The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X (the name of a closely related but independent supervisory organization), is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC ComicsUniverse. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold (vol. 1) #25 (1959), and the second in Legends #3 (1987).
The modern Suicide Squad (created by John Ostrander in Legends #3) is an antihero team of incarceratedsupervillains who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-riskblack ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. The group operates out of Belle Reve Penitentiary, under the directorship of Dr. Amanda Waller. The Suicide Squad's existence helps to explain why many convicted villains in the DC Universe roam free without having heroes tracking them down—until they inevitably attempt or commit another crime.
This entry covers the various incarnations of the Suicide Squad (and the five associated monthly Suicide Squad comic book series) that exist throughout DC Universe canon, from its origins in the Silver Age, to its modern-day post-Crisisreimagining, to the current version that was introduced in the wake of DC's New 52 continuity reboot, plus various television media and the upcoming Suicide Squad feature film, set to star Will Smith, Joel Kinnaman, Margot Robbie,Jared Leto, Jai Courtney, Viola Davis, and Cara Delevingne.[2]
The original Suicide Squad featured in The Brave and the Bold consisted of Rick Flag, Jr., his girlfriend Karin Grace, Dr. Hugh Evans, and Jess Bright. This team was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru.[3] Later continuity[4] established that the team's earliest incarnation was expressly formed to fight monstrous menaces as a replacement for the Justice Society of America, whose members had mostly retired in the wake of unjust accusations during the McCarthy Era.
The Suicide Squad was revived in the Legends miniseries, with writer John Ostrander at the helm.[5] The renewed concept involved the government employing a group of supervillains to perform missions that were almost certainly suicide runs, a concept popular enough for an ongoing series titled simply Suicide Squad. The Squad was often paired together with DC's other government agency, Checkmate—culminating in the Janus Directive[6] crossover.
The team's concept self-consciously emulated the World War II film The Dirty Dozen and the television series Mission: Impossible.[7] In addition, the Squad's existence was top-secret, creating much tension within the group, and leading the Squad to be targeted (unsuccessfully) by the likes of Lois Lane and Batman (the latter was forced to back off from his investigation when Squad leader Amanda Waller threatened to use her considerable government resources to expose Batman's secret identity[8]). While some Squad members—such as Bronze Tiger, Captain Boomerang, and Deadshot—were permanent fixtures, the balance of membership comprised a rotating cast of often very minor-league villains. These villains would agree to tackle missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences; thus, the Squad served as a partial explanation for what sometimes appeared to be a revolving-door justice system in the DC Universe.[7]
While the Squad succeeded on most of their missions, failure occasionally resulted (most notably the capture of Nemesis by Russian forces after a botched mission[9]), as well as the death of one or more members. The use of minor characters added to the jeopardy, as it was not clear whether any given character would survive a mission. Writer John Ostrander did not shy away from killing off some of the Squad's principal characters, most notably Rick Flag, Jr.—who was eliminated at the end of the book's second year.[10] At the time, the series was also notable for examining the lives, motivations, and psychological makeup of its characters, with one issue per year featuring the group's psychologist interviewing various team members.[11]
Suicide Squad (vol. 1) lasted 66 issues, along with one Annual and one special (Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special #1). After the series' cancellation in 1992, the Squad went on to make several guest appearances in titles such as Superboy[12] (this Squad incorporated many of Superboy's enemies, as well as Superboy himself),Hawk & Dove,[13]Chase,[14] and Adventures of Superman.[15]
Suicide Squad (vol. 2) was published in 2001, written by Keith Giffen, with art by Paco Medina. Though the series' first issue featured a Squad composed entirely of Giffen's Injustice League[16] members, the roster was promptly slaughtered, save for Major Disaster and Multi-Man (whose powers make him unkillable). This prompted Squad leader Sgt. Rock to recruit new members—most of whom died during the missions they undertook.
Suicide Squad (vol. 3) (initially subtitled Raise the Flag in DC's solicitations[17]) was an eight-issue miniseries published in 2007. It featured the return of writer John Ostrander, with art by Javier Pina. The story focused on the return of Rick Flag, Jr., and the formation of a new Squad for the purpose of attacking a corporation responsible for the development of a deadly bio-weapon. Along the way, the group had to deal with the treachery of involuntary Squad member General Wade Eiling, and—true to the series' form—several fourth-string villains died in the line of duty.
Suicide Squad (vol. 4) debuted as part of DC Comics' line-wide New 52 continuity reboot in 2011. The relaunched book was written by Adam Glass, with art by Federico Dallocchio and Ransom Getty. Amanda Waller once again directs the group from behind-the-scenes; Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark feature prominently on this version of the Squad. This series concluded in 2014, with issue #30.
