Secret Six #12 Spoilers

[Samuraixsithlord]

some quick spoilers.

Jeanette starts a fight with Wonder Woman to give the rest of the six time to escape. Wonder Woman over powers Jeanette and starts beating the crap out of her (for some reason Jeanette really hate Amazons). Jeanette lets loose with her banshee cry and it knocks Diana out.

Deadshot, Catman, and Ragdoll let Bane, Jeanette and Scandel escape with Artemis while they bring it Diana to Mr. Smith as a consolation prize for letting Artemis escape.

Scandel, Bane, Jeanette, and Artemis make it to the soldiers barreks to get weapons. Artemis wakes up just in time to kill the guards who tried to rape her. She thinks Scandel and the rest for saving her and plans on killing mr. smith.

Smith reveals to Catman, Ragdoll, and Deadshot that he's building his own version of Dante's Hell and at the bottom of it he has trapped a demon

[Go Go]

Whaa? On Thursday, the day after the great issue that was issue 12 came out, there is only one post in the thread about Secret Six? That's just wrong. I know the phrase "that's just wrong" gets said a lot on message boards like this, but in this situation it definitely applies.

Secret Six #12 is the best book that came out this week. It really knocked things out of the ballpark. Seriously, anyone who has yet to go to his/her local comic shop, pick this issue up. At least flip through it. Those who read it are probably discussing this over on Gail's forum here on CBR, but this title should be discussed here too in the DC Universe forum (right?).

Oh well, this issue was so great that it could handle being discussed on two forums. I loved this issue more than Blackest Night (yeah, I enjoyed it, but even if you didn't enjoy Blackest Night, you could still enjoy Secret Six this month (and all past and future issues as well).

Bumping this thread for great characters! Fun and dangerous adventure! Wonder Woman! Jeanette!!! Her secret costumed identity (seriously, Gail Simone makes Jeanette's alter ego rock! Her alter ego has been around for ages and I always found kind of boring) is cool!

Seriously, go out and buy this book! I loved it! You will too!

[WorstThingUS]

The irony of posting is that you're much more likely to write about something that you don't like than you do. It's like a meal. After a good meal you sit back and bask in the satisfaction. After a bad meal, you can't stop complaining.

So there's more than one Silver Banshee? And who was chained up at the end? For a moment I thought it was the Tasmanian Devil. Was it?

[Slaughter]

I thought she was the Silver Banshee for a moment, but then I remembered that the Silver Banshee was Irish, bat-shit crazy and much younger than Jeanette.

[WorstThingUS]

I thought she was the Silver Banshee for a moment, but then I remembered that the Silver Banshee was Irish, bat-shit crazy and much younger than Jeanette.

That's what I'm saying. Apparently there's a "Silver Banshee Corps" of some sort. Or basically The Crone has cursed more than one person can with it. I'm looking forward to finding out more. And why she doesn't care for Amazons.

Speaking of which, I've loved Artemis since William Messner-Loebs briefly made her Wonder Woman and it's good to see her here in Gail's hands and I'm hoping she shows up in Wonder Woman.

[Superbeast]

That's what I'm saying. Apparently there's a "Silver Banshee Corps" of some sort. Or basically The Crone has cursed more than one person can with it. I'm looking forward to finding out more. And why she doesn't care for Amazons.

Speaking of which, I've loved Artemis since William Messner-Loebs briefly made her Wonder Woman and it's good to see her here in Gail's hands and I'm hoping she shows up in Wonder Woman.

I'm guessing banshees, sirens and furies all probably have some mythical link in the DCU. That they haunt, torture or lure men to their deaths while Amazons are staunchly feminist probably also has something to do with it.

[FeminineMystique]

The irony of posting is that you're much more likely to write about something that you don't like than you do. It's like a meal. After a good meal you sit back and bask in the satisfaction. After a bad meal, you can't stop complaining.

So there's more than one Silver Banshee? And who was chained up at the end? For a moment I thought it was the Tasmanian Devil. Was it?

