DCU Comic Book Reviews

SECRET SIX #2

Unhinged, Part Two: The Way Of The Traitor

December 2008

Written by Gail Simone

Pencils by Nicola Scott

Inks by Doug Hazelwood

Cover by Cliff Chiang

Synopsis

In Gotham City, Catman confronts Batman to tell him that he can’t heed the Dark Knight’s warning to stay away from the contract to break Tarantula out of jail.  As Catman distracts Batman, the rest of the Secret Six break into Alcatraz.  In San Francisco, Junior receives the news of the Secret Six’s actions.  Junior tells his henchmen the Secret Six are not to be touched until they have Tarantula.  In Gotham City, Batman tells Catman that the contract has nothing to do with Tarantula, but rather a small metal card that she carries.  And there is a large bounty for anyone who can take it away from the Secret Six.  Meanwhile, the Secret Six find Tarantula, but she doesn’t want to leave.  The Secret Six give her no choice and make their escape.  In San Francisco, Junior offers a bounty for anyone who finds Tarantula and makes her pay for what she took from him. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Batman eats burritos?

Ahem, sorry, I just...it just…I don’t know about that.  Anyway….

This is more of the same good stuff from the first issue, albeit without the dark and grim tone.  And I actually think the book benefits from the tone, as Simone’s humor and the characterizations shine throughout the story.  Not that there is much story as we still don’t know who or what Junior is or what the metal card is supposed to do and why it is so important.  And, of course, the Secret Six is still done one member.  However, I am sure that will come in due time.  In the meantime, Simone is content to show the team in action and to provide some decent character moments.  And I am willing to go along with the ride.  As I said in the previous review, Simone has a great handle on these characters and it is a joy to read this book. 

Simone had to walk a fine line with the fight between Catman and Batman.  On the one hand, she needs to make sure she keeps Catman strong, since he is one of the leads of the book.  It doesn’t do any good to have his ass kicked here but beating up others in other issues.  On the other hand, Simone can’t write Batman being weak since he is supposed to be the strongest fighter within the DC universe.  It is a testament to Simone’s writing that she manages to pull off the scene, making Catman strong by showing him standing toe-to-toe with Batman, but also showing that perhaps Batman was not giving his all.  Even more impressive is that the scene is realistic.  Simone has rehabilitated Catman’s character to the point where his ability to stand up to Batman is not laughed away but accepted and believable. 

Here is a good question:  how secret of an organization are you when everyone knows who you are?  Doesn’t the name “Secret Six” kinda seem like a misnomer?

 

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