Writer: John Layman
Art: Jesus Hervas, David Baron, AndWorld Design, and Dan Panosian
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99
Release Date: February 6th, 2024
Before the Suicide Squad sets their sights on the corrupted Justice League in the upcoming videogame Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, join us for this thrilling prequel and witness them kill Arkham Asylum in Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #1 by John Layman! Amanda Waller has taken control of the recently rebuilt Arkham, and her brutal tactics and merciless methods have led to the most secure asylum Gotham has ever known. But when the cell doors open, and the inmates are left in a freefor-all deathmatch, Waller’s true intentions reveal themselves. Let’s dive into this opening issue and see what shakes out!
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #1 Review.
THE DISPATCH
Continuing the events from the Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham Games, John Layman introduces fans to Mayor Gordon, Amanda Waller, and this universe’s insane future inmates at Arkham. You see, after the events that transpired during the video games, Arkham needed to be rebuilt. Layman’s focus in Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #1 was to introduce readers to the cast and crew of this series while also ushering in the backdrop of where we are at in this Rocksteady Games timeline.
Hostile would certainly be the buzzword as this issue unfolds. From Batman to Waller as well as the inmates themselves, everyone appears on edge ready to strike. What appears to be futuristic and upgraded is also lacking in certain enmities. Waller intends to put the inmates on the brink so that they literally explode with animosity in a direction only she can control. And by the end of Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #1, it appears as though we will get our first taste of this crew in action.
However, here lies the problem. Nothing really happens in this issue. There is no action and no real storyline. It was almost as if this initial comic was designed to merely introduce characters and the setting. We don’t necessarily know what Waller is trying to point this “squad” at nor do we know who the threat is or why. For the most part, everything is general and the comic appears no different than any other Suicide Squad movie or opening comic that we’ve ever seen before. Nothing stands out to draw anyone into the comic other than to see the world that Rocksteady has created.
ART
For the most part, Jesus Hervas does a pretty good job showcasing a dark, detestable, grungy Arkham Asylum. His panel progressions to cause shock and awe in certain situations pay off as well. Nevertheless, the stand-out aspect of his design is actually in the character of Killer Croc. His look is almost like a small-scale Godzilla towering over everyone in the issue. This gigantically scaly mountain of reptile doesn’t look like anyone would want to mess with it let alone lock it up in a prison. One can only see the writing on the wall when Croc escapes… and he will.
FINAL THOUGHTS
My final thoughts are rather simple for Suicide Squad: Kill Arkham Asylum #1. If you’re a fan of the Arkham Games, then pick this series up to see where it goes. However, be forewarned that nothing really transpires this month. No plot is truly revealed and the direction is left open-ended. We know the characters and the setting… but that’s it. If anything, this issue is almost skippable in that sense and thus might be better read in conjunction with the second issue or eventually in trade. I’m not implying that this series is terrible or that you shouldn’t get it. However, what I am saying is that nothing legitimately happens. It’s almost as if you set up the board game Clue, didn’t go over the rules, and walked away until tomorrow. Maybe tomorrow when you come back, explain the rules, and start to play the game, everyone will be excited. But it’s just a bit difficult to get excited for it right now. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!