It's only been five years since John Wick became a hit in 2014. With Parabellum rounding out the films into a trilogy, Keanu Reeves' titular assassin has now become a full-blown franchise. Outside the core films, to date the John Wick universe includes: a possible Atomic Blonde spin-off crossover movie; a Continental television series; a virtual reality game The John Wick Chronicles; and a 5-issue comic from Dynamite Entertainment. Despite the franchise's potential, so far the expansions haven't been too successful. The spin-off, crossover and Continental series are all still in development, and the brief foray into VR wasn't highly praised. Thus far Dynamite's John Wick is the fullest installment in the franchise outside the films. That being said, it isn't without its problems.

Written by Greg Pak with issues 1 & 2 penciled by Giovanni Valletta and issues 3 to 5 penciled by Matt Gaudio, John Wick the comic first hit shelves in September 2017,  seven months after the second film. As such it was the only thing to tide fans over while they waited for Parabellum. The comics serve as a prequel to the first film, more specifically revealing part of John Wick's backstory. Unfortunately, they weren't well received and drew negative criticism for having an uninspired story and rushed artwork. But for any John Wick fan curious to pick up the series before Parabellum hits theaters, we've charted the changes the comics make to the wider canon of the Wick universe; mostly as depicted in the first two films.

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9 9. John Wick Is A Cat Person?

The first trailer for John Wick delivered a simple premise: don't ever mess with a retired hit-man's dog. When Daisy the beagle puppy was murdered by Iosef Tarasov, cinema-goers wept all over the globe. Despite Daisy's life being cut tragically short she still casts a large shadow over the entire film series. Daisy was a gift from Wick's late wife, but at first he is apprehensive to take on the responsibility.

However tragic Daisy's death is, her imprint on Wick's soul sees him adopting a pit-bull. But the comics suggest that there's another reason Wick didn't warm to the puppy immediately... he's a cat person? The first issue teases that Wick was perhaps never really a dog person as it depicts him caring for a cat. This is an interesting change to Wick's character because it implies he had a gentler side before becoming Baba Yaga. It also kind of makes sense why at first he seemed ambivalent to a dog in general.

8 8. He Started Off A Street Urchin

The comics reveals through flashbacks Wick was once a petty criminal in the streets of El Sauzel, Baja California. This doesn't directly contradict anything from the movie canon but it is an interesting choice from Pak. This addition of a diamond-in-the-rough childhood paints Wick as a sympathetic figure and it serves as a prelude to how Wick is drawn into the underground. What's more interesting is that Wick is locked up at an early age and emerges a lethal freelancer. This casts doubt over his suspected military background. It does, however, suggest that Wick's sheer will means his deadly force is just in his nature.

7 7. He Was Mixed Up With Gangs 

During his humble beginnings on the streets of El Sauzel, Wick got mixed up with The Three Bills: a trio of gun-toting criminals. It's not made awfully clear what their criminal enterprise consisted of, just that at some point Wick double-crosses the gang. He steals a couple grand and it leads to the massacre of his home village. The entire story then sees Wick plotting to kill the three and their ringleader Calamity.

6 6. Charon & Wick Go Back Longer Than You Think... 

When Lance Reddick (of The Wire) made his first appearance as Continental clerk Charon in John Wick, we got the impression that he was familiar with Mr. Wick by more than reputation. One of the more positive aspects of the John Wick comic is the reveal of a larger relationship between him and Charon.

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The comic storyline takes place before John enters the underworld, and it's his chance meeting with Charon which introduces him to the world of the Continental. Wick saves Charon from assassination and the concierge takes a liking to the apprehensive hero. Not before shooting his would-be assassins in the head. Charon then takes Wick to a Continental establishment in El Paso, Texas. He then remains as a guardian angel throughout the five issues. This change is an interesting one because it adds depth to Charon's character. It seems Charon was once more than a polite clerk. It also provides context to why he seems particularly fond of who we calls, "Mr Wick."

5 5. Wick Begins His Career As A Lone Wolf Freelancer... 

All throughout the five issues, until the very end of the mini-series, Wick refers to himself as a freelancer. However, we don't see him actively engaged in any contracts. Instead, he's hell-bent on a personal vendetta against The Three Bills. He actually doesn't partake in any activities which suggest he's a freelance assassin. He just acts like a vigilante gun for hire; except he is his only client. Still, his reputation precedes him and it doesn't take long for his skills to draw the attention of the Russians who are then determined to recruit him for the rest of the mini-series.

4 4. He Always Had A Sense Of Justice

The whole idea of John Wick is we see a man mourning his wife, trying to leave his dark past behind him who is then dragged back in against his better judgment. This is continued in Chapter 2 as Wick's immediate attempts to retreat back into retirement are thwarted by Santino. The second Wick returned to the underworld, he was back for good. Meaning his reason for returning was his single-minded quest for vengeance and lashing out at the world for taking away all that was good in his life. The films do suggest however that Wick cannot lie about his real nature, that he belongs in this world and his wife and dog dying were just the excuses he needed to unleash his true self.

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But what the comics origin story reveals is that John has always had a sense of justice. The entire story-line of the comics sees John avenging the massacre of his home village in El Sauzel. In fact all throughout the comics he fits into a vigilante role who thwarts injustice. While this addition isn't a cardinal sin, it does undermine the idea and mystery behind Wick's return to the underworld. However, even in the first film we do see that he has a merciful side, like when he spares the life of Russian bodyguard Francis.

3 3. Viggo Tarasov Wasn't Always The Russian Head Honcho

Just like the first film, the Russians figure prominently in the Wick comics, but it's not the Russians we're used to. Instead of Viggo Tarasov or any of his family calling the shots, it's a new character, Maria, who is in charge of the Russian crime family. She's also single-handedly responsible for recruiting John Wick into their organization, through a Machiavellian scheme involving the Three Bills and the Continental.

2 2. Wick Was Manipulated Into The Underworld By The Russians

The biggest change and possibly the most positive addition in the comics is the exploration of John's induction into the Russian crime syndicate, even if it is a little convoluted. Right after Wick is released from prison he enters Russian boss Maria's radar. Then all throughout the series she pulls strings that draw him into the life.

After Wick saves Charon's life, Maria recognizes his potential and immediately tries to recruit him. But he declines, preferring to work freelance. Maria then puts out a contract on Wick with the Three Bills. Until Maria's contract Wick is able to play the Bills off each other, but with the Russians financing them he soon as his work cut out for him. So in order to restore the balance Wick reconsiders Maria's offer and she gives him access to the Continental's full services in exchange for assassinating the Three Bills. John agrees even though he knows what game Maria is playing at and the comics end with Wick being fully inducted into their organization and the Continental.

1 1. John Wick Enters The Life For The Continental

Much like the plot of the first film, the comic series sees Wick driven by revenge: all he cares about is putting down the Three Bills. But when Maria intervenes and arms them with the backing of the Continental, even a force like Wick concedes he needs the resources and connections of the Underworld. It's all part of Maria's scheme and it pays off as Wick enters the life after being seduced by all the Continental has to offer.

This change to the canon works but doesn't work. On one hand, it gives us a reason for John becoming involved with the Russians. It also suggests his motivations for doing so was to access the Continental and its resources. On the other hand, it has John being knowingly duped into the life. This somewhat undermines him being a man of sheer will.

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