Based on the cover it looks like Suicide Squad director Amanda Waller is going through a bit of a crisis and it’s most likely family related based on the conclusion of Suicide Squad: Most Wanted.
Question is, is it good?
Suicide Squad #10 (DC Comics)
So what’s it about? The summary reads:
A “JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD” epilogue! She’s lost a prisoner, her darkest secrets have been revealed and she’s unwittingly unleashed a major threat upon herself and Task Force X. It’s one very bad day for Amanda Waller as she tries to tie up loose ends and clean up her mess. But some sins can’t be undone in this special epilogue to JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD.
Why does this book matter?
As an epilogue to Justice League vs. Suicide Squad this issue serves as a way to inform readers where the characters go from here. Clearly a shake up for Waller is in play, but what? Find out here.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Thanks for reminding us who you are.
Si Spurrier and Rob Williams write this issue in a way that new readers should have no trouble following along; Suicide Squad #10 opens with Rustam very angry post-Justice League vs. Suicide Squad and his target is Waller’s children. The setup is good as it logically places Waller’s family into the story, but also sets up a twist of sorts; Waller is a tough one, but Rustam clearly has a plan to end her for good and this issue lays the crumbs for a future conflict she’ll have to endure. Essentially this issue forces Waller to confront her failure as a mother and I think it succeeds. There’s a lot of dialogue, but good character work to make this feel genuine and grounded.
The art by Giuseppe Cafaro has a grittier look and feel that suits the realism and search for the emotional aspects concerning Waller and her kids. A crisis is kicked off, and Cafaro does a good job establishing the hurt and past pains on the characters faces. The final page truly makes Waller look alone, and given she has no friends, this could change the character for the future in big ways.
It can’t be perfect can it?
All that said, devoting a whole issue to this sequence of scenes feels like overkill. There’s a bit of misdirection here and there, which does make for a surprise or two, but ultimately this is all about Waller confronting her family and not much more. There’s no action (unless you count flashbacks) and not much to the issue itself. Suicide Squad #10 roughly establishes her family, though I didn’t get a sense of who/what they were beyond being outraged at Waller.
There are a few pages where layouts aren’t very dynamic and instead almost confusing. A scene for instance, where Waller’s kids are contained in a car with Killer Croc is strange. I suppose it’s a way to show Waller is unaware how Croc might frighten them, but the way it’s drawn you’d think it was a punishment.
Is It Good?
Waller’s life is thrown for a loop as the fallout of Justice League vs. Suicide Squad has repercussions for her. The writing team uses this issue to build towards a possible change, or at least major character development for Waller, though to devote an entire issue to this seemingly minor moment does push the reader’s patience.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
