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 #33 – Review

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

The Story: The Six fight for their (after)lives against Prince Ragdoll and his legion of demons.

The Review: Secret Six has been on absolute fire lately, and the conclusion of this latest, and very strong, arc comes to a rousing conclusion without any letdowns whatsoever.  Quite honestly, this is one of those issues where there’s just so much to rave about.

Perhaps the first and most crucial thing to touch upon, however, is how Simone once again taps not just the awesome team dynamic of the seeks, but the emotional ties that bind them together.  Scandal’s decision between Knockout and her team as well as Ragdoll’s recognition of his having a new family are definite highlights that really hit home.  It never ceases to amaze just how emotionally powerful Secret Six can really be.

Each character also has their moment.  Catman, for instance, meets his mother again and it’s one of the best scenes of the series.  Confronted with a grotesque and bloodthirsty torturer for a parent, the resulting scene is both repulsive and touching.  It feels so, so wrong for this to be a feel-good moment for Catman and this comic, but that’s what it is, and the disturbing paradox is testament to Simone’s skill.

Or what about Deadshot?  Once again, badassery looms in his whole-hearted dedication to almost anarchic violence.  Simone again uses Deadshot’s complete ambivalence to matters of life and death as a means of showing that, at his heart, he does actually care about his team.  Much like with Catman, it’s another paradox that works so, so well.

Birds of Prey #11 – Review

By: Gail Simone (writer), Pere Perez (artist), Nei Ruffino (colorist)

The Story: When Catman threatens to throw a man off a building, don’t take it too seriously— it’s just foreplay.

The Review: Simone has pretty much made a career in comics crafting characters that always get personally invested in their vendettas.  Unlike the vast canon of DC heroes who do good because it’s the right thing to do, Simone’s characters do things exclusively because it feels right to do it.  She just loves to tread that sticky gray area of ethics.

Even so, she makes it clear there are still shades of gray, with her Secret Six definitely in the darker area and the Birds of Prey often (but not always) in the light.  Huntress and Catman are among the few characters that truly toe the line directly at the center, which perhaps explains their undeniable attraction to each other.  The former is counted as a hero and the latter a villain—technically—but their actions bring them to the opposite sides of the tracks frequently.

Lately Catman’s been moving steadily toward the darker end, and whether or not he’ll wind up staying gets brought up this issue.  The fact Simone can play with such a pivotal development for him in a title he’s not even featured in shows the luxury she has in writing these characters almost exclusively.  In a way, Catman can only be at his most vulnerable in this title, with the woman who understands his inner conflict the most (his teammates certainly don’t; Deadshot’s response to Catman’s soul-baring:  “Okay.  Let’s stop talking before we get into a weird area.”)

Aside from the more personal drama happening beneath the surface, Huntress and Catman’s chemistry is off the hook.  These are two highly volatile personalities being put into explosive situations in close proximity—you do the math.  And then you have to remember Simone can make the slightest interactions enjoyable.  Black Canary: “I brought chili.”  Oracle: “Wait.  Your chili?”  “Cleans your sinuses right out.”  “Dinah, your chili cleans everything out.”

Secret Six #32 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), Jim. Calafiore (artist), John Kalisz (colorist), Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: The Six descend into Hell itself in order to reclaim the “get out of Hell free” card. Things do not go smoothly, as it turns out that Ragdoll, now a prince of hell (naturally) has the card, and has no intention of giving it up or leaving–or, it seems, of allowing his former allies to leave, either.

What’s Good: Holy. Crap. What in god’s name did I just read? I haven’t felt this dirty since, what, Sandman #6. (I re-read the series at least once a year, and that is the ONLY issue I never look forward to opening again. *Shudder.*) Surprisingly, while Simone’s delightfully demented writing and characters that are the star of the show, this issue gives artist Jim Calafiore a well-deserved chance to go hog wild, flex his creative muscle…and take an equal, if not greater, part in creating the reader’s subsequent nightmares. (That is, just to be clear, a huge complement to both Simone and Calafiore; their work has a way of crawling under your skin and staying with you that very, very few artistic teams can achieve.) The images Calafiore gives us are unsettling, disturbing and act as an aid to characterization, and as an engine that helps drive the story forward.

