Weeks of 4/6 and 4/13

I must say, I really wish Suicide Squad Blaze was in continuity. It’s not a total deconstruction, but just enough of it to keep the series from being “safe“. It has the greediness of the original Ostrander run, while giving us a new perspective. As our main character finds himself drawn further into the world of suicide squad… And after the first mission ended up being a complete disaster (not unusual for the squad, not by any means) we see some doubt and regret starting to seep in. But it’s too late. He’s committed. This outsider voice has been really effective in letting us infiltrate the Suicide Squad, once again seeing them as villains and psychopaths… Rather than the sympathetic heroes that they turn into during extended runs. There’s a danger here as well. The issue opens with this months threat literally killing Superman. He’s not the only one to die this issue either, almost as if the book is making sure you know, without a doubt, it’s not in continuity. I will say though, if you dropped the F bomb‘s, and swapped out the main stream characters for expendable D listers, this thing could absolutely run as a main stream DC title, albeit without a common code approval. That may be the biggest shame. Because it’s actually better than anything we’re getting from the main Suicide Squad title.

Which is not to say that I’ve dropped that book! Quite frankly, as long as you’re keeping Ambush Bug around, I’m probably gonna be buying this. Who would’ve known that Peacemaker would be such a great foil for Buggy?

The one thing that consistently bothers me Though, is the way these writers insist on writing Amanda Waller as a villain. She’s not. She’s far more complex than that, and it takes some real skill to create a sympathetic character who is immoral and devastatingly pragmatic way Waller is. There’s a real brilliance in what John Ostrander created in her, and I just wish these subsequent writers would respect that more.

We got some new infinity comics over the last two weeks. Both Marvel Meow and Alligator Loki we’re a little meh. I mean, not bad. Just, not as spectacular as their kick offs. We have Alligator Loki playing with butterflies in the swamp. We have avenger cats either choosing their owners or cheering them up or stopping an argument… I couldn’t quite tell. Both are just quick and cute vignettes. Not full stories, but I suppose that’s really what infinity comics are for.

On the other hand, I do expect more from full issues hitting the shelves. I popped my head in to take a look at She Hulk. I knew the series was out, and issue three was on the racks. I kind of wanted to see what sort of tone they’re going for. Whatever is happening in the comics is undoubtably shaped by the tone and style that the television show was going for, so it was a good time to take a look at where we’re going.

Nothing happens.

I mean it. Nothing happens in this book. It’s exactly like most of the Disney+ shows. A lot of attractive people talking in hallways but never actually doing anything. The entire book is Jen discussing court cases and the aesthetic of Jack of hearts costume while he’s sleeping on her couch.
That’s not to say that there isn’t anything of value here. We get a hilarious call from Ben Grimm who needs a lawyer for a ticket he’s trying to fight. It’s just a one page gag about lockjaw and leash laws, but it’s seriously the best part of the entire book. In fact, I’d actually rather be reading the story. I wanna see The cop trying to give the thing a ticket, and Jenny in court helping him find it, with him in full Rocky thing attire with lockjaw sitting at the end of the table, hunched over, trying to fit in the courtroom.

Sadly, that’s not what we’re getting. Like I said it’s a very talky book and not even a really transitional story. Let me just put it this way. Anyone trying to jump on board with this issue, they’re not coming back for any more of the series. 10 years from now, anyone pulling this issue out of the dollar bins is not going to go back and try and find the rest of this run. Nevertheless, from what I can see, the people who are reading this are jumping in for the long-haul, and perhaps this will fit better in a trade. I don’t know. I’m not going to know either… Because it wasn’t enough to interest me in coming back.

 

The big pull a couple of weeks ago though, was the conclusion of devils rain. This is a book I’ve really been enjoying. I’m a huge fan of daredevil in general, so a crossover with him at the center is obviously made just for me. They’ve done some interesting things here, exploring politics within the Marvel universe and genuinely making the kingpin feel dangerous again. For a while now, he’s sort of been getting watered down… Made into a bit of a joke. He was fairly ineffectual in the hot guy TV series in particular. The kingpin that we see in Devils Reign though, this man is dangerous. Sure, he can put a contract out on you… And maybe it be better if he did. Because he’s also just as capable of murdering you with his bare hands, and if he goes that route, it’s not pretty at all. And Daredevil? Let’s just say that cover is pretty representative. That’s the closes I’ve ever seen DD come to actually killing Fisk.

I liked a lot of what I saw here, but at the end of the day, the series closes with some significant changes to the status quo. Luke Cage is the new mayor, daredevil is heading off with Electra to go fight ninjas. What’s interesting, is this is the sort of ending that would be quite satisfying if this were a standalone book. If this were just a novel or something like that. The problem is, it’s also a springboard for where a number of comic book series will go in the months to come. Well I love daredevil, I have to admit the ninja stuff has never been my favorite. I’ve been waiting for him to get out of jail, go back to lawyer by day and street level crime fighter by night. It looks like I’m not getting that anytime soon, but those of you were out there who are really big fans of the Frank Miller era, I think you’ve got a real treat ahead of you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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