Catman

Secret Six #35

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Secret Six 35With the DC reboot just two months away writer Gail Simone gives the first half of the two-part series finale of a comic I’m going to miss a great deal. The path of the Secret Six takes a new turn as Bane‘s view of the world has been altered by his brief state in Hell.

The man who once broke the Bat has decided to lead the team back into Gotham and take on Batman and the entire Bat-Family. The old Bane, with a little encouragement from Catman, seems to be back.

This is a pretty good issue that puts the team on a new path and drafts a new member (but a familiar villain) to the squad, but with the looming DC reboot the question is will Gail Simone have time to tell the full story?

With only one issue left, I’m saddened that this is the end of the Secret Six, at least for now (and possibly for good). Whether the powers that be in the DCU believe it or not, their universe is going to be a lot less interesting without the Six to kick around. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Birds of Prey #13

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birds-of-prey-13-coverI’ve never been a big fan of Renee Montoya as The Question. Don’t get me wrong, I love the character of Renee, but her stepping into the shoes of Vic Sage has never sat quite right with me.

What’s interesting is I could make a similar statement about the Huntress. Until Gail Simone took over the first volume of Birds of Prey and breathed new life into the character I honestly didn’t care what happened to Helena. Now I realize I’m going to miss her as much as the other Birds when this series comes to an end in August.

Sure the Birds (or some of them) will continue their adventures in a new title under a different writer, but this group’s adventures are coming to an end.

This issue gives us Black Canary and Dove vs. Junior (in a fight that elevates the villain’s prowess a little too high for my tastes), a Zinda Blake headbutt (no complaints here), Huntress and Question coming to the rescue, and even an appearance by Catman!

…

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Secret Six #34

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secret-six-34-coverAlthough the word “family” is never uttered, that’s what this issue is really about. After returning from Hell and saving another of Scandal‘s girlfriends (in a brutal opening sequence) the team returns home to lick their wounds and get back to live as usual (or as usual as it gets for these characters).

While Scandal tries to bury the hatchet with Ragdoll, and King Shark freaks out with how happy Catman is acting, Bane goes out on his first date. It’s unconventional (Bane tells the stripper his life story while atop a Ferris Wheel before severely wounding several would-be-robbers), but turns out to be a pleasant night for the couple (or as pleasant as things get for these characters).

There’s still plenty of fallout to come, including a difficult choice by Scandal and the reported return of a Bane on Venom, but this single character-driven issue (which has its share of bloody panels) is a nice change-of-pace after the trip to Hell and back. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Birds of Prey #11

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birds-of-prey-11-coverSince it’s relaunch I’ve had mixed feelings with Birds of Prey. When compared to writer Gail Simone’s other major title I’ve always preferred Secret Six. Until now. Of course, the fact that the entire issue revolves around Catman may have something to do with that.

The issue is centered around the Huntress and Catman reconnecting, and spending the night together working to track down a small gang of thieves. The mutual attraction we saw back in the previous volume of Birds of Prey is still present, as are Helena’s growing concerns with the changes to Thomas Blake.

The story’s climax is more convoluted than I’d like, but I actually like this pair together. It’s also nice to see the screwed-up but still noble side of Catman that’s been missing since before the storyline involving the kidnapping his son. I also quite enjoyed the final conversation between Catman and Deadshot. Their friendship (something else I’ve been missing from Secret Six lately), definitely deserves more page time. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]

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Secret Six #32

/ / Comics

The Secret Six continue their journey through Hell, to rescue Knockout and find Ragdoll, and Catman takes a side trip to poke a demon in the eyes and visit someone from his past. I’ll be glad with this storyline is over.

It’s not a bad story, in fact it has a couple nice turns, but every story that takes in Hell, be it DC, Marvel, or any other comic publisher, is limited by design. And too often writers trying to tell a tale in Hell quickly write themselves into a corner. I’m hoping that’s not the case here with Gail Simone, but I’ll admit after two issues I have my doubts.

I’d much rather see the Six back in action in Gotham City than traipsing through the underworld. The storyline I enjoyed most was the all-too-short look into Scandal Savage‘s recent squeeze which seems far more ominous than the team’s struggles down below.

The last panel does give us a bit of a surprise and should make the final issue of this storyline worth reading, but I’ll just be glad when things get back to “normal” for the team. Hit-and-Miss.

[DC, $2.99]

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