Suicide Squad War Crimes #1
Written by John Ostrander
Art by Gus Vazquez and Carlos Rodriguez
Colors by Gabe Eltaeb
The Suicide Squad’s most important member is back and ready to carve out his place in the new DC universe. John Ostrander returns as scribe with Suicide Squad War Crimes #1 and it is ready to show the 21st century what made his original run so great. It is not an exaggeration to say that Suicide Squad is one of DC’s hottest properties, with its feature film debut a box office success and another comic series already on the stands, so it is no surprise that they would look to capitalize on the exploding popularity by bringing back the writer who made the Squad what it is today. Ostrander’s original run was marked by political awareness and clever dialogue, and this issue is no different. With the War Crimes #1 Ostrander proves that not only is his take on the Suicide Squad definitively the best, but that his stories of style and substance are as welcome today as they were three decades ago.
This issue finds the squad tasked with rescuing the former Secretary of State from an international war crimes tribunal even though, as Waller is quick to point out, “he’s guilty as sin”. Since this is an issue written with fans of the comic in mind, not too much time is spent introducing the squad but just enough is to quickly spot the “most likely to blow up” member, aka Mad Dog. Instead, Ostrander introduces personalities that remain constant throughout the issue and true to the legacy he helped build. As soon as the squad leaves their briefing it is non-stop action that feels less like a straight up action story and more like a complex heist. This is a team book so it is only fitting that their mission relies on all members of the team. Peppered throughout the issue is wonderfully written dialogue that is both compelling and humorous. Without a doubt, this is the Suicide Squad at its best.
Ostrander returns to Suicide Squad at the top of his game. With references to the “last administration” and “last gulf action” it is clear that he is letting reality influence his writing, which provides a strength to the story that would be absent if the story dealt with Martian invaders. Despite existing in a comic book world of superheroes, magic, and aliens, the best Suicide Squad stories are the ones where a little of our reality seeps in. In sending the team to free a man who, by all accounts did participate in War Crimes, so that he cannot stand trial and thus shame the USA, Ostrander has firmly established the murky grey realm this team should always inhabit. Their missions should always be morally ambiguous at best, because the members are just that. The moment any of them start acting like “heroes” is the moment the story fails. Although fans of the Suicide Squad have many options of late, all should pick up a copy of War Crimes #1 today. The man who defined the team for the modern era has returned with an original story that can stand up alongside any of his classics.
Art by Gus Vazquez and Carlos Rodriguez
Colors by Gabe Eltaeb
The Suicide Squad’s most important member is back and ready to carve out his place in the new DC universe. John Ostrander returns as scribe with Suicide Squad War Crimes #1 and it is ready to show the 21st century what made his original run so great. It is not an exaggeration to say that Suicide Squad is one of DC’s hottest properties, with its feature film debut a box office success and another comic series already on the stands, so it is no surprise that they would look to capitalize on the exploding popularity by bringing back the writer who made the Squad what it is today. Ostrander’s original run was marked by political awareness and clever dialogue, and this issue is no different. With the War Crimes #1 Ostrander proves that not only is his take on the Suicide Squad definitively the best, but that his stories of style and substance are as welcome today as they were three decades ago.
This issue finds the squad tasked with rescuing the former Secretary of State from an international war crimes tribunal even though, as Waller is quick to point out, “he’s guilty as sin”. Since this is an issue written with fans of the comic in mind, not too much time is spent introducing the squad but just enough is to quickly spot the “most likely to blow up” member, aka Mad Dog. Instead, Ostrander introduces personalities that remain constant throughout the issue and true to the legacy he helped build. As soon as the squad leaves their briefing it is non-stop action that feels less like a straight up action story and more like a complex heist. This is a team book so it is only fitting that their mission relies on all members of the team. Peppered throughout the issue is wonderfully written dialogue that is both compelling and humorous. Without a doubt, this is the Suicide Squad at its best.
Ostrander returns to Suicide Squad at the top of his game. With references to the “last administration” and “last gulf action” it is clear that he is letting reality influence his writing, which provides a strength to the story that would be absent if the story dealt with Martian invaders. Despite existing in a comic book world of superheroes, magic, and aliens, the best Suicide Squad stories are the ones where a little of our reality seeps in. In sending the team to free a man who, by all accounts did participate in War Crimes, so that he cannot stand trial and thus shame the USA, Ostrander has firmly established the murky grey realm this team should always inhabit. Their missions should always be morally ambiguous at best, because the members are just that. The moment any of them start acting like “heroes” is the moment the story fails. Although fans of the Suicide Squad have many options of late, all should pick up a copy of War Crimes #1 today. The man who defined the team for the modern era has returned with an original story that can stand up alongside any of his classics.
A Look Inside
