Convergence: Nightwing and Oracle #1

I’ll be honest. I’m not sure if I loved this comic so much because it was super-awesome, or if I was just so happy to see these characters acting like themselves again. Because let’s face it, those are both pretty good reasons to enjoy this comic.

Gail Simone wrote a definitive (if not THE definitive) take on Oracle back in the old DCU, so it is not surprising that she gets right back on the horse in this issue. The green-tinged narration boxes sound like the strong hero that we read about for years back in Birds of Prey. And Nightwing sounds like himself. He’s cocky, confident, and really enjoying this whole super-hero thing. As he should be. Again, that’s the character I know! While only Barbara Gordon gets an inner monologue, Simone uses Nightwing’s interactions with Starfire and Oracle to show how his personality is still intact too.

This isn’t all about looking backwards, though. As someone who doesn’t read many DC books these days, I have no understanding of the greater Convergence storyline. But it doesn’t matter. Gotham City is trapped in a dome on an alien world, but they are not alone. There are other cities trapped there too. Some weird robots (Brainiacs, I think?) are forcing the champions of these cities to battle it out to see who survives. I certainly hope that doesn’t mean that these remnants of good comics have to die, though. Even the fairly generic Hawkman and Hawkwoman of Flashpoint seem interesting when Simone is writing their dialogue.

This book packs in the DC history too. In addition to the Flashpoint Hawks, Nightwing, Oracle, and Starfire, we get cameos from Mr. Freeze and Poison Ivy. With a big conflict with the Hawks brewing, I’m very hopeful that Freeze, Ivy, and Starfire join up with Nightwing to fight for Gotham.

I also really enjoyed the way Simone addressed the dwindling resources of a “fishbowl” city. The split up families and broken lives would be a real factor too.

I’ve been a fan of Jan Duursema’s art for years, so it is no surprise that I really enjoyed the pencils on this book. Even the Flashpoint Hawks really drew me in (as a Hawkman fan, it wasn’t that tough). Nightwing’s suit looks updated, but retains the classic feel that is missing in the new 52 designs. Starfire and Oracle look fantastic, attractive without showing ridiculous skin. The backgrounds are well done too, establishing the dome as an ongoing, ominous threat.

I don’t mean to just praise this GOOD comic because it isn’t a new 52 book. And yet, there is no denying that the old continuity is still part of its charm. I’d like this comic in any DC continuity, but this is Simone writing the characters she was meant to write. Enjoy it while you can, folks!

The Movement v1: Class Warfare TPB

I had heard about this short-lived series, but I passed due to my fairly strict “no nu-52” policy. Even though I typically enjoy Gail Simone’s writing and I like Freddie Williams’ art, I think I made the right call. The Movement is not a super-hero comic. I think the closest I can come to describing the core concept is that it’s a combination of Occupy Wallstreet and Anonymous. These are young people banding together to change their corrupt home of Coral City. While one or two of them might be able to pass for super-heroes (including guest-star Rainmaker, from the old Gen 13 days), this is more about social change than heroics.

The trade splits the focus between hunting down a serial killer who leaves his victims in a pool of water and a pair of cops who abused their power (and had it caught on film). While both stories are compelling, I found the split between scenes lessened a few scenes. In one scene, my favorite team member, Katharsis, is in a huge battle with a bunch of corrupt cops. But the scene is constantly cutting away, robbing some of the emotion from the scene. Later, when the rodent-controlling Mouse actually confronts the serial killer, the scene again juxtaposes between the Movement HQ and Mouse’s battle. I get that this presentation are supposed to be raising the dramatic tension, but I found myself really bored by the more mundane halves of both scenes.

As for the team itself, it is OK. Mouse is very much a Gail Simone character. His quirks and odd nature make him the Ragdoll of the team. Katharisis is the only member who seems like a super-hero, so of course she’s my favorite (she’s the winged butt-kicker). I might have enjoyed Rainmaker having a larger role; a totally new cast of characters is already difficult to get into, but when they are all so… odd and different than normal super-heroes, that makes it even harder to be invested. Frankly, this cast and book seems like it would be a perfect fit in DC’s upcoming Divergence push, this is a very diverse cast.

I found it interesting that Freddie Williams’ sketches noted that Katharsis is the only team member who is supposed to look like a super-hero. Well done, Williams, because that’s by far my favorite design on the team. Williams is a strong illustrator and his exaggerated body language and facial expressions tell the story well. Even non-powered characters have a presence on the page. Again, I’ll show my bias; I prefer Williams doing straight-up super heroes.

