Hello Enthusiasts,
For those who are familiar with DC's "New 52" lineup, you know that it was mostly received with negative feedback. Storylines for Deathstroke, Green Lantern, and the Teen Titans certainly left something to be desired. However, this time frame for DC also had a few gems, such as Aquaman and Batman (Scott Snyder's run). One series that was met with mixed reviews was the reboot of the Suicide Squad.
Now for those that saw the movie of the same name that came out in the summer of 2016, this is where we get a lot of that lineup, as none of the classic comics included Harley Quinn as a member (primarily because the Batman animated series hadn't invented her yet). There were some changes in the film, like putting in Killer Croc instead of King Shark, but it was essentially the same lineup.
For those who aren't too familiar with the story, the Suicide Squad is a top secret team (officially referred to as Task Force X) comprised primarily of DC villains, all led by Amanda Waller. They cooperate with Waller to reduce their prison sentences and because each of them has a small bomb planted in their neck. The lineup does change for various reasons, but the New 52 lineup is primarily as follows:
-Harley Quinn
-Deadshot
-King Shark
-El Diablo
-Captain Boomerang
-Black Spider
First, the positives. The New 52 series of Suicide Squad shines when it is evaluating its characters. We get a good look at King Shark's origin story (as well as a good look at his dad), the story of why Deadshot never wastes a bullet, and how AmandaWaller started to become the cold-hearted leader that she is. The story arc also covers Harley's relationship (or lack there of) with the Joker, whose manipulation and abuse of Harley Quinn is showcased, especially in volume three. The comics show these characters in both a sympathetic light, as well as detailing how each of them can dominate in their own way. The artwork ranges from decent to excellent throughout the run as artists switch around on some issues.
On the negative side, the missions that the Suicide Squad are sent on can be forgettable. I recall more of what the characters were saying to each other than I do their objectives. Also, outside of a few scenes, these villains being forced to complete such and such objective tend to not act very much like villains. Maybe you could attribute it to the bombs in their necks, the fear that stepping out of line would cause some unwanted explosions. However, that idea seems flimsy given that they do sometimes act villainous and get to live. This series also made the strange change with Amanda Waller, who used to be more stout and seemed to be one who frequently stayed behind a desk barking orders. For the New 52 run, they made her thinner, more of a soldier than a leader. This didn't really hurt the story, but I did think it to be an odd choice when DC was deciding what changes to make.
If you have yet to read anything from the New 52, I wouldn't suggest starting here. As I mentioned earlier, the Aquaman series and Scott Snyder's Batman have received great reviews for a reason. However, if you've read the big titles and you're looking for something else to grab your attention, you could do worse that pick up a volume of Suicide Squad from your local shop.
I give this run of the Suicide Squad a 6.5 out of 10
Sincerely,
The Bored Enthusiast
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