Suicide Squad #10 Review

 

The Man Behind the Mask

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Bruno Redondo, Adriano Lucas, and Wes Abbott

Cover Price: $3.99

Release Date: October 28, 2020

I have loved this series since it began, and reviewing the penultimate issue sucks!  We only get eleven issues?!? WTF!!!  Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo barely got things started before DC announced this series would be ending, and I blame every one of you who didn't go out and buy every issue.  Now that I've shamed you let's get on with the review...

If you came into this issue hoping that somehow Deadshot was going to survive last issue's cliffhanger, I'm sorry to tell you that is a negative.  Deadshot is D-E-D Dead!  The Squad, especially Harley, are torn up, but there are more pressing matters at hand, so I expect the waterworks to happen next issue.   Right now, they have to figure out who is the real enemy and what they have planned.  Luckily, the real Ted Kord is there to fill them in, and after Fin verifies that Kord is on the up-and-up, Wink and Aerie head off to stop Black Mask.

I thought it was such a shrewd move for Tom Taylor to use Sionis' Year of the Villain "gift" to trick everyone, and he continues to use it here to try to make a clean getaway.  I get it!  You get a shiny, new power like that, and you will want to use it.  Unfortunately, Black Mask took it a bit too far here, and when things get personal, you best get all the stats right.  Having Aerie realize Wink was not Wink was a cool way to catch Sionis while also reminding the reader of the close as hell connection Aerie and Wink have.  

After fighting their way through Black Mask's army, the Squad head to Badhnisia to warn the president (Aerie's mom) of a small problem... Black Mask has set Lola to explode and blow up the island.  I like the way Taylor writes Aerie and their mom here.  It's evident in a few lines where each gets their strength and courage, and I love the understanding between them that nobody messes with Wink and gets away with it!

The issue continues and then ends with Osita wiping the grin off of Black Mask's face (literally), a nice Tom Taylor moment between Harley and Zebra-man, and possibly another Taylor moment since it looks like everyone is dying by the end.  Seriously, never fall in love with any character in a Tom Taylor book unless you want your heartbroken!

This issue unpacks many things that set up the finale next issue, and while that usually means a downer of an issue, that's not the case.  Tom Taylor is great with character interactions, and that is what shines here.  Sure, he saves the most significant moments for the finale, but I still enjoyed this issue.  It never hurts to have Bruno Redondo on art either.  I have been a fan of his since Injustice, and he and Taylor always work well together.

Bits and Pieces:

With one more issue to go, Tom Taylor sets up the finale with an issue filled with character moments that made me smile.  Bruno Redondo's art is great as usual, and I wish this series was not ending in a month.

8.0/10