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Secret Six (Collected Editions, vol. 3) #1
Secret Six, Vol. 1: Unhinged
The Secret Six are back in an all-new ongoing series that promises to deliver some of the darkest, most twisted action-adventure the DC Universe has seen since...well, the last time the Secret Six got together!
Join Catman, Scandal, Deadshot, Ragdoll, and their two newest members as they hit the road on the run from some of the world's most dangerous killers! A contract has been put out on the lives of the Six, but the sly team has some tricks - and a whole lot of bullets - up their own sleeves! Prepare for an adventure that will take them through a gauntlet across the seediest parts of the DC Universe, and will ultimately pit them against a foe more monstrous and murderous than any they've ever had to face!
Collecting SECRET SIX #1-7!
Join Catman, Scandal, Deadshot, Ragdoll, and their two newest members as they hit the road on the run from some of the world's most dangerous killers! A contract has been put out on the lives of the Six, but the sly team has some tricks - and a whole lot of bullets - up their own sleeves! Prepare for an adventure that will take them through a gauntlet across the seediest parts of the DC Universe, and will ultimately pit them against a foe more monstrous and murderous than any they've ever had to face!
Collecting SECRET SIX #1-7!
168 pages, Paperback
First published August 11, 2009
7 people are currently reading
1000 people want to read
About the author
Gail Simone
1,080 books1,237 followersGail Simone is a comic book writer well-known for her work on Birds of Prey (DC), Wonder Woman (DC), and Deadpool (Marvel), among others, and has also written humorous and critical commentary on comics and the comics industry such as the original "Women in Refrigerators" website and a regular column called "You'll All Be Sorry".
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
November 15, 2024
Great series, the followup to Gail Simone's Birds of Prey in many ways and worthy to the best thing that came out of Infinite Crisis.
DC still had the best villain teams
DC still had the best villain teams
June 15, 2017
Almost went a full 5 out of 5 stars. This was so good I picked up the next 4 volumes on Ebay. Secret Six. What the fuck is that? Bad guys doing good things? That sounds like Suicide Squad! Well think SS, but with more characters, more emotional moments, and a more coherent story (for the most part). Gail Simone is quickly climbing my list of damn good comics writers. Take Catman (Not woman) Bane, Deadshot, and a few others and throw them on a mission to get this magical "card". But someone is after them and a bounty is set on them. DUM DUM DUM!
What I liked: The art is solid all the way around. Easy to follow, everyone has a unique look, no complaints there. The pacing is near perfect. We have character moments, humor moments, and then of course the story itself moving at a steady speed. We have a villain I was actually SCARED of to. I also loved the chemistry between everyone in the party. Each is so different and one of the big twist caught me off guard.
What I didn't like: The last issue was a little to insane for the rest of this series. I liked it being low key and easy to follow but then it got into a big brawl and those are never as fun as they want it to be. It ended on that so felt a bit down.
Saying the ending was little mehish shouldn't stop you from reading this. I recommend this for ANYONE! It's so damn funny, very entertaining, well done characters, and excellent pacing. This is a 4.5 out of 5.
What I liked: The art is solid all the way around. Easy to follow, everyone has a unique look, no complaints there. The pacing is near perfect. We have character moments, humor moments, and then of course the story itself moving at a steady speed. We have a villain I was actually SCARED of to. I also loved the chemistry between everyone in the party. Each is so different and one of the big twist caught me off guard.
What I didn't like: The last issue was a little to insane for the rest of this series. I liked it being low key and easy to follow but then it got into a big brawl and those are never as fun as they want it to be. It ended on that so felt a bit down.
Saying the ending was little mehish shouldn't stop you from reading this. I recommend this for ANYONE! It's so damn funny, very entertaining, well done characters, and excellent pacing. This is a 4.5 out of 5.
December 31, 2016
A group of hardened, ruthless super-villains encounters something so twisted, it makes even their skin crawl! DC Comics has been over-saturated with grim and gritty comics for decades now, but Gail Simone is one of the few talented writers who can make even the darkest tales fun to read!
