Red Lanterns #26 – Review

By: Charles Soule (writer), J. Calafiore (artist), Gabe Eltaeb (colors)

Who could have known that a book about DC’s least interesting band of ring-slingers would still be going strong months after established properties like Static Shock or cult hits like Dial H were axed? Not I. Nevertheless Red Lanterns plugs on, now under the guardianship of Charles Soule.

This issue finds a team of classic Reds at odds with the dictator of a backwater planet looking to make a name for itself. The plot is straightforward and generally doesn’t deviate too much from expectation, but Soule takes this as an opportunity to add some color to the story, and thankfully not more red.

Field Marshall Gensui has been preparing for a scrap with the Red Lanterns and reveals a wonderfully direct countermeasure for such a situation. Apparently the Field Marshall keeps his civilian workforce in line with a pacification weapon that prevents the expression of strong emotion. It’s the kind of sci-fi contrivance that we often shrug off and accept without a second glance at this stage, but implement it in a story about a group whose power comes from their anger and you’ve got quite an appropriate plot device. It’s really quite amazing no one’s thought of this before, at least not to my knowledge.

Secret Six #36 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (artist), John Kalisz (colorist), Travis Lanham (letter)

The Story: Murder, mayhem, betrayal, friendship–and yes, even love–all come together in a grand series finale that will either make the Six gods among men, or utterly destroy them.

WARNING: possible spoilers ahead!

What’s Good: Gail Simone has spent many years building up the characters and relationships that make up this lovably demented team of misfits, and the care that she and Jim Calafiore have poured into this corner of the DCU shines through every image, word and page of this final issue. Every character gets at least one moment to shine, and the major players all get a chance to bring their personal story arcs to strong and satisfying conclusions. To write characters so clearly devoted to each other, but who are also just as clearly willing to stab each other in the back should the need arise–and to have such a dichotomy feel perfectly natural and organic–is a truly amazing feat of characterization.

Although it is tremendously sad to see one of DC’s greatest ongoing books come to a close, I am so thankful (and relieved) that this unique series and band of characters was given such a beautiful and fitting send off. I am not ashamed to admit that my heart was in my throat for the last five pages. While the Six are certainly far from innocent, their hopeless last stand was so beautifully executed that I don’t think it’s humanly possible not to root for them. That’s right: Gail Simone made me cheer against Batman and the Birds of Prey!

Secret Six #35 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (art), John Kalisz (colors) and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: Bane and Catman have an almost literal heart to heart, then assemble the team for one final, glorious attempt at destroying Batman, his allies, and everything they stand for. But before the plan can be enacted, they need one final, unexpected recruit.

What’s Good: Oh Gail Simone, what will I do without my monthly dose of gleeful insanity from you in the form of this title? Whether its two of my favorite noble villains philosophizing while the beat the tar out of each other, or the simple joy of watching King Shark charge down a hill screaming “I’M A SHARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRK!” it is not possible to replace the perfect storm of characters and author that came together in this book. And frankly, as sorry as I am to see it go after next month, I’m glad they’re not trying to continue it with another writer. This, more than any other book I’ve ever read, is informed by its creator, and is one of the few titles I wouldn’t want anyone–not even my literary idol Neil Gaiman–to touch.

Secret Six #34 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (art), John Kalisz (colors), Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: Recently returned from Hell, the Six get their hero on as they rescue Liana from the twisted psychopath (and you know you’re crazy when even the Secret Six think you’re nuts) who has been trying to “save” her in the most cringe-worthy sense of the term. He gets his just desserts in an extremely satisfying sequence, and the Six return home for a little reflection and relaxation.

What’s Good: Sigh. Gail Simone can do no wrong on this book. Really, she can’t. The voice she gives each of these characters is so strong, and the stories she crafts with them are so much fun. It kills me that this issue feels almost like a goodbye. All of the story threads are pulled tight, most of the characters are at least working towards resolving their arcs and relationships. I fear this doesn’t bode well for the series’ chances of surviving the upcoming reboot. (Though honestly, why DC would let its most outstanding marriage of property and creative team end, I have NO idea. If there’s no room for them in the new DCU, MAKE SOME.)

Meta-concerns aside though, this issue is still very, very strong. Seeing Liana rescued and her captor dealt with is beyond satisfying, and the character interactions and dialog in the second half are outstanding even by Gail Simone standards. (Scandal’s reunion with Liana is particularly touching.) One he of the things I love most about this book is how Simone utterly embraces her cast of misfits and outcasts; she celebrates them, and in so doing, celebrates the different, unique and strange in us all. It might seem odd to draw that parallel given how brutal the team can be, but it really is true. It’s what makes moments like Liana’s quiet, but emphatic, “I never let him make me say it,” so powerful–it sums up the (twistedly delivered) moral that underlies the series: let no one make you ashamed of who or what you are.

