Suicide Squad #45
Derbs
Recap
***Major Spoilers Ahead***
Atlantis has risen from the ocean depths off the eastern shore of the U.S., and Mera is to be crowned Queen (part of the aftermath of Black Knights Metal). Its arrival is heralded by massive tidal waves that increase the already hostile, anti-Atlantean sentiment carried by some in power. Though the President desires peaceful diplomatic ties with Atlantis, Admiral Meddinghouse has other ideas. He contracts with Waller to send Task Force X (Deadshot, Harley, and Croc along with Satanis and Master Jailer) to take a magical device that will safely sink the nation back where it belongs.
Mera is crowned queen as Aquaman broods on the sea floor, vigilant and wary of retaliation from the U.S. The Squad continues their mission to meet Urc*ell, Waller’s Atlantean contact. In these depths, they also meet the less fortunate aquatic denizens, including many orphans and families with children. This doesn’t sit right with Deadshot, so he begins to wonder exactly how powerful the device Waller gave them is. After activating it, he realizes it isn’t magic, it’s a nuclear device designed to destroy Atlantis!
Review
Relatively, there’s not a ton of the usual Squad banter and antics in this issue (ehem…satin-anus). Harley is still crazy, Floyd is still the leader and Croc is still depressed about the death of Enchantress (sad). Much of the plot is caught up in the drama that is the newly emerged nation of Atlantis, and how both Mera and Arthur are brooding about its uncertain future in the world (and in their hearts). The dark underbelly of Atlantis is exposed here, wide-eyed, displaced refugees look on to be swept away by powers much larger than they. Lawton’s miniscule conscience wins the day against a betrayal by Waller that may be too great for even her to overcome. It’s a great story, well told and beautifully presented; the artwork is top-notch front-to-back.
Final Thoughts
A beautifully presented, dramatically tense story that imperils the lives of many. I really can’t wait to see how the Squad gets out of this mess and how Atlantis moves forward in their brave new surface-world (though we'll need to read about it in Aquaman #39).
Suicide Squad #45: O Brave New Surface-World That Has Such People Trying to Sink It!
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10