That's Grendel. THE Grendel, from the poem, yes. He showed up in Wonder Woman and comes from another dimension and was the inspiration for the famous poem apparently. He wound up in our world at the end of the "Ends of the Earth" story arc in Wonder Woman and apparently Smyth got his creepy hands on him

[Taskmaster]

That's Grendel. THE Grendel, from the poem, yes. He showed up in Wonder Woman and comes from another dimension and was the inspiration for the famous poem apparently. He wound up in our world at the end of the "Ends of the Earth" story arc in Wonder Woman and apparently Smyth got his creepy hands on him

Off to learn more about Mr. Grendel, pretty funny that he exists as a real character in Marvel and DC now

[WorstThingUS]

That's Grendel. THE Grendel, from the poem, yes. He showed up in Wonder Woman and comes from another dimension and was the inspiration for the famous poem apparently. He wound up in our world at the end of the "Ends of the Earth" story arc in Wonder Woman and apparently Smyth got his creepy hands on him

Good catch. I'd totally forgotten about him, even though they made a point of you noticing he vanished from Beowulf's world at the end of the story.

[robbieglenn]

Totally loved this issue. My favourite part had to be when Artemis pwned the guards and thanked Scandal and the others. Just the gangs resposne was priceless; "youre....welcome?" :biggrin:

[Samy]

Oo, I missed the "Ends of the Earth" link. Good linking work there.

I was blown away when I thought Jeanette *was* the Silver Banshee -- what a reveal!

But now you guys tell me she isn't, so that's kind of anticlimactic. :(

[Dard]

I read it today and had to think about a couple of things.

First, I wondered why Scandal and Bane seemed to be so convinced that Catman and Deadshot would come after them. I mean, it was Catman who sent them away.
Okay, this one can be explained if Smythe would actually order Catman to track down the others, which he luckily did not do.
Now, with Artemis around, that role could very well be reversed now. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Then, I couldn't help but notice that Scandal still didn't manage to get out of that cute underpants! :biggrin: Ragdoll also looks funny in that getup!
But why was she so quick to give Bane venom? I mean, their foes would be Deadshot and Catman. Against Deadshot the venom would be completely useless, and to defeat Catman Bane especially needs speed, much more so than strength.

About Jeanette's past. I know, it's probably dumb to drag real world into this story, but I have to wonder if there was a precedent of an executioner voluntarily messing up an execution. Well, at least in the last couple of centuries. I write this because I know that around here (southern Germany) executioners had the renown to be almost infallible in their task, up to an almost mythical fame. I know of at least one instance where an executioner didn't manage a clean kill and was subsequently lynched by the onlookers. I know that all executioners here had at least some fear that this could happen to him.
I'm not saying that things weren't different elsewhere, I just wonder if there's an example for this.

I didn't know about that Grendel guy. Thanks for explaining.
About Silver Banshee: Yes, she is quite crazy, but that seem to depend very much on who writes it. I've seen issues where she was more the victim that you could feel pity for (like Jeanette here) and in others where she was just murdering random people for no apparent reason.

[Superbeast]

I read it today and had to think about a couple of things.

First, I wondered why Scandal and Bane seemed to be so convinced that Catman and Deadshot would come after them. I mean, it was Catman who sent them away.
Okay, this one can be explained if Smythe would actually order Catman to track down the others, which he luckily did not do.
Now, with Artemis around, that role could very well be reversed now. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Then, I couldn't help but notice that Scandal still didn't manage to get out of that cute underpants! :biggrin: Ragdoll also looks funny in that getup!
But why was she so quick to give Bane venom? I mean, their foes would be Deadshot and Catman. Against Deadshot the venom would be completely useless, and to defeat Catman Bane especially needs speed, much more so than strength.

About Jeanette's past. I know, it's probably dumb to drag real world into this story, but I have to wonder if there was a precedent of an executioner voluntarily messing up an execution. Well, at least in the last couple of centuries. I write this because I know that around here (southern Germany) executioners had the renown to be almost infallible in their task, up to an almost mythical fame. I know of at least one instance where an executioner didn't manage a clean kill and was subsequently lynched by the onlookers. I know that all executioners here had at least some fear that this could happen to him.
I'm not saying that things weren't different elsewhere, I just wonder if there's an example for this.

I didn't know about that Grendel guy. Thanks for explaining.
About Silver Banshee: Yes, she is quite crazy, but that seem to depend very much on who writes it. I've seen issues where she was more the victim that you could feel pity for (like Jeanette here) and in others where she was just murdering random people for no apparent reason.

They are a bunch of hitmen for hire for the most part, do you seriously have to wonder why Scandal would think twice? For a couple extra million, Deadshot would probably kill every other member of the group then go on vacation.

