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The Silencer #1-6
The Silencer, Vol. 1: Code of Honor
She's known as the Silencer, and for years she used her deadly skills and sound-dampening abilities to keep the criminal organization Leviathan in check as Talia al Ghul's personal assassin. Six years ago she thought she'd accomplished the impossible--she got out. She took on a new identity as Honor Guest, got married, had a kid. It was bliss.
But bliss never lasts. A power struggle within Leviathan has removed Talia from command, and the new leaders aren't as willing to simply let Honor walk away. Now, to protect the family that means everything to her, she has to go back to the life she swore she was done with.
The underworld had better watch out. The Silencer is back, and she knows what needs to be done to keep her family safe...and there's no one better or deadlier at what she does! Collects The Silencer #1-6.
But bliss never lasts. A power struggle within Leviathan has removed Talia from command, and the new leaders aren't as willing to simply let Honor walk away. Now, to protect the family that means everything to her, she has to go back to the life she swore she was done with.
The underworld had better watch out. The Silencer is back, and she knows what needs to be done to keep her family safe...and there's no one better or deadlier at what she does! Collects The Silencer #1-6.
144 pages, Paperback
First published October 2, 2018
3 people are currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
November 6, 2018
Well, at least they didn't steal from Marvel this time. Instead it's John Wick plucked up and put down in the DC universe with Leviathan from Grant Morrison's Batman run filling in for the secret society of assassins from the film. Honor Guest was out before they pulled her back in. Now she'll do what it takes to protect her family.
This wasn't bad and gets much better once Viktor Bogdanovic comes in and pencils the last 3 issues. He tweaks Silencer's costume so it doesn't look so generic and ridiculous. John Romita Jr's designs on this book are super cheesy. His art has this over the top, 90's feel to it in the worst way. The villains are even dumber with names like Bloodvessel, Breacher, and Killbox.
Received a review copy from DC and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
This wasn't bad and gets much better once Viktor Bogdanovic comes in and pencils the last 3 issues. He tweaks Silencer's costume so it doesn't look so generic and ridiculous. John Romita Jr's designs on this book are super cheesy. His art has this over the top, 90's feel to it in the worst way. The villains are even dumber with names like Bloodvessel, Breacher, and Killbox.
Received a review copy from DC and NetGalley. All thoughts are my own and in no way influenced by the aforementioned.
July 5, 2018
So this is John Wick with a Black Female lead. I'm very very very much okay with that.
So what's it about? Silencer (Honor) is wanting to live a normal life. She's got a kid, a husband, living in a nice house, just relaxing. It is the way most people want to live their life. However, that shit is going to stay that way. Killers begin to come after her, and when Leviathan comes into play shit gets more intense. So basically a bunch of killers hunting down Honor. Which is basically John Wick. Which is super fun. So...yeah!
Good: The action is pretty brutal and fucked up. People get murdered in messed up ways for sure. Silencer is a pretty interesting character and her powers are cool. The art ranges from great to okay. But when it's great (mostly action scenes) it's good. Also enjoyed the family Dynamic.
Bad: Some of the storyline is messy and feels like a sequel in ways but it's not...you just need to know Leviathan background as a organization. I also thought the art sometimes was pretty meh.
This was pretty fun. I'd probably put it at a 3.5. Enjoyable entry for the "New Age Heroes" for DC.
So what's it about? Silencer (Honor) is wanting to live a normal life. She's got a kid, a husband, living in a nice house, just relaxing. It is the way most people want to live their life. However, that shit is going to stay that way. Killers begin to come after her, and when Leviathan comes into play shit gets more intense. So basically a bunch of killers hunting down Honor. Which is basically John Wick. Which is super fun. So...yeah!
Good: The action is pretty brutal and fucked up. People get murdered in messed up ways for sure. Silencer is a pretty interesting character and her powers are cool. The art ranges from great to okay. But when it's great (mostly action scenes) it's good. Also enjoyed the family Dynamic.
Bad: Some of the storyline is messy and feels like a sequel in ways but it's not...you just need to know Leviathan background as a organization. I also thought the art sometimes was pretty meh.
This was pretty fun. I'd probably put it at a 3.5. Enjoyable entry for the "New Age Heroes" for DC.
August 1, 2018
3.5 stars.
With characters named "Killbox" and "Bloodvessel" and over-the-top violence, Silencer reminds me of the early 90s when everything in comics was EXTREME.
The story wasn't bad, either. In fact, this was almost a full 4 star read but then something really, really, really stupid happened that took me right out of the story (possible spoilers ahead): There is a scene where Silencer gets into a huge gunfight in a diner. Her three year old son (who doesn't know she is a badass killer) is with her. She puts him behind an overturned table, and that is supposed to make him not be able to see this MASSIVE war going on in this tiny diner. On top of that, she uses her powers to put him in a bubble of silence so he doesn't hear anything. So, not only can he not see this war going on right in front of him, but he is also completely unconcerned that he is now 100% deaf. Lazy writing at its worst.
With characters named "Killbox" and "Bloodvessel" and over-the-top violence, Silencer reminds me of the early 90s when everything in comics was EXTREME.
