Red Hood is in shambles-he doesn’t know whom to trust, he’s been left out in the cold, and he’s on the run. The Bat-Family thinks he’s gone rogue, and the government agency that oversees Task Force Z is after him. All of this is happening while Mr. Bloom manipulates Man-Bat into assisting him in making Powers International the most dominant force in Gotham City. Collecting issues #7-12, the epic conclusion of the critically acclaimed series!
Librarian note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
"I haven’t always been a writer. My parents are writers and my brother is a writer, and I resisted that as long as I could. When I was 17, I hopped in a band’s van and I went on tour for a summer, and that was it, that was what I wanted to do. I ran a record label for 10 years, a small indie punk label. I did everything in music that you can do that doesn’t involve having musical ability. Eventually the music business, probably in a similar way to comics, will just start to break your heart, and I realized one day that I kind of hated music. I was resigned to thinking, if I’m going to be involved in music forever, I’m going to hate it for the rest of my life. I just stopped. I stopped having any sort of business with music, any involvement.
I read comics my whole life, so I just naturally fell back into another medium that is marginalized and hard to make a living in."
So, this increasingly weird zombie action thriller soap opera comes to an end. Kind of.
I'm happily surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this series, my only real gripe with the second volume of this miniseries is that it unfortunately ends the same way 90% of DC's minis end...with a cliffhanger. At that point just make it an ongoing series. I should have seen it coming, they can't help themselves at this point. At least all of the plotlines get wrapped up here before the final gotcha moment. However, besides that, I think the series really came into its own as it went along. It fully embraced how silly it was and let itself be weird and offbeat. I liked Bloom's kookiness and I'll never forget the baby with Man-Bat's head. I'll check out whatever comes after this for sure.
There's some great moments, but the ending wasn't as satisfying as I would have hoped. The dialog is really snappy in a way that's mostly good but sometimes a little sitcom. I think the story needs a better emotional throughline, though I know asking for an emotional throughline in comics is maybe naïve of me. I had a good enough time and it's one of the best recent books for Jason in particular that I've come across.
/Bruce/. We talked about this. We listen to our children. Say it with me, young man. (Exhibit A of why worlds without Alfred Pennyworth shouldn't exist.)
Gunna review all of Task Force Z here, because the series is over and it's just easier that way.
Task Force Z is a stupid concept that shouldn't work - it's a zombie Suicide Squad full of Bat-Villains, headed by Jason Todd and Two-Face, which sounds ridiculous even writing down, and YET, it's hilariously good fun, even if it's a little difficult to keep up with sometimes because there's a lot of double and triple crossing going on, as well as a couple of late game reveals that are both insane and perfectly in sync with the atmosphere that the series creates.
It's great to see a few characters that we don't usually get to see in the spotlight, including the return of Mister Bloom from the New 52 Batman run, lesser villains like Copperhead and Arkham Knight, and even a proto-Batman Beyond tie-in in the form of the Powers Corporation. And while some characters are literally just cannon fodder, it's clear that there's more at play in this series, because it'll likely be the way some previously dead characters like Deadshot get to come back and play.
Eddy Barrows pencils 8 of the 12 issues in their entirety, shares 2 issues with Dave McKeown, and only skips out entirely on 2 issues in favour of Jack Herbert. The book's very visually consistent even with the changes, and Barrows' command of shadows and the sweeping colours of Adriano Lucas ensure that the horror aspects are never far away.
Task Force Z is daft, and yet the fact that it knows it's daft really works in its favour. It's not going to be for everyone, but if you're looking for a surprisingly complicated series that plays fast and loose with the concept of death, or even if you just really like zombies, Task Force Z is worth a look.
So I didnt hate this book but it definitely has me scratching my head. What was Bloom's plan? From what we know from Vol1, he was working against his will with Powers International scientists to create Lazarus Resin. Once they complete the project, and he realizes he'll never be free, he blows up the lab and escapes. He then manipulates a disgraced senator to use Two-Face to convince Amanda Waller to back a government task force for a zombie "suicide squad". He then puppets Task Force Z into attacking and stealing shipments of Resin from Powers and then attacking their secret lab. He then uses this disruption to pressure Geri Powers into employing him to create more Resin. In Vol2, while Red Hood and his team are preparing to fight back; all Bloom is doing is experimenting on ManBat and snooping around Powers International. Its implied that while he's working on the Resin production he's been trying to also mess with other Powers blackbox experiments to create something unknown. Then the last three issues derail everything.
vvvSpoilersvvv
We get more flashbacks from when he was starting the Task Force Z and see that he was also doing some mind manipulation stuff on a corpse so that everyone, including the corpse, would think it was Bane. Suddenly this whole convoluted Task Force Z business had everything to do with the Bane corpse, because it was actually Gotham the pointless Tom King character. Then for some reason Bloom needs to confront Red Hood and show off his mind control experiment so he can kidnapp the cloned scientist Delia, just so Gotham will remeber who he realy is. But not really because after she is kidnapped they disappear from the story. At this point the story shifted focus from Red Hood damning himself by working with monsters; too overly focusing on how Jason killed "Bane", but because it wasnt really Bane, he's a bad person. It all ends with Bloom trying to run off with the Resin and other Powers assests while trying to frame it all on Task Force Z. Only for Gotham to have a change of heart and there to be a Two-Face twist.