New Suicide Squad, was launched in July 2014. Written by Sean Ryan with art by Jeremy Roberts, the new series continues to feature Deadshot and Harley Quinn, with Deathstroke, Black Manta, and Joker's Daughter added to the mix.
The original Suicide Squad appeared in six issues of The Brave and the Bold (vol. 1),[18] as well as Action Comics (vol. 1) #552.[19] Though this early incarnation of the team (created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru) did not have the espionage trappings of later Squads, it laid much of the groundwork for Squad field leader Rick Flag, Jr.'s personal history.
In the wake of DC's line-wide Crisis on Infinite Earths event, several new book launches were conceptualized, with writer John Ostranderassigned the task of resurrecting the Suicide Squad for an ongoing monthly series. While Ostrander initially found the concept absurd, he soon hit upon the government black ops hook.[7] The team and its administrator Amanda Waller were introduced in the Legendsminiseries,[20] with the original Silver Age Squad's backstory fleshed out further in Secret Origins (vol. 2) #14,[4] and modern Suicide Squad member Nightshade getting her own origin story (involving the Squad) in Secret Origins (vol. 2) #28.[21]
The original Suicide Squad stories revolved around a quartet of non-powered adventurers fighting superpowered opponents. Their adventures often involved conflict with dinosaurs, giants, and other monstrous creatures. In the team's final mission, Dr. Evans dies, and Jess Bright is captured by forces of the Soviet Union and transformed into the monstrous Koshchei.[22] Rick Flag, Jr. and Karin Grace split up, and Flag eventually joins the Forgotten Heroes.
In the midst of Darkseid's attempt to turn humanity against Earth's superheroes via his minion Glorious Godfrey, Amanda Waller assigns Rick Flag, Jr. leadership of a reformed Task Force X,[23] composed of Blockbuster, Bronze Tiger, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, and Enchantress. The Squad's first mission is to eliminate Darkseid's rampaging fire elemental Brimstone; Blockbuster dies during the conflict, and Deadshot takes the creature down with an experimental laser rifle.[24] Waller dismisses the group,[25] though they soon reconvene to collect Captain Boomerang after Godfrey captures him.[26]
During World War II, a number of Army riffraff are assembled into a unit that is highly expendable, and therefore nicknamed the Suicide Squadron (shortened to Suicide Squad). Several such teams existed, but their history in comics is only scarcely recorded before Rick Flag, Sr. becomes the leader of the team (and even then, only a few adventures of this Squad are shown). After the war ends, the team (together with the Argent group) is put under the umbrella organization of Task Force X. After his father's death, Rick Flag, Jr. goes on to lead the group that is featured in The Brave and the Bold (vol. 1). A deadly encounter with a Yeti during a mission in Cambodiasends Flag back to the U.S. with a wounded Karin Grace, and after a stint with the Forgotten Heroes, Flag is drafted into the Squad that Waller assembles inLegends.[4]
"A Princess' Story" from Secret Origins (vol. 2) #28 sheds light on Nightshade's origin, revealing that her mother hailed from the Land of the Nightshades. An ill-fated trip to this world ends with Nightshade's mother dead and her brother abducted, and Nightshade spends the following years honing her shadowy powers and building a reputation as a crimefighter. She falls in with King Faraday at the C.B.I.; Faraday eventually introduces her to Amanda Waller, who agrees to help her rescue her brother, in exchange for Nightshade's participation in the Squad.[21]
The World War II Squad of Secret Origins (vol. 2) #14 was a means of tying the Silver Age Suicide Squad to the war-era Suicide Squad (also called the Suicide Squadron) created by Robert Kanigher for his "The War that Time Forgot" tales in the pages of Star Spangled War Stories.[27] This Suicide Squadron is described as a "top-secret Ranger outfit" whose members were trained to tackle missions from which ordinary volunteers were not expected to return alive. It is unclear whether this team is part of the modern Suicide Squad canon or if the Squad introduced in Secret Origins was intended as a replacement for them in DC continuity.
Another classic version of the Squad (Rick Flag, Karin Grace, Jess Bright and Dr. Hugh Evans) appears in the non-canon 2004 miniseries DC: The New Frontier byDarwyn Cooke. The group is briefly shown undertaking the sorts of dangerous missions the Squad is known for, and Flag eventually drafts Hal Jordan onto the team to assist in preparing a manned space flight to Mars. The experimental rocket's test run quickly goes south and the group (sans Jordan) dies in the explosion.[28]
Suicide Squad
Art by Jeremy Roberts
Original:
Modern:The Brave and the Bold #25 (September 1959)
Legends #3 (January 1987)
Original:
Modern:Robert Kanigher
Ross Andru
John Ostrander
The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X (the name of a closely related but independent supervisory organization), is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold (vol. 1) #25 (1959), and the second in Legends #3 (1987).
