Writer: Brian Buccellato, Mike W. Barr

Artist: Viktor Bogdanovic, Diogenes Neves

Color Artist: Michael Spicer, Carrie Strachan

With the Suicide Squad movie coming out later this year, DC gives us a taste of what’s to come with this title focusing on Deadshot and Katana.

Writer Brian Buccellato does a great job capturing the feel of Floyd Lawton aka “Deadshot” from the Ostrander run of Suicide Squad, which was amazing. He’s a man not afraid of death and sticks to a plan, but when saddled with information of his past and being partnered with a rookie on a mission, things take a turn for the worst. The story is full of action and we get to see how dangerous Deadshot is. The dialog is handled well and you get insight into what makes Lawton tick. Lawton has always had tension with Amanda Waller and you can see it here. When you throw in Will Evans, the newest recruit to Task Force-X, you see how Deadshot doesn’t work well with. For a setup story, I’m curious about where it’s going to go especially after the last panel.  

Viktor Bogdanovic and Michael Spicer do an astounding job on the art and colors. Bogdanovic creates an interesting design for Deadshot’s armor and it looks cool. Some may not like this design, but it works. The action scenes are brutal but done with precision. Also, characters don’t look weird or out of place in panels. The colors mesh well with art and keeps the tone with the story.

I don’t know a lot about Katana, but co-creator of the character Mike W. Barr gives us a pretty straightforward story. She’s on a mission to learn more about her sword called the “Soultaker” and finding an astrophysicist who can help her, but first she has to deal with the villainous organization known as Kobra. The dialog isn’t too heavy and the action is on display. If you want to know more about the character, you’re not going to get it here. Besides the action, there are some tender moments for the character in here and her impressive use of tactics against the troops of Kobra.

Diogenes Neves and Carrie Strachan are an impressive team on this story. I don’t have any complaints about the art or the colors. The art and colors compliment each other very well. Scenes of action are swift and in your face. Katana looks deadly as she does battle and the various colors match the tone of the story.

Deadshot and Katana are an interesting pair and having them in their own stories is a treat. I really enjoyed reading this issue and I can’t wait to read the next issue. The writers have done an admirable job on this title and the artwork is amazing. The dialog is good, but of the two, Katana’s story is weaker compared to Deadshot’s. You don’t get to know a lot about her, but it’s only the first issue, so it doesn’t bother me. If you’re interested in the Suicide Squad or just curious about these characters pick up this title.

4 Katanas out of 5