Creative Staff:
Story: Marguerite Bennett
Art: David Hahn
Colors: J. Nanjan
Letterer: Wes Abbott
What They Say:
Phantom radio signals have been plaguing the world…but no one is prepared for Killer Croc under the influence!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
While I’m definitely enjoying this arc for the mix of characters at hand, particularly the Suicide Squad, the use of the music is what’s proving to be a mild drag. It’s something that Marguerite Bennett uses well and I don’t dispute it at all but, as mentioned last time around, it’s just not something that ever flows well for me. The deal with the music is becoming a bit clearer in this installment and the fun comes in the form of the action, which has some good sequences here thanks to David Hahn. He’s got a good issue with the cast he gets to work with here and it has all the right “bombshells” feelings about it that it needs to fit into the property as a whole. J. Nanjan’s color work is a big part of giving it that feel but I also really like the expressions that Hahn gets to work with here.
The turn of June and Rose the lsat time around definitely makes for a dangerous moment here as they’re intent on swaying more to their side. And the Squad, tight as they are, are more susceptible because of it. June’s crooning toward Croc almost draws him over while Rose looks to get the music going again to convert more of them. It does largely turn to fisticufs here as the Batgirls and the Squad push back while trying to keep Croc from turning and we get a few teases of the higher power that’s orchestrating all of this according to our newly turned members. That changes the view of how this is all working just a bit but I’m still hesitant to think too far ahead to who all is manipulating all of this.
Where the book slows down in a natural way is after the fight and surviving what Enchantress throws at them as Croc is in recovery mode. Or trying to recover as he can still the song in his head and is being drawn to it, which he increasingly wants. With the idea that it’s an earworm I really like how the Batgirls and Karen try to get it out of his system by singing something else to distract him and draw him back to his normal self. It’s a good moment for the girls and it helps the Squad realize that they may have to alter their plan as these kids are on what may be the right path. It’s not dealt with deeply but I like that there are a few options before Frankie on how to proceed and she has to make a real choice about what to do – even if it seems obvious from the readers point of view.
In Summary:
Bombshells: United continues to have a decent arc going on here but it’s still not got me fully on board since it’s a music based on. I like the use of Black Canary in the arc as a whole and the inclusion of the Suicide Squad adds a bit more fun. But it’s moving in a kind of uncertain flow right now that’s keeping it from feeling like it has a strong forward momentum focus. Bennett keeps it moving well enough here so that you feel like there’s progress and David Hahn puts in another solid installment with some fun character designs and action moments, especially some of the creepy ways that Enchantress comes across.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: March 2nd, 2018
MSRP: $0.99
