Task Force Z #3 - DC Comics

TASK FORCE Z No. 3, February 2022

Decidedly more sedentary than this mini-series’ previous two action-packed instalments, Matthew Rosenberg’s screenplay for “The Same Coin” still probably beguiled most of its audience due to its fascinating focus upon Jason Todd’s motivation for staying with Project Halperin. In fact, all the character-driven Machiavellian machinations taking place within the Chop Shop are genuinely enthralling once it becomes clear to the reader just how much Director Crispin and the super creepy Shelley twins are emotionally toying with Task Force Z’s well-meaning team leader; “You did good Hanna. He is reinvested in the project. Now give me back my security pass.”

Such duplicity and dishonesty really does permeate throughout this twenty-two-page periodical, starting with Red Hood’s traumatising resurrection via an injection of Lazarus resin at the very beginning of the book. The lightning fast ease with which the former Robin is dishonestly told he wasn’t saved from Deadshot's fatal gunshot wound by the fluorescent green “!#%$” solution strongly suggests it probably isn’t the first time the mysterious organisation’s physicians have surreptitiously used the drug on the anti-hero, and in all likelihood won’t be the last either.

Similarly as disconcerting but just as intriguing, is the way Todd seemingly completely falls for the raven-haired Hobart over a slice of pizza during an unauthorised “field trip” outside the government run facility. This incredibly word-heavy scene could easily have detrimentally slowed the comic’s pacing right down. However, the romantic bond between the pair is both well-penned and pencilled, and instead sets the reader up for a gut-wrenching shock just moments later when it becomes clear that Sundowner’s two-faced alter-ego was only paying Jason some interest because she was under instructions to do so.

Ultimately though, Issue Three of “Task Force Z” probably lives or dies upon the success of its frantic finale, which sees the ‘protagonists’ battling a horde of zombie reinforced Kobra cultists atop the GNN Tower in Old Gotham. This marvellously violent assault is extremely well sketched by Eddy Barrows, and contains some truly notable highlights, such as Red Hood’s cold-hearted murder of Bane in revenge for the super-villain having previously killed Alfred Pennyworth, and Todd’s blisteringly fast fight against the League of Assassins affiliate, Cheshire.

The regular cover art of "TASK FORCE Z" #3 by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira & Adriano Lucas