Secret Six #31 – Review

by Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (art), John Kalisz (colors), and  Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: Scandal finally decides to use the Get Out of Hell Free card on Knockout, but discovers that to be easier said than done, while Liana finds herself in hot water.

The Review: The solicitations call this the most requested Secret Six storyline yet, and in my case at least, they don’t lie.  I’ve been dying for this strand to be picked up and honestly, just getting the Secret Six back in their own comic after a couple of crossovers is certainly appreciated.

There’s quite a bit to like here, mostly because this issue shows what makes Gail Simone’s so special, that being its blend of twisted humour with dark, dramatic, violent ugliness.  It’s the kind of issue that will, at different points, make both laugh and wince.  Best of all, that wincing isn’t due to gruesome imagery or gore.  Rather, it’s due to the emotional wringer that Simone puts her characters through.

Part of that wringer is the revival of Scandal’s guilt over Knockout’s being in hell.  I’ve always rather liked Scandal Savage, in all her inner turmoil and social awkwardness, and as such, this is a very good issue for the character.  She’s a sympathetic character, but whose flaws, both in herself and her claim to the card and its uses, are blatantly obvious.  Simone successfully writes Scandal’s emotions, making her position visceral and gut-wrenching.

There’s also a big betrayal on the team over the card, and it comes for a direction that was a complete and utter shock.  In pro wrestling terms, Simone has one of the team members make a “heel turn” that is a total surprise, but also completely fair.  The argument he/she makes over Scandal’s possession of the card is entirely valid, yet seeing the character’s dialogue become so suddenly monstrous is a shocking turn for the character.  It’s a big twist and I absolutely loved it.  Scandal’s subsequent fight with the character is incredibly well illustrated.  It’s a battle of blades and words that are equally cutting and it’s emotionally and physically brutal stuff.  Calafiore’s subtle shift in how he draws the now bad guy/girl’s face is also pretty damned scary.

Secret Six #26 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (art), Jason Wright (colors) and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: Bane’s Six confront the natives of the jungle-underworld dwelling Skartatians. They must also deal with the interference of Scandal’s team, who have an assignment even more sinister than their own.

What’s Good: I usually begin my Secret Six reviews by gushing about Gail Simone and her writing, but in this case I have to put that off long enough to gush about Calafiore’s art. He’s been an excellent presence on this book since he took over, but—whether its because of his growing comfort level or the story’s fantastical subject matter, this issue really feels like something special. From the lush jungle background, to the elegantly brutal fight scenes to the giant three-headed river monster that nearly sends Catman to the big Savannah in the sky, almost every panel has that epic, cinematic quality that is one of the hallmarks of great comic book art. (Seriously, the river monster reveal put my jaw on the floor as I turned the page—a reaction many, many artists try to illicit, but at which few actually succeed.)

Now it’s time to gush about Ms. Simone again. I love everything about the way this book is written, from the dialogue to the characterization to the plotting. Bane is really getting a chance to shine here, in a way that he hasn’t (for me) since Knightfall. He’s not just a drugged out, thoughtless brute; he’s a very strong, intelligent and focused man who asks no quarter, and gives none in return. Simone has always been great at capturing this, but Bane’s interaction with the Skartatians, and his casual decimation of their initial attack, drives this home in a way few other scenes have. The other team members—on both sides—are equally well handled as always, but this is indisputably Bane’s issue.

Secret Six #25 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (art), Jason Wright (colors) and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: Somehow (no real back-story given yet) the Six are split up. Bane’s Six take on a quick mission on behalf of a wronged divorcee, while Catman’s group simply try to keep him within shouting distance of sanity—no easy task after the events of the last arc. Both teams end up in the Savage Lands (or a place very much like it) after being hired by the mysterious ‘Mockingbird.’ Will they work together to survive? Will they destroy each other? Will they be eaten by griffons and/or dinosaurs before either can happen? We’ll have to wait and see.

What’s Good: Although last week’s gleefully unexplained guest-written romp in the old west was plenty entertaining, it’s nice to have Mama Six back in the writer’s chair. These characters are quite obviously hers, and their voices are never quite the same under anyone else’s pen. The story is darkly hilarious and the characters are placed in situations that allow them (and their snappy dialog) to shine.

Calafiore continues to do an excellent job on the artwork. All of the characters are beautiful, but the real star here (believe it or not) are the backgrounds. Always nice looking, always dynamic, but never distracting. And that double page spread of the Savage Land-like area the Sixes have come to claim is truly nice—I’d have it blown up and hung on my wall if I could. Just gorgeous.

And this is just a small aside, but I feel the need to mention it since I haven’t before: Travis Lanham does an absolutely fantastic job on lettering. Ragdoll’s font in particular is really, really cool, and adds a great deal to her character. Font really does affect the way a reader (or at least THIS reader) “hears” the characters in their head, and Lanham’s font is a perfect example of this.