June 8, 2014
I dearly loved Villains United, and I really likedSecret Six: Six Degrees of Devastation. Not sure if that was intended as a miniseries or was a false start at a new ongoing. Doesn't matter. What matters is that this is great. It has Bane, and it lets him have a brain, and a heart. Deep? Not especially, but it is fun, mostly for the cast of less than savory characters.
December 11, 2009
Recently reread this and even better the second time around. Gail Simone is far and away the best writer in comics today and I wish more comics pushed the boundaries on team dynamics, humor, and plot like she does.
March 7, 2020
I intended to read this one over a two week period in my downtime while attending a permaculture course, and obviously that didn’t happen as I did that thing ud comics readers do when hooked on a trade, “just one more issue...” look, I don’t think this comic is profound for the most part other than for being one of the most queer DC books, but I don’t feel that this book aspires to profundity. It aspires to classic cape and cowl comic booking and features a cast of mostly C list ‘villains’ as they repeatedly fail at making the mercenary team life work. It’s got tight arcs, fun inclusions by the bigger DC figures and some inspired violence all while making you laugh then stopping to question why you’re laughing about Ragdoll getting run over. I previously read only Simone’s new 52 Batgirl run and was only ever into it when she played with characters she and the art team introduced and it’s clear here that it’s cause she loves the troubled people. Nicola Scott, who handles most of the pencils here, is on fire and it’s obvious from the arc including Wonder Woman that this is what garnered here that prestige title years later, which I’d also recommend. Now I gotta wait a month for my library allotment to reup. Gotta check up with my honeys Bane and Catman.
did-not-finish
January 1, 2017dnf - No real reason, but it's been on my 'currently reading' shelf for literal months, so it's time to admit I'm not picking it back up and move on. I haven't read much of anything in that time, so don't take this as a knock on the book. That I didn't finish it in one sitting may be though...
March 18, 2019
I feel like I should explain myself. The reason this gets a two from me is not for lack of quality, but rather because I really held no attachment to the characters. Now, that's not the book's fault, the book offered plenty of opportunity for me to get to know each member and get the basic gist of what they are all about. Simone is no slouch, she knows what she's doing.
However, even after going through the whole thing I didn't really feel like I cared about any of these people...or liked them. You're not SUPPOSED to like them, they're bad people, but you should like them even on the level of "I enjoy reading about these people." I did not as it turns out.
Otherwise this is a fun little story with some really unique elements to it. DC devotees will probably appreciate this far more than I will, but it's not necessary I think to enjoy the book in its own right. It just really didn't do much for me personally.
However, even after going through the whole thing I didn't really feel like I cared about any of these people...or liked them. You're not SUPPOSED to like them, they're bad people, but you should like them even on the level of "I enjoy reading about these people." I did not as it turns out.
Otherwise this is a fun little story with some really unique elements to it. DC devotees will probably appreciate this far more than I will, but it's not necessary I think to enjoy the book in its own right. It just really didn't do much for me personally.
July 1, 2012
Gail Simone has been a personal favorite writer of mine for quite awhile. Her work for Birds of Prey is fantastic. As always, she does a great job at building relationships between friends, which is seldom forgotten by a handful of writers. Simone does not fail at this talent with the Secret Six. It is impressive that nobody manages to steal the spotlight in Secret Six: Unhinged because all characters are treated as equal. Each one is as interesting as the next.
Unhinged picks up the actions of the Secret Six after their appearance in Villains United. The book begins with introducing a mysterious villain called Junior who calls one of his henchmen into an office. He poses the question: They die or you die. By "they" Junior refers to the man's family. When the man chooses his family, he's murdered before the plot moves along to introduce all the characters of the Secret Six starting with Deadshot and Catman. (Deadshot being originally introduced as a Batman villain and Catman another Batman foe.) But it all begins with Catman questioning whether he should be a villain and if there will be ever a chance to make up for all the bad in his past.
The rest of the cast of characters are introduced at Scandal Savage's birthday party. She is still mourning the loss of her recently deceased girlfriend. Bane (as in the Batman villain) and Ragdoll are doing their best to cheer her up until she chooses to leave so she can tell them about their next client.