This comic is FAIR. It is fine, but it is clearly working on a diversity agenda, both from a team standpoint and as a core concept. As I often say, that’s fine; there should be lots of types of comics out there. But this one isn’t my cup of tea. 

Batgirl v4: Wanted HC

I think there might be something wrong with Gail Simone. When I write, I can come up with depressing and dark stuff. But Gail Simone has done it for so long, and done it so well… let’s just say I’m glad I don’t live in her neighborhood!

This book picks up with the new Ventriloquist, and my goodness, she’s a sicko. She’s a sociopath who started murdering as a child and hasn’t really slowed down. She kills famous people in an attempt for fame, but she also kills lots of random folks just to do it. This is about as new 52-y as you could hope for, if you are into bloody violence and murder!

 I must absolutely point out that Batgirl always responds to the death and violence in a heroic, appropriate manner. This isn’t the darkening of a hero; this is a hero trying to maintain a light in the darkness, which is much easier to take.

I’m not saying it isn’t well done; it absolutely is, but man! Simone continues to have a wonderful voice for Batgirl/Barbara Gordon. Babs is experiencing some major doubt after seemingly killing her murderous brother in the last arc. Jim Gordon witnessed the whole thing, and now Batgirl is public enemy #1 as the commissioner unknowingly targets his daughter. 

Simone does a nice job balancing the interpersonal drama here, including some new love interests for Babs. I really like the idea of Barbara dating a guy who is a bit damaged, so the romance has a nice star-crossed lovers feel to it. The warmth of the guy’s family does a lot to make the whole interaction sweeter too.

The art from Fernando Pasarin and Daniel Sampere is so effective in its use of the DC House style that I’m not sure I can really even comment on it! All those buckles, cowls, and strange detail lines are ever present on Batgirl and the villains are dark, spooky, and blood spattered. You sort of know what you are getting here!

This is an OK Batgirl story. I didn’t love it, didn't hate it. But I’m happy that there is a book featuring a competent, heroic hero in the new 52! 

Batgirl: The Darkest Reflection HC

It must be me! I love Gail Simone’s work with this character in Birds of Prey, but to me, seeing Barbara Gordon as Batgirl is still just a step back for the character. Oracle was one of the neatest ideas DC had, and yet the idea of an information broker powering the Justice League just can’t compete against the idea that some people remember a red-haired Batgirl from the 1960’s TV show. That type of thinking just drives me crazy.

Simone goes out of her way to create a couple new Gotham villains in the classic Batman mold. Mirror is a widowed father out to punish others who have “miracle” survival stories. He thinks that surviving is a curse and that it is not fair that some get to live while his family died. That’s a classic warped bad guy’s back-story, PLUS he’s got a mirror on his chest! That’s a great logo/identifier. I think the guy certainly has potential to show up again in later Bat-books.

The second villain is Gretel, another villain who has been through a traumatic experience and is taking it out on the world. The Gotham underworld gets some of the blame, but when Gretel targets Bruce Wayne, it is easier to see just how crazy she is.

Simone’s two opening villains are both obvious contrasts to Barbara Gordon. Where she overcame the trauma of Joker’s assault (The Killing Joke still happened in the new 52), these new villains have never been able to move on. Simone works extremely hard to create a new status quo, supporting cast, and tone for Barbara Gordon, but I just can’t buy it. There are references to Barbara’s brother, so evidently Scott Snyder’s Dark Mirror story might still sort of count, but good luck figuring out how that continuity works.

The violence is as brutal as all the other new 52 books, ensuring that I can’t let my 8 year old daughter read a comic starring Batgirl. Ardian Syaf has that Joe Bennett DC-house style down pat, but it just isn’t for me. I can appreciate elements of the costume design like Batgirl’s armor plated gauntlets and Mirror’s chest piece, but faces and bodies sometimes get a bit lumpy during action scenes. I will say that Nightwing’s new costume seems to be one of the few positive redesigns in the new 52. I like that red on black look.

Average

Batgirl #1

I’d planned on skipping this book out of protest for the removal of Oracle. After a lot of positive comments on Twitter and review sites, I decided to give the first issue a chance. I’m glad I did. While the book isn’t kid-friendly at all (I had hoped to read it with my daughter), it does have some of the sick villainy that Gail Simone did so well in Secret Six.