I didnt hate this story but ultimately it just seemed like a Clone Wars story of Bloom scheming against problems he caused.
3.5 Stars. DC really doesn't know what to do with Jason Todd anymore, do they? He can't seem to find his stride in his own book, or various ensemble books, but is always left to ride the hero/villain line. I hope one day Jason Todd will get to fully save the day again. Highlights: - Task Force Z has a problem with dying. The harder the mission, the more Lazarus resin they need to bring the team back. An encounter with Powers International and some of the Bat-Family leaves a lot of the team dead. - Bloom has gone over to the Powers Int. side, taking Sundowner with him, and primarily leaving to be able to continued running tests and creating new villains - Bloom resurrects Bane (though we get a reveal that shows us it is fragments of Bane's mind inside a shell body) as well as Gotham to help fight. - Bloom digs up the Batman suit that Jim Gordon wore way back in the "Superheavy" storyline (which ironically was right before Bloom's debut) to fight against Red Hood and the rest of Task Force Z. - Red Hood almost loses his life, but is saved by Two-Face. The rest of the team is already dead in the battle, so Harvey sends Jason away to rest and relax, everyone else believing he's dead (except the Bat-Family who knows the truth) - In a final turn of events, Two-Face uses the resin he stole from Bloom to resurrect the team without Jason, hoping to turn it to villainy.
This was the last Volume of this title. I can kind of understand why, but the idea was alright when it started. Again, hope DC finds something amazing for Red Hood to do.
It's the end of Task Force Z. There's only so much Lazarus resin, real or synthetic, to go around. Choices have to be made. Who gets brought back for one last fight? Jason might be able to get some more, but that will put him back in the crosshairs of the Bat-Family. He's only recently been welcomed back as (slightly less) than a crowbar wielding vigilante. This deep cover job may still block up in his face.
Are we getting to a point where Jason Todd might drop the Red Hood moniker? It feels like he's getting closer and closer to coming to peace with his past. That usually signifies a name change. He's definitely walking his own unique path.
------- Kudos to Rosenberg for reaching into New 52 Batman history and giving us a few gems that could use some polish. Time has moved on, though. Gotham isn't quite the same. (See what I did there?)
Bonus: Bloom gets yeeted! Bonus Bonus: How many ways can you regenerate Man-Bat? (aka lab rat Man Bat)
If you're up for a chaotic ride filled with Zombies and twists then Task Force Z is definitely your ride to a good time 😉👍❤️🦇.
The plot becomes somewhat more convoluted at times in Vol 2 compared to Vol 1 but it all boils down to Bloom double-stabbing the team to work for CEO Mrs. Powers to drain her resources and create a more Lazurous Resin and taping the resource of Powers International dry.
Lies are reserfused trust amongst teammates goes away, and Red Hood is leading the broken down team head-on into battle against Bloom or what's left of a team.
My favorite moment was definitely when the Batfam chimed in but because that side story burned out pretty early it became a question of whether it was even necessary or not 🤨? Still, I was here for the vibes and love this redemption arc taken on by both Red Hood & Two-Face. It was fun, morbid, and all-around a great read.
Looking forward to seeing what comes of Red Hood in the future and would gladly welcome a 3rd volume or continued run of Task Force Z in the future 😉. Loved it 10/10 👏❤️🌟!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Alright that was dope af! Although, Vol 1 was good. Vol 2 is significantly better in every aspect. It's not a revolutionary story but it's not the story that creates an immersion, it's the execution. In Vol 2 the screenplay is stellar. The seeds planted in Vol 1 came in clutch. The twist and the turns, Mathew Rossenberg's writing and direction felt far more confident and precise the further it kept going. It leaves the book on a high note. Honestly, Vol 2 improves my feelings on Vol 1. Although, I still believe it couldve been far more dynamic, I get what Rosenberg was setting the stage for. I love Red Hood. I loved the way he was portrayed here, both flawed and badass. Dude is a real G. He's emotional, yet he can also control it to use into his advantage. He's the realest of the Bat-Family. Also, a part of me feels like they don't deserve him, especially based on how they view him here. It's proven time and time again, when given the spotlight, Red Hood shines the best after Batman in the Bat lore of characters.
