View source for Suicide Squad

{{short description|DC Comics antihero team}}
{{Other uses|Suicide squad (disambiguation)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{Original research|date=January 2016}}
{{In-universe|date=January 2016}}
{{Overly detailed|reason=Several of the synopsis sections contain many plot points which contradicts the definition of a synopsis, which means a brief summary or overview.|date=February 2017}}
}}
{{Infobox comics team and title
<!-- Group section -->
|image               = Suicide Squad.png
|imagesize           = <!-- default 250 -->
|caption             = Cover of ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 5) #33 (March 2018).<br />Art by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, Adriano Lucas, and Mason Fox.
|publisher           = [[DC Comics]]
|debuthead           = 
|debut               = '''Original:''' <br /> ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #25 (September 1959) <br /> '''Modern:''' <br /> ''[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]'' #3 (January 1987)
|debutmo             = 
|debutyr             = 
|creators            = '''Original:''' <br /> [[Robert Kanigher]] <br />[[Ross Andru]] <br />'''Modern:''' <br /> [[John Ostrander]]
|type                = 
|business            = 
|organisation        = 
|organization        = 
|team                = 
|base                = <!-- don't delink -->Belle Reve Penitentiary, IMHS{{Efn|('''I'''nstitute for '''M'''eta'''h'''uman '''S'''tudies)}}
|owners              = 
|employees           = 
|members             = [[List of Suicide Squad members]]
|fullroster          =
<!-- Series section -->

|cvr_image           = Suicide Squad -1.jpg
|cvr_caption         = Cover of ''Suicide Squad'' #1 (May 1987).<br />Art by [[Howard Chaykin]].
|schedule            = Monthly
|ongoing             = Y
|genre               = [[Spy fiction|Spy]], [[War fiction|war]], [[Superhero comics|superhero]]
|pub_series          = [[DC Comics]]
|date                = '''Vol. 1:'''<br />May 1987 – June 1992<br />'''Vol. 2:'''<br />November 2001 – October 2002<br />'''Vol. 3:'''<br />November 2007 – June 2008<br />'''Vol. 4:'''<br />November 2011 – July 2014<br />'''''New Suicide Squad:'''''<br />September 2014 – July 2016<br />'''Vol. 5'''<br />August 2016 – January 2019<br />'''Vol. 6'''<br />December 2019 – November 2020<br />'''Vol. 7'''<br />March 2021 – present
|issues              = '''Vol. 1:'''<br />68 (#1–66 plus 1 ''Annual'' and 1 ''Special'')<br />'''Vol. 2:'''<br />12<br />'''Vol. 3:'''<br />8<br />'''Vol. 4:'''<br />32 (#1–30 plus issue #0 and one ''Special'')<br />'''''New Suicide Squad:'''''<br />22 (20 regular, 1 ''Annual'' and 1 ''Special'')<br />'''Vol. 5'''<br />50 (plus a ''DC Rebirth'' one-shot)<br />'''Vol. 6'''<br />11
|main_char_team      = 
|writers             = {{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 1:
 | John Ostrander (#1–67, ''Annual'' #1)
 | [[Paul Kupperberg]] (''Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special'' #1)
 | [[Kim Yale]] (#23–24, 27–32, 34, 36–37, 39–43, 45–66)
 | [[Robert Greenberger]]  (#38)
 | David M. DeVries (#44)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 2:
 | [[Keith Giffen]] (#1–12)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 3:
 | John Ostrander (#1–8)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 4:
 | Adam Glass (#1–19, 0)
 | Ales Kot (#20–23)
 | [[Matt Kindt]] (#24–29)
 | Jim Zub (''Suicide Squad: Amanda Waller'' #1)
 | Sean Ryan (#30)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = ''New Suicide Squad'':
 | Sean Ryan (#1–22, ''Annual'' #1)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 5:
 | Rob Williams (#1– present)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 6:
 | [[Tom Taylor (writer)|Tom Taylor]] (#1– present)
}}
|artists             = 
|pencillers          = {{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 1:
 | [[Luke McDonnell]] (#1–24, 35, 38, 38–39, 44, 46, 49–51, ''Annual'' #1)
 | [[Grant Miehm]]  (#25–26, 32, 50)
 | [[John K. Snyder III]] (#27–31, 33–34, 36–37)
 | [[Geof Isherwood]] (#40–43, 45, 47–48, 50, 53–66)
 | Jim Fern (#52)
 | M. Mondy (#53)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 2:
 | Paco Medina (#1–12)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 3:
 | Javier Pina (#1–8)
 | [[Robin Riggs]] (#1–8)
 | Jesus Saiz (#7)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 4:
 | Federico Dallocchio (#1–2, 4–5, 8)
 | Ransom Getty (#1)
 | Andrei Bressan (#2)
 | Cliff Richards (#3, 13, 19)
 | [[Clayton Henry]] (#6–7)
 | Ig Guara (#7)
 | Fernando Dagnino (#0, 9–10, 12, 14–15)
 | Carlos Rodriguez (#11)
 | Henrik Jonsson (#16–18)
 | [[Patrick Zircher]] (#20–22, 24–26)
 | [[Rick Leonardi]] (#23
 | Roger Robinson (#27)
 | Rafa Sandoval (#27)
 | Jason Masters (#28)
 | Jim Fern (#29)
 | André Coelho (#30)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = ''New Suicide Squad'':
 | Jeremy Roberts (#1, 3)
 | Tom Derenick (#2–8)
 | André Coelho (''Futures End'' #1)
 | Philippe Briones (#8–, ''Annual'' #1)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 5:
 | Jonathan Glapion, Philip Tan (Rebirth #1)
 | Scott Williams, Jim Lee(#1–#8)
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 6:
 | Bruno Redondo (#1–present)
}}
|inkers              = {{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 1:
 | [[Karl Kesel]]
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 2:
 | Joe Sanchez
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 3:
 | [[Robin Riggs]]
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 4:
 | Federico Dallocchio
 | Ransom Getty
 | Scott Hanna
 | Andrei Bressan
 | Cliff Richards
 | [[Clayton Henry]]
 | Fernando Dagnino
 | Carlos Rodriguez
 | [[Sandu Florea]]
 | [[Patrick Zircher]]
 | Andy Owens
 | Derek Fridolfs
 | Marc Deering
 | Jordi Tarragona
 | [[Wayne Faucher]]
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = ''New Suicide Squad'':
 | various
}}
|letterers           = {{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 1:
 | [[Todd Klein]]
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 2:
 | Bill Oakley
 | Kurt Hathaway
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 3:
 | Rob Leigh
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 4:
 | Jared K. Fletcher
 | Carlos M. Mangual
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = ''New Suicide Squad'':
 | Taylor Esposito
 | Dave Sharpe
}}
|colorists           = {{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 1:
 | [[Carl Gafford]]
 | Tom McCraw
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 2:
 | [[John Kalisz]]
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 3:
 | Jason Wright
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 4:
 | Val Staples
 | Allen Passalaqu
 | Matt Yackey
 | Pete Pantazis
 | Jason Keith
 | Brad Anderson
 | Matt Milla
 | Blond
 | Brett Smith
 | Andrew Dalhouse
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = ''New Suicide Squad'':
 | Blond
}}
|editors             = {{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 1:
 | [[Robert Greenberger]]
 | [[Dan Raspler]]
 | Mike Gold
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 2:
 | [[Peter Tomasi]]
 | Stephen Wacker}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 3:
 | [[Joan Hilty]]
 | Rachel Gluckstern
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = Vol. 4:
 | Pat McCallum
 | Rachel Gluckstern
 | Sean Mackiewicz
 | Rickey Purdin
 | Mike Marts
 | Darren Shan
 | Brian Cunningham
 | Wil Moss
 | Harvey Richards
 | Kate Durréh
}}
{{Collapsible list
 | title = ''New Suicide Squad'':
 | Taylor Esposito
 | Dave Sharpe
}}
|creative_team_month = 
|creative_team_year  = 
|creators_series     = 
|CEheader            =
|TPB                 = 
|ISBN                = 
|TPB1                = '''Trial by Fire'''
|ISBN1               = 1-4012-3005-9
|TPB2                = '''Suicide Squad: From the Ashes'''
|ISBN2               = 1-4012-1866-0
|TPB3                = '''Kicked in the Teeth'''
|ISBN3               = 1-4012-3544-1
|TPB4                = '''Basilisk Rising'''
|ISBN4               = 1-4012-3844-0
|TPB5                = '''Death Is for Suckers'''
|ISBN5               = 1-4012-4316-9
|TPB6                = '''Discipline and Punish'''
|ISBN6               = 1-4012-4701-6
|TPB7                = '''Walled In'''
|ISBN7               = 1-4012-5012-2
|TPB8                = '''New Suicide Squad: Vol. 1'''
|ISBN8               = 1-4012-5238-9
|nonUS               =
<!-- Category section -->
|group = y
|cat                 = teams
|subcat              = DC Comics
|altcat              = 
|hero                = y
|villain             = y
|sortkey             = Suicide Squad
|addgrpcat#          = 
|addpubcat#          = 
}}
The '''Suicide Squad''' is an [[antihero]]/[[supervillain]] team appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. The first version of the Suicide Squad debuted in ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #25 (September 1959) and the second and modern version, created by [[John Ostrander]], debuted in ''[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]'' #3 (January 1987).

Various incarnations of the Suicide Squad have existed throughout the years as depicted in several self-titled comic book series, from its origins in the [[Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]] to its modern-day post-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths|Crisis]]'' re-imagining, to the [[New 52]] version and the current version that was introduced during [[DC Rebirth]] in 2016. Some of the most well-known members are: [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]], [[Rick Flag]], [[Katana (comics)|Katana]], [[Killer Croc]], [[Plastique (character)|Plastique]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Deadshot]], [[Bronze Tiger]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[King Shark]], [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]], [[Bloodsport (character)|Bloodsport]], [[Count Vertigo]] and [[Peacemaker (character)|Peacemaker]].
{{TOC limit|3}}

==Background and creation==
The original Suicide Squad appeared in six issues of ''The Brave and the Bold''.<ref name="mycomicshop">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mycomicshop.com/search?TID=179431|title=Brave and the Bold (1955 1st Series DC) comic books|website=www.mycomicshop.com|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref> Co-creator/writer [[Robert Kanigher]] took the name from another comic series of the same name, by an unknown writer, from the Australian comic publishing company [[Frew Publications]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2024}} Although this early incarnation of the team (created by Kanigher and artist [[Ross Andru]]) did not have the antics of later iterations, it explained much of squad's field leader [[Rick Flag]]'s personal history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nyjournalofbooks.com/book-review/suicide-squad|title=a book review by Mark Squirek: Suicide Squad: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1|last=Squirek|first=Mark|website=www.nyjournalofbooks.com|language=en|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref> The team's administrator [[Amanda Waller]] was introduced in the ''[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]'' miniseries,<ref name="Legends">''Legends'' #1–6</ref> with the original Silver Age Squad's backstory elaborated in ''[[Secret Origins]]'' (vol. 2) #14.<ref name="SO#14">''[[Secret Origins]]'' (vol. 2) #14</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Irvine|first= Alex|authorlink = Alexander C. Irvine|editor-last = Dolan|editor-first = Hannah|chapter= 1950s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 95 |quote = In "The Three Waves of Doom", a story that filled ''The Brave and the Bold'' #25, writer Robert Kanigher and artist Ross Andru introduced the Suicide Squad, a band of World War II-era military misfits.}}</ref>

The Suicide Squad was later re-established in the ''[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]'' miniseries with writer [[John Ostrander]] at the helm.<ref>Manning, Matthew K. "1980s" in Dolan, p. 228: "Writer John Ostrander gave the new Suicide Squad its own series, having brought the team to life in 1986's '' Legends'' miniseries...With the team's own title, Ostrander was helped by artist Luke McDonnell."</ref> The renewed concept involved the government [[Black project|employing]] a group of supervillains to perform extremely dangerous missions as deniable and expendable assets, a concept popular enough for an ongoing self-titled series. The squad was often paired with DC's other government agency, [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]], culminating in the [[Janus Directive]]<ref name="Janus">The 11-part Janus Directive crossover consisted of ''Suicide Squad'' #27–30, ''Checkmate'' #15–18, ''Manhunter'' (vol. 2) #14, ''Firestorm'' (vol. 2) #86, and ''Captain Atom'' #30</ref> crossover.