Simone's new villain (the Mirror) opens up the book drowning a man with a yard hose, and that’s only one of about 10 murders spread through the issue. That’s not counting the home invasion and Killing Joke flashback. Speaking of KJ, I’m fascinated with the idea that Barbara is having flashbacks and freezing in action when things happen that remind her of her darkest day. It’s a tremendously realistic side effect, I don’t care how much the hero loves his or her job; sometimes you’re going to get rattled.

Ardian Syaf’s art is decent, but I wasn’t particularly blown away. He’s got that Joe Bennett/Ed Benes look, and I’m not a huge fan. I also think skewing the costume a tad more classic wouldn’t hurt, either. Too much armor and treading on that current Batgirl suit.

So basically, this book has the scary villainy of Secret Six with the bright heroics of Birds of Prey. Not a bad combo at all. It’s a recipe that will bring me back again next month.

Good

Secret Six #36

If you're going to go out, go out on top. Not only does the team go down with this attitude this issue, but the series writer Gail Simone does too. This has been a spectacular series, one of the most consistent titles on the racks, and it is a crime that it isn't being renewed once the DCNu hits in December. I'm not going to follow the team into the new Suicide Squad, but I will keep an eye out for Bane. I'd bet he has some big stuff ahead of him.

Bane had rallied the team into one big push to take out Batman once and for all, but due to some poor personnel choices, the team never really gets the chance. Instead, we get an awesome display of guest stars as a TON of big guns arrive to take out the team that everyone underestimates. Simone does a great job just piling on the heroic reinforcement. Even if you thought the Six could defeat that first bunch, no way could they handle the rest.

Jim Calafiore does a great job not only delivering the goods with the heroic pinups, he also has some great action. It was a lot of fun perusing the pages and seeing who takes out who when the fists start flying.

I'll miss this series.

Good

Secret Six #35

I have faith in Gail Simone (how could I not after this many great issues), but I am sure going to miss this noble Bane. I figure the guy is being re-set to his status quo so that he can show up in the reboot and in the new Batman movie. That means the venom plugs are back in Bane's head. Of course, maybe things will go a different way that I expect. Either way, it is going to be interesting.

This series has always been about who will dominate who. Each arc, a different character steps forward, putting his goals in front of the team. Usually, the team goes along, and they do it here again when Bane sets out his desire to break the Bat once again. This time, he wants to destroy Batman's family. It seems fair, Bane is surrounded by "a failed phalanx of broken individuals." Why wouldn't he be a bit jealous of Batman's touchy-feely relationships?

I'm happy that Knockout is recovering, she's such a fun character, there's no reason to let the Fourth World ban stick around. If everything is getting rebooted anyway, why not give Scandal a few issues of happiness?

And King Shark is always happy! That guy loves his job, and it is wonderful seeing Jim Calafiore drawing him constantly putting things in his mouth.

Good

Secret Six #31

Gail Simone is a genius. She's totally warped my expectations for what makes up a bad guy in a comic. The villains she's used in this series are so depraved and easy to hate that I automatically cheer for the Six. It was only the Doom Patrol crossover last month that helped remind me that these guys are actually villains. In any other comic, they'd be the antagonists.

Simone is at it again this month as she introduces another insane bunch of bad guys. There's the stalker going after Scandal's girlfriend, but we also get to see one of the best tweeners in the DCU, Etrigan the Demon. There's a bit of a row at the clubhouse when Scandal goes up against Ragdoll. Ragdoll wisely points out that people seem to forget he's a psychopath. Sure, he's funny, but he's also dangerous. Now the Six are descending to hell to cash in their "get out of hell free" card, and things are looking ugly. It seems either Ragdoll or his sister are waitnig for them. Heck, it could be both!

Jim Calafiore continues his solid, if unspectacular work. He's clearly got the characters down, including newbies like King Shark. his Etrigan is pretty impressive too.

Good

Secret Six #30

What a stunning cover! Just amazing work from Cliff Chiang.
Unless my count is off, this book has more than Six members now, right? Bane, Scandal, Ragdoll, Jeannette, Deadshot, Black Alice, and King Shark make seven. Not that I'm complaining, I love King Shark and want him to stick around.

Gail Simone gets some funny moments from Bane's attempt to enter the dating world, but I thinks she's playing him a bit too awkward. I mean, isn't he a genius, even if he's socially warped? He seemed too far gone in his interactions with his date.

Simone does a nice job playing up the Doom Patrol. They are the guest stars, but they are also the closest thing this book has to heroes, so they get portrayed in a pretty positive light. I'm especially amazed how well Simone mimics Keith Giffen's dialogue for Robot Man and Negative Man. They sounded spot-on. I don't buy Doom Patrol regularly, but I guarantee I'll be picking up the second part of this crossover.

