New Suicide Squad #10 Review

Written by: Sean Ryan
Art by: Philippe Briones and Blond
Release Date: July 8, 2015

I Decided Long Ago...

While the New Suicide Squad has had it's ups and downs, this new arc is definitely part of the ups.  So, if you're like Janet Jackson and ask, "What have you done for me lately?", this book can respond, "Give you a kick ass soft reboot that will make you want to keep this team."  However, you are not Janet Jackson (or are you?) and this book can't talk (or can it?)  Now that we have that straightened out, let's jump into the review and see if this issue continues the good vibrations.



The issue opens with Manta, Boomerang and Deadshot finding out more about the offshoot of the League of Assasins, known simply as the League.  While they must not have taken too much stock in coming up with a clever name, they do believe one thing...the children are their future.  While they want to teach them well and let them lead the way, Boomerang wants to know what time recess is. That doesn't go over well with their envoy...or Manta.

The main reason I have enjoyed this arc so far has a lot to do with Boomerang.  Sean Ryan gives him a great combination of heart and humor that gives this Isis-like story the levity it needs to keep it from being overly dark.  He may be undercover for Amanda Waller, but he's not letting it change who he is.  While I love him for it, it just might get him killed.

We then travel into the desert to see Harley, Reverse Flash and Parasite and while I loved both Harley's explanation for what she was back in the day and watching Parasite have a little snack, this scene seemed forced in to remind the reader that they are still around.

Speaking of forced, the next scene shows Vic Sage forcing himself into getting a tour of the Suicide Squad HQ.  I still don't know what Amanda Waller's assistant, Bonnie, was thinking.  From her reaction, neither can Waller.  I think Bonnie is desperate for attention because it's so obvious that Vic is up to something and I think it now involves the Pearl Group.  Way to go Bonnie!

The issue ends with Deadshot, Manta and Boomerang finding out their next League mission.  In private, Boomerang really wants out, but Manta may be in too deep.  That point is really stressed by the cliffhanger which better not be true or you can strike Black Manta off my list of favorite characters.

This issue was mainly setup, but it does flesh out the philosophy of the League a bit and made me love Boomerang, but at the same time, hate Black Manta.  Whether he is just playing is yet to be seen, but either way, Sean Ryan is doing a great job with him because I really do care.  I hope we get a little more Deadshot next issue because he was just window dressing here.  The most important thing in this issue is bound to be Vic Sage poking around, but we'll have to wait a bit on that front.  I expect Bonnie to be fired before next issue.

Philippe Briones and Blond do a good job on art here, but since it's such a low key issue, they don't really get a chance to shine.  I'm sorry that I don't have more to say as far as the art goes, but nothing wowed or offended me.

Bits and Pieces:

While I really liked how Sean Ryan is fleshing out Boomerang, this issue was mainly setup.  There are some interesting things presented this month, but the reader will have to come back to see how all of it plays out.  The art was workmanlike, but I think it was due to the nature of the issue, not the skill of the team.  I am still up for this arc, but this issue was only a little better than middle of the road.

6.5/10