While the Squad is often depicted as succeeding on their missions, failure was an occurrence. Ostrander remarked on how stories sometimes purposefully brought in characters to be killed off.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comicmix.com/2016/10/09/john-ostranders-picking-favorites/|title=John Ostrander's Picking Favorites|last=Ostrander|first=John|date=2016-10-09|website=ComicMix|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref> The team's very name, Suicide Squad, relates to the idea that this group of characters is sent on dangerous and difficult suicide missions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/175230-why-is-it-called-suicide-squad-the-teams-name-is-fitting-for-their-mission|title=Why Is It Called 'Suicide Squad'? The Team's Name Is Fitting For Their Mission|last=Ficarra|first=Jenn|date=August 2016|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2015/7/16/8974897/suicide-squad-explainer|title=The Suicide Squad, explained|last=Polo|first=Susana|date=2015-07-16|website=Polygon|access-date=2017-02-03|quote=Nobody really believes that a hero will get killed in their own book, so it can be hard to bring tension to the fight between good and evil. But when every team member is as unimportant to the publisher as they are to the fictional setting in which they exist, death can be around the corner. As the Suicide Squad book killed somebody in just about every story arc, readers got hooked on the idea that nobody was safe.}}</ref>

''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 1) lasted 66 issues, along with one ''Annual'' and one special (''Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special'' #1). After the series' cancellation in 1992, the team members made several appearances in titles such as ''[[Superboy (comic book)|Superboy]]'',<ref name="Superboy">''Superboy'' (vol. 3) #13–15</ref> ''[[Hawk and Dove|Hawk & Dove]]'',<ref name="HawkDove">''Hawk & Dove'' (vol. 4) #3–5</ref> ''[[Chase (comics)|Chase]]'',<ref name="Chase">''Chase'' #2–3</ref> and ''[[Superman (comic book)|The Adventures of Superman]]''.<ref name="AoS">''The Adventures of Superman'' #593–594</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbr.com/suicide-squad-declassified-a-look-back-at-dcs-task-force-x/|title="Suicide Squad", Declassified: A Look Back at DC's Task Force X|newspaper=CBR.com|language=en-CA|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref>

''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) was published in 2001, written by [[Keith Giffen]], with art by Paco Medina. Though the series' first issue featured a Squad composed entirely of Giffen's [[Injustice League]]<ref name="InjusticeLeague">''Justice League'' Annual #1</ref> members, the roster was promptly slaughtered, save for [[Major Disaster]] and [[Multi-Man]]. These developments prompt [[Sgt. Rock (comics)|Sgt. Rock]], who was written into the role of squad leader, to recruit new members of whom many die during missions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/us/books-comics/suicide-squad/233847/the-many-deaths-of-the-suicide-squad|title=The Many Deaths of The Suicide Squad|last=Buxton|first=Mark|date=August 2016|newspaper=Den of Geek|language=en|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref>

''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) (initially subtitled ''Raise the Flag'' in DC's solicitations<ref name="RaiseTheFlag">{{cite web |url=http://www.dccomics.com/comics/suicide-squad-raise-the-flag-2007/suicide-squad-raise-the-flag-1 |title=Suicide Squad #1: Raise the Flag |publisher=DC Comics |date=2007-09-12 |access-date=2015-03-03 |archive-date=2015-01-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122142152/http://www.dccomics.com/comics/suicide-squad-raise-the-flag-2007/suicide-squad-raise-the-flag-1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>) was an eight-issue miniseries published in 2007. It featured the return of writer John Ostrander with art by Javier Pina. The story focused on the return of Rick Flag Jr. and the formation of a new squad to attack a corporation responsible for developing a deadly bio-weapon.

''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) debuted as part of DC Comics' line-wide [[The New 52|New 52]] continuity reboot in 2011. The relaunched book was written by Adam Glass, with art by Federico Dallocchio and Ransom Getty. Amanda Waller directs the group from behind the scenes; Deadshot, [[Harley Quinn]], and [[King Shark]] feature prominently in this version of the Squad. The volume concluded in 2014, with issue #30.

''New Suicide Squad'' was launched in July 2014. Written by Sean Ryan with art by Jeremy Roberts, the new series continues to feature Deadshot and Harley Quinn, with [[Deathstroke]], [[Black Manta]], and the [[Duela Dent#The New 52|Joker's Daughter]] also featuring.

==Publication history==
===Silver Age===
[[File:Brave and the Bold v1-25.jpg|left|thumb|upright|The Squad debuted in ''[[The Brave and the Bold]]'' #25; art by [[Ross Andru]].]]

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis (The Silver Age Suicide Squad)}}Plot synopsis====
=====''The Brave and the Bold''=====
{{Main|The Brave and the Bold}}
The original Suicide Squad first appears in ''The Brave and the Bold'' #25. Team members appearing in the debut issue include physicist Jess Bright; astronomer Dr. Hugh Evans; Rick Flag Jr., the team leader; and Karin Grace (Davies in #26, Grace in #37), flight medic. The characters have follow-up appearances in issues #26, #27 and #37-#39. The team's introductory story depicts them being called in to deal with a super-heated red-hued object, called the "Red Wave", which was heading toward a seaside resort and boiling the ocean along the way. They travel in a plane equipped with a testing and analysis lab. Follow-up appearances show the team dealing with a variety of challenges: a meteor storm (the radiation from which causes them to shrink), a giant serpent in the Paris subway tunnels, a giant monster that captures Karin, and a nuclear bomb. Issues #38 and #39 show the team encountering dinosaurs and meeting the leader of the Cyclops.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Comics through time: a history of icons, idols, and ideas.|last=Keith|first=Booker, M.|publisher=ABC-CLIO|year=2014|isbn=9780313397516|pages=45|oclc=896826610}}</ref><ref name="mycomicshop" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.looper.com/14655/insane-history-suicide-squad/|title=The insane history of the Suicide Squad|last=David|first=C.|newspaper=Looper.com|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-03}}</ref>

=====''Star Spangled War Stories''=====
{{Main|Star Spangled War Stories}}
The Suicide Squad then continued in ''[[The War that Time Forgot]]'', published in ''[[Star Spangled War Stories]]'' #110-111, #116-121, #125, and #127-128, that introduced the characters Morgan and Mace.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://atomicjunkshop.com/just-shoot-him-already-morgan-and-mace-of-the-suicide-squad/ | title=Just shoot him already! Morgan and Mace of the Suicide Squad ⋆ Atomic Junk Shop | date=7 January 2019 }}</ref>

=====''Legends''=====
{{Main|Legends (comics)}}
In the midst of [[Darkseid]]'s attempt to turn humanity against Earth's superheroes via his minion [[Glorious Godfrey]], Amanda Waller assigns Rick Flag Jr. leadership of a reformed Task Force X.<ref name="Legends#1">''Legends'' #1</ref> [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]], [[Bronze Tiger]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Deadshot]], and [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]] make up Task Force X at [[Belle Reve (DC Comics)|Belle Reve]]. The squad's first mission is to eliminate [[Darkseid]]'s rampaging fire elemental [[Brimstone (DC Comics)|Brimstone]]; Blockbuster dies during the conflict and Deadshot takes down the creature with an experimental laser rifle.<ref name="Legends#3">''Legends'' #3</ref> Waller dismisses the group,<ref name="Legends#4">''Legends'' #4</ref> though they soon reconvened to rescue Captain Boomerang after Godfrey captures him.<ref name="Legends#5">''Legends'' #5</ref>

====''Secret Origins'' (vol. 2)====
{{Main|Secret Origins}}
During [[World War II]], a number of Army riffraff are assembled into a unit that is highly expendable, and therefore nicknamed the Suicide Squadron (shortened to Suicide Squad). Several such teams existed, but their history in comics is only scarcely recorded before [[Rick Flag|Rick Flag, Sr.]] becomes the leader of the team (and even then, only a few adventures of this Squad are shown). After the war ends, the team (together with the Argent group) is put under the umbrella organization of Task Force X. After his father's death, Rick Flag Jr. goes on to lead the group that is featured in ''The Brave and the Bold''. A deadly encounter with a [[Yeti]] during a mission in [[Cambodia]] ends with Evans and Bright dead and sends Flag back to the U.S. with a wounded Karin Grace. After a stint with the [[Forgotten Heroes]], Flag is drafted into the Squad that Waller assembles in ''Legends''.<ref name="SO#14" />

"A Princess' Story" from ''Secret Origins'' (vol. 2) #28 sheds light on Nightshade's origin, revealing that her mother hailed from the Land of the Nightshades. An ill-fated trip to this world ends with Nightshade's mother dead and her brother abducted, and Nightshade spends the following years honing her shadowy powers and building a reputation as a crimefighter. She falls in with [[King Faraday]] at the [[List of government agencies in DC Comics#C.B.I.|C.B.I.]]; Faraday eventually introduces her to Amanda Waller, who agrees to help her rescue her brother in exchange for Nightshade's participation in the Squad.<ref name="SO#28">''Secret Origins'' (vol. 2) #28</ref>

====Other World War II Suicide Squads====
The World War II Squad of ''Secret Origins'' (vol. 2) #14 was a means of tying the Silver Age Suicide Squad to the war-era Suicide Squad (also called the Suicide Squadron) created by [[Robert Kanigher]] for his "[[The War that Time Forgot]]" tales in the pages of ''[[Star Spangled War Stories]]''.<ref name="WarStories">''Star Spangled War Stories'' #110–111, 116–121, 125, and 127–128</ref> This Suicide Squadron is described as a "top-secret [[United States Army Rangers|Ranger]] outfit" whose members were trained to tackle missions from which ordinary volunteers were not expected to return alive. It is unclear whether this team is part of the modern Suicide Squad canon or if the Squad introduced in ''Secret Origins'' was intended as a replacement for them in DC continuity.

Another classic version of the Squad (Rick Flag Jr., Karin Grace, Jess Bright, and Dr. Hugh Evans) appears in the non-canon 2004 miniseries ''[[DC: The New Frontier]]'' by [[Darwyn Cooke]]. The group is briefly shown undertaking the sorts of dangerous missions the Squad is known for, and Flag eventually drafts [[Hal Jordan]] onto the team to assist in preparing a [[Human spaceflight|crewed space flight]] to [[Mars]]. The experimental rocket's test runs quickly goes south and the group (sans Jordan) dies in the explosion.<ref name="NewFrontier#1-4">''DC: The New Frontier'' #1–4</ref>

In the ''[[DC Comics Bombshells]]'' continuity, the World War II-era Suicide Squad is led by Francine Charles and consists of Killer Croc, Enchantress, Rose Wilson, and Barbara Gordon (who in this setting is a vampire). In the final issue of the comic, it is revealed that after the end of the war, this Suicide Squad became a "[[Justice League Dark|Dark Justice League]]" defending the world against magical threats.

===''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 1)===
===={{anchor|Background (Suicide Squad vol. 1)}}Background====
The first volume of ''Suicide Squad'', written by modern Squad creator [[John Ostrander]], launched in May 1987, shortly after the team was introduced in the "[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]" crossover storyline. It lasted for 66 monthly issues, along with one annual and one special (''Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special'' #1), both published in 1988.

This series details the [[Black operation|covert operations]] of the modern post-''[[Crisis on Infinite Earths|Crisis]]'' Squad, created (in-universe) and directed by [[Amanda Waller]]. It is notable for bringing obscure characters such as [[Captain Boomerang]] and [[Deadshot]] to prominence; the latter received his own tie-in miniseries in 1988, co-written by Ostrander and [[Kim Yale]].<ref name="Deadshot_v1">''Deadshot'' #1–4. DC Comics.</ref> The Suicide Squad also presents a modern context for field team leader [[Rick Flag Jr.]]'s modern-day activities and his involvement in the Silver-Age Suicide Squad. Former Batgirl [[Barbara Gordon]] makes her first appearance as the information-broker [[Barbara Gordon|Oracle]],<ref name="SSv1#23">''Suicide Squad'' #23. DC Comics.</ref> and serves as the Squad's remote radio support, a vocation she adopted after being shot by the [[Joker (character)|Joker]]. She uses a wheelchair as a result of being shot.<ref name="KillingJoke">''[[Batman: The Killing Joke]]''. DC Comics.</ref>

''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 1) takes pains to humanize its relatively obscure ensemble cast, partly via an in-house [[chaplain]] and psychiatric staff at the Squad's Belle Reve headquarters. These staff members are frequently seen interviewing various Squad operatives<ref name="SSv1#5">''Suicide Squad'' #5. DC Comics.</ref> or providing evaluations of their mental states;<ref name="SSv1#1">''Suicide Squad'' #1. DC Comics.</ref> several full issues are dedicated to examining prominent characters' personal lives and motivations.<ref name="PersonalFiles">''Suicide Squad'' #8, 19, and 31. DC Comics.</ref>

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis (Suicide Squad vol. 1)}}Plot synopsis====
Throughout 66 issues, this incarnation of the Suicide Squad undertook numerous high-risk missions for the U.S. government.