Jim Calafiore does his normal solid job on the art. Nothing jumped out as being incredible, but the storytelling is clear and everyone looks good.

Fair

Wonder Woman: Contagion TPB

I don't usually lead off with comments about the art, but wow, Nicola Scott was meant to draw Wonder Woman. Her take on Diana is flat-out stunning. She only draws a couple of the last issues in this trade, but it is clear that she's got a character-defining run in her pencils. Stunning. The other artists are fine, Aaron Lopresti has proven his chops with this character and I've been singing Chris Batista's praises for months on Booster Gold. But wow, it is too bad Scott's run got cut short when Gail Simone exited this title.

And speaking of Simone, let's talk about how great her take on Wonder Woman really is. Diana is so darn approachable in these issues, she always has moment for the normal person on the street. I love Power Girl, so seeing the two characters fight then team up was a real treat too. Simone clearly gets Power Girl as well as she does Diana, when PG is being mentally influenced, WW busts her free by asking when have you ever "done as you were told?"

The villains in this trade resonated more with me than Genocide. Genocide was clearly important to the flow of this title, but I prefer the mind-altering children of Ares and the gigantic snake robots sent by space-Amazons. Those types of big ideas are perfect for WW.

Good

Secret Six #28

It's weird that I enjoyed this issue, but feel the storyline as a whole was rather pointless.

There are some nice moments as the two Secret Six teams face off once again in Skataris. The issue is worthwhile because of the great moments with Bane and Scandal. The two of them have such a wonderful, warped relationship, it just gets sicker and more tender. Deadshot and Black Alice actually have a few nice moments of conversation too. Catman doesn't do much more than get some nice pin-up moments, but his presence is still in the book. The closing is pretty interesting, with Amanda Waller combining the teams. Am I reading it right that King Shark is taking Black Alice's place on the team?

Gail Simone gets to write an acceptable close to Dwarfstar's murder of Ryan Choi. GIganta finds out what happens, and Giganta hands out some nice revenge for the readers who liked the new character. Black Alice is such a sad character, I hope she's getting a happy ending here, it would be nice to see someone end up happy.

The problem with the overall storyline is that I was never really concerned about Skataris. I didn't know any of the super-powered villains. My only connection to the story was the development for the core cast.

Good

Secret Six #27

Things take an odd turn in this next chapter of the battle of the Secret Sixes. Bane's team faces down Scandal's, but after things get serious with Bane's injury, everyone decides to calm down and talk things out. (Well, Jeannette decides to stop the combat, overriding Deadshot and some others).

Scandal's team goes to team up with some other Skataris folks, so that each Six now have their own back-up army. I must confess I know absolutely nothing about any of these guys. I know Catman puts on Warlord's costume, but I don't know about who the surprise-return villain is, I don't know who the good guys are, and I'm not sure if I need to care...

What Gail Simone does a great job on (once again) is the interaction of the leads. The two Sixes have some great matchups, with the King Shark/Ragdoll fight being the strongest. And Amanda Waller shows why she's one of the craftiest plotters in the DCU. Spy Smasher is simply out of her element going up against the Wall.

Jim Calafiore has settled in as penciller, I like his heavy blacks on the big guys like Bane and King Shark. I still miss Nicole Scott, but Calafiore isn't bad.

Fair (would be Good if I understood Skataris)

Secret Six #26

So Deadshot knew who Mockingbird was! Very nice. The high point of this issue doesn't have any fighting at all, instead it features Amanda Waller and Spy Smasher vying for the upper hand as they attempt to out-spy each other. There is great violence and fun one-lines in the Skataris-based part of this one, but for me, it doesn't get better than Amanda Waller doing her thing.

I'm still not loving the talkative King Shark, but I like the character so much I'm just glad he's being used. Gail Simone is still getting each character a remarkable amount of character work with just a few lines. I loved Catman's swim with a lake monster; even better was Deadshot's comment about CM didn't used to walk around shirtless so much when he was chubby. Great stuff.

I'm really worried about Bane, but Simone has earned the right to do what she wants with the character. He's an awesome enigma who gets at least one wow moment per storyline. I have a feeling Scandal will still try to do right by him, even after she slashed his throat.

Jim Calafiore is fine, but man, I miss Nicola Scott's expressive artwork. Calafiore gets the job done and the storytelling is clear, but I wonder if the emotional beats of this book would hit even harder with Scott's pencils.

