Deathwish: This Ain't No Cryin' Game

* Cover
* Title Page

**This Ain't No Cryin' Game** is a Deathwish story written by Maddie Blaustein. It features transgender, lesbian characters Marisa Rahm and Dini Torres

## Synopsis

"The first Milestone miniseries! Dakota Police Lieutenant Marisa Rahm is stymied by a psychotic serial killer until Deathwish, the psycho killer from Hardware #5-7, breaks himself out of jail to help her out! Takes one to know one! The excitement that the talent involved feels for this project shows up on ever page. In the Milestone tradition, this one will foil your expectations. For instance, you've probably figured out that it's a love story, right?"

## Appearing in

### Characters

* Lieutenant Marisa Rahm
* Dini Torres
* Jackie
* Boots
* Deathwish
* Captain Gil Summers
* Sharon
* Harry "The Hammer" Rigaud
* Linda (mentioned)
* Lana Luna

### Locations

* Dakota
	+ Seaport District
		- North Street
	+ Fire Avenue
	+ Drake Street
	+ Dakota Police Department 2nd Precinct
	+ Brockhaven Maximum Security Prison
	+ The Legendary House of Boots
	+ Sachem City
		- 367 Ogden Avenue
	+ The Incomparable House of Luna

## Background Information

### Production notes

* Maddie has stated that the offer to write for Milestone Media came in the wake of a messy divorce. Given that Kayzie Rogers has said she was the first person that Maddie came out to in person since her ex-wife, it's more than likely that "Martin" and Sharon's divorce was based in reality.

### Other trivia

* This issue is titled after the 1992 film "The Crying Game", which featured the transgender character Dil.
* While still credited as "Adam" at the time of writing, Maddie's chosen name appears in print on page 9 as a nickname for Marisa Rahm

## Quotes

> You're a cop alright, kiddo. And maybe you haven't faced it yet, but you're also one of the girls.
>
> Deathwish

> Dini was my guardian angel. She helped me to find my own beauty. Not just my body... My Mind and Soul Too."
>
> Lieutenant Marisa Rahm

## Reception

In the letters columns of Deathwish #3, when referring to previews of "This Ain't No Cryin' Game" that Milestone Media handed out at San Diego Comic Con, Kevin Andrew Shaw wrote "Blaustein and Fezzani's deft characterization drew me immediately into the story. This is indeed quite different from anything I'd encountered before, and this is just the first issue's exposition. I like Marisa Rahm. Had lesser talent written this character, I most likely would not have. One of the many appeals of Milestone is the overall absence of stereotypes and cliches. The Dakota universe is populated by real people with all the attendant hopes, fears, joys, sorrows, loves and loathing of real life. What could have been transcendently limned as a vibrant, vital and sympathetic personality."

Leo Padilla added, "'This Ain't No Cryin' Game' is a shame. It's a shame that this segment of society has never been portrayed in a comic book of high caliber social consciousness as yours. Now, with the DEATHWISH miniseries, I'm enjoying more of what you're good at: GREAT STORIES! A transsexual / serial-killer thriller! Has this ever been done before? I really admire the character of Lt. Marisa Rahm. She really has some big 'stones.'"

1. ↑ Trans-Ponder Podcast (original) [mr\_nobody\_000 (archived by)]. (2021, October 24). *Old Maddie Blaustein interview* [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8bi5KPPC8c
2. ↑ Levesley, D. (2019, February 27). The Inspiring Story of the Trans Actress Behind Your Favorite Pokémon’s Voice. *Them*. https://www.them.us/story/maddie-blaustein-pokemon