New Suicide Squad #11 Review

Written by: Sean Ryan
Art by: Philippe Briones and Blond
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 12, 2015

Lazarus Brit

I don't think I am saying anything special when I tell you that the most important thing about a team book is...the team.  I know, mind blown.  I guess that's why I have enjoyed the New Suicide Squad, especially the last couple of issues.  Deadshot, Captain Boomerang and Black Manta are three of my favorite villains and put Harley Quinn and Parasite into the mix and we have a team I can get behind. I also have enjoyed the League as the Taliban-like extremist group and what they are doing to the three undercover Squad members.  Last issue, Boomerang couldn't stand seeing kids going to school with no recess and it lead to him being attacked by Manta.  It seems like Black Manta has gone too far down the rabbit hole and while I think he's playing, we'll all have to wait and see.  Does this issue continue the generally good vibes I've had about this book?  let's find out...



The issue opens with the League mobilizing to take out the Lazaraus Pit factories and Deadshot wondering what the hell is going on.  I was so happy to see Deadshot getting some face time since he does more in two panels this issue than the whole last issue.  Of course, he's wondering where his man, Boomerang, is and the answer he gets from Manta isn't too comforting.  If Manta is acting, someone should give him an Oscar.

We then head off to Belle Reve and while it's nice to see Amanda Waller and Vic Sage playing nice, I still think Bonnie should have been fired since we last saw her.  Well, not only was she not fired, but she has a plan for the Squad.  Plan, you say?  Why do they need a plan?  Well, Vic Sage has a problem with the Squad joining the League (really, these aren't very creative team names!) in the attack of a British facility.  The Brits may have bad teeth and cook everything in butter, but they are still allies.  It wasn't a stretch to figure out the plan with Harley, Parasite and Reverse Flash just hanging out in the desert nearby.

You may have noticed in the above introduction that I didn't mention Reverse Flash.  That was no oversight...I hate him.  I never thought it made sense for him to be on the team in the first place and nothing that has happened since has changed my mind.  Until now.

For all the crazy villains in this book, the thing missing from this arc has been all out action.  That is remedied this month.  The battle between the League and British Pearl Group was pretty epic.  While Reverse Flash, Parasite and Harley try to stop the fight without compromising the mission, the League uses it's acquired villain tech to wreck house...and Harley, Reverse Flash and Parasite.  Yep, the plan didn't go...according to plan.  The issue ends with Black Manta murdering for the League's cause and Amanda Waller desperately trying to figure out where it all went wrong.

Sean Ryan is taking his time with this story and it's all the better for it.  I love the Suicide Squad concept, but having them in a situation like this is better than the usual "send them in to blow shit up and get them out" mission.  It is testing the team and depending on which way you look at it, they are failing and/or succeeding.  I actually am not angry at Black Manta.  He's been searching for something to fill the void since Forever Evil and while it seemed like the Suicide Squad was his thing, the League may just be his dream come true...in a screwed up way.  I am, however, worried for Boomerang.  He was only working for the weekend, for Christ's sake!

Philippe Briones' art was good, it just didn't wow me.  I don't like his Harley and there was nothing at all that really stood out.  On the other hand, nothing offended me either, so I'd say it was pretty much down the middle average.

Bits and Pieces:

I am really enjoying the Suicide Squad and while it's not a perfect book, Sean Ryan is hitting all the right notes with the team and their mission.  He has the reader guessing who is good and bad and that extends to the leadership as well as the Squad itself.  This issue ups the action and while the art is middle of the road, it doesn't spoil the fun.  If you have been looking to jump on this book, go back to the start of this arc and join in on the best Suicide Squad story since the book added the "New" to the title.

8.2/10