Speaking of characterization–although it’s clear that Ragdoll is one of Simone’s favorite characters, and although he gets a chance to really shine in this issue, my favorite bit (which I’m crossing my fingers will be expanded on in the next couple issues) was Catman running into [small spoiler here] his father, and subsequently abandoning his team to go find his father again. What his motivation is for seeking out his father is left to our imagination for now, but I’m very much looking forward to having that answered.

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.

Doom Patrol #19 – Review

By: Keith Giffen (writer), Matthew Clark & Ron Randall (pencillers), Art Thibert & Sean Parsons (inkers), Guy Major (colorist)

The Story: A mercenary group of ne’er-do-wells facing off a team of super-freaks on the beautiful shores of Oolong Island as a volcano explodes?  Can someone say reality show?

The Review: Given the outcast nature of the Doom Patrol, it’s no wonder team-ups are a rarity for them.  On one side, they’re pretty much outmatched in number and power by almost every other team in the DCU—even the Outsiders.  On the other side, their specific dynamic doesn’t mesh well with conventional superheroes.  The Patrol serves best when left to their own devices, and not mixed up with characters that call attention to the small scale of their doings.

The one exception may be the Secret Six, who are nearly as weird and antisocial as their Oolong opponents in this issue.  Besides creator of the Secret Six, Gail Simone, one of the few writers capable of delivering the special chemistry of the Six is probably Giffen.  He doesn’t have the subtlety of Simone, being broader and leaning more toward slapstick, but he gets in a pretty good joke here and there (upon being beset by the Science Squad, Scandal remarks, “I think we’re about to be attacked by the chess club.”).

Still, despite having few dull moments between the two teams’ battle royale, some noticeable flaws keep the story from achieving the quality it should have, given the promising premise.  Being a crossover plot, if you happen to not be a Secret Six reader (though, on that note, why wouldn’t you be—it’s only totally awesome), you’d be hard-pressed to get exactly what’s happening here.

And if you did read the first part of the story, you’ll notice how truncated that story seems in this issue.  After all, S.M.A.S.H., the Six’s current employers, basically come to annex Oolong Island as their own, then end up fleeing with their tails between their legs in the course of four pages.  It just feels like the story never gets to build up before it winds down.  There’s little hope the next issue of Secret Six will continue the story, as the Six aren’t likely to work again with people who abandon them to the mercy of their enemies.

Secret Six #30 – Review

by Gail Simone (writer), Jim Calafiore (artist), Jason Wright and John Kalisz (colors), Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: A young, sociopathic nerd is granted a wish at an opportune moment, Bane attempts to act civilized, and the Doom Patrol go fish.

What’s Good: Boy, does Simone know how to write. Although she seems to have the most pure fun with Ragdoll, Simone does her most exceptional writing and characterization of this issue with Bane. The formal, but frigidly cold, way he attempts to initiate courtship is simultaneously hilarious, and pathetically sad. It’s hard to feel sorry for a guy who has one great one-liner after another for a good two or three pages, though. I can’t remember the last time humor in a comic was simultaneously so deeply revealing of character. I’m not quite sure how Simone manages to put herself so effectively into the heads of the twisted and demented folk, but she sure does a hell of a job.

In the art department, Calafiore continues to kick major ass. The character’s faces–arguably the single most important thing any comic artist draws–are detailed and expressive, and the backgrounds, while not particularly unique, serve their purpose well enough and don’t distract from the significant amount of action taking place in, around and through them. Speaking of action…

Secret Six #29 – Review

By Gail Simone (writer), Marcos Marz (pencils), Luciana Delnegro (inks), Jason Wright (colors), Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: The Six finish their dealings with the ever-tricky Lex Luthor, and Vandal and Scandal bring their part of the story to a resolution as well. Threats, deals, betrayals and ticking time bombs abound, and everyone goes out with a bang.

What’s Good: So, I love Secret Six. I also love what’s been going on in Action Comics, and especially love the characterization of Luthor and company. You’d think that this crossover, then, would be tailor-made for me, and it is, to some extent. Although it does have some problems (which we’ll get to below), it’s pretty successful overall, and does a good job of bringing some of the DCU’s best villains together under the same storyline. Cornell is a great writer, and my love for Simone is already well documented, so watching them make use of each others’ signature characters is great fun, on a pure coolness level. It’s great to see the characters playing off of each other, and the storyline itself is well conceptualized and executed on both ends. It’s certainly a fun and entertaining crossover, if nothing else.

