All good things must come to an end, and that includes serial stories like Suicide Squad. This week, Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo close out their delightful exploration of new superheroes, quirky yet realistic takes on characters like Batman, and a high-paced action comic series all in one. This week, the Suicide Squad is about to blow up on an island nation, and they’ll need all the help they can get.
There is a reason DC didn’t send a preview of this book and that’s because a major spoiler opens the book. I’ll avoid spoilers in this review, but this book drops a major surprise on readers, which seriously affects how the heroes will save the day with a girl about to explode. As final issues go this book has it all, from key heroes like Batman showing up to interact with the team again, satisfying conclusions to story threads, and a chance to reflect back on the excellent first 10 issues. It even ends with an epilogue of sorts that’s a promising new start if DC Comics allows the creative team the chance to pick things back up at a later date. For a book that never quite fit into the Suicide Squad mold with so many interesting new characters, it’s a very fine and satisfying ending.
Somewhat surprisingly, Harley Quinn plays a major part in this issue. She’s had little to say or do in past issues, but here it makes sense since Taylor and Redondo are putting to bed this solid first arc. In a way, Harley serves as a touchstone to the Suicide Squad model and a good character to reflect on what has gone on and what could go on in the future.
You always gotta walk away from an explosion with style.
Credit: DC Comics
One negative with Suicide Squad #11 is how it handles its main story wrap-up. It opens with a shocking twist, wraps up the story, then spends a good half of the book with epilogue-type material. It’s all well and good, but it leaves the meat of the story quite thin.
Redondo’s art is exceptional, as always, along with great colors by Adriano Lucas. This is a very bright comic with lots of superpowers and effects on the page. The color brings out the superhero in Harley’s makeup and the detailing in her new costume. What has made this comic stand out from your standard superhero comic, though, is the expert timing, pushing into a single character and their reaction or pulling out to reveal the entire team. It’s hard to feel confused or unsure where characters are with proper check-ins with their location. Fans should take note of the skies, which have beautiful purples and pinks or in some scenes hopeful blues. There’s an attention to detail that isn’t immediately evident but goes a long way in creating a sense of mood and atmosphere.
It’s sad to see this series end, but Suicide Squad #11 goes out on its own terms. Much like its strong new characters, it feels certain in its approach to the finish while closing off loose ends to keep fans satiated. That is, until the day we get to see some of the coolest new characters ever introduced at the big-two return.
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