Secret Six #24 – Review

by Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (art), Jason Wright (colors), and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: Secret Six becomes a western as Sheriff Scandal and her crew fight to protect a small mining town.

What’s Good: This month, Simone decides to place the Six in the Wild West.  It’s totally out of continuity and most of them don’t know each other.  It’s a wacky idea that I can’t help but wonder how Simone arrived at, but it works if only for its nuttiness.  After all, the Six is a dysfunctional comic as is; why not make it more off-kilter by randomly switching its genre while retaining its characters?  The comic ends up feeling like a kooky dream sequence or fantasy; I myself kept imagining, that somewhere, Ragdoll was passed out, drooling, in front of a TV playing late-night Western movies, a tray of bad sushi in his lap.

Part of the joy of this comic comes from seeing where our characters end up, how they act, and what roles they occupy in this Wild West world.  Scandal as Sheriff is a great choice, Deadshot having a glowing “dead eye” was a nice touch, and Ragdoll as the town fool was simply wonderful.  I adored Ragdoll’s Punch and Judy puppet shows, which were brilliantly, and manically, written.

Secret Six #22 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (artist), Jason Wright (colors), Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: The excellent “Cats in the Cradle” storyline comes to a conclusion as Catman learns the ultimate fate of his son, and confronts the kidnapper for the final time.

What’s Good: This has been a personal favorite “Secret Six” arc for me, due in no small part to the fact that I love Catman, and the way Simone characterizes him. The way he’s been isolated and pushed to the brink (and in this issue, maybe even beyond) has been… ‘fun’ is the wrong word, but it has certainly been one hell of a powerful read. I continue to be amazed not only at Simone’s ability to write consistently excellent dialog, but in her ability to tell an incredibly dark, violent story without making it depressing to experience. She is mining depths in this story that, by all rights, should be completely joyless to read (or even think) about, but under her pen, they simply become a tour-de-force.

Secret Six #21 – Second Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (artist), Jason Wright (colorist) and Travis Lanham (letters)

SoldierHawk did a great job on her review of Secret Six #21.  Given that I consume a lot of comics related media (blogs, podcasts, etc.) I think just about everyone agrees with her that this is one of the best Secret Six stories ever, but I had a slightly different take on this issue.

I still love the series and won’t stop reading it, but this current story-arc just isn’t working for me.  In saying this I feel a little like a blogger for Wired who is saying that the iPad isn’t the coolest thing of all time, so let me walk you through briefly what I thought of the issue.  And….there are a LOT of positives with this issue, but listing them is just redundant.

The thing that makes Secret Six so awesome for me is the team dynamic.  And, what makes them such a great team is that there are about 52 neat little two-way dynamics going on.  Catman & Deadshot have the buddy vibe.  Bane is always threatening to kill Ragdoll.  Ragdoll and Black Alice have some kind of weirdo romance going on.  Scandal and Bane have whatever it is that they have.  Deadshot constantly offends Scandal.  Etc, etc, etc.

But, we don’t get to have any of that here because the team is split into three.  Catman is off being badass vengeance-man.  Part of the Six are following him.  And Bane and Jeanette (she’s the dud of the team, btw because she has no interesting relationships with any of the other Six) are soldiering on with a new band of mercenaries to fulfill their contracts.  So, the only neat dialogue that we get was a cute standoff between Scandal and Alice.  In a normal Six issue we get about 10 of those moments per issue.

Secret Six #21 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (artist), Jason Wright (colorist) and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story Catman continues his hunt for his son’s kidnapper, while the rest of the Six try to catch up.

What’s Good: Every month I put down Secret Six absolutely convinced that this issue can’t be topped. And then the next issue hits, and Simone and company raise the bar and blow me away yet again. That’s certainly the case here–this arc has been my favorite of the run so far (although my love for Catman may have biased me on that front a bit), and this issue is easily the best of the arc.

The best part about a book like this is that there is no best part— the art, the writing, the pacing, all the elements gel together into the kind of comic that illustrates just how effectively this medium is capable of telling a story. (It’s worth noting here that there are only four people credited on the creative team: one writer, one artist, one colorist, and one letterer. Four people, and one very cohesive and successfully executed creative vision. Coincidence? I think not.)

The pacing really is what makes this issue work so well. The tension is kept at a slow boil, but ratchets up bit by bit as the story progresses. Even the fight between (very small spoiler alert) Catman and Bane feels almost muted. After the absolutely frantic nature of the last two issues, this felt like a much needed…well, it wasn’t exactly a “breather,” but it was nice to change up the pace, and avoid possible burnout going into next month’s finale.

