Customer Reviews

Secret Six: Six Degrees of Devastation

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While I enjoyed the Villains United (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) mini-series (featuring the debut of the "Secret Six" anti-heroes), I felt that the "Infinte Crisis"-mandated beats cut into some of the characterization and stopped the story short. Gail Simone returned with "Secret Six: Six Degrees of Devastation," a brutally funny and mature take on the super-villain squad. Fans of Grant Morrison's "Doom Patrol" and other off-beat teams will find a lot to like here. I had to double-check the cover again for a "Vertigo" logo, because I couldn't believe that DC had given Simone such free reign with the characters within the confines of the mainstream DC Universe. The Mad Hatter sleeping with his hats is priceless.

After reading Villians United, I couldn't wait to pick up this trade to see what had happened next to the Secret Six. Did "Six Degrees of Devastation" hold up to my expectations? Yes and No

First off, props to Gail Simone for writing another fantastic story. My only gripe is that the story is not as funny as the last, but that doesn't mean there aren't some hilarious scenes. (The Mad Hatter has now become one of my favorite characters, if you read this then you know what I am talking about.)

Even though the story is up to par, the art drops the ball. It's pretty muddy for the most part but does improve as the series goes on. It's a shame that there are beautiful covers but the art itself is just average.

Therefore, I gave it 4 stars due to the art. Sad that there aren't any future stories for these characters at the moment because the ending will have you wanting more. (Except, I am tired of midgits seeking revenge against the Secret Six.)

An unknown mastermind has coordinated attacks against members of the Secret Six. Is it the ruthless Cheshire, or the vicious Dr. Psycho? As introduced in "Villains United" the Six are a band of dangerous criminals who refused to knuckle under to Lex Luthor's Secret Society. But just because they're fighting against the bad guys doesn't make them good. Or does it? Just how morally irredeemable are they? They range from Catman who almost sees himself as one of the good guys (he isn't) to Deadshot, who sees himself as a soulless mercenary (he isn't) to the totally twisted Ragdoll, who often doesn't seem to even understand what's going on (but he does - usually). The main conflict is between the immortal caveman Vandal Savage (his name says it all) and his daughter Scandal, but the many treacheries make this story far more entertaining than standard super-hero fare. Maybe not as funny as some others from this franchise. Walker's art is decent, but not as good as that in "United", and certainly not as good as the Nicola Scott art we've become used to in the current "Secret Six" title.

In this collection, the Secret Six try to recover from the betrayals and losses they suffered during the Villains United story. They also pick up a new teammate here and there, and Simone makes it all work. I loathe the character of the Mad Hatter, but she makes me sympathize with him, especially by having him pick on someone his own size during a battle with Dr. Psycho. This collection also explores some of the hilariously unapologetic moral depravity of Ragdoll, who has become my favorite DC character. There is something of a plot holding this collection together, but it involves the ridiculously-named and poorly-realized Vandal Savage, so I choose to ignore that as much as possible when thinking about the book. The appeal here is in the characters, who have fascinating motivations and quirks and absolutely no interest in being heroes. It's kind of a refreshing and funny darkness that makes the book well worth a read.

I have been picking up the monthly 'Secret Six' books and wanted to see where it all began so I grabbed this trade. I liked it...but I can see Gail's writing is more powerful in the newer books. Her character dynamics are amazing....I could care less about the action as long as the team is talking to each other!

Get this book just to see how 'mad' the Mad Hatter really is. Crazy!

Great intro into an amazing group of villains.

This is a good book, really. What happens when six villans live in a house, and have to start being real? Well, lots of people get shot/stabbed, for one.

After the events of the various Crises in the DC Universe, several villans team-up mostly for personal gain, but also to avoid other villans who were none too happy that they didn't join the Society of Super Villans. But mostly, they do it for the money.

Here, the main storyline is Scandal vs. her father, Vandal Savage, and all the wackiness that ensues. I can't get into too much detail because it's all spoilers.

I will say that I grew to care about the characters, but Gail Simone has a knack of doing that with the characters she writes, so that is not suprising. Heck, she even made Mad Hatter 3-dimesional! What is suprising is that Catman is able to go head-to-head with Cheshire, but I chalk that up to Cheshire going easy on him, there's no way he should be able to hang.

And my last words on this are based on the end of the book: Ragdoll's a douche.

Did you ever read Secret Society of Super Villians? Or Suicide Squad? Or Serpent Society (guest story line in 1980's Capt America?

If you enjoyed those comics, but thought they could be better then this comic is for you. It is everything those comics were and more. I'm just sorry there aren't more Secret Six graphic novels available.