The story wasn't bad, either. In fact, this was almost a full 4 star read but then something really, really, really stupid happened that took me right out of the story (possible spoilers ahead): There is a scene where Silencer gets into a huge gunfight in a diner. Her three year old son (who doesn't know she is a badass killer) is with her. She puts him behind an overturned table, and that is supposed to make him not be able to see this MASSIVE war going on in this tiny diner. On top of that, she uses her powers to put him in a bubble of silence so he doesn't hear anything. So, not only can he not see this war going on right in front of him, but he is also completely unconcerned that he is now 100% deaf. Lazy writing at its worst.
June 28, 2018
John Wick DC style.
World: The art is pretty fantastic. From Romita Jr. (which I know on purpose reminded us of Kick Ass) and Bogdanovic (which reminds us of Greg Capullo) the art is beautiful. The sense of action the framing the character designs are all great and it's a great book to look at. The world building is also pretty solid, it's John Wick DC style and I am not kidding. There is the neutral zone, there are here cleaners, there is the woman wanting out of that life it's all here. Using Leviathan was a great tie into the DC world and made for it to be so much more (if you can tie it to Morrison that's always great. The cameos were also very solid.
Story: John Wick DC this is the story, with a little bit of Michael Douglas 'Falling Down' and the infinite number of books about a killer trying to protect a child. It's no overly creative, the love for John Wick is apparent and it's a fun fun read. I want more.
Characters: Honor is a good John Wick analog and that's all I need to say about the character, there is the added bonus of letting us know about her past and her present which makes her more relatable and we have a good protagonist. The villains in this are also well done and fall into tropes and norms and allows for readers just to enjoy the ride. The main villain was a great choice.
I liked it a lot. It's a good book and enjoyable. I want this book to succeed.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
World: The art is pretty fantastic. From Romita Jr. (which I know on purpose reminded us of Kick Ass) and Bogdanovic (which reminds us of Greg Capullo) the art is beautiful. The sense of action the framing the character designs are all great and it's a great book to look at. The world building is also pretty solid, it's John Wick DC style and I am not kidding. There is the neutral zone, there are here cleaners, there is the woman wanting out of that life it's all here. Using Leviathan was a great tie into the DC world and made for it to be so much more (if you can tie it to Morrison that's always great. The cameos were also very solid.
Story: John Wick DC this is the story, with a little bit of Michael Douglas 'Falling Down' and the infinite number of books about a killer trying to protect a child. It's no overly creative, the love for John Wick is apparent and it's a fun fun read. I want more.
Characters: Honor is a good John Wick analog and that's all I need to say about the character, there is the added bonus of letting us know about her past and her present which makes her more relatable and we have a good protagonist. The villains in this are also well done and fall into tropes and norms and allows for readers just to enjoy the ride. The main villain was a great choice.
I liked it a lot. It's a good book and enjoyable. I want this book to succeed.
Onward to the next book!
*read individual issues*
October 21, 2018
You can find my review on my blog by clicking here.
As part of DC Comics’ New Age of Heroes following the events of Dark Nights: Metal, whole new and old heroes surge out of into the world and seek to establish themselves as heroes, whether they want to or not. Out of the eight series that were announced so far, two have already been cancelled after their first story arcs (The Unexpected and The Immortal Men), leaving fans wondering if a future for these new characters and teams of heroes is even possible. The initiative still brings in a current of fresh air by establishing these series as an artist-centric project where writers come second. The real question however lies in the originality of these new heroes and in the efforts put into these initial story arcs to hook readers. Only time can tell.
Who is the Silencer? Essentially, she’s a retired hitwoman who goes by the name of Honor Guest and who lives a peaceful life with a husband and a child. Having left the criminal organization known as Leviathan where she worked alongside Talia al Ghul and where she learned to harness her deadly gunslinging skills, but also her special sound-dampening ability, she finds herself dragged back into the web of criminal activities that was once the core of her life. It is especially troublesome when she is the key to the current power struggle within the organization and that her past simply doesn’t wish to leave her alone despite Talia al Ghul’s warning that no one ever truly got out of the organization forever.
The premise behind this new character’s story is nothing new, but never gets old. How the past always finds ways to sneak back into your life and ruin any assurance of bliss established for the future is a situation that many can relate to, and some deeply fear. But how does The Silencer fair in this debut series under the hands of Dan Abnett, John Romita Jr. and Viktor Bogdanovic? The addition of a peculiar ability to create a bubble around things to eliminate sound does make this character quite interesting, but something about it still seems too underwhelming in the grand scheme of things. Throughout the story, she does make wise use of it, both as Honor Guest and as the Silencer. But her tendency to wreak havoc with her guns is where the focus is mostly at since she brings a level of sheer violence and high corpse tally like no other character before. As her brutality remains the center of attention throughout the action sequences, I did find that her dialogues while fighting a bit too odd in the sense that no one would talk to themselves like the way she does while dealing out so much violence.
