REVIEW: ‘WildC.A.T.S,’ Issue #6

WildC.A.T.S #6 from DC brings together a bunch of pieces to kick its storyline into the next stage. As usual, this issue is written by Matthew Rosenberg. Stephen Segovia keeps delivering smooth lines and easy flow art with assistance from the skilled Tom Derenick. Elmer Santos enlivens the panels with colors, while Ferran Delgado graces them with lettering.

Grifter is dead. Grifter was dead. We figured this out, something was amiss, and the body in the grave was fishy. But while the enigma of what happened to Grifter simmers, the issue opens with a game of golf. Marlowe, on the green, is getting questioned about his team’s (the Seven Soldiers) bad work in the nation of Vilnaya and that its new dictator already has deals going on…with Halo, Marlowe’s company and the bank for WildC.A.T.S and the Seven Soldiers of Victory. What helps this scene is that the reporter is Clark Kent, who, as Superman, encountered the Soldiers in the last issue.

There’s more to that later, but the next scene involves Ladytron and her boys at the Pleasure Palace, doing their thing, when Grifter arrives. His reappearance kicks things into high gear. I should stop here for a moment to give a shout out to Segovia because I love how he does faces. While there’s a hint of manga in them, it’s the quality of expressions I admire, and I’ve been trying to find the word to describe his overall style. Easy. Segovia makes drawing look easy. Characters are relaxed or tense if need be, but in every issue, they look like living beings and not stiff cardboard cutouts. He and Derenick avoid cluttering panels, and they aren’t underselling or overdoing it in their duties.

Add to this Santos’ choice to make Grifter’s eternal green jacket the brightest thing in this series is a cool way for the man who’s been the main character thus far to stand out. There are more eye-popping colors to come in later pages. And I enjoy Delgado’s use of fonts and balloon shapes that have a slightly divergent font and appeal. I love looking at this issue and all of the ones before. Rosenberg writes the team perfectly, from wild behaviors and raunchy dialogue to intense moments of clarity, determination, and compassion. This is perhaps the most dysfunctional team in the DCU (sorry, Doom Patrol), but when they figure things out, they are of one mind.

Mostly. You’ll have to read it to see what I mean. So yes, buy this issue, and get the back issues if you haven’t caught on to this title yet. It’s doing good work treading the thin costumed line between superhero splendor and 90’s Grunge hostility.

WildC.A.T.S #6 is a fun issue that finally tugs its various strings to bring the team together to discover what is up with Marlowe and his devious corporation. If you’re looking to see all the original members as one unit, you don’t quite get it. Yet. But, for my money, the road has been paved, and I’m anticipating a future where the C.A.T.S blow up said road in glorious style. And maybe, from that wreckage…will come more wonderful wreckage to read about. I enjoyed this issue and its surprises, the writing, the artwork, the hues, and the words. Be kind to yourself and grab a copy.

WildC.A.T.S #6 is available wherever comic books are sold.