SUICIDE SQUAD #20

Two new recruits are joining this team. But will they be able to be violent and mean? They need to show spunk. Plus listen to punk. Whilst not becoming unkempt or unclean. Yeah! Try to think of them as the visual representation of Writer: Ales Kot; Artist: Patrick Zircher; and Publisher: DC Comics, in April, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this FIRST PART of 'Discipline and Punish'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: From afar, Amanda Waller and some nut-job in a wheelchair, assess each member of the Suicide Squad one at a time
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Yeah. I would say so.
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Yes again. We get to find out that Harley Quinn looks good in a onesie, the Unknown Soldier is a head-case, Voltaic is explosive, King Shark is a virgin, and Deadshot is living off borrowed time.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With some nut-job in a wheelchair, revealed, and in love.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

Now I must confess, I'm a right sucker for recognisable references inserted into comic books. So when I saw the likes of 'Hunter S Thompson' and 'Clint Eastwood' in this one, well, I was genuinely like a pig in sh*t!

Also, I have to say that I did laugh like a monkey, when one of the surgeons said 'We are so dead', after fowling up that operation he carried out on Voltaic. Ha! What a git.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) This... issue... was... great. Yeah. No word of a lie. I personally thought that it was a lot better than the previous creative team's attempts, because this tale had an earthy flavour to it, which was on par with John Ostrander's run from back in the day.

(+) Another thing I enjoyed about this story was Patrick Zircher's artwork. I found his panelling and pacing very similar to Don Kramer's stuff during his Paul Dini collaboration over on Detective. Not one hundred percent. Sure. Pat's is slightly gruffer and saturated in tone. But near enough.

(+) Seeing Harley in a onesie brought a smile to my face, and a stirring in my loins.

(+) So Killer Shark's a virgin? Hmmm. Yeah. It makes a lot of sense. Doesn't it?

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) My only slight gripe with this issue -- if you can call it that -- is that I was hoping for the return of some of the pre New52 players. You know, people like Flag, Bronze Tiger, and Boomerang for instance. As they would have propped up this issue a notch or two, and made this adventure more accessible and warm by default.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two MUSICIANS .

LADY GAGA AS HARLEY QUINN: LG is mad. HQ is mad. LG wears stupid clothing. HQ wears stupid clothing. LG once slept with a Joker. And... errr... do I have to continue?

ARETHA FRANKLIN AS AMANDA WALLER: You better think. Think-Think. About what you are trying to do to me. FREEDOM! Freedom! FREEDOM! Freedom! FREEEEEEdoooooo... errr... what was the question again?

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'A fool thinks himself to be wise, but a wise man knows himself to be a fool' -- William Shakespeare

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'GIMME SHELTER' BY THE ROLLING STONES: Pick up this comic. Read it again. And when you do, please click on the music video below, and I'm sure that you will agree with me when I say that this tone and this tale go hat in hand like tooth and brush.

ANYTHING Else?

Picture the scene. I'm running like a loon, and trying my best to catch a train before it departs from the station. When suddenly -- BOING! -- I jumped on-board, only for a stray commuter standing outside the carriage, to signal me that I dropped my phone on the platform, just as soon as the doors abruptly close behind me.

But don't fret though, folks. Before I could scream something that resembled 'Clucking Bell', the stray commuter quickly handed me my phone through a slot in the window, a moment or two before the train then whisks itself down the line.

OK. So has that scenario sunk into your brain, comic book pals? Yes? Good. Because in a strange way the feeling I felt then, is the same one I felt after reading this issue of 'Suicide Squad'.

Alarmed at first. Then I was bloody cacking it. But eventually, thanks to someone outside, I felt relieved that everything will turn out for the best.

Alright. I know what you are thinking to yourself. 'What outside help?'. Right? Well, it's my mate Chris Thompson from popculturehound.net. A couple of weeks ago he got to interview Ales Kot and John Ostrander's on his podcast (click here for that), and now I like to think that this series is in good hands.

Listen. I'm not trying to imply that this particular instalment was total pants. No. Of course not. It was a great start I thought. And my only concern's for this series is its probable future direction.

I mean, without giving too much away... errr... J.G. anyone? Helllooooooo!

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Omitted an Odour, It Would Be a Strawberry Fart. Slightly Sweet. Slightly Bitter. And Slightly Odorous.