Collecting issues #1-6, the artwork is also split in two with the first three issues done by John Romita Jr. and the second half being passed on to Viktor Bogdanovic. I have personally never been a fan of John Romita Jr. even if his reputation precedes him as a legend in the comic book industry. His character designs are truly hard to appreciate as they often have really unconvincing and uncharacteristic facial structures. The colour scheme however felt very psychedelic at times, exhibiting a very surreal experience riddled with violence and bloodshed. Viktor Bogdanovic’s style was a lot more appropriate for the story arc to my taste, and very reminiscent of Greg Cappullo’s style. The panel structures were also much more abstract and irregular, giving the story a very different flow and quality.
Impregnated with violence but also a desire for peace for her family, the Silencer turns out to be a violent and intriguing addition to the DC Universe and easily blends herself into the lore with the appearance of several well-established villains to get fans talking. What she plans on doing next to get what she desires deeply, that is to keep her dear family away from her past, will have to be the sales pitch that future arcs will have to play on to convince readers in the sustainability of this DC Comics series.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
____________________________
Better than Damage in terms of originality and execution, but still has ways to go before it becomes truly decent. Wasn't, and probably will never truly be, a fan of Romita Jr.'s artwork. I was truly glad when it changed to Viktor Bogdanovic for the second half. Also found some moments truly off and impossible to believe.
P.S. Full review to come.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
As part of DC Comics’ New Age of Heroes following the events of Dark Nights: Metal, whole new and old heroes surge out of into the world and seek to establish themselves as heroes, whether they want to or not. Out of the eight series that were announced so far, two have already been cancelled after their first story arcs (The Unexpected and The Immortal Men), leaving fans wondering if a future for these new characters and teams of heroes is even possible. The initiative still brings in a current of fresh air by establishing these series as an artist-centric project where writers come second. The real question however lies in the originality of these new heroes and in the efforts put into these initial story arcs to hook readers. Only time can tell.
Who is the Silencer? Essentially, she’s a retired hitwoman who goes by the name of Honor Guest and who lives a peaceful life with a husband and a child. Having left the criminal organization known as Leviathan where she worked alongside Talia al Ghul and where she learned to harness her deadly gunslinging skills, but also her special sound-dampening ability, she finds herself dragged back into the web of criminal activities that was once the core of her life. It is especially troublesome when she is the key to the current power struggle within the organization and that her past simply doesn’t wish to leave her alone despite Talia al Ghul’s warning that no one ever truly got out of the organization forever.
The premise behind this new character’s story is nothing new, but never gets old. How the past always finds ways to sneak back into your life and ruin any assurance of bliss established for the future is a situation that many can relate to, and some deeply fear. But how does The Silencer fair in this debut series under the hands of Dan Abnett, John Romita Jr. and Viktor Bogdanovic? The addition of a peculiar ability to create a bubble around things to eliminate sound does make this character quite interesting, but something about it still seems too underwhelming in the grand scheme of things. Throughout the story, she does make wise use of it, both as Honor Guest and as the Silencer. But her tendency to wreak havoc with her guns is where the focus is mostly at since she brings a level of sheer violence and high corpse tally like no other character before. As her brutality remains the center of attention throughout the action sequences, I did find that her dialogues while fighting a bit too odd in the sense that no one would talk to themselves like the way she does while dealing out so much violence.
Collecting issues #1-6, the artwork is also split in two with the first three issues done by John Romita Jr. and the second half being passed on to Viktor Bogdanovic. I have personally never been a fan of John Romita Jr. even if his reputation precedes him as a legend in the comic book industry. His character designs are truly hard to appreciate as they often have really unconvincing and uncharacteristic facial structures. The colour scheme however felt very psychedelic at times, exhibiting a very surreal experience riddled with violence and bloodshed. Viktor Bogdanovic’s style was a lot more appropriate for the story arc to my taste, and very reminiscent of Greg Cappullo’s style. The panel structures were also much more abstract and irregular, giving the story a very different flow and quality.
Impregnated with violence but also a desire for peace for her family, the Silencer turns out to be a violent and intriguing addition to the DC Universe and easily blends herself into the lore with the appearance of several well-established villains to get fans talking. What she plans on doing next to get what she desires deeply, that is to keep her dear family away from her past, will have to be the sales pitch that future arcs will have to play on to convince readers in the sustainability of this DC Comics series.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
____________________________
Better than Damage in terms of originality and execution, but still has ways to go before it becomes truly decent. Wasn't, and probably will never truly be, a fan of Romita Jr.'s artwork. I was truly glad when it changed to Viktor Bogdanovic for the second half. Also found some moments truly off and impossible to believe.
P.S. Full review to come.