Simone does an excellent job at crafting the relationships between all the characters at the start before diving into the action and the actual plot of Unhinged. According to Scandal, a new client has requested they break a woman out of Alcatraz in order to retrieve some sort of card from her. Later, the Secret Six learn that they are not alone in the search of the card. Junior has gathered an army of villains to attack the Secret Six to bring the card back no matter the costs. Later, it is revealed that the single card means all of the world to everybody on a single question alone: What if?
The card the Secret Six is supposed to retrieve and bring back to Gotham City is a "Get Out of Hell Free" card, which provokes each character with the idea that "What if it works?" and pokes at all their relationships. Already it's a challenge for all of them to get along then Scandal invites one of her friends Jeanette into the group to help aid them in their cross-country journey.
While no one character steals the spotlight, there are two relationships that are the strongest in the Secret Six. First, Catman and Deadshot. They are the first the audience meets together and throughout the time they have a fascinating way of looking out for one another. Both are villains who are blood thirsty and both know that they are going to hell. Catman is unable to escape his past while Deadshot lives in the present. Not once does Deadshot ever seem to care about the rest of the world yet he has moments where his dialogue strengthens his friendship with Catman. It comes to the point where he even watches out for his friend while he is sleeping.
As great as their relationship is and builds throughout the events, the highlight for me of the series is Bane's character development through his relationship with Scandal Savage. Bane was originally introduced in Batman and will always be known as the man who broke Batman's back. He cannot stop hyper focusing on the one event. Yet Scandal develops him into a deeper character who has a softer side. There is a lot more to his character than the one originally introduced in Batman. He claims that Scandal Savage in a sense is his daughter and he watches out for her. Since Scandal is lost in her depression, he worries about her constantly and offers her pieces of advice or even ice cream.
Scandal in return loves and cares for Bane. It takes her awhile to understand him, but once she does the two are able to bring the Secret Six together. They in a sense are an anchor that holds the events of Unhinged and the team together all at once.
Without a doubt, the ending left me wanting for more but it left me wanting more of Scandal Savage, Catman, Bane, Deadshot, Jeanette and Ragdoll. I don't care what the other plot arcs are about. Gail Simone does an excellent job at building their characters and relationships that it draws the reader in and makes them want more after each issue.
Unhinged picks up the actions of the Secret Six after their appearance in Villains United. The book begins with introducing a mysterious villain called Junior who calls one of his henchmen into an office. He poses the question: They die or you die. By "they" Junior refers to the man's family. When the man chooses his family, he's murdered before the plot moves along to introduce all the characters of the Secret Six starting with Deadshot and Catman. (Deadshot being originally introduced as a Batman villain and Catman another Batman foe.) But it all begins with Catman questioning whether he should be a villain and if there will be ever a chance to make up for all the bad in his past.
The rest of the cast of characters are introduced at Scandal Savage's birthday party. She is still mourning the loss of her recently deceased girlfriend. Bane (as in the Batman villain) and Ragdoll are doing their best to cheer her up until she chooses to leave so she can tell them about their next client.
Simone does an excellent job at crafting the relationships between all the characters at the start before diving into the action and the actual plot of Unhinged. According to Scandal, a new client has requested they break a woman out of Alcatraz in order to retrieve some sort of card from her. Later, the Secret Six learn that they are not alone in the search of the card. Junior has gathered an army of villains to attack the Secret Six to bring the card back no matter the costs. Later, it is revealed that the single card means all of the world to everybody on a single question alone: What if?
The card the Secret Six is supposed to retrieve and bring back to Gotham City is a "Get Out of Hell Free" card, which provokes each character with the idea that "What if it works?" and pokes at all their relationships. Already it's a challenge for all of them to get along then Scandal invites one of her friends Jeanette into the group to help aid them in their cross-country journey.
While no one character steals the spotlight, there are two relationships that are the strongest in the Secret Six. First, Catman and Deadshot. They are the first the audience meets together and throughout the time they have a fascinating way of looking out for one another. Both are villains who are blood thirsty and both know that they are going to hell. Catman is unable to escape his past while Deadshot lives in the present. Not once does Deadshot ever seem to care about the rest of the world yet he has moments where his dialogue strengthens his friendship with Catman. It comes to the point where he even watches out for his friend while he is sleeping.
