“Suicide Isn’t Painless”

Writer: Frank Tieri
Pencils: Marat Mychaels
Inks: Dave Beaty
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters: Taylor Esposito
Editor: Rickey Purdin
Cover: Scott Clark

(No Spoilers)

With Liefeld’s influence gone, Frank Tieri is able to steer this book on a course even if it’s scheduled to sink with next month’s cancellation. But I was hoping for a strong finish for the series and everything seemed to be improved with this issue. Tieri has done his best to string together the mess this series has been so far and even Maraty Mychaels’ art seemed to be improved as well.

This book has been all over the place since Liefeld took over. I always had a feeling that most of the books missteps were due to his influence and this issue proves it. Frank Tieri takes over solo writing duty here and it shows. For once there was a clear narrative to the story and I liked the “Then” and “Now” structure he laid out. It gives us a nice peak into Amanda Waller’s history post-Team 7. It also shows that because of her position in the government, she has her hands in many different aspects of the DCU. This includes information on her former Team 7 teammate, Grifter.

The ironic thing is Grifter has been put through the wringer in his title, both in the real world and in the comic world. In the real world he’s been the victim of bad editorial decisions which led the title having no established foundation. In the comic world, Grifter has been jerked around and lied to by just about every person he’s encountered. It has led to some confusion in-story but with the revelation Tieri gives in this issue, it shows why Grifter as a character has been so screwed-up.

I’m actually excited to see how Tieri ties is all up. I learned recently that #15 was originally going to be the last issue. But thankfully, someone in DC’s offices had mercy and allowed next month’s issue to give the title a proper ending. For the first time in months, I’m excited for the next issue of Grifter, even if it’s the last.

7 out of 10 (Above Average)