====="Baptism of Fire"=====
The team's first mission in the ''Suicide Squad'' title set them up against their recurring enemies, the [[Onslaught (DC Comics)|Onslaught]]. They infiltrate their headquarters (the fortress known as Jotunheim, situated in Qurac) and proceed to defeat and kill most of the Onslaught members. Elements from this first story arc return over the series, such as the death of Mindboggler, [[Captain Boomerang]]'s cowardly and treacherous nature, [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]]'s attraction to [[Rick Flag Jr.]], a rivalry between Rustam and Flag, and [[Ravan (comics)|Ravan]]'s defeat at the hands of the [[Bronze Tiger]].<ref name="SSv1#1-2">''Suicide Squad'' #1–2. DC Comics.</ref>

====="Mission to Moscow"=====
On orders of Derek Tolliver (the team's liaison with the [[United States National Security Council|UNSC]]), the Suicide Squad is sent to [[Moscow]] in order to free the captive Zoya Trigorin, a revolutionary writer. Although the mission is largely successful in its first half, the team finds that Zoya does not want to be freed at all, causing friction among the team as they must plan their escape.

In the end, the mission ends with the Squad having to travel across a tundra to reach safety, but come face to face with the People's Heroes, the Russian's own group of metahumans. In the conflict, Trigorin dies, and Nemesis (Tom Tresser) is captured.<ref name="SSv1#7">''Suicide Squad'' #7. DC Comics.</ref> It turns out Tolliver never even considered the possibility of Trigorin wishing to become a martyr, automatically leaping at the conclusion she would be eager to leave the Soviet Union, and thus risked Waller's wrath upon the mission's end.

Nemesis eventually escapes thanks to a collaboration between the Suicide Squad and the [[Justice League International]], although the two teams fight one another first.<ref>''Justice League International'' #13 and ''Suicide Squad'' #13</ref> This conflict is primarily the result of Batman's investigation into the Suicide Squad, his confrontation with Waller, and his being forced to drop the investigation when she reveals that she can easily figure out his secret identity if need be.<ref name="SSv1#10">''Suicide Squad'' #10. DC Comics.</ref>

====="Rogues" and "Final Round"=====
In this story arc,<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #21–22. DC Comics.</ref> building on subplots from previous issues,<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #8, 11, 14, 17, 19. DC Comics.</ref> Rick Flag goes after Senator Cray in order to assassinate him. Previously, Senator Cray had been blackmailing Amanda Waller in order for her to ensure Cray's reelection, threatening her with the exposure of the Suicide Squad to the public.

At first, there is also the threat of Waller being usurped by Derek Tolliver, the now-former liaison between the Squad and NSC, who conspires with Cray against Waller. Waller deals with the situation by engaging in counter-blackmail with help of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]], but refrains from informing Flag.<ref>Flag discovers this in ''Suicide Squad'' #19. DC Comics.</ref> The Squad's existence is in danger, and he decides to deal with the problem himself.

Manhunter quits the Squad upon learning of their upcoming mission against Loa in New Orleans, LA.

In order to stop him, the Squad is sent after Flag, and it is eventually Deadshot who confronts Flag shortly before he can shoot Cray, but too late to prevent Tolliver's murder in ''Suicide Squad'' #21. As a result of these developments, the Suicide Squad is exposed to the public, contrary to Flag's intentions. Flag flees the scene, while Deadshot is shot by the arriving police officers. Unfortunately for Deadshot, who has a death wish, he does not die from the injuries.

Resulting from the exposure, Amanda Waller is replaced by an actor named Jack Kale so that she can continue to run the Squad. The team then goes on a public relations offensive, becoming, for a time, a prominent heroic team by saving a renowned nun from a repressive regime.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 1) #23–25</ref> Rick Flag travels to Jotunheim, where the Onslaught is still headquartered, and finishes the mission his father could not, blowing up Jotunheim with a prototype nuclear Nazi weapon but gives up his life to do so.<ref name="SSv1#26">''Suicide Squad'' #26. DC Comics.</ref>

====="The Janus Directive"=====
{{Main|Janus Directive}}
"The Janus Directive" is a crossover storyline involving an interagency war between [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]], the Suicide Squad, and [[Captain Atom|Project Atom]], who are manipulated by [[Kobra (DC comics)|Kobra]] in order to distract the United States intelligence community from his activities. During the crossover, the headquarters of Checkmate and the Suicide Squad are destroyed as the war between the agencies worsens, and the lives of all members of the [[Force of July]] are lost except for [[Major Victory (DC Comics)|Major Victory]]. In the end, with the defeat of Kobra, the various government agencies are made autonomous, to be overseen by [[Sarge Steel]].

====="Apokolips Now"=====
In this issue, the character known as Duchess regains her memory after suffering from amnesia and recalls her true identity as [[Lashina]], of the [[Female Furies]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://comicsverse.com/suicide-squad-essential-list/|title=Suicide Squad: Essential List|date=2016-08-03|newspaper=ComicsVerse|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-01}}</ref> With help from Shade the Changing Man, Lashina kidnaps several members of the Squad and takes them to Apokolips to win back her place among the Furies. Along with Dr. Light, Squad support members Briscoe (helicopter pilot) and computer specialist/Waller aide Flo Crowley are killed in an attack by parademons. Prevented by Steel from going, Bronze Tiger recruits Deadshot and others and joins with the [[Forever People]] to journey to Apokolips. Darkseid arrives to destroy Lashina for bringing humans to his world and allows the rest of the Squad to return to Earth with their dead. Shade is returned to his home dimension as the Squad mourns Flo.

====="The Coils of the LOA"=====
This issue details the plan of a group called LOA to raise a zombie army with drugs spread across the world. To ensure the Squad doesn't interfere, they reveal how Waller is still in charge and the White House decide to wash their hands of her. With the Suicide Squad on the verge of being disbanded by her superiors, Waller gathers [[Ravan (comics)|Ravan]], [[Poison Ivy (comics)|Poison Ivy]], and [[Deadshot]] in an assassination mission of the LOA. The deal for the villains is simple: the three will be set free after helping Waller kill the LOA. While the villains run after the assassination, Waller allows herself to be put into custody.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #37–39</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Suicide-Squad-Draw-From-Classic-Storylines-Get-Details-69678.html|title=Suicide Squad Will Draw From These Classic Storylines, Get The Details – CINEMABLEND|date=2015-02-09|newspaper=CINEMABLEND|access-date=2017-02-01}}</ref>

====="The Phoenix Gambit"=====
The storyline running through ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 1) #40 - 43 reassembles a scattered Suicide Squad after a year of imprisonment for Amanda Waller. She receives a presidential pardon, courtesy of [[Sarge Steel]], as well as money in the bank and her old privileges concerning the use of imprisoned villains.

This is done so that Waller can reassemble her Squad and prevent a confrontation between American and Soviet forces in the war-torn country of [[Vlatava (comics)|Vlatava]]. As the Suicide Squad succeeds and finishes their mission, they go in a new direction, free from the government as freelance operatives per the terms negotiated by Waller. Under the leadership of Waller, who now also goes into the field as an operative, they are a mercenary squad open to the highest bidder.

====="Serpent of Chaos"=====
This storyline ran through ''Suicide Squad'' #45 - 47. Amanda Waller and the Squad covertly sneak into Jerusalem seeking to capture or kill [[Kobra (DC comics)|Kobra]]. However, the squad's arrival is detected by the [[Hayoth]], and their Mossad liaison Colonel Hacohen takes Waller and Vixen into custody in order to show them that the Hayoth has already captured Kobra. Amanda figures out that Kobra allowed the Hayoth to capture him but is unsure of why. Judith follows Vixen to a meeting with the Bronze Tiger and Ravan, critically wounds Vixen, and is nearly killed by the Bronze Tiger. Meanwhile, the Atom discovers Kobra's true plan all along was to corrupt Dybbuk the Hayoth's artificial intelligence team member. Kobra "corrupted" Dybbuk through a series of philosophical conversations about the nature of good and evil; he then attempts to use Dybbuk to start World War III. The day is saved by Ramban, the team's kabbalistic magician, who has a lengthy conversation with Dybbuk about the true nature of good and evil, choice, and morality. Meanwhile, Ravan and Kobra have their final battle which results in Ravan's supposed death via poisoning.

====="Mystery of the Atom"=====
[[Batman]] is working to solve the murder of Ray Palmer, [[The Atom]]. He hears that Waller possibly knew about the explosion that killed him. Superman is told by a CBI agent that the Suicide Squad would be attempting to rescue [[Qurac]]'s former President Marlo. Adam Cray confronts Deadshot about killing his father, Senator Cray.<ref>Suicide Squad #59, November, 1991</ref> Golem, of the [[Hayoth]] enters the facility holding Marlo on Blood Island. The Hayoth mistakenly believe they would be allowed to take President Marlo into custody. This misunderstanding caused the Hayoth to become embroiled in a four-way conflict with the [[Justice League]] ([[Superman]], [[Batman]], and [[Aquaman]]), who were there searching for Ray Palmer (the Atom), as well as the Suicide Squad, and the Onslaught. After a series of skirmishes, Superman ends the free-for-all with a shockwave caused by clapping both his hands together. The League confronts Ray Palmer, and he tells them about Micro Force and their murder of Adam Cray, the man who had been impersonating him as a member of the Suicide Squad.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #59–62</ref>

====="Rumble in the Jungle"=====
The series concludes in issues #63 - 66, in which the Suicide Squad travels to Diabloverde to depose a seemingly invulnerable and invincible dictator calling himself Guedhe. This despot has his own personal bodyguards, a group of villains calling themselves the Suicide Squad. Insulted by the rival team usurping the Suicide Squad name, Waller accepts the mission to liberate Diabloverde at the price of one peso, paid by an exiled resident, Maria.

During that mission, they confront and defeat the other Suicide Squad. Each member of the Squad journeys through the mystical jungle towards Guedhe's fortress, confronting their own inner demons along the way, except for Deadshot. Amanda Waller deceives the despot, who is actually Maria's husband, into a form of self-destruction. The despot believes himself to be immortal, but in reality, he is a powerful psychic whose consciousness continues to animate his remains. Waller convinces him that her touch brings death, leading to his demise. Afterward, Waller disbands the Suicide Squad, and the series comes to an end.

====Membership: Amanda Waller's Squad====
{{Main|List of Suicide Squad members#Suicide Squad (vol. 1) (1987–1992)}}
Notable team members from ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 1) include:

{{Div col begin}}
* [[Amanda Waller]]
* [[Rick Flag Jr.]]
* [[Bronze Tiger]]
* [[Captain Boomerang]] (George "Digger" Harkness)
* [[Count Vertigo]]
* [[Deadshot]]
* [[Joker (character)|Joker]]
* [[Doctor Light (Arthur Light)|Doctor Light]] (Arthur Light)
* [[Lashina|Duchess]] (Lashina)
* [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]]
* [[Punch and Jewelee|Jewelee]]
* [[Nemesis (DC Comics)|Nemesis]] (Tom Tresser)
* [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]]
* [[Barbara Gordon|Oracle]] (Barbara Gordon)
* [[Poison Ivy (character)|Poison Ivy]]
* [[Punch and Jewelee|Punch]]
* [[Ravan (comics)|Ravan]]
* [[Shade, the Changing Man]]
* [[Thinker (DC Comics)|Thinker]] II (Cliff Carmichael)
* [[Vixen (comics)|Vixen]]
{{Div col end}}

===Interim stories (between Vol. 1–2)===
===={{anchor|Background (Interim stories 1)}}Background====
Though [[John Ostrander]]'s ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 1) series was canceled in 1992 with issue #66, the concept lived on in various DC storylines throughout the years. What follows is a breakdown of the Squad's various odd appearances over the years.