As great as their relationship is and builds throughout the events, the highlight for me of the series is Bane's character development through his relationship with Scandal Savage. Bane was originally introduced in Batman and will always be known as the man who broke Batman's back. He cannot stop hyper focusing on the one event. Yet Scandal develops him into a deeper character who has a softer side. There is a lot more to his character than the one originally introduced in Batman. He claims that Scandal Savage in a sense is his daughter and he watches out for her. Since Scandal is lost in her depression, he worries about her constantly and offers her pieces of advice or even ice cream.
Scandal in return loves and cares for Bane. It takes her awhile to understand him, but once she does the two are able to bring the Secret Six together. They in a sense are an anchor that holds the events of Unhinged and the team together all at once.
Without a doubt, the ending left me wanting for more but it left me wanting more of Scandal Savage, Catman, Bane, Deadshot, Jeanette and Ragdoll. I don't care what the other plot arcs are about. Gail Simone does an excellent job at building their characters and relationships that it draws the reader in and makes them want more after each issue.
January 1, 2012
The artwork is fine. The story and characters, on the other hand:
The MacGuffin the plot revolves around is kinda stupid. My initial reaction was to wonder if this was really what the story revolves around Sadly, it is. I didn't care for either Junior's identity or the identity of the person who wants the card. Maybe if I knew more about the characters in the team I would care more, but I don't. Most of the characters are uninteresting to me. The woman who joins after a few issues seems like she has some potential, but everyone else is uninteresting. Bane's schtick of treating Scandal as an adopted daughter is just stupid. Overall, while I enjoyed the first issue or two, take as a whole I did not enjoy this. I think I'm going to look into one of Gail Simone's other series, since I do want to read more of her work despite my disappointment with this.
The MacGuffin the plot revolves around is kinda stupid. My initial reaction was to wonder if this was really what the story revolves around Sadly, it is. I didn't care for either Junior's identity or the identity of the person who wants the card. Maybe if I knew more about the characters in the team I would care more, but I don't. Most of the characters are uninteresting to me. The woman who joins after a few issues seems like she has some potential, but everyone else is uninteresting. Bane's schtick of treating Scandal as an adopted daughter is just stupid. Overall, while I enjoyed the first issue or two, take as a whole I did not enjoy this. I think I'm going to look into one of Gail Simone's other series, since I do want to read more of her work despite my disappointment with this.
November 15, 2014
I'd read multiple reviews saying this series was great, and that everyone should give it a read, and after doing so I have to say that I definitely agree, to a point. Although this is Volume 1, and was the beginning of a new series it definitely takes a little patience to get used to the characters and their relationships. They have a great deal of backstory and history that isn't developed here, and requires other installments to be read to truly understand why characters' motivations were what they were. It took me a few visits to wikipedia to get caught up to speed, but it was totally worth it. This is an absolute blast mixing interesting characters with fun action and a perfect dose of humor. If you can be patient and maybe do some research while you read to see why certain characters are in the situations they are in you'll certainly have a good time.
January 27, 2010
Gail Simone turns in a delightful caper story, where the caper is secondary to the inetraction between our actors. Very good, if not wonderful dialogue between our "heroes". Well they're not heroes, but they are not villains either. The prize, and I don't think this will ruins thing for anyone who decides to read this-a get out of hell free card for when you die.
Who wouldn't kill for that if they thought they were already bound for hell?
Who wouldn't kill for that if they thought they were already bound for hell?
January 8, 2014
I love Gail Simone so much. This story was really great—lots of fun plot twists without being convoluted. I really liked how funny all of the characters were and how human. I especially love Ragdoll and can't wait to learn more about him and his family. The art was fantastic. It strays a bit from the classic comic book look (in a good way). This is one of the best comics I've read in awhile. I'm really excited to get the next one.