I liked the 2nd half of this series better than the first half. Once the villain is revealed the series gets even better. Rosenberg has a deliciously evil handle on Mr. Bloom. Every time he talks I start cackling to myself. He must have been so much fun to write. This series shouldn't work at all. A zombie Suicide Squad full of Batman villains led by Red Hood with Two-Face in the Amanda Waller role? This way lies madness. Some of the double and triple crosses can be hard to keep straight sometimes. Still, I think this is the best thing Matthew Rosenberg has written in a while. It does pull in some elements from the latter part of the terrific Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Batman New-52 run so you may want to read that first if you've never read it before.
Along for the ride are Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira on art. Barrows makes such great use of shadows. He's perfect for this book while maintaining a classic comic book look.
An okay book. I wanted to give this 3.5 stars, I just could not round it up to 4. I might be a bit biased as Jason Todd/Red Hood is my least favourite Robin/Bat-family member. Why get this book? I started the series and wanted to finish it. Something me and Jason have in common. Though for an ending to this series/chapter, it was not bad.
Jason has been betrayed and cut off from the Bat-family. His only hope is Harvey Dent (Two Face) and what is left of Task Force Z. What happens when this places him in direct conflict with the Bat-family. Is finishing the job worth it. I do like the link to Batman Beyond/Of the Future in this book. What is Bloom's end game? What surprises has he in store for Jason?
It's a bit of a bull in a China shop style ending. All chaos and destruction for all directions. It would be interesting to see how the survivors move on from this book throughout the DC universe. The book ends with a varient covers gallery and black and white sketch book.
A lot of nonsense comic book plot, but it’s a comic book so that was expected. Dr. Bloom cracked me up. I enjoyed Harvey. Solid Jason and Steph friendship material. But mostly I’m tired of the terribly written family interactions with Jason. It always makes me hate the other Bats, whom I do not actually hate. Anytime it’s a Jason focused run, the other Bats are written as if they don’t even like Jason. I get they manufacture conflict between Jason and his family to justify Jason running about killing things, but it’s frustrating, especially when you read the current Nightwing run where Jason and Dick have an entire issue where they bro around as they stop bad guys. I know lack of consistency is the norm in DCs 4000 different titles, but Jason is my favorite and it makes me dread reading his titles.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy this story. But there are serious GLARING issues, especially in the final few pages.
The tease on the final page just felt sort of; corny? Like the status quo has to be maintained, so Harvey will just go back to being two-face doing regular evil shit again. It just felt very unearned and a cheap twist to an otherwise relatively solid story.
I enjoyed volume 2 a lot, it was a great follow on from the first, but these final moments just really dragged it down for me. It makes it hard to suspend any disbelief.
I will say, that as someone unfamiliar with Mr Bloom before this, he was one of the best parts of these stories. He’s a darkly comedic character and provides many moments of levity in an otherwise incredibly edgy story and line-up.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
this book was so confusing. I do like it for the jason & harvey (and the random jason & steph?) interactions.. it’s also one of the rare books where jason’s characterization is actually interesting—he’s a bit too self-aware for my liking (looking at issue #8 here), but it’s nice to have those complexities of his story acknowledged one way or another. that said, the dialogue and writing is way too convoluted for this to be an enjoyable story. it’s rosenberg’s style but it makes every panel a tedious read
Everything about this book is my favorite and I am devastated it's over but better to go out on a great note. I will probably never recover from getting a book that not only has Jason and Steph being sort of friends, but Jason and Harvey seeing each other for what they are. "It's pretty hard to break what's already broken."
This second volume is increasingly a muddled mess of a story, with too many characters, too many of them zombies, and no real character depth to the ones who aren't. I also don't think Bloom really holds up as the big villain.
It's good to see the conclusion of this story, but there just wasn't enough depth to really care about, though the big surprise toward the end was nice.
This was such a fun follow up to the first volume! I'm always a fan of any story that has Jason Todd at its center, but sometimes he's just not writing right ya know? But this series?? Oof they wrote him so well!! And i loved the batfam interaction we got to see here. Great time watching them kick each other's butts 👍 also loved Solomon Grundy. Best boy!! Best stinky boy!
A decent book as we do get some nice development and I do like Professor Bloom in this story as he was always a villain that I thought should get some more time as he is genuinely creepy. But I don't like how confusing it can be with constant twists and reveals throughout granted I did like the return of Gotham but I wished it was a bit more streamlined story but still a good story.
it was meh, got mad when the batfamily (excluding steph <3) jumped on jason and were making it obvious they talk about him behind his back which i hated
As a baseline, I think comics should be fun, and this is exactly that - fun. The equivalent of a summer, popcorn movie. The art style reminded me of Immortal Hulk, which was a plus.