Rogues (Turtleback School & Library Binding Edition)

Suicide Squad (1987) (Collected Editions)

by John Ostrander

Creators John Ostrander, Luke McDonnell, Bob Lewis, and Karl Kesel continue their legendary run in SUICIDE SQUAD: ROGUES, collecting issues #17-25 and ANNUAL #1 of the celebrated 1980s series.
The Squad will go on
Or will it? Forget the terrorists occupying American soil, the guerrilla factions killing each other off, or the aliens invading Earth. It s the war at home that may spell the end of Director Amanda Waller and Task Force X.
Waller s Suicide Squad of incarcerated super-villains and troubled agents has worked effectively under the radar until now. No one, not even her staff in the Belle Reve metahuman prison facility, trusts The Wall. Plus, rising tensions among ever-changing Squad members mean that they ve become a bigger threat to each other than to their opponents.
And when government officials with presidential aspirations discover the existence of Task Force X, Waller is forced to do whatever it takes to keep her team from being exposed to the world even if it means crossing the thin moral line that separates her from the disposable villains recruited for her impossible assignments."

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Superheroes, Comic Book, Graphic Novels Comics, Science Fiction

280 pages, Library Binding

First published April 12, 2016

About the author

John Ostrander is an American writer of comic books. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad, Grimjack and Star Wars: Legacy, series he helped create.

Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, Ostrander moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the First Comics series Warp!, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character Grimjack with Timothy Truman, who originally appeared in a back up story in the First Comics title, Starslayer, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by First Comics in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for DC Comics were published in 1986).

Prior to his career in comic books, Ostrander studied theology with the intent of becoming a Catholic priest, but now describes himself as an agnostic. His in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing The Spectre, a DC Comics series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes brought new life to a character often thought of as impossible to write. He has also worked on Firestorm, Justice League, Martian Manhunter, Manhunter, Suicide Squad, and Wasteland for DC.

Reviews

[Kemper · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm having a lot of fun going through these collections. The '80s tone where a lot of characters and costumes still had old school goofiness to them even as the plots started orienting around real world political and social issues is an interesting era that makes for some wild stories.

[Sophia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this series. I like how much focus is on Waller, not just the various villains/members.

There have been multiple plots going at the same time however, each issue does not feel heavy. These comics are easy to read and mostly just a bit of fun.

I am so excited by the first mention/’appearance’ of Oracle. I can’t wait to read more about this mysterious character...

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this just makes me realize how much better the original series is than any of the new 52 Suicide Squad. You've got political intrigue, fantastic villains like the Jihad, and Amanda Waller at her most manipulative. The new series just seems all flash with no substance or stakes. You know in the new 52 version, DC isn't going to kill off any of its IP's. That's not the case here, when the team goes on a mission there's a real danger of them not returning.

The issue where Captain Boomerang gets the idea to run around New Orleans as Mirror Master is fantastic. Worth picking up the book for that issue alone.

[T.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for the movie version of the Suicide Squad, you won't really find it here. What you will find is 1980s political intrigue and a robust collection of heroes and criminals among the ever rotating SS ranks as Amanda Waller struggles to keep her covert team a secret from the public. These stories were written before "writing for the trade collection" became the comic book norm, but this just makes it feel like you're getting way more story. Bronze Tiger and Vixen, two of my favorites in the cast, take the lead as Rick Flag struggles with his inner demons and Nightshade adapts to hers now that she has absorbed Enchantress's powers. Plus cameos by forgotten 80s "one hit wonders" like Mark Shaw Manhunter and The News Guardians - and the first blip of Oracle. I always loved Ostrander's storytelling (it's like a superpowered criminal version of GI Joe) combined with Luke McDonnell and Karl Kesel's bold artwork. So glad this series is being collected and rereleased so I can enjoy it all over again!

