The concept of the Suicide Squad is that is made up of expendable villains.  These are bad guys who will rot in jail unless they work for the government. They get sent on highly dangerous missions and do quasi-legal activities.  Since the villains have few morals, they tend to take alternative and questionable methods to accomplish the missions.

In the past this comics had quick life spans for many characters.  The team would revolve with new villans added for each mission as older ones were killed.

I really liked the way they introduced each character.  It gave us a chance to get to know each of their personalities one at a time without the obvious ‘she’s the crazy one, he’s the killing machine, etc.’  I especially liked the intro for King Shark.  I think he is my new favorite, I want to see more of him.

Harley is quite different than in Gotham City Sirens.  She is no longer just comedic relief, she actually seems very deadly.  The artist does a great job with her.  Her expressions are full of malice and crazy.

The art overall is quite good.  Sometimes it borders on great.  The first two page spread of the entire room is awesome.  The close up work is very good, but some of the distance shots and action shots could still be improved.

Enjoyed it greatly and look forward to the next one.    B+    —-   Don

I’ve always enjoyed the Suicide Squad, both in execution (John Ostrander’s classic run especially) and concept (“The Dirtry Dozen” with super-villains), and am glad to see that this has all the makings of another great run. Most of the online “buzz” around the book was Harley Quinn’s “new look” but it’s not an issue with me -all of the characters have a bit of a new look to them, and while I prefer the “original” in some (Deadshot and Harley – there’s also been some outrage at Amanda Waller being thin now, which is not how I remember her, but hey – people sometimes diet and change their clothes), as long as they’re identifiable and the art looks cool, it doesn’t affect my enjoyment of the book.

One of the things I like about the Suicide Squad, past and present, is that they make use of B- and C-list (maybe other letters, too) villains that could easily be killed off without warning, so you never know who will make it through a mission. That’s an element of danger that’s rarely present with characters whose safety is relatively guaranteed so that companies can continue to make toys and movies and pajamas…

Then again, if they’re smart, they’ll take advantage of King Shark’s maniacal awesomeness – I’ll be the first in line for a King Shark bobblehead or shampoo or whatever. “Meat! Meat! Meat!” The King Shark moments alone make this book for me!

A-  —- Ed

I would say that if Task Force X is a government agency, it is definitely black-ops or covert or not really a “legit” government agency. I had never read Suicide Squad books previously, but I was familiar with them and of course Harley and Deadshot. So familiar in fact that I do miss Harley’s costume and can’t help but think they changed it so that comic con would be able to see more flesh on sexy cos-players dressed up as her. And to that all I have to say is “sigh”.

But back to the book……I liked it. It introduced the characters in a great way, and I loved the shot of the interrogation room — all from above. Great art there. Good beginning to a new series of stories. I look forward to #2.

B    — Kelly