Secret Six #20 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), J. Calafiore (artist), Jason Wright (colorist) and Travis Lanham (letterer)

The Story: This picks up right where #19 left off, with MacQuarrie’s thugs threatening to kill Blake’s baby son if Blake does not murder the rest of his team. Whatever decision Blake makes, it’s doubtful that things will end well for anyone involved—especially himself.

What’s Good: Honestly? This book is what’s good. In the interest of full disclosure I will point out that I am an unabashed Gail Simone fan, and many of the reasons I love her are on full display here. The dialogue crackles with energy and there’s not a wasted word among the lot. Each of the characters have a very distinct and individual voice; I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that you would be able to distinguish who is speaking even without the artwork and word bubbles. Catman is particularly well-served as the main focus of this issue; his one-liners are (chillingly) excellent, and the dead, resigned tone of most of his dialogue is just perfect. The story as a whole is nice and cohesive; Simone does a great job of advancing the plot in a satisfying manner while still leaving us wanting more, and eager to buy the next issue.

Calafiore does a uniformly fantastic job backing up the writing with some wonderful artwork, from the characters to the backgrounds to the often brutal action. Special props also need to go to colorist Jason Wright, whose dark and brooding palate—interspersed with shocks of bright oranges and deep reds—perfectly echo Blake’s degenerating grip on himself. It’s a great contrast to last issue’s liberal (and also excellent) use of lighter, more pastille coloring.

Suicide Squad #67 – Review

by Gail Simone & John Ostrander (writers), J. Calafiore (art), Jason Wright (colors), and Swands (letters)

The Story: It’s Suicide Squad vs. Secret Six as Amanda Waller decides she wants Deadshot back and won’t take no for an answer.

What’s Good: As an issue of Secret Six, this really is a lot of fun.  There’s a scene that brings the bizarre Bane/Scandal relationship to new heights, as Bane interrogates Scandal’s date and essentially acts like the girlfriend father from hell.  Meanwhile, Ragdoll of all people finds himself in the hilariously awkward position of being the voice of reason.  The entire scene is absolute gold, largely because of how deadpan Bane is through it all.

This month also marks the first time we see Black Alice in action as a full member of the team, and sure enough, she fits quite nicely, bringing a brash, utterly unsubtle element to the team.  Simone and Ostrander also bring back her diary narration, which is just as fun as last month.  Her perceptions of her new teammates are all really enjoyable, particularly her summary of Jeanette.

Secret Six #15 – Review

by John Ostrander (writer), J. Calafiore (artist), Jason Wright (colorist), Sean Ryan (editor)

The Story: Deadshot is having some problems. He’s having control issues with his homicidal tendencies. So he calls in an old confidante and has a chat. The story follows themes back and forth in time, to his formative years and to his first meeting with Batman. The only question is: Does he get his control back? Given the history of Deadshot and of the Secret Six, we really shouldn’t be sure about anything.

What’s Good: This story compels from beginning to end. Ostrander obviously knows what Deadshot is about and what his demons are. We get to look over his shoulder through this whole issue. DC has been doing a number of these stand-alone, single-character examinations lately and has been doing a good job. I liked the confidante character, who is someone we probably need to take us through Deadshot’s tortured past and see it with normal eyes. I also like the parallels he found in everything that Deadshot brought to the table.

On the art side, J. Calafiore really makes me love this book and I’m really happy that he’ll be back for issue 17 as well. Calafiore also has a good sense of how Deadshot needs to be shown on the page and the right camera angles to show bullets, blood, close ups, blood, sinister expressions, and blood. He’s not perfect, but I never got comfortable with Nicola Scott and Doug Hazlewood, so Calafiore is an improvement in my opinion. The sort of plastic feel that Scott and Hazlewood established has softened into something much warmer and more human here. The postures are more natural and the layouts tell a lot of story on their own.

What’s Not So Good: Some of Calafiore’s art is still a bit rough. The expressions he uses to show emotions are sometimes stiff. Considering how many people get shot in the head in this book, I also would have responded better to an artist able to show nerveless bodies responding to gravity. The falling corpses here shared the same stiffness I saw in the expressions.

As a stand-alone interlude, this book works, but it felt a bit detached from the series. Deadshot refers to story elements that happened almost a year ago, but he and the Secret Six are just coming off of a pretty traumatic experience with the slavers that nearly split them apart only an issue ago. This and the blunt ending, leading into nothing, make me believe that although this story is fun for the SS and Deadshot fans, the casual readers have an excuse to not get it, because it won’t have any effect on the continuity. I hope this is a minor point, but considering that Secret Six is hovering around 25,000 in circulation through Diamond (direct sales, doesn’t include subscriptions), DC maybe shouldn’t be taking too many reflective moments and should jump back into the action and the multi-book arcs.

Conclusion: This is a good, bloody character study for Deadshot fans and Secret Six Lovers, but it didn’t make itself a “must-buy”.

Grade: C

-DS Arsenault