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Suicide Squad (1987) (Collected Editions)
Suicide Squad (1987-1992) Vol. 6: The Phoenix Gambit
Amanda Waller has been imprisoned for a year, and her Task Force X disbanded after they fled her custody while taking down LOA. But the U.S. government isn’t finished with the Suicide Squad.
Political unrest in the Eastern European country of Vlatava causes Sarge Steel to turn to the dirtiest black ops team in the business, but this time Waller has a price: full autonomy. The Suicide Squad are now free agents.
With the help of Batman, Waller reassembles her team of former-prisoners-turned-reluctant-government agents, and from Vlatava to Israel, Task Force X is free to follow where the mission--and the money--takes them.
But when a deadly enemy they thought they’d defeated rises from the grave, can the Suicide Squad survive long enough to enjoy their newfound freedom?
It’s a new era for the Suicide Squad in this collection by acclaimed creators John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Geof Isherwood and Luke McDonnell. SUICIDE SQUAD: THE PHOENIX GAMBIT collects issues #40-49 of the classic series.
Political unrest in the Eastern European country of Vlatava causes Sarge Steel to turn to the dirtiest black ops team in the business, but this time Waller has a price: full autonomy. The Suicide Squad are now free agents.
With the help of Batman, Waller reassembles her team of former-prisoners-turned-reluctant-government agents, and from Vlatava to Israel, Task Force X is free to follow where the mission--and the money--takes them.
But when a deadly enemy they thought they’d defeated rises from the grave, can the Suicide Squad survive long enough to enjoy their newfound freedom?
It’s a new era for the Suicide Squad in this collection by acclaimed creators John Ostrander, Kim Yale, Geof Isherwood and Luke McDonnell. SUICIDE SQUAD: THE PHOENIX GAMBIT collects issues #40-49 of the classic series.
235 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2017
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148 people want to read
About the author
John Ostrander
2,086 books172 followersJohn 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 19, 2018
Some big changes after the last volume. Amanda Waller has been sitting in prison for a year until Sarge Steel needs the Suicide Squad. So Waller puts together a new team, this time set up as mercenaries for hire but typically working for the U.S. Some nice stories here; I like the addition of the new Atom. The art is subpar throughout most of the book. Geoff Isherwood's art is not great. His faces look lumpy and blotchy. But he's a far cry better than Luke McDonnell who pitches in on a few issues and is just awful. But even with poor art, these Ostrander stories are worth a read.
July 24, 2017
Some interesting stories, now that the Squad is for hire, and not part of the US government. But the art by Geoff Isherwood, whether pencils, inks, or both, is awful and looks like some of the worst of the Golden Age. His bodily proportions were way off most of the time, and it's rather ugly to look at.
Ostrander's stories are good, though, and worth reading. He expands on the characters in a sensitive way, and brings Oracle out of the dark in a story that features her battle with a man trying to hunt her down.
Ostrander's stories are good, though, and worth reading. He expands on the characters in a sensitive way, and brings Oracle out of the dark in a story that features her battle with a man trying to hunt her down.
October 8, 2018
I really enjoyed this volume because it concentrate a lot on the stories of the individual members of the squad. Very nice art and the story line throughout the series has been nicely done. Recommended
December 13, 2021
Just solid stuff all around here. Am I crazy or is this legit just the first Suicide Squad book where there's no interference from any outside Comic Book Events? Volume 6 out of 8? Comics, man!
Without said interference, Ostrander can go totally wild on the stuff that this book was ostensibly about: superhero black ops shit. The Squad's new status as free agents certainly doesn't diminish the stories' intrigue, as the first arc of Phoenix Gambit would attest: TFX has to take down Count Vertigo who is being used as a puppet by far right forces in his native Vlatava. But who pulls the strings on the puppeteers hmmm....?
Can't believe they did an origin issue on Boomer and kinda made his racist sexist ass sympathetic? He's an asshole but he's our asshole dammit...
Some more comics trivia: not only is Oracle introduced in this series, the reveal that she's actually Barbara Gordon ALSO happens in this series. I feel like that's a pretty big deal and goes largely unheralded in Batgirl lore?