Action Comics #896 – Review

By: Paul Cornell (writer), Pete Woods (artist), Brad Anderson (colorist), Nick Spencer (feature writer), RB Silva (feature penciller), DYM (feature inker), Dave McCaig (feature colorist)

The Story: Lex Luthor enlists the Secret Six to get him out of a tight spot.  But things aren’t so cut and dry when they’re facing Vandal Savage, who just happens to be the father of the Six’s Scandal Savage.  In the co-feature, Jimmy Olsen’s on auction—but what kind of money would you pay for Superman’s pal?

The Review: With the Secret Six literally dropping into the party, this issue officially kicks up the action into high-gear.  By themselves, the Six already bubble with story gold: magic-wielding Goth, Louis XIV-themed banshee, and babbling killer harlequin, among other things.  When you add robot-women and mind-controlling caterpillars into the mix—well, this is why you buy comics, don’t you?

Paul Cornell really shows off his writing chops by not only keeping the pace going full-speed, but also by making sure that events don’t escalate so quickly they completely go off the rails.  Somehow, in the midst of all the craziness going on, he inserts a few scenes that set off some of the mines he planted in the very first issue of his run, and he drops clues about even bigger explosions to come.  There are clearly larger, invisible forces at work in Lex Luthor’s life, and as high the stakes are now, even greater ones will be coming down the pike.

This issue features an old trope of classic mysteries, executed in typically Cornell-wacky fashion: the innocuous supporting character who turns out key to all the ongoing weirdness.  What makes the revelation even sweeter to read is the realization of how well Cornell has played us.  After all, with everything Luthor has gone through, this character has remained in the thick of it.  Yet when the new facts about this character’s possible connections to all that has gone on comes to light, it still strikes you with surprise, and anticipation of how this will all turn out.

Cornell also manages to keep up the great character work even while the characters skirmish in the middle of a battle royale.  No matter how small the role or limited the dialogue, each character gets across a clear personality, even the nameless secretary (“We can use our feet, heave the table—I was about to tell you when!”).  The showdown between the father and daughter Savages has touches of resentment, mockery, and underlying tenderness—in other words, a typical father-daughter relationship.  Kudos to Cornell for bringing great family moments like these as the family members attempt to kill each other.

Once the action of the first feature has passed, Nick Spencer’s Jimmy Olsen serves as the perfect palette cleanser, offering pure, unadulterated fun.  If Spencer doesn’t get a Jimmy Olsen ongoing after this run closes, then it will be an enormous loss to comics, because there needs to be a title like this on the stands.  The premise starts off grounded enough, then quickly spiral into full-blown fireworks—and by that I mean bright, colorful bursts of delight.  Who knew Mxyzptlk even had a daughter?  And through it all, Spencer keeps the characters bouncing and the dialogue zipping.  He seems to have honed the trick of writing comedy not by trying to be funny or writing funny lines (which, I might add, almost always end in disaster), but simply having strong personalities meet in unexpected settings.  And Jimmy Olsen, Chloe Sullivan, and Sebastien Mallory meeting at a widow’s charity date auction certainly fits the bill.

Secret Six # 28 – Review

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

The Story: The teams of Sixes have a brief showdown in Skartaris before things come to (something) of a resolution. Deals are proposed, old scores are settled and the Secret Six end up with a—potentially—expanded roster by the time the dust has settled.

What’s Good: While this didn’t end up being the earth-shattering showdown I was prepared for given the epic Six vs. Six setup, I think that at this point the team of Simone/Calafiore are pretty much incapable of disappointing me. As always, Calafiore’s pencils perfectly capture Simone’s demented and hyper-violent script, but he also does a fantastic job of bringing the quieter moments to life: the opening flashback with Alice, the scene in Amanda’s office—all are given the same care and attention as the big monster-slaying panels. That speaks well of Calafiore’s discipline as well as his skill.

The continuity nerd in me is very glad to see some longstanding issues finally called back here (some spoilers ahead, so beware if that bothers you.) I’ve always wondered if Deadshot was being literal about that bullet he was saving for Lady Vic…and here’s the answer. The fact that that wasn’t forgotten, AND that it was revealed so well, really made my day. And speaking of highly satisfying revenge, I couldn’t help but wince a little at Dwarfstar’s fate. Lord knows he deserves it, but…I’m not sure I’d wish Giganta’s wrath on anyone like that!

