REVIEW: ‘Secret Six’ Issue 1

Secret Six Issue 1 is published by DC Comics. Written by Nicole Maines, art by Stephen Segovia, colors by Rain Beredo and letters by Steve Wands.

Dreamer, Superman and Gossamer are still reeling from the damage Amanda Waller did to them. So when it looks like she’s escaped her prison, it falls to them to find her.

This issue deals with some of the most painful consequences of the Absolute Power event. Waller either used all three main characters in Secret Six Issue 1 in her war against the metahumans or they were victims of the attack. Superman was corrupted and turned into a weapon. Dreamer was part of her Suicide Squad. And Gossamer’s mother and country died directly due to Dreamer’s actions. That makes the book fraught and painful, with relationships on the brink of collapse and friendships shattered. That’s before the inciting incident.

The friction within the issue generates its energy, intensity, and pace. The plot then moves to Belle Reve. Once the home of the Suicide Squad and Amanda Waller’s base of operations, it became her prison. Things get even more chaotic as the trio approaches the prison. So many emotions and buttons are being pressed that the tension is being pushed to a boiling point.

Maines introduces the rest of the cast and the book with a rush of excitement. Everyone comes together at the wrong time. We don’t know what happened with Waller because different sides and characters interfere. Still, the disturbance generated by the characters makes this issue so gripping.

The trio of Superman, Gossamer, and Dreamer are the core of the emotional story, so the focus is on them. Maines has a tighter connection to Dreamer, from portraying her in Supergirl to writing almost every comic she has featured.

But Maine has also utilised Jon and Jay in specials and series. She knows the nuances of the characters better than anyone. The hurt they all feel, and the turmoil that creeps into every conversation make it impossible to make any decision. It isn’t just pettiness; there is a real pain that is understandable and will be extremely difficult to resolve.

There are three other characters included in the team who will ultimately round out Secret Six Issue 1. They are figures tied to previous Secret Six comics and Suicide Squad stories. Each one has a totally unique personality, and it will be fascinating to see how Maines adds these characters to the volatile mix.

The art is terrific. Secret Six Issue 1 refuses to hide its rage and agony even in its quietest moment. Once upon a time, a meet-up between the friends was greeted with smiles and hugs. But now it is tense and brutal, and Segovia shows that in every panel. Moments of sweetness come from groups of two, but not as a three. The opening, a frantic clash between Superman and Bizarro, feels like a release of pent-up frustration from the characters. Their anger at being used and abused isn’t going away, even after the catharsis of letting off some steam. There is a creepiness within the comic, especially within Dreamer’s nightmares. It’s sudden, claustrophobic and intense.

The characters’ costumes look great. They are bulky and angular, actually looking like armor for the heroes and villains. It makes them more prominent, improving their stature and presence on the page. When they get to the prison, the tempo of the book reaches breakneck speed, and the art reflects that. The angles get closer, the vision blurs and the powers look incredible.

The colors try to smother these once-hopeful characters in darkness. Many of the figures have vibrant costumes, with bright blues, pinks, and reds all visible. There are also some instances of intense bright lights. But thick, heavy shadows at the edges also show the murky world the trio is about to enter. During the final battle, the colors get more intense. As alarms blare, the scene is bathed in red. The flashes of gunfire and the retaliation of Dreamer’s powers make the confrontation visually exhilarating. The lettering is bold and always easy to read.

Secret Six Issue 1 carries heaps of consequences. So much happens within the pages of Absolute Power that it’s easy to forget how emotionally devastating and soul-crushing they were. Maines extends those storylines, showing that relationships have magically mended and that trauma leaves scars that may never heal. The book feels personal and palpable, willing to let the characters rise to confrontations and exude their broken personalities.

Secret Six Issue 1 is a terrific progression of Maine’s writing. With newer characters getting involved and such powerful emotional dialogue, it demonstrates the writer’s willingness to push the stakes, make readers uncomfortable, and introduce new techniques. Having followed Maine and Dreamer’s journey from the beginning, the creator and character are improving with every project they share together.

Secret Six Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.