This is the most time I've ever spent with Poison Ivy outside of a Harley Quinn context, and while she's kind of a one-note seductress/greedy party girl, she is a lot of fun (and honestly has a lot of incredible late 80s fits). Very funny: she doesn't seem to care about the environment one whit!
There was a moment while reading the Israel arc that just made me nod my head at Ostrander's skills in respect: the vibe of this book very much is spy/ops shit, but I realized that what I was reading here was the avatar of a snake god who wants to bring about the kali yuga detained by the Mossad trying to start WWIII by doing a Hannibal Lecter talk with a Jewish AI (??) called DYBBUK
Now that's entertainment folks!
Without said interference, Ostrander can go totally wild on the stuff that this book was ostensibly about: superhero black ops shit. The Squad's new status as free agents certainly doesn't diminish the stories' intrigue, as the first arc of Phoenix Gambit would attest: TFX has to take down Count Vertigo who is being used as a puppet by far right forces in his native Vlatava. But who pulls the strings on the puppeteers hmmm....?
Can't believe they did an origin issue on Boomer and kinda made his racist sexist ass sympathetic? He's an asshole but he's our asshole dammit...
Some more comics trivia: not only is Oracle introduced in this series, the reveal that she's actually Barbara Gordon ALSO happens in this series. I feel like that's a pretty big deal and goes largely unheralded in Batgirl lore?
This is the most time I've ever spent with Poison Ivy outside of a Harley Quinn context, and while she's kind of a one-note seductress/greedy party girl, she is a lot of fun (and honestly has a lot of incredible late 80s fits). Very funny: she doesn't seem to care about the environment one whit!
There was a moment while reading the Israel arc that just made me nod my head at Ostrander's skills in respect: the vibe of this book very much is spy/ops shit, but I realized that what I was reading here was the avatar of a snake god who wants to bring about the kali yuga detained by the Mossad trying to start WWIII by doing a Hannibal Lecter talk with a Jewish AI (??) called DYBBUK
Now that's entertainment folks!
May 5, 2018
The Squad reboots as its own entity, autonomous and for-hire. Amanda Waller is still in charge, of course; also along for the ride are Bronze Tiger. Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Vixen, Poison Ivy, Count Vertigo. and the new Atom. They get involved with the Russians in Vlatava, Kobra in Israel, and help to protect Oracle in both cyberspace and the real world. Art duties have mostly shifted to Geoff Isherwood, though Luke McDonnell is still around. It's a solid collection of a once-great comic that is still quite solid in its later years. I'd give it 3.25 stars.
July 21, 2025
Back into heavy politics and how Waller outplays even the Dark Knight in the end. She knows how to pull the strings to be dependable. What a character!
February 6, 2020
This volume expands on the world of espionage and meta-humans, combining the two with deftness and skill. As ridiculous as superheroes are, this book reasonably absorbs the idea into the intelligence world, demonstrating how things would look and play out if they were embraced by the intelligence community. As we see in this volume, the idea has spread worldwide with nearly every secret service and country having their own sponsored meta-human operatives. The ones introduced here are the teams for Israel, Egypt, and the Soviet Union (this was first printed during the Cold War).
Three stories collide in this volume. It picks up a year after the previous book, with Amanda Waller in prison. She is quickly offered a pardon and reforms the Suicide Squad to tackle an international situation. The squad now is completely autonomous from the United States government and Taskforce X, allowing them to take jobs with any foreign power or entity who can meet their price.
They begin in fictitious Vlatvia, where Count Vertigo is being used to front a popular uprising against the communist dictatorship and some undercover Russian metahumans. In this case it is who is really using who, with backstabs and double crosses. No one seems to be there to actually seize power but to play some bizarre pantomime for back home. After that comes a single shot issue dealing with Captain Boomerang’s backstory. Then onto Israel, where Kobra is attempting - again - to bring in the Age of Chaos by blowing up a sacred monument. Finally, we hit the streets of Gotham, sans Batman, where a newly created Thinker is attempting to stalk and kill Oracle. Loads of fun.
Three stories collide in this volume. It picks up a year after the previous book, with Amanda Waller in prison. She is quickly offered a pardon and reforms the Suicide Squad to tackle an international situation. The squad now is completely autonomous from the United States government and Taskforce X, allowing them to take jobs with any foreign power or entity who can meet their price.
