Summary
DC Comicshas a wide array of teams, from the heroic Justice League to the villainous Legion of Doom. Between good and evil, Amanda Waller leadsTask Force X, better known as the Suicide Squad, which contains a variety of villains, forced to do her bidding or else have a bomb detonate inside their heads. With characters like Deadshot, Peacemaker, Harley Quinn and Captain Boomerang, the team have been sent on a variety of impossible missions in the DCU.
The Suicide Squad has almost forty years of stories under their belt, first landing their own title in 1987, though an earlier version of the team has been around since the 1950s. In the post-Crisis continuity of DC, the team has been defined through the formula of villains offered clemency if they take on the missions no one else wants. From political thriller to all-out action, the team continues to be one of DC’s most reliable sources of quality entertainment in print.Here are the bestSuicide Squadstories fans will find in the comics.
Joshua Williamson, Rob Williams, Simon Spurrier, Tim Seeley
Artists
Jason Fabok, Riley Rossmo, Giuseppe Cafaro, Hi-Fi, Christian Duce, Scott Eaton & Wayne Faucher
Justice League vs Suicide Squad, true to its name, follows the clash between the two teams, and was the first event of the DC Rebirth era. The story begins when, after an assassination mission, the Suicide Squad are confronted by the Justice League, who mean to arrest the members. After a battle between the two teams, they are forced to work together to face Maxwell Lord’s own team of mercenaries.
Justice League vs Suicide Squadis perhaps the most epic battle in the history of Task Force X, casting them on the side of good when Lord’s use of Eclipso’s magic possessed the League.The comic helped inspire the videogame of the same name, though it delivers a much less divisive conclusion.
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Bruno Redondo
After the end of the Rebirth series,Tom Taylor relaunched the Suicide Squadin 2020 withDCeasedandNightwingpartner Bruno Redondo, penning a series that follows Task Force X’s alliance with a ragtag band of terrorists, the Revolutionaries. Now under the leadership of a military commander named Lok, the team’s new era was defined by mistrust, with the villains searching for a way off the team.
Taylor’s short-livedSuicide Squadseries is best viewed as one story, and does a good job of sowing distrust among the team, with the new recruits playing the role of mysterious outsiders.With Taylor’s signature writing style of humor meets heavy action, this is a great entry point for people who enjoyed James Gunn’s 2021 movie.
Jim Lee & Scott Williams
DC Universe Rebirth started the publisher’s line back to first issues for a soft reboot away from the New 52, and Suicide Squad was among the titles coming back from the jump. In their first story arc of the new line, the villains are charged with recovering a mysterious object, soon revealed to be of Kryptonian origin. Before they can complete their mission, the team square off with General Zod, prompting an epic escape.
“The Black Vault” isn’t just an excellent starting point for the Squad, it’s made better by its backup stories, which explore the profile of its members through short tales.From Deadshot working alongside Batman to the origins of Killer Croc, the eight-issue revival of the series makes for a solid entry point, as well as a fun heist story.
Robbie Thompson, Dennis Hopeless, Jeremy Adams, Tim Sheridan
Steve Pugh, Rafa Sandoval, Dexter Soy, Kieran McKeown, Dexter Vines, Will Conrad, Tom Derenick, Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, Brent Peeples & Ariel Olivetti
During the 2021 Suicide Squad series,Amanda Waller triggered a conflictbetween Task Force X and the Crime Syndicate of Earth-3. The story begins when Waller attempts to recruit members of her team from across the multiverse, with the Syndicate presenting her with many candidates. However, with her own team divided and in disarray, battle lines form when some members of Earth-3 take her up on her offer – leading to discord from their peers. With Flash and the Teen Titans getting roped in, all-out war ensues for the fate of the alternate Earth.
The entire 2021 volume ofSuicide Squadis actually excellent, with a roster that matched the movie, the inclusion of Conner Kent and an encounter with Ambush Bug.“War For Earth-3” is the best story in the series, and its ramifications continue to be felt today through Absolute Power, as it laid the groundwork for Waller’s multiversal plotting.
