Suicide Squad Black Files #2 Review and **SPOILERS**

Life Inside the Blade

Writers: Mike W. Barr, Jai Nitz 

Artists: Philippe Briones, Scott Eaton 

Inks: Wayne Faucher 

Colorists: Gabe Eltaeb, Guy Major 

Letterer: Pat Brosseau 

Cover Artist: Cliff Richards 

Group Editor: Jim Chadwick 

Editor: Harvey Richards 

Cover Price: $4.99 

On Sale Date: December 5, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

I guess we’ll be seeing this double-sized comic book for the next five months. I don’t know why I blanked on this even coming out, but it’s here now, so I’m gonna review it until it’s done, and there’s no more reviewin’ to do. Then I’ll corral my reviewin’ steers into the reviewer’s corral, an’ mosey on home to my ol’ reviewin’ cabin. Stoke a reviewin’ fire an’ heat some review beans, an’ think about all the things I’d like to review before I head off to that big reviewer’s paradise in the sky. Until that happens, I’ve reviewed Suicide Squad Black Files #2, and you can read it right now!

Explain It!

Katana is stuck in the Soultaker, and Lady Kobra is stuck in Katana’s hot bod. Not only is this a sick burn on Tatsu, but it gives Kobra access to Belle Reve, the Suicide Squad and—most importantly, to facilitate the sickest of all sick burns—Amanda Waller. This is a pretty interesting set-up, despite the Freaky Friday-ness of it all, and it forces Katana to face her husband, as well as the souls of the past people she’s slain. The latter meetings are more dicey. While Katana goes on a Vision Quest through her sword, Lady Kobra tricks Halo into gaining entrance into the Kobra Kompound (if it isn’t spelled Kompound, it should be), where she convinces the head guy of her true identity. Then they screw. Just as Katana’s about to pounce through a convenient portal into the overworld, Lady Kobra is gonna spring a trap for the Suicide Squad, so I think the next issue is going to start with a bang, 

As for the Dark Suicide Squad story, the opening scene has this team of ethereal misfits vying for some of Aladdin’s weaponry, fighting against zombie-ish monsters and magic weaponry, exhibiting individual characteristics and creating a compelling narrative. And it’s all pretty…good, actually, I found myself really enjoying it, despite the fact that one or two magicians bring essentially “God-level” powers to the playing field. After a humorous and possibly offensive interaction with Aladdin, everyone heads right into Hell, to face Faust and his pal, once Snargoyle and now Tiamat. The Dark Squad fails to get the drop on Faust and his minions, however—maybe because there’s like fifteen of them on the flipping team—but in the end, Faust makes them a bargain: join or die! And yes, I did use “bargain” purposefully. 

This issue, which is really two complete comic books smushed together, is not half bad. The story is pretty good, and the artwork does the job, and for $2.50 per, it’s really not a bad value. Dark Suicide Squad is a concept that you know only a Reggie could love, but the team does feel pretty unwieldy, and I expect one or two of the members to “retire” shortly. This isn’t an amazing, must-read book, so I’m hesitant to score it too highly. But in terms of bang for you buck, this might be the best offering from the Big Two on the stands today.

Bits and Pieces:

Katana's situation creates unwelcome opportunities, while the Suicide Squad Dark descends into a fiery realm of their own peril...or an offer they can't refuse. These aren't the most exhilarating stories you'll read all year, but considering the cover price, this might be the best value. The magical membership of the team from the second story might put off some readers.

7.5/10

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