Good

Secret Six #25

So it seems last month's excellent Western story was a one-off, this issue picks up with Catman crazy and the Six in shambles. Jeannette and Bane are working with their new team on typical Six-type missions. While I love the original Six, I must admit I love the new team too. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens when Dwarfstar's contract-kill of the Atom comes up, I can't imagine Giganta will take it well. King Shark is a lot more talkative and funny than I remember, but I don't suppose that's a problem. Lady Vic is awesome as always, she's one of my favorite Chuck Dixon creations (along with Bane). Gail Simone has a great eye for characters with potential.

Meanwhile, Catman is still bugging out, although the team's new contract could help. Mockingbird wants the remaining Five (Deadshot, Scandal, Catman, Ragdoll, and Black Alice) to head to a lost land (Skataris?) to head off Bane's crew. Bane is claiming the land for the US, and Mockingbird wants to stop them. Now, unless I'm confused, I thought Amanda Waller was Mockingbird? What's up here? Or am I misremembering?

Jim Calafiore is a nice fit for the title. His dark art fits the tone of the story nicely. And how about that cover, what a fantastic idea.

Good

Birds of Prey #79 & 80 (2005)

And with these two issues, I now have every issue of Gail Simone's Birds of Prey. I'm not sure why I ever dropped it, I think I must have been sore after Chuck Dixon left the book to go to Crossgen. In any case, I really dug the Birds on their cross-country tour of taking out vigilantes.

These two issues, the Birds are trying to reign in Thorn, the Metropolis vigilante suffering from split-personality disorder. I appreciate that Simone has the Birds and Thorn go up against the 100. The Metropolis villain group that is always tied to Thorn, so I liked seeing her get some sort of closure dealing with the villains. The Birds are never really in danger; these two issues are much more about the redemption of the Huntress as she joins the team. It is true, Oracle can be one manipulative lady. The entire trip around the country dealing with these vigilantes was a process to calm Huntress down and sell her on a kinder, gentler path. We know it worked, but it is interesting seeing it happen.

The best scene has to be when Black Canary shows a cop a name on her cell phone. Imagine trying to tough talk someone and they show you they have Superman on speed-dial!

Ed Benes draws everyone in these issues like a stripper. Including the male characters. Everyone is posing and standing around showing off their best assets, it's pretty funny. And Thorn's outfit is the worst. She looks like she's about to burst out of her costume in about four different places.

Good

Secret Six #24

I have absolutely no idea where Gail Simone is going with this book, but wow, what an issue.

I just started watching Deadwood, so this is perfect timing for me as the entire issue takes place in the old West. The Six are re-cast as gun-toting toughies with various roles in an old West setting. Deadshot is a bounty hunter, Catman is a trapper, Scandal is a sherriff (with Bane as deputy), and Jeannette is a whore. Of course, Ragdoll is an insane puppeteer. What else could he be? Even in these new roles, the true characteristics of the cast shine through. In fact, I'm a little shocked at how well the Six work in this setting. The bad guys of the piece are Slade Wilson and Ragdoll's sister. I like it, because she's been about the worst villain in the whole series so far.

There is something going on with alternate lives, but I can't exactly figure out what. Are the Six bouncing through alternate lifetimes trying to be heroes? I'm not complaining, this set up has given Simone some of her best deviant-dialogue in months. Rag Doll's puppet show is almost enough to make this book MAX on its own!

Jim Calafiore must have had a great time working on this. Deadshot and Jeannette knock boots in a bathtub (less romantic than it sounds!) and Ragdoll's puppet shows are great (starring Joker and Harley). Calafiore always does a nice job with action, and he does so again here. He's no Nicola Scott, but he's a solid artist for the title.

Excellent

Wonder Woman: Ends of the Earth TPB

I love the IDEA of Wonder Woman teaming up with Beowulf and Claw the Unconquered, but I never got as into this story as I'd have liked. Either DC released these trades out of order or I just messed up, but I'm pretty certain that this takes place before some of the other trades I've read recently. Diana's white gorillas are still hanging around and she's still sporting that hankie from the wind god. I liked seeing more of the "courtship" of Nemesis, but that's not a surprise. I loved that bit with WW and Nemesis riding the shell above the ocean. The addition of the megaladons is a slam dunk for me, so any time they get used makes me smile.

The core story was neat, especially how quickly the timelost warriors would come to respect WW, but I still found the entire idea a bit too removed from the DCU for my tastes. I know WW is a fantasy character too, she is a Greek hero after all, I just seem to prefer her more mortal conflicts. This trade does include two stories like that, and I really liked the trade's closer. Gail Simone's take on a potential Wonder Woman movie are a little too close for comfort. You know Hollywood would make the kinds of horrible decisions we see here. That scene with WW falling for Hercules...uch.