Erik Larsen & Bob Lewis
Doom Patrol/Suicide Squad Specialbegins when Hawk, acting on behalf of the US, is captured by Sandinistas while selling guns to the Contras in Nicaragua, prompting Reagan to respond. Fearing Hawk could be turned over to the USSR, the Suicide Squad is tasked with recovering or killing their comrade. However, when the Doom Patrol learns of the situation, it forces a clash between the two teams in their attempt to find the prisoner.
Doom Patrol/Suicide Squad Specialdoubles as both a great action story and satire of the Reagan administration, using the Iran-Contra scandal as the backdrop for its events.At the time, the two teams made for a brilliant match, and the story serves as a fast-paced rescue mission packed full of ’80s action.
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Luke McDonnell, Karl Kesel & Howard Chaykin
In 1987, the Suicide Squad landed their own solo bookafter the events ofLegends. The first issue kicked things off with a bang. Here, the team are activated when a team of meta human terrorists, “the Jihad,” are hired to strike America. Waller dispatches the team to Qurac, where the villains are believed to be preparing for an attack on the President of the United States.
“Trial By Blood” had one purpose: to introduce the newly-formed Suicide Squad team in their own book, and it more than succeeded.Through his script, Ostrander explores the team’s dynamic in the lead-up to the battle itself, which claims one of the aptly-named team’s members.
John Byrne, Karl Kesel
“Legends” begins when the Phantom Stranger and Darkseid gamble on whether the latter can turn the will of humanity against the Justice League. After framing Shazam for murder and having his minions attack, the evil New God plunges the world into chaos, forcing Ronald Reagan to issue a temporary ban on superhero activity. In response, the government activates the new incarnation of the Suicide Squad.
“Legends” isn’t squarely focused on the Suicide Squad, but it’s a key story for one simple reason: the origin of the modern Task Force X.What had previously been staffed with heroic soldiers was now reimagined as a band of villains, who were deployed to maintain some semblance of order.
Luke McDonnell, Bob Lewis
As their missions continued to cause devastation, the Suicide Squad became the focus of Batman himself, who infiltrated the team’s base. Fighting his way through the villains, the Dark Knight confronts Waller, threatening to blow the lid off her operation, arguing that the taxpayers would never approve of her operation. In the end, however, Waller manages to turn the tables, threatening to expose the hero’s own identity if he exposes them.
“Up Against the Wall” is something of a flashpoint for the Suicide Squad, as it triggered a rivalry between Batman and Waller, which continues to this day.The issue also has some fun character interactions, most prominently the Caped Crusader noting that Deadshot pulls his shots around him, something readers had long suspected. The story ends on the perfect note, with Rick Flag lamenting the fact he’s now an enemy of the hero, just to protect his team.
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John K. Snyder III, Geof Isherwood, Karl Kesel
As the Suicide Squad’s adventures continued to escalate, it was only a matter of time before their missions would turn cosmic. In “Apokolips Now,” that’s exactly what happens, as Duchess leads a group of the squad to Apokolips where, after a battle against Darkseid’s forces, Waller and the team are captured. In response, Deadshot assembles his own unit to assault the planet and rescue his teammates.
“Apokolips Now” shows just how effective the Suicide Squad can be, featuring some fun moments, such as a showdown between Amanda Waller and Granny Goodness.The story spotlights New Gods characters like Big Barda, who aids the Squad in their escape, and features some of the best art of the title.
John Ostrander, Cary Bates, Greg Weisman, Paul Kupperberg, Kim Yale
Rafael Kayanan, Romeo Tanghal, Steve Erwin, Al Vey, Tom Mandrake, Doug Rice, John K. Snyder, Pablo Marcos
Arguably the most iconic Suicide Squad story in comics, “The Janus Directive” follows a clash between the Squad and other departments. The story sees a seemingly-irrational Waller becoming more reckless, soon revealed to be a play to uncover a traitor in her midst. With the Cult of Kobra planning a devastating attack using a space-based weapon, Checkmate, the Squad, Captain Atom and more come into play to save the day.
“The Janus Directive” doubles up as a gripping political thriller and a tale of action and espionage, one that had significant ramifications for Suicide Squad operations.The story showcased the bold, calculating tactics of Waller at their best, and is one of the most effective stories at demonstrating just how tough a leader she is.
