Reviewer : Tim Byrne
Story Title : A Fire in the Steppes
Writer : Gail Simone
Artist : Dale Eaglesham
Inker : Wade von Grawbadger
Letterer : Pat Brosseau
Colorist : Sno-Cone
Editor : Stephen Wacker
Publisher: DC Comics
“Only 4 months to Infinite Crisis!!” the cover screams.
Wow!
Actually, I’m yet to be sold on the idea that a bad story becomes a good story simply by virtue of being linked to some kind of company-wide cross-over.
Luckily, Villains United has been a cracking good read so far.
There’s always a certain interest in stories told from the point of view of the ‘bad guys’. The villains are usually cooler, and less bound by those annoying scruples that hamper the actions of even muscle-bound vigilantes.
The Secret Six embark on a mission, sent by their mysterious organiser, apparently to disrupt the possible delivery of some Thanagarian weapons.
For me, so far at least, it’s not the main story that grabs my attention, but rather the delicious interplay between these wonderfully twisted characters. Whether bickering about which seat is taken on their transportation, or posturing with knives in the kitchen while fetching a midnight snack, there is a debonair and carefree mood set through the first part of this issue.
The second half is all about the fight scene, and certainly many of DC’s lower-tier villains have their chance to shine. Again, the plot is almost secondary to the chance for these secondary characters to embrace and demonstrate their quips and witticisms.
Simone has often been known for humour, and doesn’t disappoint here, with many a smile to be found throughout this issue. This is nicely contrasted with the genuine sense of menace created by the predicament of a certain character in the last two pages, which succeed in injecting a real urgency and concern on the part of the reader, being something that was not present earlier.
The art is clean and crisp, and when Eaglesham does get a chance to flex his creative muscles, as on the double-splash page, he doesn’t disappoint. Good job all round.
As these minis (hopefully) begin to tie together, here’s one that is certainly worth reading on its own merits.