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis (Interim stories 1)}}Plot synopsis====
=====''Superboy'' (vol. 3): "Watery Grave"=====
{{Main|Superboy (comic book)}}
The Squad resurfaces in a three-issue ''[[Superboy (comic book)|Superboy]]'' (vol. 3) arc, with a lineup consisting of [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Deadshot]], [[King Shark]], [[Knockout (DC Comics)|Knockout]], Sam Makoa, and Sidearm (who meets his death in the following issue). Superboy himself joins the Squad to assist in taking out a Pacific Rim crime cartel called the Silicon Dragons.<ref name="Superboy" /> Writer [[Karl Kesel]] claims to have come very close to killing Captain Boomerang during this arc.<ref name="BackIssue">Flashback: The Suicide Squad (''Back Issue'' #26, February 2008)</ref>

=====''Hawk & Dove'' (vol. 4)=====
{{Main|Hawk and Dove}}
In the ''[[Hawk and Dove|Hawk & Dove]]'' (vol. 4) miniseries, superheroes Hawk and Dove (Sasha Martens and Wiley Wolverman) are targeted by the government who assemble a new Suicide Squad to subdue the pair. Squad members at the time include [[Bronze Tiger]], [[Count Vertigo]], Deadshot, Flex, Quartzite, [[Shrapnel (DC Comics)|Shrapnel]], and Thermal.<ref name="HawkDove" />

=====''Chase'' (vol. 1): "Letdowns"=====
{{Main|Chase (comics)}}
[[Amanda Waller]] reforms the Squad once again in ''[[Chase (comics)|Chase]]'' #2. [[Department of Extranormal Operations|D.E.O.]] agent Cameron Chase joins [[Bolt (DC Comics)|Bolt]], [[Copperhead (DC Comics)|Copperhead]], [[Killer Frost#Louise Lincoln|Killer Frost]], and Sledge on a mission to take out a [[South America]]n military base, only to be betrayed by the villains.<ref name="Chase" />

=====''Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files & Origins'': "Resources"=====
{{Main|Our Worlds at War}}
The brief story "Resources" (one of several in the issue) depicts Amanda Waller assembling the Squad that is seen in the ''Adventures of Superman'' arc.<ref name="SMOWAW">''Superman: Our Worlds at War Secret Files & Origins'' #1</ref>

=====''Adventures of Superman'' (vol. 1): "The Doomsday Protocol"=====
{{Main|Superman (comic book)}}
[[Lex Luthor]] organizes another Suicide Squad during his term as [[President of the United States]] so that they can recruit [[Doomsday (comics)|Doomsday]] to battle the alien [[Imperiex]]. This version of the Squad consists of [[Chemo (DC Comics)|Chemo]], [[Mongul]], [[Plasmus]], and Shrapnel; it is led by [[Manchester Black]], under the supervision of [[John Henry Irons|Steel]]. Doomsday seemingly kills most of the Squad upon his release, but all of the characters turn up alive in later comics.<ref name="AoS" />

===''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2)===
===={{anchor|Background (Suicide Squad vol. 2)}}Background====
[[Keith Giffen]]'s short-lived ''Suicide Squad'' run (which began in November 2001 and lasted 12 issues) is something of a darkly humorous analog to the writer's former work on [[Justice League International]], and follows a new version of the Squad, designated Task Force Omega, and run by [[Sgt. Rock|Sgt. Frank Rock]]. Together with his right-hand man Bulldozer, Rock taps new characters Havana and Modern to round out the team's mobile HQ. President [[Lex Luthor]] and Secretary of [[Metahuman]] Affairs [[Amanda Waller]] are shown to be supplying the Squad's assignments.<ref name="SSv2#6">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #6</ref>

Rock is thought by several other characters to have been deceased since the end of [[World War II]], and they are surprised to see him alive and well.<ref name="SSv2#1">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #1</ref><ref name="SSv2#2">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #2</ref> Two flashback stories<ref name="SSv2#4">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #4</ref><ref name="SSv2#10">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #10</ref> provide some context for Rock's current-day activities, but the series' final issue strongly implies that Rock is an (as-yet-unidentified) impostor.<ref name="SSv2#12">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #12</ref>

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis (Suicide Squad vol. 2)}}Plot synopsis====
The First issue details the former [[Injustice League]]'s terminally botched attempt to extract a kidnapped scientist from an Icelandic facility. With all but one team member ([[Major Disaster]]) presumed dead by issue's end, Sgt. Rock forms a new Suicide Squad for the missions ahead.<ref name="SSv2#1" /> Major Disaster, [[Deadshot]], and [[Killer Frost#Louise Lincoln|Killer Frost]] are mainstays of the field team. For his part, Rock is every bit as ruthless as Amanda Waller was (though far more affable), remorselessly sending his agents to die for the good of their country.

The Squad's missions involve eliminating an out-of-control colony of bio-engineered army ants,<ref name="SSv2#2"/><ref name="SSv2#3">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #3</ref> and investigating the mysterious island of [[Kooey Kooey Kooey]] to discourage its telepathic inhabitants from declaring war on Earth.<ref name="SSv2#6"/><ref name="SSv2#7">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #7</ref><ref name="SSv2#8">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #8</ref> Havana is revealed to be Amanda Waller's daughter,<ref name="SSv2#9">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #9</ref> and the final story arc revolves around an all-out attack on the Squad by the members of [[Onslaught (DC Comics)|Onslaught]], led by the son of longtime Squad enemy Rustam. Onslaught kills Modem and captures Rock, Havana, and Waller.<ref name="SSv2#11">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) #11</ref>

Upon learning that the Squad has been compromised, Waller's office drafts the [[Justice Society of America]] to counterattack Onslaught alongside the Squad, but they arrive too late to save Havana from Rustam's wrath. Deadshot discovers a discarded Sgt. Rock mask inside an empty holding cell, which prompts Bulldozer (who is monitoring the situation remotely via Deadshot's video camera) to stand from his wheelchair and announce "Oh, boy!" before leaving. Back in her office, Amanda Waller reviews Bulldozer's file, and states that he and Sgt. Rock died in 1945.<ref name="SSv2#12"/>

====Membership: Task Force Omega====
{{Main|List of Suicide Squad members#Suicide Squad (vol. 2) (2001–2002)}}

Notable team members from ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 2) include:

* [[Amanda Waller]]
* [[Sgt. Rock|Sgt. Frank Rock]] (implied to be an impostor<ref name="SSv2#12" />)
* [[Big Sir (comics)|Big Sir]]
* Bulldozer
* [[Clock King]] (William Tockman)
* [[Cluemaster]]
* [[Deadshot]]
* Havana
* [[Killer Frost]] (Louise Lincoln)
* [[Major Disaster]]
* Modem
* [[Multi-Man]]

===Interim stories (between Vol. 2–3)===
===={{anchor|Background (Interim stories 2)}}Background====
[[Amanda Waller]] and the Suicide Squad were heavily involved in the events and fallout of ''[[52 (comics)|52]]''. During much of this time, Waller ran the Squad covertly because of her station as the White Queen of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]. This inter-faction tension is a recurring theme throughout many Squad stories of this era.

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis (Interim stories 2)}}Plot synopsis====
=====''Superman'' (vol. 2): "Dead Men"=====
{{Main|Superman vol. 2}}
A Squad composed of [[Deadshot]], [[Killer Frost]], and [[Solomon Grundy (character)|Solomon Grundy]] goes after [[Lois Lane]] in order to silence her investigation into [[Lex Luthor]]'s presidency.<ref name="SM2#182">''Superman'' (vol. 2) #182</ref>

=====''Superman Secret Files & Origins 2004'': "Suicide Watch"=====
{{Main|Secret Files and Origins}}
A mystery agent sends [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Double Down (comics)|Double Down]], Killer Frost, and Killer Shark to (unsuccessfully) assassinate an imprisoned Amanda Waller as she awaits trial. [[Nemesis (DC Comics)#Nemesis I|Nemesis]] also appears.<ref name="SMSFO2K4">''Superman Secret Files & Origins 2004''</ref>

=====''52''=====
{{Main|52 (comics)}}
Amanda Waller assembles a short-lived Suicide Squad, led by [[Albert Rothstein|Atom Smasher]],<ref name="52#24">''52'' #24</ref><ref name="52#33">''52'' #33</ref> to take on an out-of-control [[Black Adam]]. Atom Smasher's team ambushes the [[Black Marvel family|Black Marvel Family]], getting Waller the evidence that she needs to expose their threat to the world.<ref name="52#34">''52'' #34</ref> As Waller reviews future potential Squad members, Atom Smasher quits the team, threatening to inform Checkmate of Waller's unauthorized field ops unless she grants him a full pardon.<ref name="52#45">''52'' #45</ref> Later, as [[World War III (DC Comics)|World War III]] rages, Waller informs [[Bronze Tiger]] that [[Rick Flag Jr.]] is alive.<ref name="WWIII#3">''World War III, Book Three: Hell Is for Heroes''</ref>

=====''Checkmate'' (vol. 2): "Rogue Squad"=====
{{Main|Checkmate (comics)}}
As part of DC's ''[[One Year Later]]'' event, [[Greg Rucka]] penned the two-part "Rogue Squad" arc for ''Checkmate'' (vol. 2). After [[Bronze Tiger]] finds [[Rick Flag Jr.]] alive, Amanda Waller (now the White Queen of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]) taps the pair to track down a rogue Squad that is out to expose her off-the-books activities. The Squad is led by [[Mirror Master#Evan McCulloch|Mirror Master]], and includes [[Icicle (comics)|Icicle]], [[Javelin (DC Comics)|Javelin]], [[Plastique (comics)|Plastique]], [[Tattooed Man]], [[Punch and Jewelee|Punch]], and [[Punch and Jewelee|Jewelee]].<ref name="CMv2#6-7">''Checkmate'' (vol. 2) #6–7</ref>

=====''Salvation Run''=====
{{Main|Salvation Run}}
Beginning in the pages of ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis|Countdown]]'', the Squad makes various one-off appearances where they are seen rounding up the world's villains for an unknown purpose. This culminates in the seven-issue ''[[Salvation Run]]'' miniseries (written by [[Bill Willingham]]), where the Squad sends the apprehended villains to a remote prison world via [[boom tube]]. Squad members seen rounding up villains include Rick Flag Jr., Bronze Tiger, [[Owen Mercer|Captain Boomerang]], [[Count Vertigo]], [[General Wade Eiling|the General]], [[King Faraday]], [[Multiplex (comics)|Multiplex]], [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]], [[Plastique (comics)|Plastique]], [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]], [[Chemo (DC Comics)|Chemo]], and Deadshot (the latter three are betrayed by the Squad and sent to the prison planet with the other villains).<ref name="Countdown">''Countdown'' #43-42, 39, 28, 25, 22</ref><ref name="All-Flash">''All-Flash'' #1</ref><ref name="CMv2#18-20">''Checkmate'' (vol. 2) #18–20</ref><ref name="WeddingSpecial">''Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special'' #1</ref><ref name="OUTv2#50">''Outsiders'' (vol. 2) #50</ref><ref name="GUG">''Gotham Underground'' #1, 3, 6</ref><ref name="JLAv2#15_17-18">''Justice League of America'' (vol. 2) #15, 17–18</ref><ref name="SVRUN#1-2">''Salvation Run'' #1–2</ref><ref name="CWv3#74-75_78">''Catwoman'' (vol. 3) #74–75, 78</ref><!-- How do these citations support the information shared about Salvation Run? -->

===''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3)===
===={{anchor|Background (Suicide Squad (vol. 3))}}Background====
[[John Ostrander]] returned to the Suicide Squad for an eight-issue miniseries that began in November 2007. The series takes place between the squad's appearance in ''[[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]'' (vol. 2) #6–7 and the events of ''[[Salvation Run]]''. It is functionally a sequel to the ''Checkmate'' arc, detailing how [[Rick Flag Jr.]] survived his apparent death<ref name="SSv1#26" /> before returning to Waller's Suicide Squad.

DC Comics' official solicitations consistently referred to the miniseries as ''Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag'',<ref name="RaiseTheFlag" /> though this nomenclature is never used within any individual issue or collected edition of the miniseries.

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis (Suicide Squad (vol. 3))}}Plot synopsis====
After he is believed dead, Rick Flag Jr. resurfaces on the dinosaur-infested island of [[Skartaris]] alongside his enemy Rustam.<ref name="SSv3#1">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #1</ref> The pair works together to survive.<ref name="SSv3#2">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #2</ref> Unfortunately, Flag is forced to kill Rustam once they discover a way home. Afterward, he becomes a prisoner of war in [[Qurac]] for four years. Flag rejoins the Suicide Squad after he is rescued by [[Bronze Tiger]].

