Comic Review: The Silencer (2018-) #16

The Silencer #16

DC Comics

Writer: Dan Abnett

Artist: V. Ken Marion

The Silencer is my favorite of DC’s New Age of Heroes characters. Sadly, it’s going to follow in the footsteps of most of the other New Age of Heroes comics. That’s right, The Silencer only has two more issues and then the series will be over. But before we all start cutting onions together about it, there’s still this issue (and two more) to read.

In case you’re not up to date, Honor Guest is once more working for Talia Al Ghul. She’s made a deal with Talia to officially be the Silencer, in exchange for her family’s safety. Honor Guest learns that her power comes from genetic modification, done by Ra’s Al Ghul. She’s been sent to destroy other “experiments”, but one of them escapes. In this issue, Honor’s “sister” is on the run, and is out to take Honor’s family from her. At the same time, the Silencer has to hide that her memory wipe didn’t work from a suspicious Talia.

Most of that’s from the previous couple issues. Issue #6 is more straightforward. The bulk of this issue is the Silencer chasing Smoke, her “sister” that’s going after her family. In the best way I can put it, this issue kicks ass. The first half is just a really cool fight/chase between the Silencer and Smoke. And it’s great, I can’t stress that enough. I’ve read some comics with art by V. Ken Marion, but boy did the stuff in this issue really get my attention. I also really like the colors by Mike Spencer, some of the backgrounds and foreground colors contrast nicely.

The Silencer’s husband is learning his wife is a former assassin. Meanwhile, Honor is trying to hide that she remembers her family from Talia. With Smoke going after the Silencer’s family, it’s inevitable that it’s all going to collide. I think the catalyst for why everything is happening is a bit flimsy, but I like that it’s all coming together. Smoke just kind of wants Honor’s life, and is a bit crazy from being experimented on. I mean, I still think it’s flimsy, but I like that it makes everything else more straightforward.

This is a really good issue. It’s setting up for the ending of the series, and it’s looking like it won’t be a cliffhanger or anything like that. The motivation behind the villain is a little weak, but it’s nothing that I can’t look past. Especially since it’s bringing the A and B plots together. On top of that this issue has some of the better art in this series. I wish this series wasn’t ending, but it is, and this issue is a good step in that direction.