DCU Comic Book Reviews

SECRET SIX #11

Depths, Part Two:  Amazons Unleashed

September 2009

Written by Gail Simone

Pencils by Nicola Scott

Inks by Doug Hazelwood

Cover by Daniel LuVisi

Synopsis

On a remote island, the team comes to grips that they have been hired by Mr. Smyth, who is using slaves to build a prison.  A single prison for every felon in the entire world.  Elsewhere, Artemis is chained and bound by Smyth’s men.  She is the only one of those Smyth has captured that has resisted all efforts of behavior modification.  That night, Jeannette decides to rescue Artemis.  The Six interrupt.  Catman and Deadshot think they should not get involved and go against their employer.  Bane and Scandal agree with Jeannette; Artemis needs to be free.  The group starts to fight amongst themselves.  They stop, however, with the arrival of Wonder Woman, who wants to know who killed Artemis.       

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

There comes a point in time for a comic book and a particular creative team when each issue is going to be one of the best each week.  I think this book, with Simone and Scott, has reached that point.  This was another solid issue from the duo.  I was not surprised at the ending (well, what Diana says is surprising, but not her arrival).  Once Artemis was introduced, it seemed only natural that Diana would also appear at some point.  Since Simone is also writing Wonder Woman, it seems like a natural to perhaps draw additional readers to the book.  And then they will realize what a good book they are missing. 

I liked the argument at the end (and the way it contrasted their unity at the beginning). I thought it was interesting how the team became divided and what there positions were in terms of slavery, their job, and Artemis.  What bothered me, I think, is the easy way in which the Six broke down into fighting.  I realize that fighting and action is a staple of comic books and the last couple of pages fill that quota, but I would have liked to have had more conversation and debate rather than fighting (although Ragdoll’s scene stealing one-liners are worth it).  The ending, with Wonder Woman swooping down to stop the fight, doesn’t have to change (unless Deadshot was the one who killed her when he missed Jeannette). 

I am uncertain what the opening section was supposed to mean.  Why would Deadshot care about a woman he just killed since he obviously didn’t care enough about her to keep her alive in the first place?  What is the moral code that Deadshot is honoring?  It just seemed strange too me, almost as if Simone were creating some artificial tension and conflict.  While the individual scene doesn’t quite work, I do like the contrast of the opening scene with team sticking together to the ending when the team falls apart and starts to fight each other.  It nicely bookends the middle portion, which is exposition dialogue designed to let us know what Smyth has planned.  But since this is all news to the Six as well, it works well within the context of the story. 

I love the last panel on page 21 of Ragdoll's pajamas hanging open to show his bare bottom.  It is the perfect image for the character.

The cover image doesn’t quite match the inside image.  The colors are right, but the details aren’t quite right in terms of the suit or the type of boots Artemis is wearing.  I don’t why I bother to mention this, but there you go.

ïPREVIOUS	Main		Page	NEXTð

Home ●  Blog ● Who Are We? ● Site News
Alive and Well since April 16, 2006

 DC Universe Reviews.  All Rights Reserved
  Characters, trademarks, brands are property of DC Comics

For problems or questions regarding this website, please contact our kindly webmaster.
Last updated: 08/06/11.