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 #23 – Review

by John Ostrander (writer), RB Silva (pencils), Alexandre Palamaro (inks), Jason Wright (colors), and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: The Secret Six are lured to a game preserve where they are the prey.

What’s Good: Once you get past the fact that this issue is out of continuity, which in fairness, it’s pretty open about, this is a solid issue from returning guest writer John Ostrander, even if it’s a concept that’s been done many times before.  If anything, this questionable originality is in itself done with a wink and nod: the issue is titled “Predators,” perhaps a reference to the movie coming out this weekend, which looks to have a similar plot.  So really, this is Ostrander plugging the Six into a Predator movie, which is guaranteed fun on concept alone.

The hunters are written in amusing fashion as well; Ostrander seems intent on having them sound like gamers.  While it’s never over-bearing, there’s something in their tone and vernacular that reminds me strongly of the Mountain Dew drinking, profane crowd one often finds playing the newest shooter online.  That Ostrander applies video game lingo to a deadly game of murder is a nice touch of black humour.

I also must mention that while Ostrander does well with all of the characters, Ragdoll is absolute comedy gold.  Every single line he utters is genuinely funny.  It’s that perfect mixture of the bizarre, the depraved, and the innocence that defines the character.  Best of all, though, are when Ostrander inserts pop culture references into Radoll’s raving, which makes it all the funnier.  I never thought I’d hear Ragdoll make a Lost joke.

Overall, this issue is a celebration of the Secret Six.  It’s not a complex plot, but it’s wholly dedicated to making the Secret Six look like absolutely unstoppable badasses, which is refreshing given their low name value and relatively low power level.  It’s clear quite quickly that the hunters are in over their heads and when the Six decide to get even, things get very, very brutal.  As in, Bane ripping off limbs and beating people to death.

Though a mixed bag at some point, Silva’s art generally does the job.  The island looks good and the characters, when in costume, are vibrant and “characterful.”  Ragdoll’s face is also really, really well-done and it’s clear that Silva had the most fun with him.

Birds of Prey #2 – Review

By: Gail Simone (writer), Ed Benes and Adrian Melo (artist), Ed Benes and Mariah Benes (inkers)

The Story: A mysterious enemy is gunning for the Birds, but she’s got something more sinister than the near-deadly frontal assault in mind. The Birds are in real trouble.

What’s Good: I think Janelle Seigel has lined up some first-ranks creative talent for this series. First of all, Simone is a favorite writer of mine. I think she’s done some very subtle and powerful work on Wonder Woman and Secret Six. She can deliver a strong plot, and as this issue shows, she can deliver a complex one, too. This issue is the last part of Act One, where the heroes find out just how bad things are before they have to start dealing with them. I don’t want to spoil anything, but this issue makes issue #1 look easy for the ladies. Simone brings crisp, dynamic and funny dialogue to the table, and grim silences and panicked worry where necessary. The monologues are effective in bringing us up to speed on character and as well as events.

Artwise, I know Benes inspires love or hate depending on the reader, but I’m going to put him and the art team on the strongly positive side here. His women (and men) are all obviously idealized, exaggerated and heroicized (I doubt those are all words, but you get my drift…) as superhero perfection. In Benes’ mind, no hero or heroine can be any stronger, sleeker or more attractive. That’s his artistic vision. Agree or disagree with his artistic vision, but he is skilled enough to put his vision on the page. Hair flows. Heroes move in dangerous and dynamic ways. Their muscles ripple and their clothing is textured and folds when they move. Some artists can only do this, and usually less well than Benes, but take a look at the police and the Penguin in this book. Benes can handles non-heroic expressions and physiques with the same skill.

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 #16 – Review

by Gail Simone (writer), Peter Nguyen (pencils), Doug Hazlewood & Mark McKenna (inks),  Jason Wright (colors), and Travis Lanham (letters)

The Story: Floyd and Thomas aid a grieving father while Black Alice petitions for a spot on the team.

What’s Good: While I did find the last big Secret Six arc to drag a little at times, it’s clear that the series is back in form.  Simone’s one-shots and shorter arcs have often been strongest, and so it’s only fitting that we get a few of these to recalibrate the series.  It’s watching these demented characters operate on a day-to-day level that has always proved fascinating, especially insofar as how they approach an average day on the job or how they interact with each other under “normal” circumstances.