Aaron Lopresti draws most of the trade, and while he doesn't draw the ladies quite the same as the Dodson's, he does a good job. His Beowulf looks very heroic. My favorite is how he clearly dug drawing those white apes though. Heh. Bernard Chang handles the WW movie section nicely too, his take on the judo-era Wonder Woman actually made me want to see more of that suit!

Fair

Secret Six #22

There is no way Gail Simone could keep up the frenetic pacing and maniacal plot from the last three issues, so I'm not surprised this issue was a tad more subdued. (It is hilarious that fighting an electric meta and tossing an old man through a window is considered "subdued.")

We complete a couple secret origins here. We see Thomas Blake's relationship with his parents come to the only logical end it could, and we see the reason why that old dude has started this war with Catman. It all makes sense, but I'm a tad worried that the Jade that is about to be unleashed on the DCU might be pretty awful. That lady is going to be mad.

The whole Black Alice thing didn't quite ring true, I suppose upset teenagers will be illogical, but I'm pretty sure she's quitting the team, right? And we still haven't seen Bane and Jeannette's new group in action yet! I'm hoping Catman can come back from this, if he believes what that old dude said, then he at least stopped a cycle of pain.

Jim Calafiore does a nice job on the art, particularly with the flashback pieces. They have a nice little big-cat border that drives the point home.

Good

Secret Six #21

Man, sometimes I worry about Gail Simone. She fills this issue with another slew of sickos, both in sad flashbacks about Catman's childhood and in the current story.

The issue shows us Catman's childhood, and as far as I know this is the first time we've seen this era of Thomas Blake's past. Blake's Dad was a big game hunter and a real jerk. He's abusive to his wife, son, and any bystanders unlucky to know him. He's a sociopath and a big game hunter, so a bad combo for a chubby kid like Thomas. It's actually amazing that Catman turned out as altruistic as he did with this horrific past. Of course, he's channeling his childhood rage and emotion when he's hunting down those responsible for taking his son.

I still think that Catman's kid will be alive, because surely Simone has some mercy for her readers? But in any case, it was a mistake for these guys to cross Catman. Catman is on a rampage here, threatening and sneaking his way to the next of the kidnappers he targeted last issue. This time he goes up against a South African meta-human with super-strength. It does him absolutely no good, Catman takes him out FAST.

There is the normal great dialogue between the core team as they track down their feline buddy. Black Alice is hilarious possessive of Rag Doll. Deadshot is really worried about his buddy and it seems to be softening him. Scandal clearly belongs in the field. I love the replacement team Bane and Jeannette have put together. Giganta and Dwarf Star are old pet charactes of Simone's, so they fit in nicely. Lady Vic and King Shark have shown up enough that I can't wait to hear more from them. King Shark's comment about his little problem made the issue for me (He has a unique problem. He likes eating people with eating disorders.)

I'll always miss Nicola Scott, but Jim Calafiore is doing a nice job on the book. His blocky characters and heavy inks work nicely for the dark tone of the series.

Good

Secret Six #20

Hoo boy, those guys have gone and done it. They forgot one important rule of blackmail; make sure the subject is capable of being blackmailed.

After last issue's tremendous set up, things kick right off. A gang of thugs is threatening to kill Catman and Cheshire's son. They state that the kid is already dead, but he gets one more year of life for every member of the Secret Six that Catman kills. There is a fantastic moment where Catman actually seems like he might act on that threat, but then he turns things around. He tells the kidnappers it is too late for them, go ahead and kill his son. He is going to make them pay. Yowch!

Catman goes ballistic and he's on the hunt for these guys. They truly don't understand the hell they've unleashed for themselves. Even better, four other members of the Secret Six are speeding along to back Catman up. Scandal, Deadshot, Black Alice, and Ragdoll are all helping their feline pal for their own reasons (Deadshot's are the best, he doesn't want Catman to sink as low as the rest of them already are). Meanwhile, Gail Simone is giving us another membership drive as Bane and Jeannette are going to fill out the Six's roster with "four other known metahumans." I don't have any real guesses, buy maybe Livewire from Simone's Superman run?

I guess Jim Calafiore is the regular penciller on this title now. He's not glamorous, but his storytelling is clear and he has a nice take on costumed characters. He did a nice job making the three kidnappers unique too, even though they don't have costumes.

Good