Secret Six (2008 Series) #2

October 25, 2008

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Unhinged Part Two: The Way of the Traitor

Catman versus Batman! And the team strikes Alcatraz!

Writer: Gail Simone
Pencils: Nicola Scott
Inks: Doug Hazlewood
Colors: Jason Wright
Letters: Travis Lanham
Editor: Nachie Castro
Cover Art: Nicola Scott
Publisher: DC Comics

In Gotham City, Batman traces down Catman to talk to him about the Secret Six’s latest caper (to say nothing of their newest member, Bane). The rest of the team, meanwhile, begins their assault on Alcatraz Island (which, in the DCU, is evidently a metahuman lock-up instead of a tourist attraction) to break out the Tarantula. Only problem is, the Tarantula seems to agree with Batman – taking her out of prison would be tantamount to a death sentence.

Not that the Secret Six really care. They’ve just got a job to do.

It’s incredible how these characters can be so compelling and still so basically amoral at the same time. Although they’re all, technically, “villains,” none of them are written in a stereotypically “evil,” mustache-twirling fashion. They’re more rounded than that, and far more interesting. They’re in it for the money, right and wrong be damned. The confrontation between Batman and Catman is a blast, really helping to solidify Catman as a legitimate threat for this crew. As for the antagonist – man, Simone has created one of the most all-fired creepy bad guys in the DC Universe, and we don’t even know who he is yet!

Did I mention Nicola Scott? You know what there is to say about Nicola Scott? Her artwork is awesome, that’s what there is to say about Nicola Scott. Clean, classic lines, strong characters, dynamic action sequences – she’s got a look that is right up there with George Perez in terms of combining complexity, clarity, and quality.

Issue two? Just as much fun to read as issue one. I’ve got a good hunch about issue three, too.

Rating: 8/10