[Guilherme Smee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mais um ótimo encadernadão da fase de John Ostrander publicado pela Panini Comics Brasil. Eu realmente espero que a editora traga todas as edições dessa fase para o Brasil. Acredito que ainda tenham mais 5 volumes. Este volume traz uma investigação mais imersiva nas motivações e passados dos membros do Esquadrão e como suas missões em equipe têm modificado todos seus integrantes, incluindo, claro, a manda-chuva Amanda Waller. Além disso, Rick Flag perde a compostura e passa para uma abordagem mais radical sobre as ações do Esquadrão, principalmente por lidarem com jogos e conluios políticos que podem acarretar na revelação da equipe e no corte das verbas para o programa Força-Tarefa X. Enquanto uma missão em uma nação fictícia encobre as ações política de Waller e Flag, a equipe pode mais um vez ter entrado um outra missão suicida que vai tirar mais um integrante das suas fileiras. Esse é um encadernado de quase 300 páginas, mas que faz que a intriga te prenda do começo ao fim e não te deixa largar a edição.

[Rafael · Rating 4 out of 5]

É muito afude essas histórias do esquadrão do Ostrander e vai ser uma pena se a Panini parar de lançar faltando 5 volumes. Combina quadrinho de herói com política em um tom adulto da forma certo. Quero ler o resto.

[Alex Sarll]

Continuing the eighties run which created the Suicide Squad as we know it now: an uneasy alliance of antiheroes and coerced villains running deniable missions for the US government, all overseen by the uncompromising but increasingly compromised Amanda Waller. History has rendered the opening of this volume particularly chilling: it begins with a panorama of Manhattan, the line "Mecca to some" overlaying the Twin Towers, as a group called Jihad vows to bring America's wars back to roost in New York. That's followed by plenty of betrayal, bloodshed, threats of exposure, blackmail and breakdown. But also by a phantom flan flinger, because eighties grim and gritty was not so all-pervading as the deadening, simplistic mood it would become in lesser hands.

[Acton Northrop · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karl Kesel, you are the most underrated inker in comics. Holy moly, what a difference he makes halfway through this one.

[Matt Ferra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I simply love the idea of Shrike, the born-again Christian who is also a weird bird beast woman.

[Nate]

Waller is the undoubtable star of this volume. As someone who gives orders and works behind the scenes, you’d think she’d be carbon cut or at least underdeveloped. But that’s not the case at all. Waller is a complex character. She wants to keep the team together at all costs - or as she puts it, “fight for survival” - and has no problem being a hardass about it. She’s got a lot on her plate here: an estranged daughter, Tolliver and Cray coming for her job, Flag going rogue, and rotating Suicide Squad members, to say nothing of managing difficult personalities. Characterization is one of the major strengths of this series, and Waller’s characterization in this volume really shines. She’s sly, tough, sometimes funny, and always compelling.

Bronze Tiger also gets the spotlight. I’ve always thought he was underrated, and him taking a leadership role is a good turn for his character. And hey, look! Oracle! I had no idea she first appeared in this series. Hopefully we’ll see more of her.

[Dallas Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is full of evolution for the Suicide Squad!
We see several interesting questions played with of "How could the Suicide Squad survive if the public found out about it?" "What does the Suicide Squad stand for in the world and for each member?" "How does Amanda Waller need to run the Suicide Squad for it to survive?"
And each question is answered at a fascinating pace and with a great sense of exploring each one!
Very impressed with this original run!

[MatiBracchitta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunque está lejos de ser un gran cómic, tengo que reconocer que es quizás el primer volumen que no me desagrada se Escuadron Suicida. Por fin Ostrander se toma el tiempo de desarrollar a sus personajes y dotarlos de cierta personalidad.

Además, se nota que el autor le interesa la política y usa el cómic como un medio de comunicación y crítica, algo que siempre es loable y que suma unos puntitos extra al menos para mi. El dibujo sigue siendo uno de los puntos flojos, lamentablemente el tiempo hace veamos estas historias ya como demasiado antiguas, si bien no llega al punto de ser molesto (al menos en este volumen) tampoco aporta nada visual o narrativamente.

Me gustó especialmente la forma en que Ostrander está desarrollando a Flag (mi personaje favorito hasta ahora) y Waller. Me estaría faltando un poco más de drama en la historia, me hubiera gustado que Deadshot muera por ejemplo o que realmente echaran a Waller, pero bueno, todo no se puede.

