Suicide Squad Rebirth #1
Written by Rob Williams
Art by Jonathan Clapion and Philip Tan
Colors by Alex Sinclair
Letters by Travis Lanham
With their feature film debut only days away, it comes as no surprise to anyone that DC would wait until this week to release Suicide Squad Rebirth #1. As the expectations for the movie have risen over the past few months, it has become clear that Suicide Squad has the potential to be one of the most popular post-Rebirth titles. The new 52 version of the squad did make some changes to the traditional lineup that, although well received, did not match up with the version that will be appearing on the big screen, most notably with the absence of Rick Flag. The long time leader and moral center of the squad was nowhere to be found, with member Deadshot filling the role of de-facto leader. With the hope of returning to it’s highest levels, and perhaps matching the expected aesthetic of the movie going audience, it isn’t the Suicide Squad that is re-birthed into the DC universe, but rather just Col. Rick Flag.
The issue opens with an unseen character declaring in authoritative fashion “the suicide squad is over”, which with this being the Rebirth issue we know is most certainly not the case. The quick reveal shows that the unseen speaker is none other than President Barack Obama who is giving a stern lecture to a pleasantly plump, and unfazed, Amanda Waller. With the squad having caused too much destruction and kept a mystery from even the President until his second term, Obama is ready to pull the plug on this work release program. Of course Waller, always one step ahead, has a plan to assuage his concerns in the form of a new leader of the squad. The issue goes on to briefly summarize Flag’s storied military, and family, history, touting him as the pillar of American virtue that the squad so desperately needs, but as the issue progresses we learn that there is more than meets the eye with the Colonel. After a quick recruitment pitch from Waller to Flag, the action shifts to the Squad of Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and Harley Quinn mid-mission and nearly out of options. Without giving too much away, let me just say that the ending of the issue is classic Suicide Squad and cements this as a series that should be on any fans pull list.
Rob Williams has proven with this issue that he truly understands the voice needed to write great Suicide Squad stories and I look forward to reading his continued work on the series. While the art is enjoyable to truly amazing aspect is the colors by Alex Sinclair. With such vibrant cast, it is only fitting that the look of the book should match. Although it is easy to get overexciting with a re-launch of a classing title, nothing in Suicide Squad Rebirth #1 points to expectations for the series being based in anything other than fact. Fact number 1, the classic lineup plus wonderful additions from recent years are back. Fact number 2, Williams appears to be setting up the book to tell stories that only the Suicide Squad can tell. Fact number 3, Amanda Waller is back to her, uh, full self.
Art by Jonathan Clapion and Philip Tan
Colors by Alex Sinclair
Letters by Travis Lanham
With their feature film debut only days away, it comes as no surprise to anyone that DC would wait until this week to release Suicide Squad Rebirth #1. As the expectations for the movie have risen over the past few months, it has become clear that Suicide Squad has the potential to be one of the most popular post-Rebirth titles. The new 52 version of the squad did make some changes to the traditional lineup that, although well received, did not match up with the version that will be appearing on the big screen, most notably with the absence of Rick Flag. The long time leader and moral center of the squad was nowhere to be found, with member Deadshot filling the role of de-facto leader. With the hope of returning to it’s highest levels, and perhaps matching the expected aesthetic of the movie going audience, it isn’t the Suicide Squad that is re-birthed into the DC universe, but rather just Col. Rick Flag.
The issue opens with an unseen character declaring in authoritative fashion “the suicide squad is over”, which with this being the Rebirth issue we know is most certainly not the case. The quick reveal shows that the unseen speaker is none other than President Barack Obama who is giving a stern lecture to a pleasantly plump, and unfazed, Amanda Waller. With the squad having caused too much destruction and kept a mystery from even the President until his second term, Obama is ready to pull the plug on this work release program. Of course Waller, always one step ahead, has a plan to assuage his concerns in the form of a new leader of the squad. The issue goes on to briefly summarize Flag’s storied military, and family, history, touting him as the pillar of American virtue that the squad so desperately needs, but as the issue progresses we learn that there is more than meets the eye with the Colonel. After a quick recruitment pitch from Waller to Flag, the action shifts to the Squad of Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and Harley Quinn mid-mission and nearly out of options. Without giving too much away, let me just say that the ending of the issue is classic Suicide Squad and cements this as a series that should be on any fans pull list.
Rob Williams has proven with this issue that he truly understands the voice needed to write great Suicide Squad stories and I look forward to reading his continued work on the series. While the art is enjoyable to truly amazing aspect is the colors by Alex Sinclair. With such vibrant cast, it is only fitting that the look of the book should match. Although it is easy to get overexciting with a re-launch of a classing title, nothing in Suicide Squad Rebirth #1 points to expectations for the series being based in anything other than fact. Fact number 1, the classic lineup plus wonderful additions from recent years are back. Fact number 2, Williams appears to be setting up the book to tell stories that only the Suicide Squad can tell. Fact number 3, Amanda Waller is back to her, uh, full self.
A Look Inside