They begin in fictitious Vlatvia, where Count Vertigo is being used to front a popular uprising against the communist dictatorship and some undercover Russian metahumans. In this case it is who is really using who, with backstabs and double crosses. No one seems to be there to actually seize power but to play some bizarre pantomime for back home. After that comes a single shot issue dealing with Captain Boomerang’s backstory. Then onto Israel, where Kobra is attempting - again - to bring in the Age of Chaos by blowing up a sacred monument. Finally, we hit the streets of Gotham, sans Batman, where a newly created Thinker is attempting to stalk and kill Oracle. Loads of fun.
July 12, 2023
Amanda Waller assembles her team of incarcerated antiheroes once more in Suicide Squad Vol. 6: The Phoenix Gambit, a thrilling 1990s collection written by John Ostrander and Kim Yale. After being disbanded for over a year, the Squad must prove they still have what it takes as Waller calls them back into action when new threats emerge. This volume tests the team's loyalty and resolve, pushing them to their limits in true Suicide Squad fashion.
The art has a delightfully retro feel, thanks to the matte paper evocative of the comics of the era. Muted colors lend a gritty, espionage vibe that suits the globe-trotting missions. Panel composition is excellent, with dialogue-driven scenes easy to follow before opening up into splash page-worthy action. The stories unfold linearly, aside from a flashback-filled trip to Australia with Boomerang and Deadshot. Pacing feels balanced, slowing down for much-needed character moments while delivering snappy, high-octane action.
Ostrander's dialogue has never been sharper. Boomerang and Deadshot's banter lights up every panel they share. Waller is a commanding, ruthless presence, bouncing back strong whenever her plans go sideways. The theme of redemption looms large as Bronze Tiger grapples with his identity outside of the Squad, trying and failing to bury his conscience and become the cold-blooded killer he thinks he is supposed to be. Boomerang confronts childhood demons when he heads home and revisit his painful past. Deadshot battles his self-destructive tendencies as he walks the tightrope between heroism and relapse.
Their complex relationships drive the story. This ragtag group harbors no illusions about each other, but when lives are on the line, they put aside their differences for the mission. Ostrander and Yale have a firm grasp on these volatile personalities. Scenes crackle whenever hot-tempered teammates clash, especially the buddy-comedy repartee between Boomerang and Deadshot. But Waller remains the magnetic core that pulls readers back. Whether subtly undermining Batman or squeezing the government for more funding, her iron will inspires begrudging respect.
Long-time fans will appreciate callbacks to Squad history, like the return of Ravan, who has struck up an unlikely friendship with Bronze Tiger. Their philosophical debates showcase Ravan's nuanced morality, one of the volume's high points. The story arcs tackle trademark Squad themes like identity, redemption, and moral compromise in high-stakes situations.
Some current societal issues are also touched upon, particularly in the arc spanning issues #45-47, as the Squad pursues previous nemesis Kobra, who is hiding out in Israel. Israel's own Meta-Human team, The Hayoth, features an A.I. called DYBBUK, which plays a substantial role in the plot. Intriguingly, discussions surrounding the perils of AI and its nature were already taking place in 1990.
The Phoenix represents the Squad rising from ashes stronger than before, but can these villains truly change their ways? Ostrander and Yale explore the gray area between heroism and villainy through characters who constantly defy expectations.
By this point in their seminal Suicide Squad run, Ostrander and Yale have perfected the delicate balancing act required to handle an ensemble cast. While a few plot points feel rushed, the characterization is excellent, bolstered by strong scripts and gritty, espionage-flavored action. After being disbanded, the Squad has been reborn, but their new lease on life remains tenuous. This keeps the stakes high and the action thrilling. With fully-realized characters forced to make impossible choices, The Phoenix Gambit delivers the perfect dose of fun, explosive action anchored in moral complexity.
The art has a delightfully retro feel, thanks to the matte paper evocative of the comics of the era. Muted colors lend a gritty, espionage vibe that suits the globe-trotting missions. Panel composition is excellent, with dialogue-driven scenes easy to follow before opening up into splash page-worthy action. The stories unfold linearly, aside from a flashback-filled trip to Australia with Boomerang and Deadshot. Pacing feels balanced, slowing down for much-needed character moments while delivering snappy, high-octane action.
