Suicide Squad Vol. 6: The Secret History Of Task Force X by Rob Williams, Barnaby Bagenda, Eleonora Carlini, Philippe Briones and Scot Eaton (graphic novel review).
The title of the sixth volume of Suicide Squad, ‘The Secret History Of Task Force X’ is a bit of a misnomer as it’s not the current team but the original team as led by Rick Flagg, the grandfather of his recently deceased grandson. With two threats at the same time, Amanda Waller has to split the team up. Katana, Harley Quinn, Captain Boomerang and Killer Croc are sent up to the Argent Space Station and encounter Rick Flagg Senior and Karin Grace and find themselves off to the Moon to face off the recently awakened Red Wave Dragon in the Moon Vault and a lack of communication to Earth. Deadshot, Enchantress, El Diablo with Waller to the Nevada Desert facing ancient robots.
How much to say without going spoiler? The original team’s mission was to keep aliens from Earth. They failed or missed with a certain Kryptonian and although not noted, with two Thangorian police officers or a Martian Manhunter later. Presumably, once recognised on Earth and not a threat, get off their list.
There’s a lot more history associated with this round of stories from Suicide Squad # 27-32. I do think Harley Quinn was taking herself a little too seriously here. There are a few twists at the end that will make you wonder just how much suicide is suicide. I know a few recruits haven’t lasted very long but none of the core group have actually stayed dead for long. A problem with making the them too…er…likable. Is that too nice a word for them? Perhaps it’s too much familiarity and not making them continual nasty enough. Mind you, Killer Croc has lost it with injuries at the end.
GF Willmetts
April 2021
(pub: DC Comics, 2018. 144 page graphic novel. Price: I pulled my copy for about £11.00 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-4012-8098-7)
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