Comic Review: The Silencer #8

The Silencer #8

DC Comics

Writer: Dan Abnett

Artist: Patch Zircher

We’re just about one story arc in for most of DC’s New Age of Heroes characters. I’ve followed most of them so far, and in my opinion, The Silencer is at the top of the pack. She’s easily my favorite of the bunch, that’s for sure.

The Silencer #8 starts off with a happy day for the Guest family, who are enjoying their vacation. But, unknown to her husband and son, The Silencer is there to prevent Talia Al Ghul from being resurrected. Getting away from her family, she gets the information she needs, unaware of the presence of Quietus, another Leviathan leader. Before either can cross the border, they run into each other and a fight breaks out.

If I’m being honest, I thought after #7 we’d be following a formula for this series. The Silencer sneaks away from her family, fights someone, comes back and acts normal. Instead, this issue throws a curveball that I didn’t see coming. It turns out there’s actually a reason why The Silencer and Quietus are in the same place: magic! Someone is pulling their strings in the underworld civil war that’s happening. Personally, I like it. I think it’ll keep the story fresh, and gives the story a new direction to go in.

There’s one line that stands out to me, that I really enjoy. When Honor Guest (the Silencer) is leaving her family for the second time, her husband mutters something under his breath. It’s been weird that she disappears, coming back with cuts and bruises, and he remains oblivious… I think at some point he’ll have to find out, and I think this could be the start of that.

The art is good in this. For the different artists we’ve seen, I think they’ve kept it a pretty consistent looking style. Pat Zircher’s art is a little more dynamic looking. The fights and actions are well defined, and look good. I might just be blind to it, but I think the use of shadows stood out to me a little more this issue than any other. But it’s not a bad thing, just a thought I had. My small nitpick is about the husband’s face. He looks a little off to me in most panels. For riding roller coasters and being in a superhero theme park he doesn’t look like he’s enjoying it.

I think this is another solid issue of The Silencer. Right when I was thinking that we’d fall into a formula, they give us a twist to keep it interesting. I like the art here, and I like the new magic angle that’s at play now in the story. I don’t know how long her husband will stay oblivious to her double life, but it seems like that’ll change. If you’re not on The Silencer train, I would highly recommend you change that.