Secret Six #33 Review, by Marc Alan Fishman – Snarky Synopses #8

May 15, 2011 Marc Fishman 2 Comments

Secret Six #33
Written by Gail Simone
Art by J. Calafiore and John Kalisz

Once again, I’ve opened up a blank document here on the ole’ super-typwriter I call my hackintosh, to write you, my adoring public, another bit of savory snark. This time, I shine a bright light on one of my favorite writers, Ms. Gail Simone, and her opus to evil, Secret Six. Here we are at issue #33, and while I was loyal to this book when it started, I’d fallen off the wagon a while back. Simone had lost my interest, and the book seemed to wane in it’s quality and direction. But, I happened upon a recent issue, when hearing that the book was returning to a lost sub-plot from back in the series’ infancy. Hence, I added it back to my routine, and here we are 3 issues into a 4 issue arc, and I must say, Simone is back, bad, and kicken’ all kinds of hellish butt.

Hellish butt you say, oh great writer of segues? Indeed! A long time ago, when Secret Six was just a wee babe of the DCU, riding high off a well selling mini-series, Gail Simone introduced a fairly unique concept for this gaggle of no-goodniks: A card that would grant it’s owner a free pass out of Hell. And just like that, nearly 2 years ago? I was hooked.

A brief aside for those not in-the-know; Secret Six is a team of a half a dozen (how novel!) criminals-turned-mercenaries. While the cast has shifted a bit every now and again, the core cast has generally been Catman, Scandal Savage, Ragdoll, Bane, and Deadshot. These depraved demons of the damned are truly not “good”… and Simone plays off this so well. Simply put, there’s no other book, let alone a team book, that matches the depth and interest the Secret Six delivers generally every month. Simone always keeps in mind that these are wicked wretches, and when they “solve” a case, it’s never with less than unsavory means to the ends. And for this, I’ve followed the series for nearly it’s entire run. But I digress…

So, the team had in it’s possession a card to get one member out of Hell, and it caused plenty of turmoil. Scandal Savage had told the team the card was “lost”, after a terrible scuffle. The team believed her. Well, guess what? Some 20 issues or so later? It turns out (dun-dun-dunnn), she lied. Seems Scandal hasn’t been herself since she lost her beloved Knockout (an ample bosomed beauty with a baneful past to boot). Given that she knows that both she and her former lover were never bound for the pearly gates, she decides to venture to the under-realm to retrieve her. And surprise-surprise… Ragdoll happen to find the card, and use it himself.

Secret Six #33 is the third chapter (out of 4) and it’s here that the Six come to terms with their eventual fate. Nothing to me is singularly better in this book, than the curt honesty in which Simone presents her team. These villains know that they won’t find themselves in the better graces of God, when their time is up. Knowing that, they venture to Hell to help their teammate, and in doing so, all end up being offered an interesting deal. Is it truly better to serve in Heaven or rule in Hell? Well, we know the former won’t happen, so Lady Blaze (current live-in demonic ruler) offers the Six a chance to serve her new Prince, Ragdoll, or eventually give way to all the suffering and torment they’ll eventually be privy too. For once I won’t spoil the ending for you. When it’s this good, well, you should simply enjoy it yourself.

Jim Calafiore lends his pencils and inks to the book, and while he wasn’t the first one to take hold the book (he took over for Nicola Scott), he’s certainly taken a hold of the series. He’s been a longtime industry vet, and his sharp and angular style suits the Six spectacularly. He even gets to flex his costume design skills in this issue, as each member gets a “costume upgrade ala Hades”. Each of the Six becomes in essence, their “true selves”, and Calariore’s designs are both evil, and inspired.

Ultimately the Secret Six has weasled their way back into my subscription box, and I couldn’t be happier. Issue #33 features a tidal wave of terror, and I can’t recommend it enough. In 20 pages of content you get visions of each of the Six’s private Hells, temptation, and a subplot involving Tabasco, God, a pervert, and a stripper. What else could you possibly want in a book? If I can end on one note: I know DC is about to unleash “Flashpoint” on all of us. Simply put, if this book doesn’t make it out of that event-clusterfuck… I hope Gail Simone gets to douse Geoff Johns in the eyeballs with tabasco. Twice.

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Marc Alan Fishman is a digital artist, writer, and co-founder of Unshaven Comics. When Marc isn’t knee-deep in graphic design, he’s also a contributor to ComicMix.com, an occasional stand-up comedian, as well as freelancer extraordinaire.