October 29, 2011
When I first started reading this, I wasn't sure what I was getting into. I didn't think I was going to like it very much. But I'd heard good things about this comic, so I kept reading. By about the 3rd or 4th issue, I was drawn into it. Very well-written and interesting. A mix of humor and serious violence that can't be easy to maintain, but Simone somehow does it. I really enjoyed this.
October 19, 2015
In many ways this is an absolutely fantastic book. I loved the the characters, especially Bane, he's such a cutie. The art was great. The story and the writing kept me wanting to read more. But over all it just wasn't my thing, it seemed a bit pointless. So if this is your thing, definitely read it, but if over the top DC villains screwing around isn't for you, probably read it any way!
May 25, 2010
This book is strange and excessive in so many ways. Violent yet funny, this series is a must-read for every comic-book fan. The Lawton/Blake sequence in the convenience store (1st issue) is pure fucking gold.
March 1, 2012
Had some mixed feelings about this, but the humor won me over.
January 5, 2013
This is what comics are all about. It is compelling, inventive, and consistently amazing. It isn't perfect. It's too good to be perfect.
December 20, 2015
Forgot I read these. Only time I thought Bane was a nice emotional fella with a drug addiction vs psychopath. Very humanized villains, with a solid story.
December 3, 2022
A surprisingly pointed and nuanced meditation on sin and the nature of evil, wrapped up in a colorful and bouncy Midnight Run-esq road trip-slash-heist narrative, with plenty of horror elements and a good helping of colorful supervillain hijinks.
Personally, I think this whole run is Gail Simone's masterpiece-- and it all hits its stride with this storyline, this ensemble (Scandal Savage, Bane, Deadshot, Catman, Ragdoll, and Jeanette the banshee), and some truly phenomenal artwork by Nicola Scott.
Secret Six is the spiritual successor to John Ostrander's Suicide Squad-- but with a helluva lot more wit. If you've never taken a look at it, I can't recommend it highly enough.
Personally, I think this whole run is Gail Simone's masterpiece-- and it all hits its stride with this storyline, this ensemble (Scandal Savage, Bane, Deadshot, Catman, Ragdoll, and Jeanette the banshee), and some truly phenomenal artwork by Nicola Scott.
Secret Six is the spiritual successor to John Ostrander's Suicide Squad-- but with a helluva lot more wit. If you've never taken a look at it, I can't recommend it highly enough.
July 27, 2018
This was the series that really got me into DC comics. Gail Simone knows how to write bad guys and anti-heroes without ever cheating the reader, making them too unlikeable or falling into a repetitive pattern. Who else could make the Batman rip-off CATMAN, cool?
I've read the entire series, but I didn't remember anything that happens in this volume. One quick google search later and it turned out Vol. 1 was made up of two mini-series before the regular series proper started.
I've read the entire series, but I didn't remember anything that happens in this volume. One quick google search later and it turned out Vol. 1 was made up of two mini-series before the regular series proper started.
Read
April 10, 2021I liked Six Degrees of Devastation better than Villains United, and this is better than both. The storytelling is tighter, the jokes and funnier, and it’s just a blast to read. There are so many memorable bits here: Bane deciding Scandal needs a father figure, the dynamic between Catman and Deadshot, Ragdoll’s shenanigans, the Vegas detour, Mad Hatter’s return... This book recalls Ostrander’s Suicide Squad at its wildest and most entertaining. I’m glad I decided to continue.
April 10, 2018
"I had a burrito."
Once again I don't really care about the twisty plot, and I'm seeing how unfortunately fond superhero comics are of the twist, but the found family character dynamics are still superb, now with the addition of Bane--not who I would have chosen, but somehow here he's more than right at home.
Once again I don't really care about the twisty plot, and I'm seeing how unfortunately fond superhero comics are of the twist, but the found family character dynamics are still superb, now with the addition of Bane--not who I would have chosen, but somehow here he's more than right at home.
September 10, 2018
I'm not sure if it was because I am tired as hell, but it was boring. Most of the characters were uninteresting (to me), I did not laugh at parts that were supposed to be funny. Nah. Maybe I'll try it next time in different mood.
September 25, 2017
Great characters that should be hard to sympathize with but aren't. Actually, "Unhinged" is kind of a perfect word for it.
