Task Force Z has been full of twists and turns. The comic has elevated it’s rather silly concept of a Suicide Squad but zombies into something far more. The series has been a hell of a lot of fun and an emotional ride with lots of surprises and lots of fantastic use of its horror roots. It’s one of the best surprises of 2022. Task Force Z #11 is a fine example of exactly that. The issue takes all of that and mixes it into a packed issue that’ll make you squirm, enjoy some action, laugh at some moments, and appreciate the entire package of a comic.

Written by Matthew Rosenberg, everything feels like it’s coming undone. Jason Todd is pissed at his new boss Harvey Dent who has been less than honest about Task Force Z and what he has known. The latest lie involves “Bane” who isn’t actually Bane but Gotham, brought back from the dead and implanted with memories of Bane. So, it’s a Bane who can fly. Or is it a roided out Gotham? It doesn’t matter, it’s an insane concept that works so well for a series that bathes itself in B-movie clichés and Sunday afternoon schlock horror.

With a return of Gotham, who else are we going to get? That’d spoil the issue which has Jason pissed and on the warpath. That’s pretty much him through most of the series. There’s also Mr. Bloom, a character that Rosenberg has elevated to new heights in entertainment. What started as an interesting villain so long ago has turned into a top-tier one manipulating the best and doing so with a deliver that’s fun and off-the-wall. A villain you want to see what he’s going to say and do.

The art by Eddy Barrows continues to impress. With ink by Eber Ferreira, color by Adriano Lucas, and lettering by Rob Leigh, the comic does an amazing job of balancing its superhero and horror roots. It draws a fine line between the two mixing them up and delivering a style that works so well. The team also loves its B-movie horror aspect of it all. Small details add so much to the comic like vials hidden around or tubes full of strange liquid, straight out of a mad scientist’s office. But, when it’s time for action, the comic keeps its style but delivers the punches and bullets with flair. The style is so perfect for what’s being crafted and I’m not sure where else it might work, if it even could.

Task Force Z #11 is another amazing issue. The twists and turns have been coming fast and the issue is punctuated with humorous moments that cut through its twisted story. It’s a series that more should be reading and see what an underrated gem it is.

Story: Matthew Rosenberg Art: Eddy Barrows
Ink: Eber Ferreira Color: Adriano Lucas Letterer: Rob Leigh
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle

I feel like I’ve said it with every review by Task Force Z shouldn’t be this good. A series about “zombie” versions of villains brought back to life for a new type of Suicide Squad sounds like such a silly concept. But, it works. It works really well. Led by Jason Todd, the characters in the series have been all over in being b-list, c-list, and d-list, but they’ve all brought a sense of fun. Task Force Z #10 is an interesting issue as the curtain is pulled back to reveal a hell of a lot of secrets including the secret of Bane and one major character reveal beyond that.

Written by Matthew Rosenberg, the series as a whole has done a fantastic balance of mixing horror and the superhero genre. It’s found a balance in the plots, characters, details, and look of the series. This issue is a prime example as wild experiments are performed, the dead rise, brains transferred… it’s a lot to take in. Add in Mr. Bloom attacking and you have an issue packed with what has made this a really fun series.

The biggest thing are those reveals. What Mr. Bloom has been up to and how he did it are explained. The exact why and what is the goal is still a little out there but the issue has a mad scientist vibe about it all. It’s wildly fun and feels like a perfect B-movie to watch on a Sunday afternoon. It even has a host in a costume in a way with Mr. Bloom who takes center stage with the issue.

The art by Eddy Barrows helps it all. With color by Adriano Lucas, ink by Eber Ferreira, and lettering by Rob Leigh, the art does a fine balance. It’d be very easy for the series to lean heavily into its horror aspects making the characters and settings themselves such a part of the story. Instead, the comic has bodies that are clearly rotting and falling apart, hints as to what’s going on, but a solid superhero base to it all. The comic has a color/look that feels a bit like classic horror comics but the settings and characters keep their superhero roots. It’s impressive work and fun to see these corrupted characters and the small details added to make them that way.

Task Force Z #10 is an issue readers have been waiting for. It’s full of reveals and answers some questions. The end is definitely unexpected and a bit of a surprise. For those that have been reading up to this point, this one’s a hell of a lot of fun. For those missing out on the series, it’s one you’ll want to go back and read from the beginning.

Story: Matthew Rosenberg Art: Eddy Barrows
Inks: Eber Ferreira Color: Adriano Lucas Letterer: Rob Leigh
Story: 8.4 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: TFAW – Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle