Suicide Squad, Volume 1: Kicked in the Teeth by Adam Glass
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a situation I prefer: I’ve seen the movie before picking up the book. (So I don’t spend the entire film screaming at the screen that they screwed things up) But, to Mr. Glass’s credit, it’s not terribly far afield. Oh, the plot’s not the same, but the underlying characters are there. And so is the twisted logic of the operation of Task Force X. This comic just presents everything in a more twisted light that’s appropriate for comic readers and fans of the various characters featured. (Okay, so-so: I reserve my judgment on his treatment of Harley given how the final half of the volume proceeds) Unfortunately, if you DON’T know the characters that aren’t given an introduction – or some form of context – you’re left grasping for details to figure out who they are and why they’ve landed in Belle Reve. And while DC has plenty of villains (and vigilantes) to choose from to populate the prison, that can get irritating. Reading with a scorecard is never an enjoyable experience (coughSpider-Verse or Game of Thrones cough). Overall, though, it’s an interesting change from the comics I’ve currently delved into – I’ll give Mr. Glass that much credit.
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Day: May 19, 2021
Review of Black Cat Vol. 1: Grand Theft Marvel
Black Cat, Vol. 1: Grand Theft Marvel by Jed Mackay
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Now, I’m not opposed to tackling comics about villains (though we know antiheroes are where my heart lies), and Mr. MacKay does a credible job of making Felicia likable. (It doesn’t hurt that she has an affinity for cats, either) Pairing her up with the best henchmen to ever enter the realm of villainy doesn’t hurt, either. She may want to set up a course on where you find them, as most help is hard to find for the villain sect. And the humor’s priceless. But what does Marvel have against unique names? Black Cat AND Black Fox? Could Mr. MacKay not come up with anything else that sounded clever and mysterious? Not to mention that, as a first volume, it might be nice to lay down some backstory for readers who haven’t picked up the Spider-Man comics where Black Cat made her first appearances. It leaves you grasping at straws and attempting to figure out a major plotline you don’t have much of a reference for. (I get it; you expect someone to rush out and buy other storylines. But as someone who isn’t THAT invested? It’s not going to happen, so mission fail) Not the best comic I’ve encountered to date, but not the worst.
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Review of Harley Quinn: Gang of Harleys
Harley Quinn and Her Gang of Harleys by Jimmy Palmiotti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Mr. Tieri and Mr. Palmiotti did a fantastic job of giving the Gang of Harleys their own individual niche, carving out their personalities a little more. (Not to mention filling in that gap in the storyline I knew I was missing to make sense of the Rebirth volumes) There was more to this installment, though, outlining that the majority of the villains Harley and her group tangle with aren’t one-dimensional. There’s pain taken to delve behind their actions, giving them motivation for their actions and personalities (not unlike the driving forces of the Gang, actually). And while you still won’t find yourself cheering for them, you can’t hate them 100%, either. It’s a balance that few writers manage to get exactly right (and why I love this series so much). Definitely an important addition to the shelf for any genuine Harley fan.
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