I love Jeanette.
I love Jeanette.
March 18, 2018
ESTIMATED DNF RATING: {2/5 star to 2.5/5 stars}
STANDARDIZED RATING: <2/5 stars>
STANDARDIZED RATING: <2/5 stars>
February 19, 2019
Review forthcoming.
August 19, 2023
I enjoyed this run very much.
July 14, 2025
Real,entre este comic me hizo encariñarme con los personajes, ya que humaniza a muchos de estos villanos, creando una familia encontrada que me gusto mucho, amo la dinámica que tienen.
April 6, 2016
(originally reviewed at
thelibraryladies.com
)
This summer the movie “Suicide Squad” is coming out, and while a lot of people are already making fun of it (as many people are wont to do when it comes to DC movies), I’m intrigued by it and will probably go see it. I like the idea of villains being the anti-heroes and stars of the story, so “Suicide Squad” appeals to me. But along with Suicide Squad, there is another team of villains turned (sorta) good in the DC Universe, and that is the Secret Six. The Secret Six first appeared during the Silver Age of DC Comics, but they tapered off and didn’t reappear until Gail Foreman (comic writer extraordinaire) brought them back from the dead with a new team and a new, edgier image. Though they started with a couple miniseries (which I AM getting from the library and will address in a later post), I started with their first stand alone volume, “Secret Six: Unhinged”*. In which our intrepid and jaded group of anti-heroes find themselves breaking former baddie Tarantula (Catalina Flores edition!) out of prison, and the target of a very scary crime boss named Junior. Because Junior is interested in something that Tarantula has in her possession….
I’ll admit that I was a little confused at first, as I inadvertently jumped in kind of in the middle of the story. But Simone does a really good job of getting newbies up to speed, and the new arc starts quick and takes over right away. All of the characters are drawn in many shades of grey, but they are all very likable even when they are doing pretty questionable things. What I liked the most about The Secret Six was that while they were all pretty snarky and had their own quirks, there was always a dangerous, and sad, vibe about each and every one of them. Scandal Savage is their sort of unofficial leader, but she is mourning the loss of her girlfriend, and that makes her fragile and unpredictable. Catman is going through his own traumatic memories, but that doesn’t stop him from snarking at Batman while they come to fisticuffs on the rooftops of Gotham (I was cackling hysterically when Catman was convinced there was a taco place around due to the scents in the air and would just. not. let. it. go.). Ragdoll is a weirdo who can contort and shift his limbs, but he may have a sadder backstory than he’s letting on. Deadshot is a tough guy with a mean streak, but you can tell he does care about his teammates. Jeannette is gorgeous and sexy, but has a mysterious power that goes back centuries. And then there’s Bane. A very conflicted, paternal Bane who has sworn off Venom because he doesn’t want to be an addict anymore. Which is weird. But along with thinking it was weird, I really, really loved it and was totally on board with it. Bane without Venom? Sure! Let’s do this!
All of these personalities combine to make a very likable team, and in turn a very likable series. It isn’t all snarky and espionage-ridden sunshine and rainbows, however, as Simone does bring in a lot of darker themes. The villain (well, the actual antagonistic villain, I should say), Junior, is seriously one of the most disturbing creations I have seen come out of DC comics. Heck, maybe even in all of comic-dom, at least for me, and that’s coming from someone who dabbles in lots of other twisted comics as well (Hellooooo “The Walking Dead”). Junior was a very depraved and upsetting villain, but even Junior has a lot of character and a lot of history that gives the reader no other choice but to feel some empathy for how this really scary villain got this far gone. That said, it’s hard to forget that the first thing we see of Junior is an unfortunate victim being pulled into a small wooden box and destroyed in ways that is only left to the reader’s imagination. And let’s just say my mind went to really awful places.
I also want to mention that there are laugh out loud hilarious moments in this first book. The aforementioned Batman vs Catman fight, some of Ragdoll’s eccentricities that put the rest of his teammates off, how exasperated Scandal gets with Bane’s misguided, if not sweet, attempts to be a father figure to her, and the snappy dialogue that Simone is known for. As someone who likes her superheroes with a little bit of edge, this team of ne’er do wells tickled me absolutely pink.