Venom does more than just enhance Bane's strength, it enhances all of his physical attributes, including his reaction time and speed. It also heightens his pain tolerance and thickens his muscle fibres so he would probably be able to take a few more shots if Deadshot did take aim at him.

Jeannette is a french name and she dresses like a Victorian era French aristocrat so I doubt she's German. Although the there is the problem that the French rarely used executioners, they had the guillotine. I guess Gail will clear up the confusion in due course.

[Samy]

Didn't Jeannette get tied to Lady Bathory? Which would place her in Hungary?

[Dard]

We don't know where Jeanette was killed. It could have been almost anytime, anywhere after Bathory.

Besides, I was asking on a more general basis: I have never heared of any executioner who would act like the one described. I'm just wondering of precedents, not just in Germany, but in France or Great Britain also for example.

[Karl O'Neill]

Best book of the week by far.

This title continues to exceed my expectations.

Long live the six.

[Chiroptera]

We don't know where Jeanette was killed. It could have been almost anytime, anywhere after Bathory.

Besides, I was asking on a more general basis: I have never heared of any executioner who would act like the one described. I'm just wondering of precedents, not just in Germany, but in France or Great Britain also for example.

Historically speaking, executioners rarely "botched the job." However, there were rare occasions when they would be told to do so. Usually these situations were matters of intimidation by local rulers who wanted to scare the population into obedience so there would be a particularly slow and gruesome execution.
That said, this sort of thing usually happened way back in the dark ages, long before the Victorian era.
This one may not have an in continuity explanation, I suspect it's just the writer taking poetic license to give the character a more intense and gruesome demise to help explain how she would be possessed by a banshee spirit.

I'm not a fan of the series personally (I'm a good guy at heart, I don't like seeing the bad guys win, even if the bad guys operate in shades of gray) but I had to pic up this arc for the Wondy/Artemis tie-in, and I must say I've enjoyed it so far. Particularly Artemis once she got free. :grin:

[Dard]

I think you can stay.
Although I wish the Six would eventually get a clear victory (or at least a mission that doesn't end up bad) they didn't have one yet. They got away with their lives (well, mostly) but little more.
Although I have to admit that this is open for debate.

I like it if bad guys win. It makes the good guys less boring.

[Chiroptera]

I think you can stay.
Although I wish the Six would eventually get a clear victory (or at least a mission that doesn't end up bad) they didn't have one yet. They got away with their lives (well, mostly) but little more.
Although I have to admit that this is open for debate.

I like it if bad guys win. It makes the good guys less boring.

I may stick around and give it a shot, but I doubt it will hold on to me. I'm old school when it comes to comics, I much prefer to see the good guys win all the time.
It's odd really because I love movies and books that focus on bad guys.
I suppose it's just nostalgia/sentimentality, but I've never liked comics where the good guys win/get away. I like seeing them caught and locked behind bars.

[stealthwise]

Whaa? On Thursday, the day after the great issue that was issue 12 came out, there is only one post in the thread about Secret Six? That's just wrong. I know the phrase "that's just wrong" gets said a lot on message boards like this, but in this situation it definitely applies.

Secret Six #12 is the best book that came out this week. It really knocked things out of the ballpark. Seriously, anyone who has yet to go to his/her local comic shop, pick this issue up. At least flip through it. Those who read it are probably discussing this over on Gail's forum here on CBR, but this title should be discussed here too in the DC Universe forum (right?).

Oh well, this issue was so great that it could handle being discussed on two forums. I loved this issue more than Blackest Night (yeah, I enjoyed it, but even if you didn't enjoy Blackest Night, you could still enjoy Secret Six this month (and all past and future issues as well).

Bumping this thread for great characters! Fun and dangerous adventure! Wonder Woman! Jeanette!!! Her secret costumed identity (seriously, Gail Simone makes Jeanette's alter ego rock! Her alter ego has been around for ages and I always found kind of boring) is cool!

Seriously, go out and buy this book! I loved it! You will too!

I agree, this issue was stunning. Most people who commented on it seem to frequent YABS (You'll All Be Sorry, Gail's forum further down on the main forum page), so you can find a lot more discussion there.