After reviewing several new recruits,<ref name="SSv3#3">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #3</ref><ref name="SSv3#4">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #4</ref> Amanda Waller briefs the Squad on the latest target: a [[Dubai]]-based global conglomerate called Haake-Bruton, whose new viral weapon is to be destroyed, and its board of directors eliminated.<ref name="SSv3#5">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #5</ref> The Squad airdrops onto Haake-Bruton's island stronghold, where Flag encounters Rustam's revenge-seeking father. Eiling compromises the mission, conspiring with [[Thinker (DC Comics)|Thinker]] to betray the Squad to Haake-Bruton's board in exchange for asylum.<ref name="SSv3#6">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #6</ref> The Squad suffers heavy casualties in the sudden internal conflict.<ref name="SSv3#7">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #7</ref> Despite numerous setbacks, Deadshot carries out the assassination, while Waller confronts the General personally. Eiling demonstrates control over Flag via psychological conditioning; Flag subdues him after revealing the cooperation as a ruse, and the Squad returns to Belle Reve. Flag is unfazed by Waller's revelation that his own identity and memories are implanted, asserting to [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]] that he is still Rick Flag Jr.<ref name="SSv3#8">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) #8</ref>

====Membership: Raise the Flag====
{{Main|List of Suicide Squad members#Suicide Squad (vol. 3) (2007–2008)}}

Notable team members from ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 3) include:

* [[Amanda Waller]]
* [[Rick Flag Jr.]]
* [[Blackguard (comics)|Blackguard]]
* [[Bronze Tiger]]
* [[Captain Boomerang#George "Digger" Harkness|Captain Boomerang]] I (George "Digger" Harkness)
* [[Captain Boomerang#Owen Mercer|Captain Boomerang]] II (Owen Mercer)
* [[Chemo (DC Comics)|Chemo]]
* [[Count Vertigo]]
* [[Deadshot]]
* [[King Faraday]]
* [[General Wade Eiling|The General]]
* Marauder
* [[Multiplex (comics)|Multiplex]]
* [[Nightshade (DC Comics)|Nightshade]]
* [[Plastique (comics)|Plastique]]
* [[Thinker (DC Comics)|Thinker]] II (Cliff Carmichael)
* Twister
* [[White Dragon (DC Comics)|White Dragon]] (William Heller)
* [[Windfall (comics)|Windfall]]

===Interim stories (between Vol. 3–4)===
===={{anchor|Background (Interim stories 3)}}Background====
The Squad made prominent appearances in a four-issue ''[[Manhunter (Kate Spencer)|Manhunter]]'' (vol. 4) arc<ref name="MHv4#33-36">''Manhunter'' (vol. 4) #33–36</ref> and during the ''[[Blackest Night]]'' crossover event.<ref name="BlackestNight">''Blackest Night: Suicide Squad'' #67 and ''Secret Six'' (vol. 3) #17–18</ref> In his [[multiverse]]-spanning adventures, [[Booster Gold]] briefly cooperated with a version of the [[Silver Age of Comic Books|Silver Age]] Squad.<ref name="BGv2#20">''Booster Gold'' (vol. 2) #20</ref> These issues mark the Squad's final appearances prior to DC Comics' [[The New 52|New 52]] continuity reboot in 2011.

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis (Interim stories 3)}}Plot synopsis====
=====''Manhunter'' (vol. 4): "Forgotten"=====
{{Main|Manhunter (Kate Spencer)}}
The Suicide Squad has a run-in with [[Manhunter (Kate Spencer)|Manhunter]] after she unknowingly compromises their months-long undercover investigation into the [[Crime Doctor (comics)|Crime Doctor]]'s [[metahuman]] genetic experiments in collaboration with Vestech Industries. Manhunter backs off of the trail at the insistence of the Squad and the [[Birds of Prey (comics)|Birds of Prey]], but goes rogue in an effort to bring down the Crime Doctor, who futilely attempts to restrain the Squad after becoming aware of their deep-cover duplicity. The operation is dismantled, and Manhunter goes public with the takedown.<ref name="MHv4#33-36" />

=====''Booster Gold'' (vol. 2): "1952 Pick-up"=====
{{Main|Booster Gold}}
On one of his adventures throughout the DC [[multiverse]], Booster Gold winds up in an alternate 1952, where Karin Grace drafts him into a Squad led by [[Sgt. Rock|Frank Rock]]. The team infiltrates a U.S. military compound to root out a Soviet double-agent, who ultimately turns out to be the creator of the [[Rocket Red]]s' combat armor.<ref name="BGv2#20" />

=====''Blackest Night'': "Danse Macabre"=====
{{Main|Blackest Night}}
In the three-issue ''Blackest Night'' tie-in arc "Danse Macabre" (written by [[Gail Simone]] and [[John Ostrander]]), several deceased Suicide Squad members are reanimated as [[Black Lantern Corps|Black Lanterns]] (unofficially known as the "Homicide Squad"), led by [[Fiddler (comics)|Fiddler]]. They attack the Squad and the [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]], who are engaged in simultaneous conflicts at their respective headquarters, owing to [[Amanda Waller]]'s plans to shut down the Six. The two teams join forces to wipe out the Homicide Squad; with the immediate threat resolved, the Six assert their independence, and [[Deadshot]] places a bullet mere centimeters from Waller's heart to punctuate the point. As she recovers at Belle Reve, she reveals that she is secretly [[Mockingbird (DC Comics)|Mockingbird]], the Secret Six's mysterious benefactor.<ref name="BlackestNight" />

===''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4)===
===={{anchor|Background (Suicide Squad (vol. 4))}}Background====
A new ''Suicide Squad'' title, written by [[Adam Glass]] with art by Federico Dallocchio and Ransom Getty, launched in September 2011 as part of [[The New 52]] (a reboot of the DC Comics universe). [[Amanda Waller]] once again directs a crew of black ops agents on covert government missions, with [[Deadshot]] serving as the field team's leader. The ongoing series is notable as serving as something of a showpiece for ''[[Batman]]'' villain [[Harley Quinn]], and it has crossed over with other New 52 titles, including ''[[Resurrection Man (comics)|Resurrection Man]]'',<ref name="RMv2#8-9">''Resurrection Man'' (vol. 2) #8–9</ref> ''[[Grifter (comics)|Grifter]]'',<ref name="Grifter#14-15">''Grifter'' (vol. 3) #14–15</ref> and ''[[Vibe (comics)|Justice League of America's Vibe]]''.<ref name="Vibe#4-5">''Justice League of America's Vibe'' #4–5</ref>

===={{anchor|Plot synopsis Suicide Squad (vol. 4)}}Plot synopsis====
After a botched government mission forces her to execute an injured teammate, Amanda Waller sets out to assemble an expendable field team, prompting the formation of a new Suicide Squad.<ref name="SSv4#0">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #0</ref> Waller forces dozens of Belle Reve's death row inmates into a series of rigorous tests and torture scenarios to evaluate their loyalty and value as potential Squad members.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://screenrant.com/things-to-know-about-belle-reve/?view=all|title=15 Things You Need To Know About Belle Reve|date=2016-08-14|newspaper=Screen Rant|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> The finalists—notably including Deadshot, [[King Shark]], and Harley Quinn—are outfitted with micro-bomb implants, and inducted into the Squad.<ref name="SSv4#1">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #1</ref>

The Suicide Squad's missions typically involve the elimination or retrieval of high-value targets. At one point, the team must track down an [[Desertion|AWOL]] Harley Quinn;<ref name="SSv4#6-7">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #6–7</ref> in another mission, the Squad goes after [[Resurrection Man (comics)|Resurrection Man]].<ref name="RMv2#8-9" /><ref name="SSv4#9">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #9</ref> The Basilisk terrorist group serves as a recurring villain<ref name="SSv4#8_10-13">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #8, 10–13</ref><ref name="SSv4#17-19">''Suicide Squad'' vol. 4 #17–19</ref> (echoing the Onslaught organization from [[John Ostrander]]'s original ''Suicide Squad'' series), and several issues delve into the twisted relationship between Harley Quinn and the [[Joker (character)|Joker]].<ref name="SSv4#6-7" /><ref name="SSv4#14-15">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #14–15</ref>

Eventually, Waller recruits serial killer [[James Gordon Jr.]] to act as Belle Reve's in-house psychiatric adviser—but unbeknownst to her, Gordon quickly develops a twisted infatuation with her.<ref name="SSv4#20">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #20</ref> One ongoing and unresolved plot point involves the Samsara serum—a medical treatment that Belle Reve's doctors use to resurrect dead Squad members (including Deadshot and Voltaic<ref name="SSv4#16">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #16</ref>). It is eventually discovered that the serum will permanently kill anyone to whom it is administered; Waller is implied to be one such subject.<ref name="SSv4#22">''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #22</ref>

=====Forever Evil=====
During the [[Forever Evil]] crossover event, the [[Crime Syndicate of America]] emerges as the new threat which the Suicide Squad must avert.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsarama.com/19463-forever-evil-3-preview.html|title=FOREVER EVIL #3 Preview|newspaper=Newsarama|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> After the destruction of Belle Reve and the release of its inmates, Waller recruits Deadshot to a new Suicide Squad team. He, in turn, recruits Harley Quinn. Amanda Waller later reveals to James Gordon Jr. that the current Suicide Squad is but one version of the Task Force; she calls out Task Force Y to assist in battling the Crime Syndicate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://insidepulse.com/2013/11/14/suicide-squad-25-forever-evil-spoilers-what-is-task-force-y-will-it-be-enough-to-stop-the-crime-syndicates-secret-weapon-plus-whats-up-with-harley-quinn-dc-comics-new-52-in-review/|title=Suicide Squad #25 Forever Evil Spoilers: What Is Task Force Y & Will It Be Enough To Stop The Crime Syndicate's Secret Weapon? Plus What's Up With Harley Quinn? (DC Comics New 52 In Review) {{!}} Inside Pulse|last=Babos|first=John|date=November 2013|website=insidepulse.com|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

====Membership: Suicide Squad (vol. 4)====
{{Main|List of Suicide Squad members#Suicide Squad (vol. 4) (2011–2014)}}

Notable team members from ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) include:

* [[Amanda Waller]]
* [[Black Spider]] (Eric Needham)
* [[Cheetah (character)|Cheetah]]
* [[Captain Boomerang#George "Digger" Harkness|Captain Boomerang]] I (George "Digger" Harkness)
* [[Deadshot]]
* [[El Diablo (character)|El Diablo]] (Chato Santana)
* [[James Gordon Jr.]]
* [[King Shark]]
* Light and Lime
* [[Harley Quinn]]
* [[Savant (DC Comics)|Savant]]
* [[Unknown Soldier (DC Comics)|Unknown Soldier]]
* Voltaic 
* Yo-Yo (Chang Jie-Ru)

===''New Suicide Squad''===
===={{anchor|Background (New Suicide Squad)}}Background====
{{expand section|date=July 2017}}
This 2014 relaunch, from writer Sean Ryan and artist Jeremy Roberts, sees Deadshot and Harley Quinn teaming up with new Squad members [[Black Manta]], [[Joker's Daughter]], the [[Reverse Flash]] and [[Deathstroke]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/new-suicide-squad-review-dc-sean-ryan-jeremy-roberts/|title=Did 'New Suicide Squad' Just Become DC's Smartest Team Book?|last=Sims|first=Chris|date=August 2014|website=Comics Alliance|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.dccomics.com/blog/2014/07/09/new-suicide-squad-the-lineup|title=New Suicide Squad: The Lineup|last=Beedle|first=Tim|date=July 2014|newspaper=DC|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

====Membership: New Suicide Squad====
{{Main|List of Suicide Squad members#New Suicide Squad (2014 – present)}}

Notable team members from ''New Suicide Squad'' include:

* [[Amanda Waller]]
* [[Black Manta]]
* [[Captain Boomerang]]
* [[Cheetah (character)|Cheetah]]
* [[Deadshot]]
* [[Deathstroke]]
* [[El Diablo (character)|El Diablo]]
* [[Duela Dent#The New 52|Joker's Daughter]]
* [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]]
* [[Harley Quinn]]
* [[Daniel West (character)|Reverse-Flash]]

===''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 5)===
{{Long plot|date=August 2017}}

====Background====
Using the end of the ''New 52'' initiative as a launching point, DC Comics began a second relaunch of its entire line of titles called ''[[DC Rebirth]]'' in 2016, written by [[Rob Williams (comics)|Rob Williams]] and shifting between [[Jim Lee]], [[John Romita, Jr.]], and [[Tony S. Daniel]] for art. ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 5) #1 (August 2016) was the debut bimonthly relaunch of the team's comic book title which consisted of [[Amanda Waller]], [[Deadshot]], [[Rick Flag]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[Killer Croc]], [[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]] and [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]].<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 5) #1 (August 2016)</ref> The Suicide Squad was given a new look, reflecting the team's appearance in the [[DC Extended Universe]]. The title would crossover with ''[[Justice League#DC Rebirth (2016-2017)|Justice League]]'' in ''Justice League vs. Suicide Squad'', written by [[The Flash (DC Rebirth)|Joshua Williamson]] and drawn by [[Jason Fabok]], Tony S. Daniel, and [[Howard Porter (artist)|Howard Porter]].