Yours truly,
Lashaan | Blogger and Book Reviewer
Official blog: https://bookidote.com/
January 12, 2019
I was really excited to read this first volume of DC Comics new superhero, The Silencer. The buzz and word of mouth all pointed to this book being one of the best titles in the New Age of heroes initiative for DC Comics. It is definitely the book next to Damage was the best seller among the other new heroes. The New Age of Heroes was suppose to usher in a new era of focus on the art more than the writer but it has not been financially successful. Which is so sad because as a longtime comicbook reader of love reading about new heroes and villains. Dan Abnett has been doing an awesome job on the Aquaman series. His writing here is really fantastic. John Romita Jr. on art in the first issues is not bad but I felt like Viktor Bogdanovic's art fit the book better. I am still not a fan of Silencer's costume but hopefully an artist in the future can improve it. Where the book really shines is the story and it has some really great action. The plot feels like a mixture between a "Long Kiss Goodnight" and "John Wick" . I really enjoyed this volume and can't wait to read volume 2.
April 30, 2019
I preferred the art in the latter 3 issues. Just felt a little cleaner. The story itself had tbat assassin building a family living the quiet life but then gets brought back in. The action was cool at times. Thr protaginist has a female John Wick vibe. Good solid comic but at times just not amazing to go 5 stars.
March 29, 2022
[I read all 18 issues (+ 1 annual) for this series in quick succession, so here's a review for everything at once)]
Born with the ability to negate all sound around her, Honor Guest is The Silencer - once an assassin for Leviathan, and now a proud wife and mother. But one doesn't just leave that life behind, and when Talia Al Ghul tries to drag Honor back into the world of criminals and murderers, Honor will do everything she can to finally win her freedom - even if it means bringing down Leviathan once and for all.
Of all the New Age Of Heroes books that I've read recently, this is the one I wish I'd read when it was initially coming out - it's very good from beginning to end, and manages to reinvent itself twice along the way.
First we start off with Honor trying to keep her family safe while Leviathan tries to burn down her life. This status quo lasts for the first six issues, which was about five more than I expected it to, and Honor manages to keep her secret in some fun and surprising ways. There's also a really awesome set-piece involving a tank and a battle with Deathstroke that had me laughing at the sheer comic book insanity of it all. The idea of a homemaker killing people literally two feet away from her child is just the right kind of hilarious.
Then we progress into Honor trying to get her revenge, again while keeping her husband and child in the dark. The fact that she manages to fight assassins on a plane, endure a body swap (everyone loves a body swap) and stop a kaiju attack in knock-off Disney Land without blowing her cover is just mental, and I loved every second of it. The fact that it all culminates in a Leviathan civil war which somehow also manages to fit the series' tone is just icing on the cake. Honor's such a grounded character, but she keeps finding herself in such amazing and insane situations, the juxtaposition is just pure comics.
And then the final six issues once again put Honor at Leviathan's mercy, but a trip to destroy some genetic material introduces Honor to a homocidal sister she never knew she had, as well as the truth behind her own origins. I was worried that these last few issues would be weaker given how the first trade cliffhangered, but it surprised me after only two issues by again turning everything on its head. The book then powers towards a fitting conclusion, including a quieter final issue that serves as a nice parallel to the way the series opened.
A highlight of this run is the relationship between Honor and Talia, which also goes through phases, and goes to show just how complex and manipulative Talia can be. She doesn't usually get much chance to shine outside of Batman books, and yet her interplay and double crossing is really interesting here, as are the ways she manipulates Leviathan as well as Honor herself.
Honor's family are also surprisingly good supporting characters - Abnett manages to write a child who is equal parts adorable and observant, and manages not to be annoying, while Honor's husband is loving and concerned but never falls into that 'dumb because the plot needs him to be dumb and not as questions' trap.
The artwork is also surprisingly solid all the way through. John Romita Jr. pencils the first three issues in some of his best DC work since All-Star Batman (even if he does make Honor's son look like a bobblehead), before handing the baton over to Viktor Bogandovic (or Greg Capullo lite) after three issues. Bogandovic is a favourite of mine as well, and I thought he'd be the best artist assigned to the book before Patch Zircher took the reigns after him. He and Jack Herbert double-team most of the second volume, and the pair are almost indistinguishable - they've worked together on books before so they're a good tagteam to have. Herbert draws the entirety of the annual, as well. Then the last six issues are covered by V. Ken Marion, who sometimes has a few perspective/anatomy issues but is otherwise quite solid, even if he's not as flashy as those that came before him.
The Silencer isn't the kind of book I'd usually read, but under Dan Abnett's careful pen Honor Guest becomes a character that I'd follow in a heartbeat. Her adventures are barmy, but she handles them with a professionalism and dedication to her family that made me smile all the way through. With some lovely art throughout and a look at the inner workings of Leviathan that even Brian Bendis should be jealous of, Silencer's a silent but deadly entry into the New Age Of Heroes that everyone should take a second to check out.
Born with the ability to negate all sound around her, Honor Guest is The Silencer - once an assassin for Leviathan, and now a proud wife and mother. But one doesn't just leave that life behind, and when Talia Al Ghul tries to drag Honor back into the world of criminals and murderers, Honor will do everything she can to finally win her freedom - even if it means bringing down Leviathan once and for all.
Of all the New Age Of Heroes books that I've read recently, this is the one I wish I'd read when it was initially coming out - it's very good from beginning to end, and manages to reinvent itself twice along the way.
