This review contains spoilers.
Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana #2 is an anthology book featuring two stories. The Katana story is written by Mike W. Barr with art by Diogenes Neves and colors by Carrie Strachan. The Deadshot story is written by Brian Buccellato with pencils by Viktor Bogdanovic and inks by Richard Friend.
Previously
Katana went to Markovia to find Dr. Jace who may be able to find a way to help with the soultaker sword. However, Markovia had been taken over by Lord Kobra. Lady Naja, Kobra’s right hand, kidnapped Dr. Jace while Katana attempted to help the villagers fight.
Deadshot discovered that his father was dying and deserted a mission to find him.
Recap
Katana defeats Lady Naja and the latter flees. Katana chases after her determined to save Dr. Jace. She comes across a police station that has been abandoned outside of one prisoner; she’s a teenage girl who claims her boyfriend deserted her and took her passport. They drive away but a child from the village has stowed away in the van Katana takes. Katana also deduces that the teenage girl is suffering from withdrawal symptoms. Elsewhere, Lord Kobra easily convinces Dr. Jace to work for him. The teenage girl betrays Katana in exchange for drugs and Lady Naja attacks. She is about to kill Katana before the Suicide Squad arrives to save her.
In the second story, Deadshot reveals his secret origins. His father was abusive to both him and his older brother. Tired of being beaten, Floyd climbed up a tree outside of his brother’s window with a gun and took a shot intending to kill his father. However, he missed and shot his brother. Deadshot argues with his mother as his father dies of natural causes. This causes distress for Deadshot and he kills his mother. He also discovers that his parents knew about his daughter. The issue ends with Amanda Waller sending the Suicide Squad after Deadshot.
Positives
The Deadshot story really works. The tragedy of this origin plays for me. It’s appropriately tragic and a little twisted. It’s a story without a hero. Both Deadshot and his parents made the wrong choices and paid the price for them.
The Katana story feels like something from the 1980s with Barr writing. The tone, style and pace feels right out of that period. Neves’ art is also really fantastic in this story.
The cover by Cary Noro is also great. I love the white background with the little splotches of red. It really looks great.
Negatives
While I like the tone, the Katana story is a little dull in this issue. It’s just not the most interesting part of this adventure. And adding in a kid sidekick makes it feel really cheesy. It is going for a sillier vibe especially with the villains but the kid is a little too silly for my tastes.
I am not in love with the art in the Deadshot story. The faces just look strange to me.
Verdict
Ultimately, this issue is somewhat forgettable. The Deadshot works for it’s backstory and there is great art in the Katana story but it’s a dull issue overall. I recommend waiting for trade on this one.
