SUICIDE SQUAD #14

[ SHOP TILL YOU DROP ] 

I once knew of a devilish clown. He looked a bit like the singer, James Brown. He had plenty of spunk. He listened to grand funk. Although he'd never, smirk, titter, but frown. Just like these pill-popping chaps as a matter of fact! Writer: Adam Glass; Artist: Fernando Dagnino; and Publisher: DC Comics in December 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Without a shadow of a doubt, the 'Suicide Squad' are all over the place amidst this adventure entitled, 'Running with the Devil'. For example:

• Deadshot is dead.
• Harley Quinn has been captured by the Joker.
• Iceburg gets a new hand.
• Yo-yo demonstrates to King Shark that he should never play with his food.
• El Diablo starts to worship a new God.
• And Amanda Waller gives Black Spider a piece of her mind.

Ohhhhh! This all sound pretty funky, doesn't it? Though is it as funky as when the Clown Prince of Crime gives his girlfriend a sharp pain in the neck at the very end of this tale?

To be continued...

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

My own personal favorite conversation to read in this issue; was the opening one between Boomerang and Waller in the cemetery.

BOOMERANG: A hero's burial for Deadshot?

WALLER: Military burial. Apparently, once a marine, always a marine. Even if you are a dirt bag.

BOOMERANG: Well, gotta give the dirt bag credit. Didn't think he had the walnuts to do something like this.

WALLER: Don't confuse stupidity with bravery, Boomerang.

Ha! I've always loved this type of back and forth banter. Plus it was all the more sweeter because it was being whispered during a funeral.

I can relate.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Alright, I must confess, I'm a right sucker of this type of 'roll-call' slanted story. To me, it works on three very different levels. Firstly -- on a simplistic level -- so we can understand what is going on. Secondly -- on a emotional level -- so we can engage with the conceit of this piece. And thirdly -- on a familiar level -- so we can structurally ascertain how this adventure is going to playing out.

Good on you, Adam Glass. Keep on trucking.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

I only have three slight gripe with this story all in all. (1) The quick chat between Amanda Waller and Black Spider in a holding cell didn't feel quite right to me. Does she want to save this traitor? And if so, is it because she fancy's the pants off him? (2) Why in hell did the Joker allow the Squad to live? Doesn't seem like him at all. Plus (3) Is Floyd really dead? No. Please say it isn't so! He can't be dead. Not now!

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Have you ever seen 'Joker Rain' before? I haven't. I've seen Joker-Fish. Joker-politicians. Joker-pies. And even Joker-jokers. But never Joker Rain!

Hmmm? This reminds me of something I have to elaborate on later.

ART: Now isn't the artist, Fernando Dagnino, a really great illustrator? Take that scene where the Joker slaps Harley around for instance. Not only was it a gripping scene to watch. But in addition to this, the way the two characters interacted with each other, you could tell nigh on straight away what the underlining dynamics were.

With the Joker on a power trip -- and Harley in despair.  

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

CAPTAIN BOOMERANG: Sticking with the comedic casting-call theme I'm adhering to this month, I'd say that the ginger-haired Australian emo-comic, Tim Minchin, would be a fairly good match for this pug-faced tosser.

JOKER: Alright. I know that I've cast this grinning git quite a few times already this month. Nonetheless, I still think that the money-making member of Monty Python, Eric Idol, would do a good job of playing him too.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

Is It Just Me Or Is Suicide A Drag? With A Bit Of A Kick, A Punch, And A Stab?

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

Mainly because of the 'Joker Rain' utilized in this adventure, I feel compelled to compare it to a 'Prince' song of a similar name, 'Purple Rain'.

FINAL thoughts...

Dear People In Charge Of This Suicidal Series,

What the f*ck do you think your doing? You've changed the roster. You've turned Amanda Waller into a cat-walk diva. And you've killed off Deadshot too.

Why? Why kill a character that's always been on this type of book? Please tell me that Resurrection Man's hand will somehow bring him back to life! It's the only way you can redeem yourself of this sin.  

Also, if you got the time, can you explain how the Suicide Squad fits into the present day DCnU? Is it a part of 'Argus'? Is it an entity in its own right? And why is its need for secrecy so important, when they recruit villains who have been in the media spotlight?

Well, it does sound pretty strange if you think about it, huh?

Wait a minute! Strange -- an appropriate word to use that can aptly describe my feelings towards this book -- some times up -- other times down -- but always hopeful that one day it will get back to greatness.

Here's hoping it starts with this fairly decent issue.

Love, Light, and Peace -- The Reviewer

MARKS out of 10? 8.9