First we start off with Honor trying to keep her family safe while Leviathan tries to burn down her life. This status quo lasts for the first six issues, which was about five more than I expected it to, and Honor manages to keep her secret in some fun and surprising ways. There's also a really awesome set-piece involving a tank and a battle with Deathstroke that had me laughing at the sheer comic book insanity of it all. The idea of a homemaker killing people literally two feet away from her child is just the right kind of hilarious.
Then we progress into Honor trying to get her revenge, again while keeping her husband and child in the dark. The fact that she manages to fight assassins on a plane, endure a body swap (everyone loves a body swap) and stop a kaiju attack in knock-off Disney Land without blowing her cover is just mental, and I loved every second of it. The fact that it all culminates in a Leviathan civil war which somehow also manages to fit the series' tone is just icing on the cake. Honor's such a grounded character, but she keeps finding herself in such amazing and insane situations, the juxtaposition is just pure comics.
And then the final six issues once again put Honor at Leviathan's mercy, but a trip to destroy some genetic material introduces Honor to a homocidal sister she never knew she had, as well as the truth behind her own origins. I was worried that these last few issues would be weaker given how the first trade cliffhangered, but it surprised me after only two issues by again turning everything on its head. The book then powers towards a fitting conclusion, including a quieter final issue that serves as a nice parallel to the way the series opened.
A highlight of this run is the relationship between Honor and Talia, which also goes through phases, and goes to show just how complex and manipulative Talia can be. She doesn't usually get much chance to shine outside of Batman books, and yet her interplay and double crossing is really interesting here, as are the ways she manipulates Leviathan as well as Honor herself.
Honor's family are also surprisingly good supporting characters - Abnett manages to write a child who is equal parts adorable and observant, and manages not to be annoying, while Honor's husband is loving and concerned but never falls into that 'dumb because the plot needs him to be dumb and not as questions' trap.
The artwork is also surprisingly solid all the way through. John Romita Jr. pencils the first three issues in some of his best DC work since All-Star Batman (even if he does make Honor's son look like a bobblehead), before handing the baton over to Viktor Bogandovic (or Greg Capullo lite) after three issues. Bogandovic is a favourite of mine as well, and I thought he'd be the best artist assigned to the book before Patch Zircher took the reigns after him. He and Jack Herbert double-team most of the second volume, and the pair are almost indistinguishable - they've worked together on books before so they're a good tagteam to have. Herbert draws the entirety of the annual, as well. Then the last six issues are covered by V. Ken Marion, who sometimes has a few perspective/anatomy issues but is otherwise quite solid, even if he's not as flashy as those that came before him.
The Silencer isn't the kind of book I'd usually read, but under Dan Abnett's careful pen Honor Guest becomes a character that I'd follow in a heartbeat. Her adventures are barmy, but she handles them with a professionalism and dedication to her family that made me smile all the way through. With some lovely art throughout and a look at the inner workings of Leviathan that even Brian Bendis should be jealous of, Silencer's a silent but deadly entry into the New Age Of Heroes that everyone should take a second to check out.
August 7, 2024
The premise at the beginning hooked me right in. It’s good but nothing spectacular. Feels like a PG-13 version of something Mark Millar would write. I’ll check out the next volume but I’m not sure the quality will last.
September 18, 2024
3.5. Great character and an interesting story so far. The fights are very unrealistic, hordes of people cant' seem to be able to shoot straight, and worse than that, people are talking with each other through gunfire, but still it's an enjoyable ride.
February 29, 2020
A Silenciadora fez parte de uma nova linha de heróis da DC Comics que veio na esteira de Noites das Trevas: Metal e foi o primeiro título da iniciativa a aportar aqui no Brasil. Ele trata da história de uma dona de casa e mãe de família negra que precisa rapidamente abandonar seus afazeres caseiros para dar conta de uma ameaça que vem do seu passado como assassina de aluguel. Esse passado envolve a organização Leviatã, de Tália Al Ghul e o fora-da-lei Exterminador. Agora, Glória Ventura, a Silenciadora, precisa cumprir suas tarefas do passado ao mesmo tempo que protege seu filho. A história não é incrivelmente original, mas também não decepciona, entretém na sua medida. Os desenhos de John Romita Júnior estão melhores do que em seus últimos trabalhos, que costumam dar medo nos leitores. A segunda metade do encadernado fica com a arte de Victor Bogdanovic que vinha fazendo as histórias do Novo Super-Man e tem uma narrativa competente. No final das contas, a Silenciadora não é a melhor história em quadrinhos de todos os tempo e nem a pior, mas lança uma nova luz sobre a situação das mães super-heroínas dentro da cultura dos quadrinhos de super-heróis.
December 23, 2018
Presenting to comic readers as a "new hero", The Silencer establishes that she has been around for years, having worked as an assassin for Talia Al Ghul. Having completed a last job, she gets out and settles down with a husband and child, taking the name Honor Guest... but is she really out?
Leviathan, Talia's criminal organization has decided to depose their leader and they are coming after Honor as well. Equipped with all her assassin skills and her metahuman ability of creating areas of silence, she goes toe to toe with other crime bosses as well as Deathstroke.
