SUICIDE SQUAD #21

[ BARGAINS UNDER LOCK & KEY ] 

It's a little known fact that prisons were originally devised to house the deprived, the weak, and the needy, so that 'The State' could protect these poor unfortunate individuals from harming themselves. God damn! Why didn't somebody tell that to the Writer: Ales Kot; or the Artist: Patrick Zircher, in May, 2013? DC Comics. You have a lot to answer for.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this SECOND PART of a STORY entitled 'Discipline and Punish'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: With some outside assistance, Harley Quinn and Deadshot attempt to take over 'Belle Reve Prison', including Amanda Waller and her cronies.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Nah! I'm not saying. Except that James Gordon Junior and the Unknown Soldier both try to block their path. 
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: People get stabbed. People are taken hostage. And generally speaking, sh*t happens.
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With a strange stalemate occurring seventeen days from now.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

Now I'm nigh on positive that Amanda Waller's code-word -- 'Shallow Hal' -- is a reference to how she was once fat and is now thin. Plus it was kind of funny too.

Ha! Nice one Ales.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) The stand out for me in this issue has to be Patrick Zircher's artwork. It's murky in tone. Atmospheric in vibe. And has that expansive yet warm flavour that complements this type of 'no holds barred' premise. Lovely.

(+) Ever since watching 'Dog Day Afternoon', I've always been a right sucker for hostage / siege type adventures. In many ways this genre of narrative has the ability to captivate the audience -- namely us, the reader -- on the outcome of said event. Will the culprits get away with it? Will the good guys save the day? Or will something else happen altogether?

(+) Another thing I enjoyed about this issue was how it teased us with a foreshadowing of events yet to come. I mean, what the f*ck was that all about, huh? That man-mountain thing? [see picture above] Plus how did Cheetah break out of her jail cell when it was shown she was in it earlier?

(+) I didn't think I'd say this so soon, but wasn't James Gordon Junior a hoot in this book? He was mannered, stoic, menacing, and mysterious all at the same time.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) My only slight gripe about this instalment would be how easily it seemed for Harley to overcome the Unknown Soldier, considering he's been depicted as some sort of 'badass' mercenary so far. From my perspective, it just came across like 'Stab. You're done', and that of that really. No sort of threat whatsoever. Not even when he was battling Deadshot. Shame. A real shame. This aspect could have been more imposing than it actually was.  

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two ANIMALS.

A HAMMERHEAD SHARK AS KING SHARK: Do I have to write anything here? You know. Something to justify my comparison? No? I didn't think so either. Thanks for saving me some much needed writing time.

A FLAMINGO AS HARLEY QUINN: Look at the flamingo. Look at Harley. Look at the flamingo. Look at Harley. Then imagine a bald flamingo standing next to a feathered Harley. Hmmm. Say no more.

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'In my country we go to prison first and then become President' -- Nelson Mandela

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'WE GOTTA GET OUT OF THIS PLACE' BY 'THE ANIMALS': If you listen to this song whilst reading this story, you'll know nigh on straight away that they both have two things in common. A similar theme and a girl on the make.

ANYTHING Else?

Now I wonder who Harley's secret benefactor might be. I don't think it was James Gordon Junior. And if it was, it wasn't spelt out clearly enough in this tale.

Wait a minute! Don't tell me that it's...

• Captain Boomerang -- Fair enough. I know that this is a long shot. But it would be nice to see him on this book again.
• Shania Twain -- She does love to make a grand entrance, doesn't she?
• Batman -- Come on. Let's face it. He's Batman. He's always got a plan in action.
• Elvis Presley -- Wow! What a crossover that would be!
• A fish -- as this small tiny member of the undersea kingdom is a big fan of King Shark.
• Bronze Tiger -- Just to get back at DC Comics for turning him into a cuddly-mascot.
• Amanda Waller -- Wouldn't that be a great double-bluff?

OK. Enough of my silliness for the moment, comic book pals. All I have left to say is that this issue of the 'Suicide Squad' wasn't that bad overall. The story was an interesting one. The art was meaty and atmospheric. And the only thing letting it down is that certain 'plot points' felt flat in the execution.

Nuff said.