Comic Book Review - Suicide Squad: Blaze #2

Rob reviews Suicide Squad: Blaze #2...

Suicide Squad: Blaze has gotten off to a fantastic start. Si Spurrier has given us a version of Task Force X who well and truly live up to their super villain credentials. Not only this, but we've got a great pov subject in Van Zandt, and a supervillain whose powers seem even greater than that of the Man of Steel himself! 

And that's exactly where Suicide Squad: Blaze #2 begins...

After the squad's defeat in the last issue, Amanda Waller has called for help from the big man himself; Superman. While distrustful of Waller's methods, the Man of Steel heads off to confront the super-powered serial killer. However, what he finds is something that makes mincemeat out of him. So, if this threat can take out the world's strongest superhero, what chance do a group of suped-up prisoners, Harley Quinn, King Shark, Peacemaker, and Captain Boomerang have? 

The answer? Well, you'll have to read Suicide Squad: Blaze to find out. 

Aside from avoiding spoilers - as this is one comic that does benefit from reading first-hand - I will say that Spurrier is giving this one his all. While Blaze retains the core DNA of what makes a Suicide Squad comic, Spurrier has added in a much larger threat that puts the team at a massive disadvantage. We haven't explicitly seen the full scope of this serial killer's powers, but it's written like a predator hunting its prey. This thing isn't after trophies or any stature. It's killing as it's a fundamental part of its nature, it's what drives this being, and the power to stop it is rapidly spiralling out of Amanda Waller's control. 

Away from the narrative Spurrier also gives us some excellent character work too. While the likes of Harley Quinn, King Shark, Peacemaker, and Captain Boomerang serve as a link to the wider Suicide Squad mythos, the real stars are Waller's prison conscripts. They're the ones who have sacrificed their lives in becoming Blaze-infused. While it's no secret that these characters are expendable, Spurrier has given them quite a lot of character. We've started to delve into their pasts, which while they do deserve their incarcerations, at least humanises them in a different way to the more established cast members. 

Michael Van Zandt is the main narrative point throughout this story, and he's quite a relatable character. As a failed superhero, Van Zandt finds himself conscripted to Task Force X. While his fellow inmates have gained pretty impressive Blaze-infused powers, Van Zandt has invisible arms. He's looked down upon by the rest of the team, and his only real sense of belonging comes from his relationship with fellow squad member; Tanya. In a sense, Van Zandt is a nobody which in a way does a good job of symbolising the reader's role within this story. Like Van Zandt, we're literally along for the ride with next to zero influence over what's happening.

Art and colours continue to come from Aaron Campbell and Jordie Bellaire. The duo work well in giving Blaze quite a gritty and horror feeling. Campbell's artwork leaps from the page as we get some truly horrific scenes mixed in with a relative sense of calmness. The scenes involving Superman are arguably this issue's highlights, and afterwards, you'll question everything you know about Kryptonian physiology. Campbell also does a tremendous job in giving his character's emotions, which naturally gives the script a much deeper meaning, as well as allowing us to connect to the cast.

Bellaire adds to this with a wonderful colour palette which adds the icing to the Suicide Squad cake. There are plenty of muted tones throughout which gives everything a sense of dire anticipation. It's not all darkness as Bellaire also mixes things up with vibrant greens and yellows to symbolise the use of Blaze - and its after-effects. Come to the end of the issue and Bellaire mixes this up with plenty of fiery oranges, as the squad battle around a volcano. It's a more chaotic fight when compared to the horrific and more intimate one that opened this issue - one that will certainly stay with me for a long time. 

Suicide Squad: Blaze #2 does a fantastic job in building upon Spurrier's opening issue. The creative team have done a superb job in adding personality to a story that needs to have its characters running scared. The threat is well and truly real, and I'm beginning to think that plot armour may not be enough to save some of the cast. Either way, over the last two issues Spurrier had given a real blockbuster ride which is topped off with some excellent artwork. 

Rating: 9/10 

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Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev