[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Mike Barr, Jai Nitz
Artists: Philippe Briones, Wayne Faucher, Scot Eaton
Colors: Gabe Eltaeb, Guy Major
Letters: Pat Brosseau, Dave Sharpe
Summary
Also in this issue, Suicide Squad Black tries to leave its deadly first mission in the past and get one step ahead of the apocalypse warlock Sebastian Faust. To beat the sorcerer, this magically fueled task force needs something he covets. But like all things Suicide Squad, their next mission is no ordinary smash-and-grab, but a jewel heist on Gemworld!
Positives
Their are many aspects of the DC universe we have yet to explore. Katana’s blade is one of those such mysterious items that has so much untold story behind it. Delving into the blade and having a story so focused on Katana’s inability to control her true weapon was great. Her back and fourth with her husband inside the blade gave a great narrative to the story.
Again the book was cut in two and featured a second story focusing on El Diablo’s efforts to retrieve a mythical item for Waller. As I mentioned in my last review, El Diablo deserves every minute of screen time he gets in comics, hes an underappreciated character with a great story. Both stories had great moments including the continued storyline in Katana’s half with Kobra controlling her body and the A team of the Suicide Squad showing up.
Negatives
The idea of a split comic featuring the Suicide Squad stories we rarely get to see, on paper sounds great however such is life that so many variables may derail what the best intention is. Justice League Dark is currently undergoing a massive revival and a terrific run drawing critics and new fans. The titles seem to be running so similar to each other that Suicide Squad is falling behind in an area it should excel at. The stories are a bit lacking in excitement, what should be hard gripping stories are coming off flat and unnecessary.
Verdict
Competition is great, it pushes people to do better and create comics that draw readers in. Unfortunately Black Files is falling short of its intended audience, when so many great comics are doing the same thing in a better way. With the main tittle ending and this spin off not doing well its hard to see the future of Suicide Squad clearly however this book has a great heart and if you’re a loyal fan it will do the trick. hopefully it wont be the last.