Ostrander's dialogue has never been sharper. Boomerang and Deadshot's banter lights up every panel they share. Waller is a commanding, ruthless presence, bouncing back strong whenever her plans go sideways. The theme of redemption looms large as Bronze Tiger grapples with his identity outside of the Squad, trying and failing to bury his conscience and become the cold-blooded killer he thinks he is supposed to be. Boomerang confronts childhood demons when he heads home and revisit his painful past. Deadshot battles his self-destructive tendencies as he walks the tightrope between heroism and relapse.
Their complex relationships drive the story. This ragtag group harbors no illusions about each other, but when lives are on the line, they put aside their differences for the mission. Ostrander and Yale have a firm grasp on these volatile personalities. Scenes crackle whenever hot-tempered teammates clash, especially the buddy-comedy repartee between Boomerang and Deadshot. But Waller remains the magnetic core that pulls readers back. Whether subtly undermining Batman or squeezing the government for more funding, her iron will inspires begrudging respect.
Long-time fans will appreciate callbacks to Squad history, like the return of Ravan, who has struck up an unlikely friendship with Bronze Tiger. Their philosophical debates showcase Ravan's nuanced morality, one of the volume's high points. The story arcs tackle trademark Squad themes like identity, redemption, and moral compromise in high-stakes situations.
Some current societal issues are also touched upon, particularly in the arc spanning issues #45-47, as the Squad pursues previous nemesis Kobra, who is hiding out in Israel. Israel's own Meta-Human team, The Hayoth, features an A.I. called DYBBUK, which plays a substantial role in the plot. Intriguingly, discussions surrounding the perils of AI and its nature were already taking place in 1990.
The Phoenix represents the Squad rising from ashes stronger than before, but can these villains truly change their ways? Ostrander and Yale explore the gray area between heroism and villainy through characters who constantly defy expectations.
By this point in their seminal Suicide Squad run, Ostrander and Yale have perfected the delicate balancing act required to handle an ensemble cast. While a few plot points feel rushed, the characterization is excellent, bolstered by strong scripts and gritty, espionage-flavored action. After being disbanded, the Squad has been reborn, but their new lease on life remains tenuous. This keeps the stakes high and the action thrilling. With fully-realized characters forced to make impossible choices, The Phoenix Gambit delivers the perfect dose of fun, explosive action anchored in moral complexity.
Read
August 20, 2019The Squad has been disbanded, its mastermind Amanda Waller in gaol for a year. But sooner or later, someone with enough pull was always going to be desperate enough to have a deniable way to do something dangerous enough that she'd be out. So now, even less official, with more freedom but less back-up, she's getting the gang back together, by hook or by crook, with Batman along for the ride at first, and far from happy about it. The geopolitical background of the first story is fascinating; earlier arcs had occasionally used Gorbachev as just another sinister Soviet leader, with results that read very strangely in hindsight, but by 1990 that clearly wasn't going to fly so we have a much more complicated, and at least slightly more plausible, set-up with resurgent nationalism versus Stalinist hardliners in the fictional Eastern European state of Vlatava, and former Squad member Count Vertigo, as the heir to its pre-revolutionary ruling family, caught in the middle. Once the new status quo is established, it's back to the usual mix of high-stakes missions in global hotspots, and the no less fraught small-scale stuff taking a closer look at the fuck-ups in the Squad and their associates. The issue which sees Captain Boomerang head back home for his mum's funeral particularly stands out, evoking a certain battered pathos from a character who's normally the (boomer)butt of everyone's jokes. It even explains his daft bloody outfit! Although elsewhere, the flirtations with cyberpunk go about as well as you'd expect.
June 11, 2020
Vol. 6 of the Suicide Squad collects issues #40-49 and is titled The Phoenix Gambit.
The story picks up a year after the events of issue #39. Amanda Waller has been in prison and makes a deal either Sargent Steele to restructure the Squad as a and of mercenaries that is no longer affiliated with the U.S. government. The first arc consists of Waller getting most of the original gang (Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Bronze Tiger, Vixen, Captain Vertigo, and Poison Ivy) back together to assist Batman in taking out a former Soviet villain. This arc was a lot of fun. It hasn’t happened to my knowledge, but I am surprised there isn’t a series where Batman is actually in charge of the Suicide Squad. Could make for some interesting stories.
