Suicide Squad (The New 52) Volume 2: Basilisk Rising by Adam Glass and Federico (graphic novel review).
The principle elements of ‘Suicide Squad (The New 52) Volume 2: Basilisk Rising’ come from Suicide Squad #8–13 and Resurrection Man #9. Presumably the origin of Amanda Waller from Suicide Squad #0 is the last part of this graphic novel because of the way it jumps away from the rest without informing the reader.
Much of the opening is about how to capture a meta-human, the Resurrection Man, who doesn’t stay dead for long but keeps getting resurrected with different powers. The latter part looks awfully like Sleeper from ‘Wild Cards’. Despite being shot at the end of the first graphic novel, ‘Suicide Squad (The New 52) Volume 1: Kicked in the Teeth’, Harley Quinn is restored under Waller’s instruction, not anticipating her original personality would resurface for a while. Personality changes seem quite rife, especially when Killer Shark has a few changes. It also appears that Waller’s choice of squad members is to include people who have a high life expectancy, which seems a little crazy if they can survive the nanobomb in their necks.
Much of the story follows the squad hunting down the Basilisk organisation and killing its leader, Regulus. There is also a little matter of a sleeper agent amongst the team, brainwashing, and a little of not knowing who is on who’s side voluntarily. I do think the Waller installment might have worked better as a preface to this part of the story, as it also involves Regulus and explains a bit more about her emotional involvement in the proceedings.
Despite some misgivings, there are cliffhangers at the end of each part, ensuring you want to keep going to find out what happens next, so something must be working.
GF Willmetts
February 2024
(pub: DC Comics, 2013. page graphic novel softcover. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-1-4012-3844-5)
check out website: www.dccomic.com
