Every so once in a while, it helps to take off the “professional journalism” hat and put on the “unabashed fan” hat when reporting something, if only because it helps to be honest. While reporting news does require a certain objectivity from professional outlets and trusted sources, a small bit of editorializing doesn’t inherently hurt when trying to engender a specific response to the story being reported on.
So with that in mind, I am now able to say: oh fuck yes.
As announced at the Hero Complex, the consistently unique and quite adamantly celebrated series “Secret Six” is returning to DC as part of the next era of the New 52, with Gail Simone back on the series, with Ken Lashley providing interiors. Launching in December, the new book will feature a new group to the series, though Catman will be returning to the cast as well as Black Alice, both of whom will be making their New 52 debut. And while there will be no direct connections between this series and the previous one, Simone promises it will be much of the same spirit, with the same black humor and “edginess” that made the previous run a fan favorite. In terms of getting into details, though, Simone does not say much. Calling it “the Twin Peaks of superhero comics,” the series will start with six strangers trapped in a room and unsure of how they arrived there.
Not only is Simone returning, though, but original series artist Dale Eaglesham (who illustrated the “Villains United” series that brought this team together) will be in charge of covers and character designs for the New 52 iterations of the characters. So strap on your boots and get ready to dance, kids, because this is the call to the floor we’ve been waiting for!
The previous run of “Secret Six” was hailed not just because it was a great supervillains-as-heroes comic, a trope we’ve seen played with a lot these days, but rather because of its stark human portrayals of the characters. Featuring an incredibly diverse line-up that was unseen in any other book of a similar nature, “Secret Six” was full of heart and honest writing that made these unsympathetic characters suddenly become instantly lovable and easy to relate to; Catman isn’t your household character or anything, but it was easy for fans to read his stories and see themselves in his troubles, same as with every character of the book that was given a full three-dimensional treatment.
While the New 52 has been marred for some due to the editorial interference and generally strange stories being told that seem more regressive than anything, between this and the recent lauded announcements for books like “Batgirl” and “Gotham Academy,” DC might really actually be on the road to redemption to fans that stuck with them in the dark times and cynics alike. If Simone can make the new “Secret Six” even half of what the old book was, I think we can call it a success.
“Secret Six” launches in December.
