The line between hero and villain is a tight rope to walk. When Amanda Waller disappears from Belle Reve Prison, the world was put on notice. Six people took extreme interest due to past events. Dreamer, Gossamer, Superman Jon Kent, Deadshot, Black Alice, & Catman all have axes to grind against Waller.
Their search has put them in the path of Checkmate. The covert organization has their own plans for Waller. Some members appear to be going into business for themselves. Something has to give.
SECRET SIX #6 by Nicole Maines, Stephen Segovia, Rain Beredo, and Steve Wands concludes its re-introduction to the DC Universe.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the intense finale!
SECRET SIX #6 by Nicole Maines, Stephen Segovia, Rain Beredo, and Steve Wands (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Maines delivers on overdue emotional releases for a few members. Jon Kent has been pushed in directions he is very uncomfortable in. Even with the wholesome opening, the reality of Jay’s actions weigh heavy. This is paired with the current mess he’s tagged in. The banter with Catman is a real view of their world. This winds up breaking the young Kent’s patience. It clearly strikes a few nerves before switching attention over to Waller’s fate.
Once here, Jay Nakamura takes center stage. The dialogue brings out Jay’s unrelenting drive for revenge. This causes a huge problem with Dreamer. Their long awaited brawl finally begins. Readers watch as this spirals into a fight amongst everyone. It is quite the chaotic scenario. Maines brings out the heartbreak with Jon Kent. Knowing how high the ramifications are, one member makes a drastic move. This leads into a somber and painful divide. Readers can only watch as the strongest member is left with a large wound. The final page drives this factor home while leaving a sense of pause before bowing out. Suffice to say, there’s more unfolding here than where the issue ends.
Segovia returns for art duties for the finale. The opening page shows the evolution of Mr. Kent. It crosses many times before landing in the present. The conversation with Catman pours with tension. There’s never a moment where things simmer down. The same can be said for the Dreamer vs. Jay lead-in. After a solid start, a near full image swings big as the fight is on. It doesn’t take long for everything to fall apart on the mission at hand.
Superman hovering over Catman indicates the brooding anger boiling in Kent. This begins their throwdown. A two page splash brings Black Alice into the foray. The action ramps up a few notches with the following pages. It pauses for a full image of Jon Kent ready to end everything. Readers follow along as the slow breaking of a soul when the realizations hit. One member has gone too far. This leaves a few striking images has the fallout sets in. The closing panel leaves a glimpse of an uncertain future with many words left unsaid.
OVERALL GRADE: 8.5
Tensions finally boil over as the Six come to the end of their road. Maines’ writing weaves in the painful cost of their actions. Segovia and Beredo balance the action with the rage as one member makes a deadly choice. Once the dust settles, fans won’t want to miss where the unstable unit moves to next.
Let me know your thoughts on Secret Six #6 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!