The modern Suicide Squad (created by John Ostrander in Legends #3) is an antihero team of incarceratedsupervillains who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. The group operates out of Belle Reve Penitentiary, under the directorship of Dr. Amanda Waller. The Suicide Squad's existence helps to explain why many convicted villains in the DC Universe roam free without having heroes tracking them down—until they inevitably attempt or commit another crime.
This entry covers the various incarnations of the Suicide Squad (and the five associated monthly Suicide Squad comic book series) that exist throughout DC Universe canon, from its origins in the Silver Age, to its modern-day post-Crisisreimagining, to the current version that was introduced in the wake of DC's New 52 continuity reboot, plus various television media and the upcoming Suicide Squad feature film, set to star Will Smith, Joel Kinnaman, Margot Robbie,Jared Leto, Jai Courtney, Viola Davis, and Cara Delevingne.[2]
Contents
[hide]Publication history[edit]
The original Suicide Squad featured in The Brave and the Bold consisted of Rick Flag, Jr., his girlfriend Karin Grace, Dr. Hugh Evans, and Jess Bright. This team was created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru.[3] Later continuity[4] established that the team's earliest incarnation was expressly formed to fight monstrous menaces as a replacement for the Justice Society of America, whose members had mostly retired in the wake of unjust accusations during the McCarthy Era.
The Suicide Squad was revived in the Legends miniseries, with writer John Ostrander at the helm.[5] The renewed concept involved the government employing a group of supervillains to perform missions that were almost certainly suicide runs, a concept popular enough for an ongoing series titled simply Suicide Squad. The Squad was often paired together with DC's other government agency, Checkmate—culminating in the Janus Directive[6] crossover.
The team's concept self-consciously emulated the World War II film The Dirty Dozen and the television series Mission: Impossible.[7] In addition, the Squad's existence was top-secret, creating much tension within the group, and leading the Squad to be targeted (unsuccessfully) by the likes of Lois Lane and Batman (the latter was forced to back off from his investigation when Squad leader Amanda Waller threatened to use her considerable government resources to expose Batman's secret identity[8]). While some Squad members—such as Bronze Tiger, Captain Boomerang, and Deadshot—were permanent fixtures, the balance of membership comprised a rotating cast of often very minor-league villains. These villains would agree to tackle missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences; thus, the Squad served as a partial explanation for what sometimes appeared to be a revolving-door justice system in the DC Universe.[7]
While the Squad succeeded on most of their missions, failure occasionally resulted (most notably the capture of Nemesis by Russian forces after a botched mission[9]), as well as the death of one or more members. The use of minor characters added to the jeopardy, as it was not clear whether any given character would survive a mission. Writer John Ostrander did not shy away from killing off some of the Squad's principal characters, most notably Rick Flag, Jr.—who was eliminated at the end of the book's second year.[10] At the time, the series was also notable for examining the lives, motivations, and psychological makeup of its characters, with one issue per year featuring the group's psychologist interviewing various team members.[11]
Suicide Squad (vol. 1) lasted 66 issues, along with one Annual and one special (Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special #1). After the series' cancellation in 1992, the Squad went on to make several guest appearances in titles such as Superboy[12] (this Squad incorporated many of Superboy's enemies, as well as Superboy himself),Hawk & Dove,[13] Chase,[14] and Adventures of Superman.[15]
Suicide Squad (vol. 2) was published in 2001, written by Keith Giffen, with art by Paco Medina. Though the series' first issue featured a Squad composed entirely of Giffen's Injustice League[16] members, the roster was promptly slaughtered, save for Major Disaster and Multi-Man (whose powers make him unkillable). This prompted Squad leader Sgt. Rock to recruit new members—most of whom died during the missions they undertook.
Suicide Squad (vol. 3) (initially subtitled Raise the Flag in DC's solicitations[17]) was an eight-issue miniseries published in 2007. It featured the return of writer John Ostrander, with art by Javier Pina. The story focused on the return of Rick Flag, Jr., and the formation of a new Squad for the purpose of attacking a corporation responsible for the development of a deadly bio-weapon. Along the way, the group had to deal with the treachery of involuntary Squad member General Wade Eiling, and—true to the series' form—several fourth-string villains died in the line of duty.
Suicide Squad (vol. 4) debuted as part of DC Comics' line-wide New 52 continuity reboot in 2011. The relaunched book was written by Adam Glass, with art by Federico Dallocchio and Ransom Getty. Amanda Waller once again directs the group from behind-the-scenes; Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark feature prominently on this version of the Squad. This series concluded in 2014, with issue #30.
New Suicide Squad, was launched in July 2014. Written by Sean Ryan with art by Jeremy Roberts, the new series continues to feature Deadshot and Harley Quinn, with Deathstroke, Black Manta, and Joker's Daughter added to the mix.