While I’m wondering how long this can sustain itself, and while I already found myself a little weary of the potential for constant double crossing, as of right now I am really digging Secret Six. This is a great example of why I am a DC girl at heart. It’s all about the villains, baby.
This summer the movie “Suicide Squad” is coming out, and while a lot of people are already making fun of it (as many people are wont to do when it comes to DC movies), I’m intrigued by it and will probably go see it. I like the idea of villains being the anti-heroes and stars of the story, so “Suicide Squad” appeals to me. But along with Suicide Squad, there is another team of villains turned (sorta) good in the DC Universe, and that is the Secret Six. The Secret Six first appeared during the Silver Age of DC Comics, but they tapered off and didn’t reappear until Gail Foreman (comic writer extraordinaire) brought them back from the dead with a new team and a new, edgier image. Though they started with a couple miniseries (which I AM getting from the library and will address in a later post), I started with their first stand alone volume, “Secret Six: Unhinged”*. In which our intrepid and jaded group of anti-heroes find themselves breaking former baddie Tarantula (Catalina Flores edition!) out of prison, and the target of a very scary crime boss named Junior. Because Junior is interested in something that Tarantula has in her possession….
I’ll admit that I was a little confused at first, as I inadvertently jumped in kind of in the middle of the story. But Simone does a really good job of getting newbies up to speed, and the new arc starts quick and takes over right away. All of the characters are drawn in many shades of grey, but they are all very likable even when they are doing pretty questionable things. What I liked the most about The Secret Six was that while they were all pretty snarky and had their own quirks, there was always a dangerous, and sad, vibe about each and every one of them. Scandal Savage is their sort of unofficial leader, but she is mourning the loss of her girlfriend, and that makes her fragile and unpredictable. Catman is going through his own traumatic memories, but that doesn’t stop him from snarking at Batman while they come to fisticuffs on the rooftops of Gotham (I was cackling hysterically when Catman was convinced there was a taco place around due to the scents in the air and would just. not. let. it. go.). Ragdoll is a weirdo who can contort and shift his limbs, but he may have a sadder backstory than he’s letting on. Deadshot is a tough guy with a mean streak, but you can tell he does care about his teammates. Jeannette is gorgeous and sexy, but has a mysterious power that goes back centuries. And then there’s Bane. A very conflicted, paternal Bane who has sworn off Venom because he doesn’t want to be an addict anymore. Which is weird. But along with thinking it was weird, I really, really loved it and was totally on board with it. Bane without Venom? Sure! Let’s do this!
All of these personalities combine to make a very likable team, and in turn a very likable series. It isn’t all snarky and espionage-ridden sunshine and rainbows, however, as Simone does bring in a lot of darker themes. The villain (well, the actual antagonistic villain, I should say), Junior, is seriously one of the most disturbing creations I have seen come out of DC comics. Heck, maybe even in all of comic-dom, at least for me, and that’s coming from someone who dabbles in lots of other twisted comics as well (Hellooooo “The Walking Dead”). Junior was a very depraved and upsetting villain, but even Junior has a lot of character and a lot of history that gives the reader no other choice but to feel some empathy for how this really scary villain got this far gone. That said, it’s hard to forget that the first thing we see of Junior is an unfortunate victim being pulled into a small wooden box and destroyed in ways that is only left to the reader’s imagination. And let’s just say my mind went to really awful places.
I also want to mention that there are laugh out loud hilarious moments in this first book. The aforementioned Batman vs Catman fight, some of Ragdoll’s eccentricities that put the rest of his teammates off, how exasperated Scandal gets with Bane’s misguided, if not sweet, attempts to be a father figure to her, and the snappy dialogue that Simone is known for. As someone who likes her superheroes with a little bit of edge, this team of ne’er do wells tickled me absolutely pink.
While I’m wondering how long this can sustain itself, and while I already found myself a little weary of the potential for constant double crossing, as of right now I am really digging Secret Six. This is a great example of why I am a DC girl at heart. It’s all about the villains, baby.
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