterstones and Forbidden Planet.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.