There is a one off issue where Boomerang and Deadshot visit Australia to go to the wake of Boomerang’s mother. This issue was also pretty good and you got a lot of insight into Boomerang’s past.
Another arc deals with the return of Kobra which I couldn’t get into but has a pretty buck impact on the team. I am just not a fan of Kobra. The last arc deals with with Waller trying to protect Oracle from the new Thinker. This was a pretty good arc which seems to be setting up future storylines.
The only problem I had with this volume (other than I thought the Kobra arc was boring) was that the Squad’s line up didn’t change much after the year “off”. I thought they would use that excuse to add some new characters to the group and get some new storylines going.
The story picks up a year after the events of issue #39. Amanda Waller has been in prison and makes a deal either Sargent Steele to restructure the Squad as a and of mercenaries that is no longer affiliated with the U.S. government. The first arc consists of Waller getting most of the original gang (Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Bronze Tiger, Vixen, Captain Vertigo, and Poison Ivy) back together to assist Batman in taking out a former Soviet villain. This arc was a lot of fun. It hasn’t happened to my knowledge, but I am surprised there isn’t a series where Batman is actually in charge of the Suicide Squad. Could make for some interesting stories.
There is a one off issue where Boomerang and Deadshot visit Australia to go to the wake of Boomerang’s mother. This issue was also pretty good and you got a lot of insight into Boomerang’s past.
Another arc deals with the return of Kobra which I couldn’t get into but has a pretty buck impact on the team. I am just not a fan of Kobra. The last arc deals with with Waller trying to protect Oracle from the new Thinker. This was a pretty good arc which seems to be setting up future storylines.
The only problem I had with this volume (other than I thought the Kobra arc was boring) was that the Squad’s line up didn’t change much after the year “off”. I thought they would use that excuse to add some new characters to the group and get some new storylines going.
June 9, 2017
Amanda Waller's Suicide Squad returns, this time as free agents operating outside of the US government. But what could be a big change to the status quo isn't really a big change, since she assembles a team of the same ol' faces - Bronze Tiger, Vixen, Boomerang, Deadshot, Ravan. The story picks up 1 year after the events in the previous tpb, but I feel like there weren't as many character beats this time around and the storylines are a little repetitive of earlier adventures. Still cool, but kind of feels like coasting along as a completionist until the final 2 issues included here - the revelation of Oracle as Barbara Gordon and her reemergence in comics as a disabled heroine in therapy. It's such a contradiction to her modern Burnside interpretation, and makes me kind of miss Oracle. (Maybe it's time to check out the old Birds of Prey collections. I'm definitely not a fan of what was done to her in the Killing Joke, and I am of the opinion she is the most iconic Batgirl, but Oracle was truly a special and powerful reincarnation of a character that was sidelined in a terrible and unnecessary way.) Seeing early "digital" artwork as Oracle's computer persona escapes the Thinker, sliding down circuitry ala TRON, really made me smile. I was also jazzed to see the Atom included with a built-in-mystery, and I don't mean: how does he not suffocate riding around inside Amanda Waller's purse? 3.5 stars, thanks to Barbara Gordon. Still looking forward to the next collection!
September 9, 2020
O Esquadrão Suicida na época do pós-crise e pós-lendas da DC é uma espécie de primo pobre dos quadrinhos, todo mundo fala na Liguinha do Bwahaha, no Batman, no Superman, na Mulher-Maravilha, mas pouca gente fala no Esquadrão Suicida, um dos melhores títulos da época.
Nesse 6 volume, o Esquadrão foi desbandado e cabe a uma Amanda Waller recém saída da prisão e ao Batman reunirem a banda de novo para caçar comunistas numa republiqueta fictícia da Europa oriental.
Depois, aí sem o Morcegão, o Esquadrão deve impedir planos apocalípticos do Kobra em Israel - eu sinto falta do Kobra, era um vilão bem presente na época tanto no Esquadrão, como no Flash, e, atualmente, anda bem sumido, né? Depois tem umas bobagens no ciberespaço noventeiro.