====Plot synopsis====
=====The Black Vault=====
The Suicide Squad are sent to a Russian prison to retrieve a secret item, which turns out to be a portal to the [[Phantom Zone]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://screenrant.com/captain-boomerang-dead-general-zod/|title=Captain Boomerang is Dead – & General Zod Killed Him|date=2016-09-16|newspaper=Screen Rant|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> During the unfolding events, a Russian group of metahumans, known as the Annihilation Brigade, shows up and the situation worsens.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1628457/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Suicide Squad #3 [Jim Lee / Scott Williams Cover]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> General Zod gets free of the Vault, and Captain Boomerang is killed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://comicbook.com/dc/2016/11/20/harley-quinn-is-sane-again-and-practicing-medicine/|title=Harley Quinn Is Sane Again And Practicing Medicine|last=Awesome|first=Amy|date=November 2016|website=DC|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://comicsalliance.com/icymi-suicide-squad-2-death/|title=ICYMI: A Fan-Favorite Bit The Dust In 'Suicide Squad' #2|last=Shiach|first=Karen|date=September 2016|website=Comics Alliance|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> The battle is brought to an abrupt halt as a new character, Hack,<ref name=":0" /> breaches the Russian database and learns how to pull General Zod back into the portal.<ref name="comicvine.gamespot.com">{{Cite web|url=http://comicvine.gamespot.com/the-black-vault/4055-59018/|title=The Black Vault (Object) – Comic Vine|website=Comic Vine|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://comicvine.gamespot.com/temho-metya-prison/4020-62656/|title=Temho-Metya Prison (Location) – Comic Vine|website=Comic Vine|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

=====Going Sane=====
Back in Belle Reve, scientists working for Waller are examining the portal.<ref name="comicvine.gamespot.com"/> Waller shares her intent to weaponize Zod and add him to her Suicide Squad. Flag disagrees, and conflict escalates between the two, leading to Flag firing his gun at Waller.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=http://thebatmanuniverse.net/suicide-squad-51/|title=Review: Suicide Squad #5|date=2016-10-28|newspaper=The Batman Universe|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1641162/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Suicide Squad #5 [Jim Lee / Scott Williams Cover]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

In the next issue, Amanda's scientists continue trying to extract Zod. Meanwhile, the portal is sending out electromagnetic waves, and the characters appear to act in increasingly erratic ways. The portal waves are shown as having the opposite effect on Harley, causing her to realise she must intervene in the escalating blood lust.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.newsarama.com/32350-insanity-rules-in-this-week-s-suicide-squad-according-to-writer.html|title=HARLEY QUINN Gets Sane In SUICIDE SQUAD Ahead Of JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. Event|last=Rogers|first=Vaneta|date=December 2016|newspaper=Newsarama|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1649486/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Suicide Squad #6 [Jim Lee / Scott Williams Cover]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

=====Justice League vs. Suicide Squad=====
This episode follows the Squad to the fictional island of Badhinisia, where the team has been dispatched to prevent the Brimstone Brotherhood from causing an earthquake. During the events, the Squad is confronted by the Justice League, having learned of the team's existence from Batman.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1661216/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1 [Incentive Gary Frank Suicide Squad Variant]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> Waller shares her intention to blow the bombs in their necks if they are captured by, or surrender to, the League.<ref name="comics.org">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1661608/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #2 [Tony Daniels / Mark Morales Cover]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://comicbookarchives.com/justice-league-vs-suicide-squad-1-review/|title=Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1 review – Comic Book Archives|date=2016-12-21|newspaper=Comic Book Archives|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04|archive-date=2017-02-05|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205181425/https://comicbookarchives.com/justice-league-vs-suicide-squad-1-review/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Suicide Squad are defeated by the Justice League until Killer Frost absorbs a portion of a weakened Superman's life force and freezes everyone.<ref name="comics.org"/>

Back at Belle Reve Penitentiary, the Justice League has been captured by Amanda. Batman escapes his confinement and confronts Waller about her plans for the League.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1663337/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #3 [Jesus Merino / Andy Owens Cover]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> When the plot reveals the approaching threat of [[Maxwell Lord|Max Lord]] and his super villain team, the two teams must pool their efforts in order to prevent the theft of a powerful weapon from inside Belle Reve.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1665040/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #4 [Fernando Pasarin / Matt Ryan Cover]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

As the story progresses, Lord succeeds in stealing the Heart of Darkness (a.k.a. the Eclipso Diamond) and uses it to control the League, and through them, gains control of the world. Batman rallies Lobo and the remaining Squad members to make a final stand against Lord, escalating to conflict with the compromised Justice League. Meanwhile, Amanda observes that Lord himself is falling under the influence of the Eclipso Diamond, and warns him of this when Lord has her brought to the White House. Lord realises too late that Waller's warning held truth. In the following chaos, Batman deems them the new Justice League.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.comics.org/issue/1667242/|title=GCD :: Issue :: Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #5 [Robson Rocha / Daniel Henriques Cover]|website=www.comics.org|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/01/11/batman-battles-lobo-in-justice-league-vs-suicide-squad-4|title=Batman Battles Lobo in Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #4|last=Schedeen|first=Jesse|date=2017-01-11|website=IGN|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wegotthiscovered.com/comicbooks/justice-league-vs-suicide-squad-5-review/|title=Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad #5 Review|last=Pereira|first=Sergio|date=2017-01-18|newspaper=We Got This Covered|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://wegotthiscovered.com/comicbooks/justice-league-vs-suicide-squad-5-review/|title=Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad #5 Review|date=2017-01-18|newspaper=We Got This Covered|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref> Although Lord is able to bring most of the Squad/League under his control, he is defeated when Killer Frost, acting on Batman's instructions, is able to create a prism of ice that reflects Superman's heat vision in a frequency that will disrupt Eclipso's control of the heroes, Eclipso himself being vanquished by Killer Frost as she draws on the life energy of the rest of the heroes and Squad members present, thus limiting the drain on any one of them. In the aftermath of the crisis, Killer Frost is officially released while Lord is kept in Waller's custody, Waller musing that she will use him for 'Task Force XI'.

=====Burning Down the House=====
{{Update|date=August 2017}}

=====Earthlings on Fire=====
{{Update|date=February 2019}}

=====Kill Your Darlings=====
{{Update|date=August 2017}}

=====Drain the Swamp=====
Waller recruits Juan Soria, a prospective hero who was turned down by the Justice League and then arrested for robbery, into the Squad in order to combat an alien force that feeds off optimism and hope. In preparation for the mission, Waller had systematically broken Soria down to rid him of any and all hope. This allowed him to defeat the creature. After learning that he was used, Waller relocates Soria to Killer Croc's cell. Croc had previously been tempted to eat Soria and it is assumed this is what happened.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 7) #33–34</ref>

The Squad confronts [[Damage (DC Comics)|Damage]], who Waller wants to recruit for her Task Force XL. Meanwhile, King Faraday, who is still being held at Belle Reve, reveals he's been accessing Waller's hidden files and asks about someone named Coretta. Waller is visually shaken by the mention. She leaves the prison and goes to her daughter Coretta in the hospital as she's just given birth to Waller's grandchild. Her son Jessie tells her that Coretta does not want to see her. Hack returns and reveals she is in Belle Reve's computers. She begins opening the cells, erasing files, and murdering guards.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 7) #35</ref>

===''Suicide Squad Black''===
====Background====
DC Comics created a magical version of the Suicide Squad known as Suicide Squad Black in 2019 during the ''DC Rebirth'' run. It was created by Jai Nitz and [[Scot Eaton]]. The team have a six-issue comic series titled ''Suicide Squad: Black Files''.

The roster consists of the [[Gentleman Ghost]], Azucar, the [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]], [[Juniper]], [[Klarion the Witch Boy]], Tiamat, and Wither, and [[El Diablo (character)|El Diablo]] for a magical roster of the Squad called Suicide Squad Black.

====Plot synopsis====
====The Revenge of Kobra====
{{expand section|date=March 2024}}

====Rota Fortuna====
{{expand section|date=March 2024}}

====War in Two Worlds====
{{expand section|date=March 2024}}

====My Own Worst Enemy!====
{{expand section|date=March 2024}}

====Fugitive from Myself====
{{expand section|date=March 2024}}

====Reverse Image====
{{expand section|date=March 2024}}

===''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 6)===
The monthly Suicide Squad comic was again relaunched at the start of 2020, written by [[Tom Taylor (writer)|Tom Taylor]] with art by Bruno Redondo.

The initial storyline features a Task Force X run by a mysterious bureaucrat called Lok directing a team composed of [[Deadshot]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[Magpie (character)|Magpie]], [[Cavalier (character)|Cavalier]], the [[Shark (comics)|Shark]], and [[Zebra-Man]] to press gang a group of anarchist superhumans called the Revolutionaries.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 8) #1</ref> Over the course of the first six issues several Revolutionaries are killed in action; it transpires that the Revolutionaries were deliberately setting themselves up in infiltrate Task Force X and Lok is a frontman for [[Black Mask (character)|Black Mask]], who is impersonating [[Ted Kord]].<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 8) #5</ref>

===''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 7)===
The [[Infinite Frontier]] monthly Suicide Squad comic launched in March 2021, written by Robbie Thompson with art by Eduardo Pansica.

====Membership: Suicide Squad (vol. 7)====
{{Main|List of Suicide Squad members#New Suicide Squad (2014 – present)}}

Notable team members from ''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 7) include:

* [[Amanda Waller]]
* [[Peacemaker (character)|Peacemaker]]
* [[Nocturna (DC Comics)|Nocturna]]
* [[Match (DC Comics)|Match]]
* [[Court of Owls|Talon]]
* Culebra
* [[Bloodsport (character)|Bloodsport]]
* [[Ambush Bug]]
* [[Crime Syndicate of America|Black Siren of Earth 3]]
* [[Major Force]]

==Collected editions==
===Silver Age===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Suicide Squad: The Silver Age Omnibus Volume 1''''' 
| 
* ''Brave and the Bold'' #25–27, 37–39
* ''[[Star Spangled War Stories]]'' #110–111, 116–121, 125, 127–128
| 160
| {{dts|2016-08-02}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401263430}}
|-
|}

===Post-''Crisis''===
====Volume 1====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Trial by Fire'''''
|
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–8
* ''[[Secret Origins]]'' #14
| 232
| {{dts|2015-09-08}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401258313}}
|-
| 2
| '''''The Nightshade Odyssey'''''
|
* ''Suicide Squad'' #9–16
* ''[[Justice League International]]'' #13
* ''Doom Patrol/Suicide Squad Special'' #1
| 264
| {{dts|2015-12-15}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401258337}}
|-
| 3
| '''''Rogues'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #17–25, ''Annual'' #1
| 280
| {{dts|2016-04-12}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401260910}}
|-
| 4
| '''''The Janus Directive'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #26–30
* ''Checkmate!'' #15–18
* ''Manhunter'' #14
* ''Firestorm'' #86
* ''Captain Atom'' #30
| 272
| {{dts|2016-07-19}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401262617}}
|-
| 5
| '''''Apokolips Now'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #31–39
| 220
| {{dts|2016-12-27}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401265427}}
|-
| 6
| '''''The Phoenix Gambit'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #40–49
| 235
| {{dts|2017-05-23}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401269043}}
|-
| 7
| '''''The Dragon's Hoard'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #50–58
| 232
| {{dts|2017-12-12}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401274573}}
|-
| 8
| '''''The Final Mission'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #59–66
| 192
| {{dts|2019-05-21}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401289539}}
|-
|}

====Volume 1 Spin-Offs====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| '''''Deadshot: Beginnings'''''
| 
* ''Deadshot'' #1–4
* ''Detective Comics'' #474, 518
| 160
| {{dts|2013-11-05}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401242985}}
|-
| '''''Deadshot: Bulletproof'''''
| 
* ''Deadshot'' #1–5
* ''Legends of the Dark Knight'' #214
| 144
| {{dts|2015-04-21}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401255190}}
|-
|}

====Volume 2====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Suicide Squad: Casualties of War'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–12
| 296
| {{dts|2021-06-29}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1779510693}}
|-
|}

====Volume 3====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Suicide Squad: From the Ashes'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag'' #1–8
| 192
| {{dts|2008-09-02}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401218669}}
|-
|}

