To say goodbye to the Secret Six with issue #36, truly breaks my heart. I followed every incarnation of this title since Gail Simone started this with Villains United in the midst of Infinite Crisis. Villains United was the best series out of those limited series, beginning the launching pad for one of the best series DC Comics has ever published. In one period of time Gail Simone made Catman, a joke villain into a true threat in the DC Universe. Mixed in with bringing us Scandal Savage, Ragdoll, Jeanette, and of course King Shark. He is a shark, he truly is a Shark. Gail brought a beautifully twisted world and as readers, we were all the better for it. She took an obscure concept from DC history, taking it in a new direction. With the last issue, everything that made Secret Six great is here. This final issue takes you on a journey that’s tragic and beautiful. It’s odd to say beautiful with Secret Six, yet on the final issue, I’m more than happy to say this.
When you first look at the issue you see Bane explaining why the Secret Six are in Gotham City. He’s talking to his date from a few issues ago, and as they talk he realizes what he must do. That’s when he decided to have one last war against the Batman and his family. This is only the beginning of the flashbacks explaining how the Six got to this point. That’s the beauty of this final issue, they have the Penguin right in their clutches, yet he introduces a twist that they couldn’t expect. The Secret Six versus practically the entire DC Universe. The series is going out with a bang, when you see this, you’re never going to forget how this ends. I love the lead up with great personal moments with the Six. The strange trio of Deadshot, Catman, and Ragdoll talking about how this could actually work, then the amazing appearance of King Shark. Mix in Scandal Savage’s last chance for hope, you end up with Six having one last gasp at having a happy ending. One of the best final issues I’ve ever read of any comic series.
The ending is truly haunting. One part absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking, and giving you true closure on the series. I am going to miss having this series around month after month. Never have I seen any series take it’s characters through so much out of the major comic companies. Gail took these twisted souls and made you relate to them. She made me like Bane, a character I’ve never really been into and made me a fan. That’s one of the most impressive things that this series should be known for. The characterization has been off the charts. As I was reading the final issue, I’m not going to lie, I teared up a bit, as these characters are a big part of my comic reading life. I’ve made friends because of this comic, and gotten friends of mine to read this over the years too. Seriously the character development on Ragdoll alone earns Gail points in my book.
Gail Simone has had the luck of having some of the best artists working with her on this series over the years. The two main artists over this series being, Nicola Scott and J. Calafiore. Two dramatically different styles, yet both bringing the Secret Six world to life.
Some of you reading this will wonder why this isn’t a true review. There’s a special reason for that. If you’ve been following Secret Six from the beginning, you’re going to pick this up. I wanted to make more of a tribute to the series. I’m hopeful that one day in the midst of the relaunch, we will get to see the Secret Six once more. We do get a Suicide Squad book, but I get the feeling we haven’t seen the last of the Secret Six. Gail Simone you truly created one of my favorite series and I’m going to miss it horribly. Goodbye for now Secret Six! May we see you again in the relaunch.
Click here to preview Secret Six #36
Preview copy provided by DC Comics
