Secret Six #30

I've been wanting to jump onto the Secret Six train for some time.  I know all about the wonderful writing of Gail Simone, and for all the villain-centric books that both DC and Marvel, this is the title that people consistently laud as a must-read.   Unfortunately, the book's popularity means that my comic shoppe is almost always running out of back-issues of Secret Six, leaving me searching for a decent point to jump on.  With Secret Six #30, I decided the start of a new story-arc was good enough place to start.  Little did I know how good this issue would be... 
  
A slacker named Eric has inherited a fortune and a half from his now deceased grandfather.  As he quickly eases into the criminal lifestyle, his first order of business is to hire the Secret Six and send them to the Doom Patrol's turf on Oolong Island to procure it for his own criminal headquarters.  Ridiculous antics ensue in a book that is just too much fun for its own good. 

I wish to mate... 

Gail Simone knows how to write.  Period.  If you've read anything by her, you probably know this.  This issue is full of ridiculous gags that are written so spot on, you have no choice but to be sucked into the swirling whirlpool of frothing silliness.  Bane attempts to ask out a stripper, Elasti-Girl gets her leg bitten off by King Shark, King Shark subsequently attempts to swallow Robotman, and all of it is played to amazing effectiveness for both laughs and action.  This is honestly one of the few comics where I both laughed out loud, and was completely enthralled by all the frenetic action. 
 
Although a book that is written this well doesn't necessarily HAVE to have a great art team behind it, Jim Calafiore and John Kalisz do an admirable job.  The punchy cartoony style fits the book really well and although there are a tons of costumed characters in here, they're all portrayed pretty admirably.   

BLUE BLAZES! 

If I had to put down anything about this book, it'd be that it's not very accessible.  Sure, you can easily go along with it and enjoy yourself, but seeing as we're dealing with two obscure super teams, neither are introduced too well inside this book.  It's not going to be an issue if you're following the series, but despite this being the start of a new story-arc, it's less than friendly to newcomers.  It also looks like it's going to be a story that pulls in multiple series to follow, which is never fun. 
 
Despite the fact that you're going to have to work to stay on this book's story-arc, it's totally worth it.  This is an amazingly entertaining story that is just too much fun.  It might not be the best place to start if you want to get into Secret Six, but it easily demonstrates why this series is the toast of comic town. 
 
Secret Six #30 gets an emphatic 4 out of 5 stars.