With Talia *not* dead, and assassins Cradle and Grave on her tail at the end, what adventures await our protective assassin/mom?
Such a great title! I really enjoyed the writing and the story was highly detailed and expansive, while not being confusing or overbearing. I really look forward to Volume 2. High recommend!
Leviathan, Talia's criminal organization has decided to depose their leader and they are coming after Honor as well. Equipped with all her assassin skills and her metahuman ability of creating areas of silence, she goes toe to toe with other crime bosses as well as Deathstroke.
With Talia *not* dead, and assassins Cradle and Grave on her tail at the end, what adventures await our protective assassin/mom?
Such a great title! I really enjoyed the writing and the story was highly detailed and expansive, while not being confusing or overbearing. I really look forward to Volume 2. High recommend!
December 9, 2018
The Silencer proves to be more interesting than its concept might suggest, at least based on first arc Code of Honor.
Honor Guest seems like a typical suburban wife and mom. But a series of dangerous events unearths her past as The Silencer, protégé to and top assassin for Talia al-Ghul and her terrorist organization Leviathan. Honor made an uneasy deal with Talia to be released from her vow of service, but now discovers that the act that won her freedom has ignited an underworld war that threatens Honor’s hard won new life with her husband and son. Honor reluctantly steps back into her old shoes, praying she can avert a war before it engulfs her family.
Created by star talents John Romita, Jr. and Dan Abnett, The Silencer spins out of DC’s “New Age of Heroes” rollout. On the surface, the concept of a former assassin who becomes a reluctant anti-hero doesn’t seem groundbreaking. And fans have likely seen the “average suburbanite is secretly an elite assassin” trope before. But what writer Abnett does with the set-up makes this new title worth watching.
Abnett reveals just enough of Honor’s past to be intriguing without giving away all her secrets. Drafting Talia as Honor’s connection to the greater DCU is a smart move. She’s an instantly recognizable and morally complex villain that fans already know and appreciate. Working Honor into her world, even on a retroactive basis, grounds the new character in a world readers know instantly. Abnett does a credible job of tying Honor into the existing DC firmament, but in ways that aren’t unnecessarily obtrusive. He also comes up with some clever ideas that explain things like how all those mercenaries running around the DCU stock up on weapons or how no one notices all the mayhem their battles leave behind.
More importantly, Honor herself is a compelling lead. Abnett infuses her with an actual personality, struggles and relatable worries; it gives readers reasons to invest in her desire for a normal life and to protect the sanctuary she’s built for herself. He doesn’t eschew the spectacle of a violent action set-up, but doesn’t ignore the concepts of the toll a life of violence took on Honor and her desire to be something more. By the end of the collection, readers will be intrigued to learn more about this complicated woman.
Romita (working with inker Sandra Hope) pencils the first three issues and brings his usual highly stylized approach to his issues. He’s not trying to change any minds at this point, you either like what he does or you don’t. He brings some design flair to the new characters and has fun with the “shoot ‘em up” ethos of the storytelling. But interestingly, Viktor Bogdanovic, who takes over after Romita’s brief run, seems better suited to the material. He nails the balance between Honor’s placid home life and violent past in some dynamic ways, giving the lead an expressiveness that sells the action.
The Silencer isn’t for everyone. While the violence is stylized, it’s still fairly overt. And some may not be able to get past the “of course The Silencer was there all along” concept that embeds her into the DCU. But fans of Abnett’s work will want to check this out and if it’s not necessarily a priority read, it’s still worth taking in at some point.
Honor Guest seems like a typical suburban wife and mom. But a series of dangerous events unearths her past as The Silencer, protégé to and top assassin for Talia al-Ghul and her terrorist organization Leviathan. Honor made an uneasy deal with Talia to be released from her vow of service, but now discovers that the act that won her freedom has ignited an underworld war that threatens Honor’s hard won new life with her husband and son. Honor reluctantly steps back into her old shoes, praying she can avert a war before it engulfs her family.
Created by star talents John Romita, Jr. and Dan Abnett, The Silencer spins out of DC’s “New Age of Heroes” rollout. On the surface, the concept of a former assassin who becomes a reluctant anti-hero doesn’t seem groundbreaking. And fans have likely seen the “average suburbanite is secretly an elite assassin” trope before. But what writer Abnett does with the set-up makes this new title worth watching.
Abnett reveals just enough of Honor’s past to be intriguing without giving away all her secrets. Drafting Talia as Honor’s connection to the greater DCU is a smart move. She’s an instantly recognizable and morally complex villain that fans already know and appreciate. Working Honor into her world, even on a retroactive basis, grounds the new character in a world readers know instantly. Abnett does a credible job of tying Honor into the existing DC firmament, but in ways that aren’t unnecessarily obtrusive. He also comes up with some clever ideas that explain things like how all those mercenaries running around the DCU stock up on weapons or how no one notices all the mayhem their battles leave behind.