===''[[The New 52]]''===
====Volume 4====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Kicked in the Teeth'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–7
| 160
| {{dts|2012-07-12}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401235444}}
|-
| 2
| '''''Basilisk Rising'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #0, 8–13
* ''Resurrection Man'' #9
| 192
| {{dts|2013-02-19}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401238445}}
|-
| 3
| '''''Death is for Suckers'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #14–19
| 144
| {{dts|2013-10-29}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401243166}}
|-
| 4
| '''''Discipline and Punish'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #20–23
* ''Detective Comics'' #23.2
* ''Justice League of America'' 7.1
| 144
| {{dts|2014-05-06}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401247010}}
|-
| 5
| '''''Walled In'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #24–30
* ''Suicide Squad: Amanda Waller'' #1
| 208
| {{dts|2014-10-28}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401250126}}
|-
|}

====''New Suicide Squad''====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Pure Insanity'''''
| 
* ''New Suicide Squad'' #1–8
| 192
| {{dts|2015-07-21}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401252380}}
|-
| 2
| '''''Monsters'''''
|
* ''New Suicide Squad'' #9–12, ''Annual'' #1
| 144
| {{dts|2016-02-09}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401261528}}
|-
| 3
| '''''Freedom'''''
| 
* ''New Suicide Squad'' #13–16
| 144
| {{dts|2016-08-02}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401262648}}
|-
| 4
| '''''Kill Anything'''''
| 
* ''New Suicide Squad'' #17–22
| 168
| {{dts|2016-11-22}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401270001}}
|-
|}

====''Suicide Squad: Most Wanted''====
The ''Most Wanted'' miniseries highlight individual members of the Suicide Squad.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Year
! ISBN
|-
| '''''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot'''''
| 
* The Deadshot portions from ''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana'' #1–6
| 136
| {{dts|2016-08-09}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401263805}}
|-
| '''''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Katana'''''
| 
* The Katana portions from ''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana'' #1–6
| 128
| {{dts|2016-09-20}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401264642}}
|-
| '''''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo'''''
| 
* The El Diablo portions from ''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: El Diablo and Boomerang'' #1–6
| 138
| {{dts|2017-04-25}}
| 978-1401268657
|-
| '''''Suicide Squad: Secret Files'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad Most Wanted'' #1–6
| 144
| {{dts|2017-04-18}}
| 978-1401277086
|}

===''[[DC Rebirth]]''===
====Volume 5====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Publication date
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''The Black Vault'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad: Rebirth'' #1
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–4
| 160
| {{dts|2017-03-07}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401269814}}
|-
| 2
| '''''Going Sane'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #5–8
* ''Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad April Fool's Special'' #1
| 144
| {{dts|2017-06-13}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401270971}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''''Justice League vs. Suicide Squad'''''
| 
* ''Justice League vs. Suicide Squad'' #1-6
* ''Justice League'' #12–13
* ''Suicide Squad'' #8-10
| 312
| {{dts|2017-12-26}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401274788}}
|-
| 3
| '''''Burning Down the House'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #11–15
* ''Suicide Squad: War Crimes Special'' #1
| 176
| {{dts|2017-09-12}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401274221}}
|-
| 4
| '''''Earthlings on Fire'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #16–20
| 144
| {{dts|2017-12-19}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401275396}}
|-
| 5
| '''''Kill Your Darlings'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #21–25
| 128
| {{dts|2018-04-17}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401278809}}
|-
| 6
| '''''The Secret History of Task Force X'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #27–32
| 144
| {{dts|2018-07-24}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401280987}}
|-
| 7
| '''''Drain the Swamp'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #33–40
| 192
| {{dts|2018-10-23}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401284749}}
|-
| 8
| '''''Constriction'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #41-44, #47-50 and ''Annual'' 1
| 256
| {{dts|2019-08-20}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401288877}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''''Aquaman/Suicide Squad: Sink Atlantis'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #45-46
* ''Aquaman'' #39-40
| 104
| {{dts|2019-02-12}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401290726}}
|-
| 1
| '''''Deluxe Edition Book 1'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–8
* ''Harley Quinn and the Suicide Squad April Fool's Special'' #1
* ''Suicide Squad: Rebirth'' #1 
| 296
| {{dts|2017-10-24}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401274214}}
|-
| 2
| '''''Deluxe Edition Book 2'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #9–20
* ''Suicide Squad: War Crimes Special'' #1
| 328
| {{dts|2018-05-08}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401278915}}
|-
| 3
| '''''Deluxe Edition Book 3'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #21–32
| 296
| {{dts|2018-11-27}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401285166}}
|-
| colspan="2" |'''''Suicide Squad by Jim Lee Unwrapped'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad April Fool's Special'' #1
* ''Suicide Squad: Rebirth'' #1
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–8 (penciled artwork only)
| 160
| {{dts|2018-10-23}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401284534}}
|-
|}

===[[New Justice]]===
====Volume 6====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Publication date
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Suicide Squad: Bad Blood'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–11
| 288
| {{dts|2021-4-27}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1779503954}}
|-
| 1
| '''''Suicide Squad: Black Files'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad: Black Files'' #1–6
| ???
| 
| {{ISBNT|978-1779503954}}
|-
| 1
| '''''Suicide Squad: Katana: The Revenge of Kobra '''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad: Katana: The Revenge of Kobra '' #1–6
| 134
| July 9, 2019
| {{ISBNT|978-1779503954}}
|}

====Volume 7====
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Title
! Material collected
! Pages
! Publication date
! ISBN
|-
| 1
| '''''Suicide Squad: Give Peace a Chance'''''
| 
* ''Suicide Squad'' #1–6
* ''[[Future State]]: Suicide Squad'' #1-2
| 208
| {{dts|2021-11-23}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1779512758}}
|}

==In other media==
===Television===
====Animation====
[[File:JLU Task Force X.jpg|thumb|250px|Task Force X as they appear in ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]''. From left to right: Plastique, Deadshot, Clock King, and Captain Boomerang.]]
* Task Force X appears in a self-titled episode of ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'',<ref>"Cadmus Exposed", ''Justice League Unlimited'' Season Two, DC Classics Collection, Warner Bros</ref> consisting of [[Rick Flag Jr.]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Deadshot]], [[Plastique (character)|Plastique]], and [[Clock King]]. After being tasked by [[Project Cadmus]] with stealing the Annihilator automaton from the [[Justice League]]'s [[Justice League Watchtower|Watchtower]], the team attack it during its weakest point, managing to defeat [[Albert Rothstein|Atom Smasher]], [[Greg Saunders|Vigilante]], and [[Shining Knight (Sir Justin)|Shining Knight]]. Despite [[Martian Manhunter]] and [[Captain Atom]]'s intervention and Plastique being critically wounded, the team succeeds. According to the series' producers, this episode resulted from the realization that Project Cadmus needed a solid victory to cement itself as a credible threat.
* Task Force X appears in the ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' episode "Leverage", consisting of Rick Flag, [[Black Manta]], Captain Boomerang, and [[Monsieur Mallah]]. In the audio play "The Prize", [[Brick (character)|Brick]] and Tuppence Terror of the [[List of Young Justice characters#Terror Twins|Terror Twins]] have since joined the team.
* The Suicide Squad make a cameo appearance in the ''[[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]]'' episode "Harlivy", consisting of Captain Boomerang, [[Killer Croc]], the [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]], Deadshot, and [[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]] as the "A-team" and Plastique as a minor member.
* Task Force X appears in ''[[My Adventures with Superman]]'',<ref>{{Cite web |last=Good |first=Owen S. |date=2023-06-05 |title=My Adventures With Superman looks like the best summer of your life |url=https://www.polygon.com/23750015/my-adventures-with-superman-release-date-trailer-premiere-max-adult-swim |access-date=2023-06-07 |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |language=en-US}}</ref> consisting of [[Livewire (DC Comics)|Livewire]], [[Intergang]], Dr. [[Professor Ivo|Anthony Ivo]] / [[Parasite (comics)|Parasite]], and [[Heat Wave (character)|Heat Wave]], who all wear shock collars and work for the [[Task Force X|government organization of the same name]].
* The Suicide Squad appears in ''[[Suicide Squad Isekai]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Cayanan|first=Joanna|title=Warner Bros. Japan, WIT Studio Unveil Original Anime Series Suicide Squad ISEKAI Based on DC Characters|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-07-03/warner-bros-japan-wit-studio-unveil-original-anime-series-suicide-squad-isekai-based-on-dc-/.199896|website=[[Anime News Network]]|date=July 3, 2023|access-date=July 3, 2023}}</ref> consisting of [[Harley Quinn]], Deadshot, [[Peacemaker (character)|Peacemaker]], [[Clayface]], [[King Shark]], and Rick Flag.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn |title=Suicide Squad Isekai Anime Reveals Main Cast in New Trailer |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-01/suicide-squad-isekai-anime-reveals-main-cast-in-new-trailer/.205004 |website=[[Anime News Network]] |date=December 1, 2023 |access-date=December 1, 2023 }}</ref> Additionally, the [[Ratcatcher (comics)|Ratcatcher]], the Enchantress, the [[Thinker (DC Comics)|Thinker]], and Killer Croc appear as rogue squad members who escaped to another world.

====Live-action====
* The Suicide Squad appear in the [[Smallville (season 10)|tenth season]] of ''[[Smallville]]'', consisting of Rick Flag, Deadshot, Plastique, and [[Warp (comics)|Warp]]. This version of the group initially work for Amanda Waller of [[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]] before [[Chloe Sullivan]] blackmails them into working for her.
* {{anchor|Suicide Squad (Arrowverse)}}The Suicide Squad appear in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]''. Introduced in the [[Arrow season 2|second season]], this version of the team works for [[A.R.G.U.S. (Arrowverse)|A.R.G.U.S.]] Director [[Amanda Waller (Arrowverse)|Amanda Waller]] and initially consists of [[Floyd Lawton (Arrowverse)|Floyd Lawton / Deadshot]], [[Mark Scheffer (Arrowverse)|Mark Scheffer / Shrapnel]] and [[Ben Turner (Arrowverse)|Ben Turner / Bronze Tiger]]. Additionally, [[John Diggle (Arrowverse)|John Diggle]] and [[Lyla Michaels (Arrowverse)|Lyla Michaels]] also work as part of the team, but are not implanted with explosives, and [[Harley Quinn]] makes a cameo appearance, but is not called for duty. Scheffer is killed by Waller as a result of him abandoning the mission while Diggle releases the remaining members from A.R.G.U.S.'s custody to help him stop Waller from bombing [[Starling City]] in an attempt to defeat [[Slade Wilson (Arrowverse)|Slade Wilson]]'s army. In the [[Arrow season 3|third season]], [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]] takes pity on [[Carrie Cutter (Arrowverse)|Carrie Cutter / Cupid]] and hands her over to Waller for use in the squad. Additionally, former member [[Digger Harkness (Arrowverse)|Digger Harkness]] attempts to seek revenge on Michaels for attempting to terminate him for failing to complete a mission, only to be foiled by Queen and the [[Barry Allen (Arrowverse)|Flash]]. In the episode "Suicidal Tendencies", Diggle, Michaels, Lawton, and Cutter rescue Senator Joseph Cray from a hostage situation, during which Lawton sacrifices himself to save the others after discovering Cray had set up the attack to stage his own rescue and eventually mount a presidential campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.etonline.com/tv/157074_arrow_is_plotting_another_suicide_squad_episode_and_your_favorites_are_back/|title=EXCLUSIVE: 'Arrow' Is Plotting Another Suicide Squad Episode – and Your Favorites Are Back!|publisher=ET Online|last=Ng|first=Philiana|date=January 28, 2015}}</ref> After [[Shadowspire (Arrowverse)|Shadowspire]] kills Waller, Michaels becomes A.R.G.U.S.'s new director and, as part of her efforts to reform the organization, temporarily disbands the squad to rework it into the "'''Ghost Initiative'''". She then recruits Cutter, [[China White (Arrowverse)|Chien Na Wei]], [[Kane Wolfman]], and [[Ricardo Diaz (Arrowverse)|Ricardo Diaz]] to locate and capture a terrorist financier named [[Dante (Arrowverse)|Dante]] without A.R.G.U.S.'s oversight.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/01/16/arrow-emiko-queen-ghost-initiative-spoilers/|title=Arrow boss previews Emiko Queen's mission and the new Suicide Squad|date=2019-01-16|newspaper=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|language=en|access-date=2019-03-11}}</ref> However, the operation fails after Diaz disables his explosive implant and warns Dante, who subsequently escapes. When the Joint Chiefs of Staff learn that the squad had been reactivated, Diggle resigns from A.R.G.U.S. to protect Michaels.
** At San Diego Comic-Con 2014, following the squad's debut episode, Diggle's actor [[David Ramsey]] revealed that there had been talk of a spin-off series focused on them.<ref name="Squadspec">{{cite news|url=http://comicbook.com/blog/2014/07/26/arrow-producers-mulling-suicide-squad-spinoff/|title=Arrow Producers Mulling Suicide Squad Spinoff|work=ComicBook.com|date=July 26, 2014|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> However, ''Arrow'' co-producer and comic book writer [[Keto Shimizu]] commented in January 2015 that it did not seem like a possibility due to [[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|David Ayer's ''Suicide Squad'' film]] being in development at the time.<ref name="Squadno">{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2051521/arrow-suicide-squad-dc-comics-keto-shimizu-interview/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120051945/http://www.mtv.com/news/2051521/arrow-suicide-squad-dc-comics-keto-shimizu-interview/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 20, 2015|title=The Suicide Squad Gets A Solo Mission In 'Arrow: Season 2.5' [Exclusive]|first=Alex|last=Zalben|work=[[MTV]]|date=January 16, 2015|access-date=January 17, 2015}}</ref> Series producer [[Greg Berlanti]] later confirmed that the team's inclusion within ''Arrow'' was used in order to test the audience's reception and interest prior to Ayer's film being put into production.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.vulture.com/2016/08/dc-comics-greg-berlanti-c-v-r.html|title=Greg Berlanti Knows the Secret to Superhero TV|date=2016-09-07|newspaper=Vulture|language=en|access-date=2017-02-04}}</ref>