Essas edições representam o processo de reconstrução da Amandona, a pica mais grossa do Universo DC; quem acha que o Batman ou o Exterminador são foda, não conhece a Amandona Paredão, com ela não tem perdão; esse processo passa por expiações, punições, dicotomias do livre-arbítrio, discussões sobre o bem e o mal, a origem do Bumerangue, o caso de amor entre a Vixen e o Tigre de Bronze, um novo Átomo - nem lembrava disso mais -, vários assassinatos e planos que não dão muito certo.
Ah, e o Pistoleiro psicopata que vale.
Nesse 6 volume, o Esquadrão foi desbandado e cabe a uma Amanda Waller recém saída da prisão e ao Batman reunirem a banda de novo para caçar comunistas numa republiqueta fictícia da Europa oriental.
Depois, aí sem o Morcegão, o Esquadrão deve impedir planos apocalípticos do Kobra em Israel - eu sinto falta do Kobra, era um vilão bem presente na época tanto no Esquadrão, como no Flash, e, atualmente, anda bem sumido, né? Depois tem umas bobagens no ciberespaço noventeiro.
Essas edições representam o processo de reconstrução da Amandona, a pica mais grossa do Universo DC; quem acha que o Batman ou o Exterminador são foda, não conhece a Amandona Paredão, com ela não tem perdão; esse processo passa por expiações, punições, dicotomias do livre-arbítrio, discussões sobre o bem e o mal, a origem do Bumerangue, o caso de amor entre a Vixen e o Tigre de Bronze, um novo Átomo - nem lembrava disso mais -, vários assassinatos e planos que não dão muito certo.
Ah, e o Pistoleiro psicopata que vale.
October 10, 2022
Es increíble lo poco que ha avanzado la historia en este punto. Si bien es cierto que ya los personajes nos resultan distinguibles, lo cierto es que a nivel trama sigue siendo ir de cabeza de un lugar a otro.
Me gusta el nuevo enfoque del Escuadrón Suicida, aunque es bastante similar a LJI, por no mencionar que no cuenta con demasiado sentido teniendo en cuenta que los villanos con los que trabaja son parte del sistema gubernamental y, por ende, no deberían estar a disposición de una empresa privada....
Pero en fin, me gusta que Waller tenga mayor margen de acción. Es una lastima que Flag no vuelva a la historia, tenía un carisma que lamentablemente ningún otro personaje pudo imitar. No me gustó para nada la incursión de Batman en este tomo, no solo fue forzada e innecesaria, sino que además siento que el autor no supo utilizar al personaje como corresponde.
¿Por qué le pongo tres estrellas? Porque a pesar de todos sus defectos la historia fue medianamente entretenida y pude leerla rápidamente, sin sentir agotamiento o un excesivo tedio.
Me gusta el nuevo enfoque del Escuadrón Suicida, aunque es bastante similar a LJI, por no mencionar que no cuenta con demasiado sentido teniendo en cuenta que los villanos con los que trabaja son parte del sistema gubernamental y, por ende, no deberían estar a disposición de una empresa privada....
Pero en fin, me gusta que Waller tenga mayor margen de acción. Es una lastima que Flag no vuelva a la historia, tenía un carisma que lamentablemente ningún otro personaje pudo imitar. No me gustó para nada la incursión de Batman en este tomo, no solo fue forzada e innecesaria, sino que además siento que el autor no supo utilizar al personaje como corresponde.
¿Por qué le pongo tres estrellas? Porque a pesar de todos sus defectos la historia fue medianamente entretenida y pude leerla rápidamente, sin sentir agotamiento o un excesivo tedio.
July 25, 2018
Nobody does The Suicide Squad like John Ostrander. There is a lot I miss about his run that you don't find in any of the revival series. Waller looking an actual 40ish woman for one thing. A series that isn't afraid to getting into issues of politics and religion in a mature where everyone's views are respected and characters who are supposed to be protagonists are necessary in the right. Of course it helps that the 'good guys' in Suicide Squad aren't super heroes. They are conscripted super terrorists. It's bad guys rubbing out worse guys.