More importantly, Honor herself is a compelling lead. Abnett infuses her with an actual personality, struggles and relatable worries; it gives readers reasons to invest in her desire for a normal life and to protect the sanctuary she’s built for herself. He doesn’t eschew the spectacle of a violent action set-up, but doesn’t ignore the concepts of the toll a life of violence took on Honor and her desire to be something more. By the end of the collection, readers will be intrigued to learn more about this complicated woman.
Romita (working with inker Sandra Hope) pencils the first three issues and brings his usual highly stylized approach to his issues. He’s not trying to change any minds at this point, you either like what he does or you don’t. He brings some design flair to the new characters and has fun with the “shoot ‘em up” ethos of the storytelling. But interestingly, Viktor Bogdanovic, who takes over after Romita’s brief run, seems better suited to the material. He nails the balance between Honor’s placid home life and violent past in some dynamic ways, giving the lead an expressiveness that sells the action.
The Silencer isn’t for everyone. While the violence is stylized, it’s still fairly overt. And some may not be able to get past the “of course The Silencer was there all along” concept that embeds her into the DCU. But fans of Abnett’s work will want to check this out and if it’s not necessarily a priority read, it’s still worth taking in at some point.
October 14, 2018
Well, this was a lot better than the other initial title in the New Age of (Old) Superheroes re-re-reboot for DC, but that's not saying much at all. What we have here is the title character reluctantly forced back into the world of killing people and surviving other people trying to kill you, even though what she really wants is her ugly husband and her pleasantly non-bratty pre-school son. Dragged back into machinations she thought she had left behind, the story is standard – the superpower, however, annoyingly vague. She's called The Silencer, and can have a sort of soundproof force-field around her, so other people can never hear her shoot others – but is that really it? Things are so vague and woolly we just can't tell. Yes, she can take a sense away from people, but big whoop – she resorts to being just a gunsmith. Still, at least the second half of this book matches her against another of that kind…
The insistence on dragging classic characters back into these worlds is a lot more successful this time round, even if you've never known the elements herein to have been mentioned in their previous stories. So while a retcon may have been made, there has been no diminishing of prior successes. It's just that this still doesn't feel like having that much longevity. The ethnicity of the heroine is hardly featured, but it's still there for a reason. Having her in a headscarf doesn't help the entertainment level whatsoever. (Mind you, the sonic fidget spinner that changes her clothes for her when required, as well as too much else, isn't any fun either.) You're left with the instant poser of how she maintained her skills and sharpness in the humdrum life of suburbia she chose, but you certainly don't get the calamity that was "Damage".
The insistence on dragging classic characters back into these worlds is a lot more successful this time round, even if you've never known the elements herein to have been mentioned in their previous stories. So while a retcon may have been made, there has been no diminishing of prior successes. It's just that this still doesn't feel like having that much longevity. The ethnicity of the heroine is hardly featured, but it's still there for a reason. Having her in a headscarf doesn't help the entertainment level whatsoever. (Mind you, the sonic fidget spinner that changes her clothes for her when required, as well as too much else, isn't any fun either.) You're left with the instant poser of how she maintained her skills and sharpness in the humdrum life of suburbia she chose, but you certainly don't get the calamity that was "Damage".
March 17, 2025
The artwork gets sexier in the second half. Almost enough to warrant 5 stars. The smart story pushes it over the finish line. If you like spy thrillers, this is your scene. Add a skilled operative that keeps getting 'dragged back in' and you've got yourself absolute gold.
Honor Guest is your normal, everyday soccer mom. Thet is, until she gets attacked by a cyborg in a store parking lot. She is in reality the Silencer, a superpowered individual created by Talia al Ghul. Whether she wants to or not, she needs to protect herself and her family during the Leviathan War happening in the Underlife (I have no idea what those names mean).
Honor Guest is your normal, everyday soccer mom. Thet is, until she gets attacked by a cyborg in a store parking lot. She is in reality the Silencer, a superpowered individual created by Talia al Ghul. Whether she wants to or not, she needs to protect herself and her family during the Leviathan War happening in the Underlife (I have no idea what those names mean).
December 2, 2018
This is a full five stars from me.
My hubby wanted me to read this and I finally sat down and read this. I really, really enjoyed it! For me this graphic novel really had a John Wick feel.
Honor/Silencer is a retired assassin who once worked for a criminal organization Leviathan under Talia al Ghul whom she feels a strong family bond with. After living the life as an assassin for so long though she is tired of it and wants to make a life of her own, perhaps make a real family. Talia agrees to let Silencer go if she does one more job for her. In doing so she ends up starting a war in the underlife.
This jumps back and forth between the past and present. The story is wonderfully written and I loved most of the art. I must admit that I am not a fan of John Romita's art and often if I don't like the artist it will affect my enjoyment of the book but in this case the story was so strong it did not change my feelings at all. It also didn't hurt that he only did the art for a few issues! ANyway, I would most definitely reread this and am looking forward to reading the second volume as soon as it come out!
My hubby wanted me to read this and I finally sat down and read this. I really, really enjoyed it! For me this graphic novel really had a John Wick feel.
