Warning: This comic review contains spoilers for Suicide Squad: King Shark #1.

King Shark is one of DC Comics' most underrated supervillains, despite having an illustrious criminal career. Son of a Hawaiian Shark God, King Shark, aka Nanaue, has gone toe-to-toe with Superboy, been a member of the Secret Six and Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad, and ruled an underworld empire. To rectify King Shark's lack of notoriety, writer Tim Seeley and artist Scott Kolins co-created a limited series revolving around the carnivorous demigod. With the release of James Gunn's The Suicide Squad and King Shark's big-screen counterpart receiving praise, Suicide Squad: King Shark #1 couldn't have come at a better time.

Suicide Squad: King Shark #1 opens with Shawn Tsang attending a group therapy session led by Harley Quinn in the Belle Reve Penitentiary. She recently had a bad breakup with Nightwing and in her anger, she vandalized his statue in Bludhaven, culminating in her getting incarcerated. Eventually, tensions fly between her and another inmate, Hot Take, and Harley separates them before things escalate. King Shark, who saw the interaction, tries to calm Tsang down but fails. As an enraged Hot Take follows Tsang into the restroom for nefarious reasons, King Shark steps in and eats Hot Take. Amanda Waller, director of the Suicide Squad program, is intrigued by King Shark's bonding with Tsang and sends them both off to Hawaii where the mighty shark God is waiting for his prodigal son to return.

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Seeley writes Suicide Squad: King Shark #1 as a linear narrative that focuses on Tsang's bond with King Shark. Focusing on Tsang and her interactions with King Shark gives readers a fresh perspective on the demigod's outlook. While most debut issues rely heavily on exposition, this one dives straight into the story, employing unique plot devices like interrogation and therapy sessions to relay essential information. Seeley writes a fast-paced, entertaining issue that is peppered with witty comebacks, gory outbursts, and subtle adult-rated jokes.

Kolins, who is known for his tight pencil work and gritty shading, impeccably recreates the bustling, ragged prison ambiance of the infamous Belle Reve Penitentiary. His dynamic art rolls with every punch the characters throw. Colorist John Kalisz uses a wide array of vibrant colors to make the characters pop and firmly establishes the mood within panels by efficiently switching between shades. Kolins and Kalisz’s art shines in the intense close-ups and giant splash pages that depict the King Shark and his intimidating adversaries in all their glory.

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Suicide Squad: King Shark #1 is an extravagant display of King Shark from a fresh perspective. Seeley's story will welcome new readers to jump right into the history of King Shark while experiencing an epic, new adventure. The issue concludes with an unexpected turn of events and an imminent bout that will make fans drool for future King Shark battles.

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