[Bloody Thumb]

About Jeanette's past. I know, it's probably dumb to drag real world into this story, but I have to wonder if there was a precedent of an executioner voluntarily messing up an execution. Well, at least in the last couple of centuries. I write this because I know that around here (southern Germany) executioners had the renown to be almost infallible in their task, up to an almost mythical fame. I know of at least one instance where an executioner didn't manage a clean kill and was subsequently lynched by the onlookers. I know that all executioners here had at least some fear that this could happen to him.
I'm not saying that things weren't different elsewhere, I just wonder if there's an example for this.


The French often used the Guillotine to execute people. What a lot of people don't realize is that the Guillotine was a very messy piece of equipment. The Blade Dulled quickly so kills hardly ever went as quick and easy as they do in the movies. In some instances the Blade had to be dropped four or five times onto some ones neck before it cut all the way through. Usually the victim was still alive for the first couple of wacks or so.

Now, while they didn't show a Guillotine being used, i would say the French surely have a proven history not being the most efficient executioners. So i wouldn't be at all surprised if their Axe Men were as inconstant as the Guillotines.





All in all, an enjoyable issue. I'm really enjoying the series. I'm not sure on Banes part in it all though. I think i'd rather if they let him go and replaced him with some one else.

[WorstThingUS]

Oo, I missed the "Ends of the Earth" link. Good linking work there.

I was blown away when I thought Jeanette *was* the Silver Banshee -- what a reveal!

But now you guys tell me she isn't, so that's kind of anticlimactic. :(

No, she is, but she's not "the" Silver Banshee that's been fighting Superman for years, but "a" Silver Banshee which means The Crone may have created many.

[snarkbunny]

About Jeanette's past. I know, it's probably dumb to drag real world into this story, but I have to wonder if there was a precedent of an executioner voluntarily messing up an execution. Well, at least in the last couple of centuries. I write this because I know that around here (southern Germany) executioners had the renown to be almost infallible in their task, up to an almost mythical fame. I know of at least one instance where an executioner didn't manage a clean kill and was subsequently lynched by the onlookers. I know that all executioners here had at least some fear that this could happen to him.
I'm not saying that things weren't different elsewhere, I just wonder if there's an example for this.


Dard, Jack Ketch - an English executioner bungled the execution of the Duke of Monmouth. Bungled beheadings weren't unknown though, it takes a lot of strength to get through the spine in one blow, especially since the victims were usually not immobilized.

[Andrew_White]

Dard, Jack Ketch - an English executioner bungled the execution of the Duke of Monmouth. Bungled beheadings weren't unknown though, it takes a lot of strength to get through the spine in one blow, especially since the victims were usually not immobilized.

'Bungled' executions were surprisingly common - Executioners used to be able to make a very healthy sideline by accepting bribes from the beheadee so as to ensure they made it as quick and painless as possible and it wasn't unknown for them to 'make mistakes' during the executions of those who didn't pay as a warning to others.

[Dard]

Thanks for your replies and your examples.
It seems that there were big regional differences when it comes to that.

[stealthwise]

All in all, an enjoyable issue. I'm really enjoying the series. I'm not sure on Banes part in it all though. I think i'd rather if they let him go and replaced him with some one else.

I think that's the way they're leaning at this point in the story. Or at least, having Bane choose to leave of his own volition, given how the rest of the group treats him and each other.

[Royd]

Just thought I'd cross-post the following message which I posted to YABS :) Hope no-one minds!

Hi Nicola Scott original art aficionados! Just to let you know that I received a new shipment of original art from Nicola, featuring her work on Secret Six Issues 3-5 as well as a smattering of her Birds of Prey pages (a couple of which feature our favourite dysfunctional team)!

There’s a fabulous cover featuring the whole team (Secret Six #3 cover), some delightful splash pages and very cool interior pages on offer so please check them out.

You can see scans of the pages (including pricing information) displayed at my comicartshop located here - http://www.comicartshop.com/ComicArtShopsByCat.asp?GCat=111 or http://tinyurl.com/d6ne8z

If interested in purchasing any of the pages or you have a separate query regarding Nicola’s work, please contact me via roydster@yahoo.com or roydster at yahoo dot com If you’re a fan of Nicola’s work, I hope I can help you find a page for your collection :)

Warm regards,

Royd

PS - The comment from Ragdoll to Deadshot after WW plays bullets and bracelets with him is priceless ("I don't miss my little gentleman..." or words to that effect) - absolute crack up!

[Karl O'Neill]

If I had the money I would buy one of those pages!

[Royd]

Ask a friend to buy you one for your birthday or Christmas :) They'd make a seriously cool present!