[amazon_link asins=’B076DM8KL3′ template=’AiPTProductAd’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d7adb4da-0381-11e8-a112-0739ef0a9868′]
DC Comics is doing something wildly different and it involves new characters. You don’t normally see flagship titles for new characters at the big two, but with Damage, DC kicked off their “New Age of Heroes” lineup. The second new character is introduced today in The Silencer.
So what’s it about?
The official summary reads:
“CODE OF HONOR” part one! She’s one of the DC Universe’s deadliest assassins…and you’ve never heard of her. Super-strong, highly trained, armed with devastating and stealthy meta-human abilities, the Silencer is virtually invincible. Or at least she was. After decades as Leviathan’s chief assassin, Honor Guest put in her time and managed to get out with her skin intact. Now she lives a normal life with a normal family in a normal house on a normal street. But the past has come back to haunt her in the form of her old employer and a deadly new mission…and Talia Al Ghul won’t take no for an answer.
Why does this matter?
John Romita Jr. is an iconic artist who has drawn nearly every major character ever. He’s an artist to watch whether you like his style or not. Dan Abnett is one of the best in the business and the Guardians of the Galaxy films owe a lot to his run at Marvel. Together they bring us a new character who can make it or break it on its first issue.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Her kid seems pretty used to this.
This issue opens with a rather in your face moment with protagonist Honor holding a gun right at us. With the sound of “Blam,” we smash cut to Honor’s life before she was wielding guns again as we see her in a supermarket parking lot. Abnett and Romita Jr. plot a rather good issue here, slowly revealing how Honor’s new life as a mom comes to an end. Two main things stick out: Honor’s powers, and a familiar face who pops up. Once again, DC is smart to weave in a familiar face or two as they introduce these characters as it reminds us they live in the DCU and they were around all along — we just didn’t know it yet.
As was hyped at SDCC, this book is very visual in its storytelling. John Romita Jr. gets to tell the story as he sees fit and you can tell from the fight scene to the quiet moment Honor has with her husband. Personally, I enjoy Romita Jr.’s boxy style as it adds weight and depth to the characters and always seems to have a lock on the spatial awareness of a scene. Honor’s fight scene in the supermarket parking lot is an example of that and this scene, in particular, requires an understanding of where things are in time due to her time freezing powers. In four panels we get the sense that this fight is happening incredibly quickly, and in a tactical way. It’s a great moment as it shows how Honor knows what she’s doing.
Back when life was normal…
It can’t be perfect can it?
[amazon_link asins=’B076DM8KL3′ template=’BottomAdAIPT’ store=’aiptcomics-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e0947485-0381-11e8-a848-390066ca455a’]
Similar to Damage, this issue has three short scenes taking place over only a few hours. There’s a lot of world and character building, but it’s also taking its time to relay that information. It’s a good issue, but it’d be great if it moved a bit faster with its plot.
Is It Good?
The Silencer is another good first issue for DC’s unveiling of their new heroes. You get a sense of what the comic is about and who the character is by the end with some solid visuals too. Due to the complexity of this character, I’d say The Silencer may be more interesting than Damage for most.
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!