The Silver Age Suicide Squad[edit]
Background[edit]
The original Suicide Squad appeared in six issues of The Brave and the Bold (vol. 1),[18] as well as Action Comics (vol. 1) #552.[19] Though this early incarnation of the team (created by writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru) did not have the espionage trappings of later Squads, it laid much of the groundwork for Squad field leader Rick Flag, Jr.'s personal history.
In the wake of DC's line-wide Crisis on Infinite Earths event, several new book launches were conceptualized, with writer John Ostranderassigned the task of resurrecting the Suicide Squad for an ongoing monthly series. While Ostrander initially found the concept absurd, he soon hit upon the government black ops hook.[7] The team and its administrator Amanda Waller were introduced in the Legendsminiseries,[20] with the original Silver Age Squad's backstory fleshed out further in Secret Origins (vol. 2) #14,[4] and modern Suicide Squad member Nightshade getting her own origin story (involving the Squad) in Secret Origins (vol. 2) #28.[21]
Plot synopsis[edit]
The Brave and the Bold[edit]
The original Suicide Squad stories revolved around a quartet of non-powered adventurers fighting superpowered opponents. Their adventures often involved conflict with dinosaurs, giants, and other monstrous creatures. In the team's final mission, Dr. Evans dies, and Jess Bright is captured by forces of the Soviet Union and transformed into the monstrous Koshchei.[22] Rick Flag, Jr. and Karin Grace split up, and Flag eventually joins the Forgotten Heroes.
Legends[edit]
In the midst of Darkseid's attempt to turn humanity against Earth's superheroes via his minion Glorious Godfrey, Amanda Waller assigns Rick Flag, Jr. leadership of a reformed Task Force X,[23] composed of Blockbuster, Bronze Tiger, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, and Enchantress. The Squad's first mission is to eliminate Darkseid's rampaging fire elemental Brimstone; Blockbuster dies during the conflict, and Deadshot takes the creature down with an experimental laser rifle.[24] Waller dismisses the group,[25] though they soon reconvene to collect Captain Boomerang after Godfrey captures him.[26]
Secret Origins (vol. 2)[edit]
During World War II, a number of Army riffraff are assembled into a unit that is highly expendable, and therefore nicknamed the Suicide Squadron (shortened to Suicide Squad). Several such teams existed, but their history in comics is only scarcely recorded before Rick Flag, Sr. becomes the leader of the team (and even then, only a few adventures of this Squad are shown). After the war ends, the team (together with the Argent group) is put under the umbrella organization of Task Force X. After his father's death, Rick Flag, Jr. goes on to lead the group that is featured in The Brave and the Bold (vol. 1). A deadly encounter with a Yeti during a mission in Cambodiasends Flag back to the U.S. with a wounded Karin Grace, and after a stint with the Forgotten Heroes, Flag is drafted into the Squad that Waller assembles inLegends.[4]
"A Princess' Story" from Secret Origins (vol. 2) #28 sheds light on Nightshade's origin, revealing that her mother hailed from the Land of the Nightshades. An ill-fated trip to this world ends with Nightshade's mother dead and her brother abducted, and Nightshade spends the following years honing her shadowy powers and building a reputation as a crimefighter. She falls in with King Faraday at the C.B.I.; Faraday eventually introduces her to Amanda Waller, who agrees to help her rescue her brother, in exchange for Nightshade's participation in the Squad.[21]
Other World War II Suicide Squads[edit]
The World War II Squad of Secret Origins (vol. 2) #14 was a means of tying the Silver Age Suicide Squad to the war-era Suicide Squad (also called the Suicide Squadron) created by Robert Kanigher for his "The War that Time Forgot" tales in the pages of Star Spangled War Stories.[27] This Suicide Squadron is described as a "top-secret Ranger outfit" whose members were trained to tackle missions from which ordinary volunteers were not expected to return alive. It is unclear whether this team is part of the modern Suicide Squad canon or if the Squad introduced in Secret Origins was intended as a replacement for them in DC continuity.
Another classic version of the Squad (Rick Flag, Karin Grace, Jess Bright and Dr. Hugh Evans) appears in the non-canon 2004 miniseries DC: The New Frontier byDarwyn Cooke. The group is briefly shown undertaking the sorts of dangerous missions the Squad is known for, and Flag eventually drafts Hal Jordan onto the team to assist in preparing a manned space flight to Mars. The experimental rocket's test run quickly goes south and the group (sans Jordan) dies in the explosion.[28]
Suicide Squad (vol. 1)[edit]
Art by Howard Chaykin.
So what?
That's very informative, thank you!
No. Sorry Monty, you are wrong. The suicide squad is an elite attack team of the Judean Peoples Front.