Honor/Silencer is a retired assassin who once worked for a criminal organization Leviathan under Talia al Ghul whom she feels a strong family bond with. After living the life as an assassin for so long though she is tired of it and wants to make a life of her own, perhaps make a real family. Talia agrees to let Silencer go if she does one more job for her. In doing so she ends up starting a war in the underlife.
This jumps back and forth between the past and present. The story is wonderfully written and I loved most of the art. I must admit that I am not a fan of John Romita's art and often if I don't like the artist it will affect my enjoyment of the book but in this case the story was so strong it did not change my feelings at all. It also didn't hurt that he only did the art for a few issues! ANyway, I would most definitely reread this and am looking forward to reading the second volume as soon as it come out!
June 5, 2019
Silencer is a new addition to the DC universe with ties to one of its biggest criminal undergrounds. Honor guest used her skills with weapons and her powers to manipulate sound to take care of any proble Talia al Gaul pushed towards. But that was 5 years ago and now Honor is a wife and a mother living the suburban dream.
Until a thug attacks her at the supermarket and Honor is once again in the thick of a gang war. But her opponents are not prepared for a fierce killer now with a family to protect.
Coyer Scavenger Hunt
Read a Book with no magical or futuristic elements
2 pts
Until a thug attacks her at the supermarket and Honor is once again in the thick of a gang war. But her opponents are not prepared for a fierce killer now with a family to protect.
Coyer Scavenger Hunt
Read a Book with no magical or futuristic elements
2 pts
October 16, 2024
Retired assassin gets caught
The "I thought I was out, but they pulled me back in" plot. The Silencer is retired and married with a kid when Leviathan, her former org, erupts in civil war and she's caught in the crossfire. The story is alright, but the art is oddly uneven considering the staff didn't change much and the early issues look more like an indie comic than what I'd expect from DC.
The "I thought I was out, but they pulled me back in" plot. The Silencer is retired and married with a kid when Leviathan, her former org, erupts in civil war and she's caught in the crossfire. The story is alright, but the art is oddly uneven considering the staff didn't change much and the early issues look more like an indie comic than what I'd expect from DC.
December 27, 2018
Outside of The Terrifics, this is the best of “The New Age of Heroes!” line of books from DC.
It’s basically a meta human John Wick (albeit female) who’s normal live is uprooted by an organizational civil war between what amounts to mob bosses.
Chaos ensues.
This would definitely make for a very fun TV series, if done with the same sarcastic, sardonic tone as the John Wick series of movies.
It’s basically a meta human John Wick (albeit female) who’s normal live is uprooted by an organizational civil war between what amounts to mob bosses.
Chaos ensues.
This would definitely make for a very fun TV series, if done with the same sarcastic, sardonic tone as the John Wick series of movies.
June 14, 2019
This is quite an interesting concept that I assume leads directly into DC’s Leviathan event this summer. Honor is an interesting character, an assassin who left the life a long time ago to start a family and is now getting pulled back in thanks to an internal Leviathan gang war. But Romita Jr.’s art is still not good. Bogdanovic was better in the second arc.
March 27, 2020
Very John Wick like story but based around Talia and leviathan. Art sucks for the first two issues or so but starts to get better over time. Biggest issue is faces looking more like a scary doll than a living thing.
I enjoyed the origin/ shes been there all along arc and will be reading on to see how things go from hear and if the art continues to improve.
I enjoyed the origin/ shes been there all along arc and will be reading on to see how things go from hear and if the art continues to improve.
October 17, 2021
This was simply not good. The writing seemed so lazy. How many times can a writer write "Zone Of Silence"? Also, cool power if used properly, not here. Frankly, I'm embarrassed for Dan Abnett and the editors. The only thing keeping this from a one star review is the art, which was very good. Overall, a terribly written book from concept to execution.
January 4, 2019
Hmmmm, so I really like Abnett's work. And this is really an interesting female John Wick with plenty of connections to the DC underworld.
But the branding to Dark Knight Metal is pretty thin since the event is never mentioned, has no impact, and Batman isn't even around.
But the branding to Dark Knight Metal is pretty thin since the event is never mentioned, has no impact, and Batman isn't even around.
August 16, 2021
I'm a fan of both artists, in their own ways, but this story was pretty rote. I have a normal life but I'm a super-killer and they pull me back in! At least her power is cool and the action was fun/non-stop.
December 24, 2022
Honor Guest just wanted a normal life away from the Leviathan organisation but when you were the personal assassin of Talia Al Ghul, thats easier said than done. New DC character written by the ever excellent Dan Abnett with great first arc artwork by Joh Romita Jr.
February 5, 2026
There is absolutely nothing original REALLLLY in this comic but it has a really fun sense of style.
I enjoyed the execution immensely, even if it's a type of story we've seen multiple times before.
I enjoyed the execution immensely, even if it's a type of story we've seen multiple times before.
June 28, 2018
what a fun and interesting character, thank god they changed artists towards the end
December 28, 2018
A fun spy action romp with a woman who just wants out. Really enjoy the art.
February 14, 2019
The Ham is strong with this one. Nobody has a normal name except the normal husband and child.
July 9, 2020
It has a fun start with an interesting idea.
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