And make no mistake, Simone shows once again that she knows her way around “demented.”  The serial killer introduced at the start of the comic is a prime example.  That Simone is able to breathe so much life into a new, background character  is really remarkable.  In just a few pages, she manages to give this guy such a distinct voice, one that’s all kinds of creepy and twisted and will have you once again wondering how Simone gets away with what she does given Secret Six’s place in the DCU proper.

New additions to a team are always rightfully to be viewed with scrutiny, and Simone effectively proves this issue that Black Alice is not only a character who fits the Secret Six absolutely perfectly in tone and character, but she also convinces me that I’d want to see Alice on a monthly basis.  She’s esoteric, nutty, and odd coherent.  She fits so well and brings such vitality, that I’m surprised we’ve not seen her sooner in Secret Six.  It’s clear that she belongs here, and she already shows this month that she carries very interesting, and mostly hilarious, dynamics with every person on the team.  Her comments to Ragdoll and Jeanette are highlights.

In the end, Secret Six this month is everything the series should be: twisted from cover to cover, yet bringing the laughs throughout.  It’s the perfect balance of dark badassery and black humour, it adds a wonderful new character, and we even get a Deadshot/Catman team-up, a dynamic that has always proved fruitful for Simone.

Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1 – Review

By Greg Rucka (writer), Nicola Scott (artist), Prentis Rollins, Jonathan Glapion, Walden Wong & Drew Geraci (inks)

The Story: Wonder Woman is on the trail of black lantern Maxwell Lord, the she killed

What’s Good: Nicola Scott has never looked better than when Rollins, Glapion, Wong and Geraci are inking her. Granted, it sounds like an army of inkers, but there is a naturalness and fluidity to the poses and faces and a command of perspective and proportion that I never saw when Hazelwood was inking her in Secret Six. I don’t know what kind of game of twister Schlagman and Berganza have to get so many inkers to play to get them to work on one book, but it works. Check out the double splash-page on pages 2 and 3: lots of space, beautiful perspective, clean body lines, flags and hair curling in the wind. Evocative. Ruffino’s colors here, especially the bright glows around the lasso and the battle axe, really give a sense of power. The bottom left panel of page 6 also really caught my eye as something I had never expected out of Scott’s hand. Diana in this one looks young, caring and wise, and even has a bit of a Jessica Alba thing going on. It’s a new take on drawing Wonder Woman and I liked it a lot. DC should keep this company (yes, I’m using the military term) of inkers with Nicola Scott.

On the writing, Greg Rucka is becoming one of my three favourite writers (the other impressive pens in the field are Geoff Johns and Gail Simone). The standard narrative style in comics has become first person monologue in the text boxes. The voice, the flavour, and cadences of each character’s monologue have become pretty predictable too: lot of terse, noir-ish tones and feels. But this issue is different in tone and content. Diana not only has an elevated, aristocratic style of speaking, but the content is surprising and fresh. No other character would be able to pull off something like “He promises more sacrilege to come. He wants me angry. He never did understand me.” This is pure Diana, the kind of Wonder Woman who has been surprising me for the last dozen issues of her main series. DC really makes her look like one of the big three of the DCU because they make her wiser, better than other characters. Her insight into the Blackest Night is also revealing (on both the plot and her character) with lines like: “Life is much more than seven simple colors,” and when Lord is trying to get her emoting to charge the black lantern battery, “Love can’t be taken, only given…” Rucka’s skill as a writer is such that I’m assuming that that wasn’t a throw-away line. He’s hinting at another weapon the heroes are finding to use against the black lanterns.

What’s Not So Good: The only complaint I want to mention is that, as far as villains go, Maxwell Lord has never really had me shaking in my boots. He’s no Joker, Sinestro, Darkseid or Brainiac. I never felt a true sense of menace. To elevate Wonder Woman and make her the A-list character they want, Rucka, Schlagman and Berganza are going to have to pull out the A-list villains for her.

Conclusion: Blackest Night: Wonder Woman #1 opens with a bang and promises a lot. Rucka, Scott and team put out a fine issue and I will definitely be back for issue #2.

Grade: B+

-DS Arsenault

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