I remember reading a few of these issues decades ago in cheap box runs. But I never got to read the whole of any of the two arcs presented nor did I get to read them in order. But man, oh man, I was I missing out.
I remember reading a few of these issues decades ago in cheap box runs. But I never got to read the whole of any of the two arcs presented nor did I get to read them in order. But man, oh man, I was I missing out.
October 21, 2019
Volume 6 of John Ostrander's Suicide Squad still offers inventive, exciting storytelling, but this installment begins to repeat what's familiar instead of exploring what's new.
In past trades, Ostrander's "everyone's expendable" storytelling did an amazing job juggling high stakes and a rotating cast of characters. Here, though, we find "the band getting back together" for some dirty work overseas.
It's still fun, and Ostrander does a good job building stories around Soviet super-intrigues and self-aware AIs. But hard-ass squad leader Amanda Waller seems to be bending toward fan service, even as Captain Boomerang trends toward the punchline he probably is (albeit with some classic character work when he heads home for a funeral in issue 44).
In past trades, Ostrander's "everyone's expendable" storytelling did an amazing job juggling high stakes and a rotating cast of characters. Here, though, we find "the band getting back together" for some dirty work overseas.
It's still fun, and Ostrander does a good job building stories around Soviet super-intrigues and self-aware AIs. But hard-ass squad leader Amanda Waller seems to be bending toward fan service, even as Captain Boomerang trends toward the punchline he probably is (albeit with some classic character work when he heads home for a funeral in issue 44).
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November 12, 2019Another solid volume. It’s a full year after the events of issue 39, as Waller gets approached by Steel and Batman to round up the Suicide Squad for a mission to stop a revolution in Count Vertigo’s home country. Following that, the team works to halt a holy war and cyber war. These issues are notable for fully revealing Barbara Gordon as Oracle. She’s dealing with trauma from the events of The Killing Joke, doing her best to be a hero in her new condition. I didn’t know before reading this series that Oracle debuts here, but it makes sense: Suicide Squad is an intelligence operation and her modus operandi fits right in with what they do.
This book is let down a bit by the art. So far, the writing has been strong enough for me to glide over so-so artwork. But there’re some ugly faces in these issues and the art looks scratchier than usual.
This book is let down a bit by the art. So far, the writing has been strong enough for me to glide over so-so artwork. But there’re some ugly faces in these issues and the art looks scratchier than usual.
November 30, 2020
Spoilers for previous volume:
After the last volume's amazing climax, it seems like Suicide Squad finally ran out of steam. Amanda seems pretty much the same despite being jailed for a year. (A time-jump that probably hurts continuity when you think about it) The Suicide Squad becomes freelance, which mutilates the appeal of the team's original premise. Geof Isherwood takes over as main artist, but the inks do not do him justice. His art gets better in later volumes when Robert Campanella becomes the main inker.
The volume does have one highlight and that is the revelation of Oracle's secret identity.
After the last volume's amazing climax, it seems like Suicide Squad finally ran out of steam. Amanda seems pretty much the same despite being jailed for a year. (A time-jump that probably hurts continuity when you think about it) The Suicide Squad becomes freelance, which mutilates the appeal of the team's original premise. Geof Isherwood takes over as main artist, but the inks do not do him justice. His art gets better in later volumes when Robert Campanella becomes the main inker.
The volume does have one highlight and that is the revelation of Oracle's secret identity.
June 5, 2017
Great, easy to read, completely enjoyable. If you have read the previous 5 volumes, this book will be a breeze.
Geof Isherwood went from being book inker in volume 5 , to being full time artist for most of the issues contained. His style is evocative, figurative, and dynamic. Gene Ha would be a good comparison to Geof. Luke Mcdonnell even helps out for a Captain Boomerang story in Australia.
John Ostrander and Kim Yale work their magic again in all 10 issues!
Geof Isherwood went from being book inker in volume 5 , to being full time artist for most of the issues contained. His style is evocative, figurative, and dynamic. Gene Ha would be a good comparison to Geof. Luke Mcdonnell even helps out for a Captain Boomerang story in Australia.
John Ostrander and Kim Yale work their magic again in all 10 issues!
