The island nation of Gamorra is eager for American investment-and even more eager for American metahuman weapons. Amanda Waller has just what they want: the Cybernary system. But the blood that her mercenaries spilled to get it has put her directly in Jackson King’s sights. Waller vs. Wildstorm #2 is an intriguing issue that feels a bit like a courtroom drama.

Written by Spencer Ackerman and Evan Narcisee, Waller vs. Wildstorm #2 is an intriguing issue. The action is little but the tension is high. In it, we see Waller making more moves as she props up the nation of Gamorra but then is detained by Jackson King who is now Inspector General. The comic turns into a back and forth between the two as Waller sets out her vision and motivations while King pushes back at its corruption and a failure of their organization. The result is a comic that feels more like a stripped down play than superhero action on a grand scale. While the two’s actions will shape the world, the focus feels like a stage debate.

The micro focus of the issue adds importance to the art by Jesús Merino. Merino is joined by Vincente Cifuentes on ink, color by Michael Atiyeh, and lettering by Dave Sharpe. The lack of big scenes and lots of action makes the focus on body language and facial expressions that much more important. It also means when there is action, it has to be tense and a big deal. The team nails it all with an issue whose visuals are full of emotion to match the debate.

Waller vs. Wildstorm #2 is an intriguing issue that keeps things focused and on a small scale in a way. It has far more in common with dramas than action but leaves readers wanting to know more as the issue builds to a solid finale.

Story: Spencer Ackerman, Evan Narcisse Art: Jesús Merino
Ink: Vicente Cifuentes Color: Michael Atiyeh Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle

The fact that friend of the site and frequent Graphic Policy Radio guest Spencer Ackerman is part of this alone had me intrigued. But, that didn’t guarantee it’d be good. Thankfully, Waller vs. Wildstorm #1 is good. It’s really good. Ackerman is a national security reporter and expert on the subject, so to take on a character like Amanda Waller, one whose entire role is about national security, is a subject matter expert potentially spinning a tale on the subject they’re an expert on.

Taking place in the 1980s, Waller is an up and comer at Checkmate, an organization that is ok’ed to work with metahumans but has expanded its influence in the world. Jackson King, aka Battalion, the former leader of Stormwatch, has a run-in with Waller and through investigation finds a corruption that runs deep in Checkmate. One full of horrors and the mix of capitalism, influence, and lack of morals that infects our very lives. Ackerman, along with writer Evan Narcisse have laid out a mature story as part of DC’s Black Label, that mixes classic modern superheroes like Stormwatch with the excess taint and crumbling of our very real institutions.

The comic throws in the very real issues that face our modern national security and military including individual ambition, hypocritical morals, black sites, and a general lack of real oversight and care. We see how military peddles influence to gain capital, war as an extension of business and how business impacts war and national security. It also highlights the creep that is so many different organizations in our lives. This is a comic that can be enjoyed for the action but will leave you pondering the morals of it all.

Through the more weighty aspects of it all, Ackerman and Narcisse mix in a fun amount of characters that take Jim Lee’s Wildstorm creations from Image and blends them seamlessly with DC’s established characters. It all makes Lois Lane talking to Battalion or Deathstroke hanging out with Grifter seem like comic history… and history we want to see more of. Much like John Ridley’s Other Side of the DC Universe and recent GCPD: The Blue Wall, this is a warts and all look at our world through iconic characters while still entertaining.

Jesús Merino handles the art and delivers a style that feels bit like Stormwatch’s looks of old mix a little with a more traditional DC style. Along with Vincente Cifuentes on ink, Mike Atiyeh on color, and Dave Sharpe on lettering the comic’s look has a mature sense about it as well. There’s horrors throughout, some seen, some not, that hint at the corruption and taint of what Waller has sewn. At the same time, a discussion at a table between Lois Lane and Battalion is exciting in itself, full of tension and emotion. It’s a comic whose story and visuals feels like there’s a heavy weight to them all.

Waller vs. Wildstorm #1 is a solid debut that has us excited to read more. We sadly will have to wait for the second issue, but what has been shown so far makes us not just want that but this entire concept expanded upon. The comic entertains while also exploring our very complicated and dark reality.

Story: Spencer Ackerman, Evan Narcisse Art: Jesús Merino
Ink: Vicente Cifuentes Color: Mike Atiyeh Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Story: 9.0 Art: 8.4 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle