Review: Suicide Squad #4

"Suicide Squad" - Part Four

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Daniel Sampere
Color Artist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Wes Abbott

Review by Max Byrne

He’s back! After a hiatus from the pages of Task Force X, Suicide Squad #4 sees the very welcome return of Digger Harkness to the fray. Yes, Captain Boomerang himself is back… and with a very large bang indeed. The Aussie with a bad attitude makes a very welcome return to the mix, a victim of his own big mouth that sees his erstwhile teammates hot on his trail.

Whilst the new batch of characters that Tom Taylor has introduced have been a real delight, there’s something to be said for the return of an old favourite like Boomerang. As deliciously un-PC and amoral as always, the character is a real shot in the arm for a title that didn’t even need one. Taylor wisely keeps the new blood intrinsically linked to the old though, by concocting a back story for Osita that will inevitably set her on a revenge-driven collision course with the returning Captain. I, for one, cannot wait to see how this clash will play out. If we know anything about Taylor’s method of writing, that’s that we can expect the body count to be high!

Far from being just a man-hunt down under, the events of the previous issues are still keenly felt here. After the botched mission in Badhnisia, Harley Quinn smells a rat. With it being just a matter of time before she figures out the cover up, it will be an interesting time when the truth comes out for sure. The interplay between the team members is expertly written, as Taylor proves his prowess when it comes to sparky, naturalistic dialogue. Amidst the carnage and chaos, the dialogue-heavy sections really do stand out. Whether you enjoy balls to the wall action or snarky verbal barbs, you’ll get what you’re looking for right here.

It would be a crime not to mention the visual treat that is contained within these pages. The artwork of Daniel Sampere and the color of Adriano Lucas is a match made in comic book heaven. A sheer explosion of light, vibrancy and kinetic energy, every page contains something to sink your teeth into and enjoy. Whether it’s a small, intimate moment or a big action set piece, the visual team are delivering the highest calibre stuff here, what a page turner!

Conclusion

Another high bar entry in this hugely entertaining title, Suicide Squad #4 is a hugely entertaining read. Action packed, fun and also poignant, the stage is set for issue #5 to give us ringside seats for one almighty scuffle. With the extremely welcome return of Boomer to the proceedings, everything feels energised and elevated. With so much uncertainty in the world at this time, it’s good to know we can always rely on Task Force X to deliver the goods… and then some!

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment