REVIEW: ‘Task Force Z,’ Issue #3

Task Force Z #3 is a horror comic published by DC Comics. Written by Matthew Rosenberg. The penciller is Eddy Barrows and the inker is Eber Ferreira. Adriano Lucas is the colour artists and the letters are by Rob Leigh.

Jason Todd is under the employment of Project Halperin. Using Lazarus Resin, they are able to heal wounds and even bring people back from the dead. Red Hood has been forced into leading a team of zombies, including Man-Bat and Bane, into battle. Sent into action against the Kobra Cult, Jason discovers that Hanna, an unassuming member of the team, reveals a monstrous alter-ego. By the end of the previous issue, Todd is shot by a new addition: Deadshot.

In this issue, the scientists at Project Halperin rush to save Todd from his injury. With Floyd Lawton on the team, there is another former ally now on Red Hood’s side. But it is one with a grudge. Recovering from the last mission, Jason has a small nighttime dinner date with Hanna. That leads into a new issue, as the Kobra Cult prepares to steal another shipment of Lazarus Resin.

With a month between issues, Task Force Z #3’s opening restokes the fires of excitement for the readers. And once that has ignited, then the slow burn of the exposition can take hold. We are far enough into the series to understand the rules of the organisation, but there is still an evolution that keeps us interested. Borrowing characters from other books means that an understanding of major events in DC Comics is quite important. But Task Force Z #3 remains a very entertaining comic in its own right. The action is incredible and each mission brings something different. And the twists in this issue are terrific, with one in particular making the reader kick themselves.

Rosenberg beautifully implements a balance between characters that are equally cool and engaging. When in a battle, the sheer madness of zombified versions of our favourite villains is enough of an incentive to turn the page. But this far into the comic the main team can be cared about. We know them and their struggles, so the conflicts that they bring into the comic put added weight into their dialogue. The little midnight conversation between Hanna Red Hood is not only important for the stories, but also is a nice escape from the chaos. With more exposure to the Lazarus Resin, the zombies can regain more of their humanity. This leads to some very powerful conversations between Jason and those of the group he’s known the longest. There is a guest star that was both a surprise and a delight

The art continues to be excellent. Much of the horror aesthetic of the comic is brought to fruition by Barrows and Ferreira. The suspense of a situation is shown through hanging shadows and shading. This adds a claustrophobic element to the issue, with a threat of anything coming out from those shadows. Even in moments where the action isn’t at center stage, there is tension and excitement. But when the fight scenes do happen, they are fantastic. Brutal and fast-paced combat combines martial arts and body horror. The forms of Man-Bat and Bane have been exposed before, yet each time they reappear it causes a jump. The design of newcomer Deadshot and the guest star are phenomenal. More has also been done to Jason’s look, one that is very welcome.

The colours are awesome. There is diversity in the colours for different scenes, featuring some visually stunning moments. Red Hood and Hanna briefly elope from the confines of the laboratory, sitting underneath a street light. There is the bleak darkness, but they are safe inside the orange glow, It denotes security with tones that haven’t been seen inside the facility. It also matches well with Hanna’s hair and the name of Red Hood’s alias.

The lettering is very dynamic. Different characters have their own custom word balloons, each befitting their personality. The use of SFX is also excellent and works within the grizzly story.

Task Force Z #3 is starting to shine. Taking a while to settle, the creative team is telling an excellent story. It is a comic that combines an epic concept that definitely understands its ridiculous nature but leans heavily into that chaos. There is an amazing combination of brutal killing and some really well-written character moments. Rosenberg’s superb dialogue partners incredible art to deliver a scary and enjoyable horror comic.

Task Force #3 is available where comics are sold.