===Film===
[[File:Suicide Squad in the 2016 film.jpg|thumb|250px|The Suicide Squad as depicted in their first DCEU film. From left to right: Slipknot, Captain Boomerang, Enchantress, Katana, Rick Flag, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Killer Croc, and El Diablo.]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:The Suicide Squad in 2021 film.jpg|thumb|250px|The Suicide Squad as depicted in their second DCEU film. From left to right: Rick Flag, Thinker, Javelin, Weasel, Ratcatcher 2, Blackguard, Savant, Harley Quinn, King Shark, Polka-Dot Man, Peacemaker, director James Gunn, Captain Boomerang, T.D.K., Bloodsport, and Mongal.]] -->
[[File:SuicideSquadMembersHellToPay.jpg|thumb|226x226px|The Suicide Squad as depicted in ''Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay''. From left to right: Bronze Tiger, Copperhead, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, and Killer Frost.]]
* The Suicide Squad appears in ''[[Batman: Assault on Arkham]]'', consisting of [[Deadshot]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[King Shark]], [[Killer Frost]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Black Spider]], and [[KGBeast]] while [[Amanda Waller]] monitors their activities and controls them with bombs surgically implanted in their spines that she can remotely detonate if they step out of line. After Waller kills KGBeast for attempting to leave, the squad is assigned to infiltrate [[Arkham Asylum]] and kill the [[Riddler]], whom they later discover is a former member who discovered how to defuse Waller's bombs. Over the course of the film, Black Spider and King Shark are killed by the bombs before they could be defused, Killer Frost is killed by [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]], Quinn is remanded to [[Arkham Asylum]], Boomerang is captured by the [[Gotham City Police Department|GCPD]], and Deadshot escapes.
* The Suicide Squad appear in films set in the [[DC Extended Universe]] (DCEU).<ref>{{cite news|author=Kroll, Justin| url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/warner-bros-circling-david-ayer-for-adaptation-of-dc-comics-suicide-squad-1201308883/|title=Warner Bros. Circling David Ayer for DC Comics' 'Suicide Squad' (Exclusive)|work=Variety|date=September 19, 2014|access-date=December 4, 2014}}</ref>
** In ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]'' (2016), [[Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)|Amanda Waller]] recruits [[Rick Flag (DC Extended Universe)|Rick Flag]], [[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]], [[Floyd Lawton (DC Extended Universe)|Deadshot]], [[Harley Quinn (DC Extended Universe)|Harley Quinn]], [[George Harkness (DC Extended Universe)|Captain Boomerang]], [[El Diablo (character)|El Diablo]], [[Killer Croc]], and [[Slipknot (comics)|Slipknot]] to save the world from the [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]].
** In ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' (2021),<ref>{{cite web|last=Flameing|first=Mike Jr.|url=https://deadline.com/2018/10/james-gunn-boards-suicide-squad-2-to-write-and-possibly-direct-1202479455/|title=James Gunn Boards ''Suicide Squad 2'' To Write And Possibly Direct|date=October 9, 2018|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=October 9, 2018}}</ref> Waller recruits Flag, Quinn, Boomerang, [[Savant (DC Comics)|Savant]], [[Blackguard (comics)|Blackguard]], [[Arm-Fall-Off-Boy|T.D.K.]] (The Detachable Kid), [[Javelin (DC Comics)|Javelin]], [[Mongal]], and [[Weasel (DC Comics)|Weasel]] to serve as a distraction while [[Robert DuBois (DC Extended Universe)|Bloodsport]], [[Christopher Smith (DC Extended Universe)|Peacemaker]], [[Nanaue (DC Extended Universe)|King Shark]], [[Abner Krill (DC Extended Universe)|Polka-Dot Man]], and [[Cleo Cazo|Ratcatcher 2]] clash with the [[Thinker (DC Comics)|Thinker]] and [[Starro]].
* The Suicide Squad appears in films set in the [[DC Animated Movie Universe]] (DCAMU):
** The group first appears in ''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'', consisting of Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, [[Bronze Tiger]], Killer Frost, and [[Copperhead (DC Comics)|Copperhead]]. Additionally, [[Black Manta]], [[Count Vertigo]], [[Punch and Jewelee]] appear as previous members of the group in a flashback. The present team is assigned to retrieve a "Get Out of Hell Free" card. By the end of the film, Waller detonates Copperhead's bomb to kill the traitorous Killer Frost and Bronze Tiger is killed by [[Professor Zoom]], though Deadshot gives the former the card to send him to heaven.
** The Suicide Squad appears in ''[[Justice League Dark: Apokolips War]]''. Following Waller's death, the group is now led by Harley and consists of Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Black Manta, Bane, and the [[Cheetah (character)|Cheetah]]. After [[Darkseid]] and his forces successfully conquer Earth, the squad take refuge on [[Stryker's Island]]. Two years later, they are recruited by [[Lois Lane]] to aid her and [[Superman|Clark Kent]] in an effort to defeat Darkseid and destroy [[Apokolips]]. The group storm [[LexCorp]] so Kent's team can reach Apokolips via [[Lex Luthor]]'s Boom Tube before the squad stays behind with Lane and Luthor to defend the Boom Tube from Darkseid's [[Parademons|Para]][[Doomsday (DC Comics)|dooms]]. After Cheetah, Luthor, Bane, and Manta are killed, the remaining members and Lane sacrifice themselves to stop the Paradooms from reaching Apokolips.

===Video games===
* The ''New 52'' incarnation of the Suicide Squad appear in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]'' via "The Squad" [[downloadable content|DLC]] pack, consisting of [[Amanda Waller]], [[Deadshot]], [[Harley Quinn]], [[Captain Boomerang]], [[El Diablo (character)|El Diablo]], [[King Shark]], [[Deathstroke]], and [[Katana (DC Comics)|Katana]].
* The Suicide Squad appear in ''Suicide Squad: Special Ops''.
* The Suicide Squad, though not referred to by name, appear in ''[[Batman: The Enemy Within]]''{{'}}s "Vigilante Joker" storyline, consisting of Harley Quinn, [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]], and [[Catwoman]], who work for Amanda Waller and wear bomb collars.
* The Suicide Squad appears in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'', consisting of Catwoman, [[Killer Frost]], the Rookie, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Captain Boomerang.<ref>{{CC-notice|cc=bysa3|url=https://lego.fandom.com/wiki/LEGO_DC_Super-Villains|author(s)=}}</ref>

====''Batman: Arkham''====
* In the post-credits scene of ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'', Amanda Waller visits [[Deathstroke]] in [[Blackgate Penitentiary]] and asks him to join the Suicide Squad in exchange for his freedom.<ref name="BatmanArkham">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/todays-new-batman-games-tease-a-very-cool-possible-seq-1452114405|title=Today's New Batman Games Tease A Very Cool Possible Sequel|last=Totilo|first=Stephen|publisher=Kotaku|date=October 25, 2013|access-date=October 27, 2013}}</ref>
* In the post-credits scene of ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate]]'', Waller and [[Rick Flag Jr.]] recruit [[Bronze Tiger]] and Deadshot into the squad.<ref name="BatmanArkham" />
* The aforementioned post-credits scenes were meant to lead into a Suicide Squad game previously in development at [[WB Games Montréal]], but as reported by ''[[Kotaku]]'' in December 2016, the title was later cancelled.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kotaku.com/sources-wb-montreal-cancels-unannounced-suicide-squad-1790256635 | title=Sources: WB Montreal Cancels Unannounced Suicide Squad Game, Shifts to Batman | date=19 December 2016 }}</ref>
* The Suicide Squad appear in ''[[Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|last=Square|first=Push|date=2020-08-07|title=Rocksteady Confirms Suicide Squad Is Its Next Game|url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2020/08/rocksteady_confirms_suicide_squad_is_its_next_game|access-date=2020-08-07|website=Push Square|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.techradar.com/news/suicide-squad-game | title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League release date, trailers, and gameplay | date=24 February 2023 }}</ref> consisting of Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark as playable characters and Rick Flag, the [[Penguin (character)|Penguin]], [[Gizmo (DC Comics)|Gizmo]], Hack, [[Toyman]], and [[Poison Ivy (character)|Ivy]] as [[Non-player character|NPCs]]. Additionally, the following four playable characters were added via DLC: an alternate universe variant of the [[Joker (character)|Joker]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=January 22, 2024 |title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is bringing Joker back from the dead |url=https://www.polygon.com/24047250/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-joker-elseworlds |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]] |access-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-date=January 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240122224115/https://www.polygon.com/24047250/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-joker-elseworlds |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mr. Freeze|Mrs. Freeze]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-season-2-roadmap-revealed/|title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Season 2 roadmap revealed|website=[[Video Games Chronicle]] |last1=Ivan |first1=Tom |access-date=July 3, 2024 |date=July 3, 2024 }}</ref> [[Zoe Lawton|Lawless]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-gets-new-character-lawless-next-week|title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gets New Character Lawless Next Week|website=[[IGN]] |last1=Dindale |first1=Ryan |access-date=September 30, 2024 |date=September 26, 2024 }}</ref> and Deathstroke.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-season-4-deathstroke/|title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Adding Deathstroke|website=[[Game Rant]] |last1=Cyre |first1=Clayton |access-date=December 6, 2024 |date=December 6, 2024 }}</ref>

===Miscellaneous===
{{unreferenced section|date=July 2024}}
* The Suicide Squad appear in the ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us (comics)|Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' and ''[[Injustice 2 (comics)|Injustice 2]]'' prequel comics, initially led by Amanda Waller and Rick Flag before [[Jason Todd]], [[Ra's al Ghul]], and [[Gorilla Grodd]] separately take command and consisting of [[Calendar Man]], Captain Boomerang, [[Captain Cold]], the Clock King, Deadshot, El Diablo, Harley Quinn, Katana, Killer Croc, Killer Frost, [[Killer Moth]], [[Magpie (character)|Magpie]], [[Man-Bat]], [[Orca (DC Comics)|Orca]], and Polka-Dot Man.
* The Suicide Squad appear in ''Injustice vs. [[Masters of the Universe]]'', led by [[Wonder Woman]] and consisting of Bane, the Cheetah, Copperhead, Deathstroke, [[Lobo (DC Comics)|Lobo]], the Riddler, and [[Two-Face]].

==See also==
* [[List of government agencies in DC Comics]]
* [[Checkmate (comics)]]
* [[Janus Directive]]
* [[Secret Six (comics)]]
* [[Thunderbolts (comics)]] - Marvel Comics’ equivalent to the Suicide Squad

== Notes ==
<references group="lower-alpha" />
==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Suicide Squad|state=expanded}}
{{The New 52}}
{{DC Rebirth}}
{{Secret Six}}
{{Justice League characters}}
{{Batman characters}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Suicide Squad| ]]
[[Category:Comics by John Ostrander]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1959]]
[[Category:DC Comics adapted into films]]
[[Category:Fictional military organizations]]
[[Category:Supervillains with their own comic book titles]]
[[Category:Batman characters]]