Suicide Squad just keeps getting better. I know I keep saying it, but I’ll stop when this book does.
Robbie Thompson has absolutely been crushing it on this title for a good long while now, and everything that’s been building for the past few issues comes to a head in this incredible conclusion to this arc. I’ve got practically nothing but praise for this issue, so let’s jump on in!
Okay, well, it’s not actually the conclusion, technically. It’s more like…
See what I did there?
Okay, maybe Robbie Thompson technically did it first, but this is my review.
Let me have this.
We pick up right where we left off, with Rick Flag’s NuSquad (trademark pending) on the way to assault Waller’s base and the Squad Proper still duking it out with the heroes of Earth-8. The alternate Earth shenanigans have hands down been my favorite part of this run so far, so I hope they keep going after this issue, though I have reason to suspect they might be over for now. Seeing all these alternate takes on superheroes and villains is just so cool. There’s a massive amount of charm to Thompson’s multiverse that I’d love to see incorporated into more books (shoutout to Justice League Incarnate, I love what you’re doing). He’s insanely good at juggling a scarily large cast, as well. This is the DC book with the most individual characters, as far as I can tell, and the personality that’s been cultivated for each of them feels distinct, unique, and dynamic. The groups play off each other extremely well, both externally, against other groups, and internally, among themselves. I’m always impressed when a writer can handle a team book this well, and to write multiple unique teams over the course of just 12 issues is incredible.
Thanks to the dream team of artists on this book, they all look great too! I’ve said this previously, but I’m a massive fan of the look of this book. We’ve come a long way from the hyper-realism of the early issues, and I think the new tone is more than enhanced by the new art style and colors. Everyone looks cool, but not overly grim and gritty. It’s a super fun comic-book-y vibe that suits the Squad extremely well. As always, major props to the art team here.
My only complaint is that I’d like to see more of Flag’s Squad. I realize that narratively, they’re there as an opposing force to push Waller’s eventual plans for Earth-3 forward, but it’s a legitimately cool group, and a Squad that I’d read normally. I hope we get to see more of them hanging out and doing things as we go forward, especially considering the end of this issue.
The Middle of the Review
Another prop I want to give Thompson is that he’s actually willing to kill characters (RIP Thing-Man, you were gone too soon). It’s slowed down a bit since those first few issues, but there’s one in here that legitimately made me go back to read it and confirm. A real “Oh man, they really killed them?!” situation. I absolutely love it. There’s even a couple characters in here that have me hanging on for the next issue, just to check if they’re okay. It’s absolutely wild that a Suicide Squad book, of all things, makes me care about characters while simultaneously keeping the threat of death all too real. It’s a wonderful turn from the 2016 movie-style “We put like two characters here to kill them so we can say we did it” mentality that I feel these books struggle with all too often.
This series is good. Too good.
The Beginning of the End of the Middle of the Review
My final bit of praise is just a short little thing, but one that I think needs to be said, because you really don’t see this often.
This book made me excited to see a title card for an event.
I’m excited for an event book.
God help us all.
Recommended if…
- You want a good Suicide Squad book.
- Hell, just a good book.
- Buy this.
Overall
This series continues to blow my mind, and there’s no signs of losing steam. Absolutely incredible.
Score: 9/10
Disclaimer: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