La trama política que rodea al escuadrón fue bastante interesante, espero que mantengan esa línea.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Suicide Squad Vol. 3 Rogues collects Suicide Squad #17-25 and Suicide Squad Annual #1. The first thing I noticed when I opened this collection is that paper stock in the collection isn’t as highly quality as previous volumes. That was a disappointment.

In this volume we get the return of the Jihad, Amanda Waller taking on Control, fallout from the Nightshade story arc, and Rick Flag going rogue. My favorite issue in this volume is when Captain Boomerang is caught one night in his Mirror Master costume and must go on a mission as both Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master.

This volume the Squad is finally finding its place in the DC universe and being a part of the greater political espionage picture. Amanda Waller is ruthless in her vision for the Squad.

[Luana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Best one so far, as it sheds the growing pains of a new series (CHECK OUT FIRESTORM #22 FOR THE ORIGIN OF THIS CONFLICT - CHECK OUT OUR MOST RECENT CROSSOVER TO KNOW WHO THIS FUCKIN GUY IS) and finally starts paying off set-ups that occurred in this series proper. I really like Waller's navigating DC. The political thriller aspect contrasted with cartoon characters like Shade and Dr. Light is very fun.

I'm kinda surprised at how many of this supervillain team are actually just kinda heroes who "aren't sure where they're at in their lives" -- hell, the only full-on scumbags are Deadshot, Boomerang and Duchess (my faves, of course).

This is getting to be a real fun series!

[Rick Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

After being bogged down by several crossovers, Ostrander's and McDonnell's Suicide Squad comes back to full form as the team tackles international terrorists, domestic corruption and internal strife once again. Ostrander also seems to trust McDonnell much more, allowing for even more action sequences and leaning less on wordy sections. Additionally, the added focus on Amanda Waller was fantastic since she is easily the most interesting character in the series. "Rogues" is definitely a high point in this run.

[Greg Trosclair · Rating 4 out of 5]

These Suicide Squad collections are such great reads and also show how unnecessary 6 issue story arcs are. These stories are lean and mean and yet we still get plenty of personal character development without going overboard. Might be my favorite volume to date. John Ostrander was hitting his stride at this point in his writing of the book.

[Alan Duran · Rating 4 out of 5]

The political intrigue of the Suicide Squad continues from Amanda's court room showdown to who is the pie thrower. The art takes a big leap with Karl Kesel returning as inker. This volume also introduces us to Nightshade's new look.The mystery of Duchess also continues throughout the run of this volume. Suicide Squad still remains a solid read after all these years.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic collection. Written in a time when comics were to be read monthly and not in a constant 5-6 issue arc. Also written in a time when every time you changed teams you didn't have to start a brand new series over at issue 1. Long live the Suicide Squad!

[Francisco Becerra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ostrander has the knack for mixing real political issues with superhero stuff. Amanda Waller is an amazing character, a real woman of steel: ambitious, calculating, even merciless, but effective as a high ranking government agent.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

While these issues are a little rougher than I imagine, I still find them to be fun comics, groundbreaking for their time.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good mix of serious and silly

[Tetsuo · Rating 4 out of 5]

o maior problema do gibi até agora é a arte

[Brandon · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Brannigan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad they put these volumes out. It’s been a blast rereading them. They have aged very well and are still very engaging.

[John Feetenby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Colourful, high energy, damage-dealing. The character interplay is what it’s all about in this run, and there is a surprising amount of complexity and nuance strewn through the pages. I love it.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely riveting, from the first page to the last page. Strong art, and Ostrander tackles the machiavellian nature of the team's political status and individual motivations with stunning aplomb.

[Steven W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, very dated but still really fun stuff.

[Dominic Sedillo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be my favorite volume in this series so far. Amanda Waller is a character you love to hate.

[Matt Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bangers and Mash: Character Week - Count Vertigo

[Travis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A variety of missions, covert action, fighting aliens and some super hero stuff.
All the while, in the background, Amanda Waller is fighting against political forces intent on using the Squad to further their own agendas.

It's tricky to root for the Wall, as she is amoral with good intentions, at best, but Ostrander does a good job of writing her as a sympathetic bad person, as well as finding worse people to put her up against.
Great series.