October 11, 2017
Amanda Waller is back from prison, with Batman's help, she reassembles her suicide squad. The second arc was the adventure to capture Kobra in Jerusalem. There was a one issue special on Boomerang's life in Australia and the two issue story focused on Oracle overcoming her fear of Joker (formerly Batgirl).
It was an overall fantastic volume, the stories were intriguing, the character development was superb and the artwork was improving too.
It was an overall fantastic volume, the stories were intriguing, the character development was superb and the artwork was improving too.
January 15, 2024
The Phoenix Gambit is another solid entry from John Ostrander and Kim Yale. We get Batman and see the development of Barbara Gordon's Oracle identity. We also have a new Atom, but I don't remember if this Atom is really Ray Palmer under an assumed identity, or if it really was a separate character. Lawton's Deadshot costume is still missing and was last seen in Ankara. Maybe all will be revealed in the next volume of the Suicide Squad.
January 25, 2018
Another great volume of Suicide Squad! Amanda Waller finds herself on the wrong side of a prison cell but schemes just as quickly to get out, and the Oracle plotline reaches a peak as readers finally learn who's been aiding the Suicide Squad. After six volumes, what more can you say? This series continues to be strong and consistent.
November 12, 2019
Another real solid set of stories - the Squad reassembled and reempowered, with a couple really fun, sh*t-hits-the-fan stories along the way. I didn't quite buy Batman's involvement and the Ivy/Vertigo bit was underdeveloped, but I love Lawton's indifferent return to the team (Waller offering to match his pay plus $1) and the development and revelation of Oracle are superbly done.
June 22, 2017
None of the stories in this volume are the big, flashy memorable ones, but they generally show how great Ostrander was with character.
The Phoenix Gambit (40-43). Getting the team back together again! A nice resurrection of the Squad. The mission is an interesting one, in large part because it includes an old Squad-member, Vertigo. Meanwhile, it's good to see the continued characterization of people like Boomer and Deadshot, as well as new folks like Ivy. [7/10]
Flash Back (44). This spotlight on the Boomer, complete with origin, is Ostrander at his best, shining light on his characters [9/10].
Age of Chaos (45-47). Kobra is a good villain for the Squad because he combines a super-villain with real-world concerns. This would also have offered a really nice spotlight on Ravan ... if anyone cared about Ravan. Still, it's a nice, tense set of issues with fun new characters and a nice look at all the existing ones [7/10].
Oracle (48-49). A good story on Oracle and the Thinker that finally connects up Oracle and the Squad, as we've been promised for some time [7/10].
The Phoenix Gambit (40-43). Getting the team back together again! A nice resurrection of the Squad. The mission is an interesting one, in large part because it includes an old Squad-member, Vertigo. Meanwhile, it's good to see the continued characterization of people like Boomer and Deadshot, as well as new folks like Ivy. [7/10]
Flash Back (44). This spotlight on the Boomer, complete with origin, is Ostrander at his best, shining light on his characters [9/10].
Age of Chaos (45-47). Kobra is a good villain for the Squad because he combines a super-villain with real-world concerns. This would also have offered a really nice spotlight on Ravan ... if anyone cared about Ravan. Still, it's a nice, tense set of issues with fun new characters and a nice look at all the existing ones [7/10].
Oracle (48-49). A good story on Oracle and the Thinker that finally connects up Oracle and the Squad, as we've been promised for some time [7/10].
May 18, 2019
The series continues with a slightly new direction and twist, which I like. I like that the series keeps finding ways to stay fresh and also that the new direction is a more streamlined one, with less extraneous characters.
September 18, 2017
The storylines are great but man does the art take a nose dive in some issues. Very haphazard and sloppy.
July 25, 2018
Good writing. Fun stories
September 26, 2018
The Squad is free of the government and for sale. Some great character moments. Loved Poison Ivy and Count Vertigo, the NEW Atom, and the start of Oracle!
September 12, 2019
The Phoenix Gambit takes the first half of this volume and is definitely the high point. The last half is several short stories that fell flat for me. That being said I still found parts I liked.
April 14, 2020
A great bit of late 1980s DC continuity. Some thoughtful arcs about how super-heroics might intersect with geopolitics and religious faith
July 16, 2020
It's interesting, reading about some of their origins.
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