Grimlock ♥ Ultra Magnus

For some reason, I thought this was three issues instead of three, so I was thrown into the middle of the story.   To the credit of both writers, I never felt truly lost, and I had a whole lot of fun, despite my own boneheaded buying decision.  

This is also going to be a short, possibly incoherent review.   (I've been working two shifts at six in the morning, which I'm not used to, and in addition, I wasn't able to sleep until around two yesterday night for some reason.  I'm feeling not as with it as usual; I don't function really well without sleep.   I didn't have coffee, although I did get hot chocolate this morning, but that doesn't hit me as hard.  I think the coffee threw me for a loop and wouldn't let me sleep.   And yes, it can stay in my system and mess me up for a day or so.  I have really, really strong reactions to all prescribed drugs, over the counter drugs, and caffeine.   I always have had those strong reactions.)

I just didn't have as much fun as I had at the beginning: the strong political stories were there, but felt less obviously overt.   I think adding Oracle to the storyline was brilliant, but it also felt like the politics was more heavily balanced with the characters than before.  I suspect it was Oracle, but I haven't read much of the in between parts - like the parts that aren't that Deadshot heavy.   I may have read too much in too short a time and just burned myself out, or maybe I just do have a thing for a couple characters - Deadshot in the old Squad, and Deadshot, Harley and Croc in the new ones - and get disinterested when they're not around.  Whatever the reason, missing those issues means that new structure may have been introduced before Oracle was.  I'm skeptical about that, though: she's a huge change, and a lot of it has to do with her specifically.   The way she impressed Waller, how she interacts with the group...

That being said, I liked it, I just missed the spark I felt with the older issues.   And as shallow as it sounds, part of it has to do with the costumes.   While I've argued that old school Marvel was more about characters who were human and DC was more of an archetype - while still allowing for unique, fully formed characters - I am more attracted to comics with costumes.   Marvel, DC, whatever.   It makes them feel iconic, and even when they're being all too human, it makes them feel larger than life.   Even when they're downright villainous, it makes them feel like they're looming above you, and I like that sense.  

It's shallower, I think, than some of my other concerns, but it's not completely shallow.   Comics tend to use costumes for a reason.   It's bright, it's fun, and beyond that, they're symbols.   (Of course, I'm writing this after talking to Tigus about what happens with Deadshot later.   And there is something special in these conversations: normally, I get super annoyed with spoilers.   Tigus, however, has the magic touch.   She hits everything that I want to know, without spoiling big reveals, and I find myself reinvigorated with enthusiasm for whatever it is we're talking about.   Seriously, when I said it was Tigus earlier, in a comment-conversation, I was going, 'or it's a one-time thing,' and then I just now realized it keeps happening - and I keep liking it.   So definitely magic touch.   And this is related to this book because this is where I keep getting the Squad suggestions and ideas from, so there you go.)

This idea comes into play later, particularly the symbolic issues with Deadshot.   I wouldn't call this my all time favorite Squad story - but it's up there.   I enjoyed it more than the Enchantress - and her brother - storyline, although that one is pretty popular from what I gather.