Review: The Silencer #17
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: V Ken Marion and Dan Abnett
Artist: Sandu Florea
Colors: Mike Spicer
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Reviewed by: Carl Bryan
Summary
Honor Guest had a normal life. A family. A house in the suburbs. She sacrificed that normalcy and agreed to serve Leviathan so that her husband and son could live. But now a new danger threatens her former life: Smoke. Honor’s half-sister, a failed Leviathan experiment in bio-engineering. Can the ultimate Leviathan assassin stop a deranged and vengeful version of herself from annihilating everything the Silencer holds dear?
Is their honor among thieves? or sisters? The lines blur as Honor is fighting for her husband and son’s safety as Smoke is out and she wants to assimilate the Silencer’s life.
And who’s helping the Silencer – none other than Quietus – the robotic head with a heart. Meanwhile Blake is stunned to see a a full armored Silencer/Honor/”His wife but he doesn’t know that” breaking through his window with a warning about Smoke. It’s going to take more than wall paper and a few coats of paint to cover the damage incurred by the battle for Honor’s life.
This is a family reunion that is one sister too much and one sister too short as Talia Al Ghul is being kept in the dark (or is she?) on the Silencer’s recent adventure. All’s well that ends well? We shall soon see!
Positives
Florea’s covers get better and better and this rendition of Smoke is perfect. Lounging in a chair blowing smoke off her fingers shaped as a pistol as the Silencer is at her feet. I found it to be a great cover shot of this issue.
Who knew that Quietus had a heart for Silencer. As an agent for Leviathan, he may be the moral compass the entire DC universe is going to need as Leviathan is showing no signs of slowing down.
You have to love a good battle in a neighborhood home. Now we know why the backyard doesn’t have a sprinkler system. Don’t lose a ball over the fence in the Silencer’s yard.
Final Frame of the comic – Silencer/Honor gets a moment of closure and happiness. Can we just take a breath and enjoy this?
Negatives
Smoke…. I was just getting used to her. Why can’t we have three sisters in the Al Ghul family? Why? Smoke was a great addition to anyone’s Rogues Gallery and they had to get rid of her?
When you have a great idea for a hero or villain, keep it. She seems to have met some finality here in solid form, but she is “Smoke”! Let’s hope we get another whiff of her via second hand.
Verdict
As sad as I am with the demise of Smoke, I am elated that this is a turning point for Honor/Silencer. However, the Leviathan is coming and she could play a big part in either its defeat or reign. But for now, let’s enjoy her reunion with Blake and Ben.
