DC Collects John Ostrander’s Classic Suicide Squad Comics in New Omnibus

DC Collects John Ostrander's Classic Suicide Squad Comics in New Omnibus

As a seasoned gamer and comic book enthusiast with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that the upcoming “Suicide Squad by John Ostrander Omnibus” is an absolute must-have for any serious collector. The post-Crisis on Infinite Earths era redefinition of Task Force X by the legendary John Ostrander was a game-changer in the world of DC Comics, and this omnibus will be the perfect addition to any comic book library.


In a different, more modern take on Team Force X, which some might consider dispensable, John Ostrander’s “Suicide Squad” comics are absolutely essential. First appearing during the Silver Age of DC Comics in 1959, this government squad led by Col. Rick Flag was later reimagined by Ostrander following the Crisis on Infinite Earths. The “Suicide Squad” comic series, which began in 1987 as a spin-off from “Legends” #3 (with plotting by Ostrander, writing by Len Wein, and art by John Byrne), fundamentally changed the roster of villains serving time who were deemed disposable by the harsh program director Amanda Waller.

As a diehard DC Comics fan, I’m thrilled to share that the much-anticipated “Suicide Squad by John Ostrander Omnibus” is set to hit shelves on May 20th, 2025! This massive 1008-page collection gathers the first 18 issues of the iconic Suicide Squad series penned by Ostrander and Luke McDonnell, along with the complete six-issue miniseries “Legends,” related issues such as “The Secret Origin of the Suicide Squad” in “Secret Origins” #14, and even the Ostrander-penned “Doom Patrol and Suicide Squad Special.”

DC Collects John Ostrander's Classic Suicide Squad Comics in New Omnibus

In the debut issue of Suicide Squad, now led by Flag, a team consisting of Captain Boomerang, Enchantress, Bronze Tiger, and Deadshot (a skilled assassin) were sent on a dangerous mission to take down Brimstone, an agent working for Darkseid. This mission marked the first fatality within the group, as the powerful Blockbuster lost his life. The super-powered prison Belle Reve was raided for this new task force, bringing in members such as Karin Grace, Plastique, and the unfortunate Mindboggler to join the ever-evolving Task Force X. Issue #1 is titled “Trial by Blood.”

During his 66-issue tenure on the Suicide Squad , Ostrander introduced prominent characters such as Barbara Gordon (Oracle), Poison Ivy, Vixen (former Justice Leaguer), along with lesser-known anti-heroes and villains like Count Vertigo, Doctor Light, Ravan, The Thinker, Outlaw, Nightshade, Punch and Jewelee, Javelin, and Shade, the Changing Man, who were often enemies of Green Arrow and Black Canary.

The comic series “Suicide Squad,” particularly the work by writer John Ostrander, significantly impacted both the David Ayer-directed “Suicide Squad” and James Gunn’s “The Suicide Squad.” In a 2021 interview with ComicBook, Gunn acknowledged that Ostrander’s “Suicide Squad” was the source of inspiration for the tone and concept of his R-rated, action-packed DC film.

As a gamer, I’d say: “I consider ‘The Suicide Squad’ as a follow-up to John Ostrander’s stories from the late ’80s. It’s all about a ragtag group of C-list superheroes, seen as disposable by the U.S. government and assigned to dangerous, black ops missions worldwide. For me, sticking to that core concept – these discardable heroes on suicidal tasks – was crucial.”

Unveil the powerful and dynamic debut of John Ostrander’s contemporary take on Suicide Squad, the iconic comic series.

When threats too perilous for the U.S. military and even iconic superheroes like Batman and Superman arise, who is summoned to answer the call of duty? It appears that Task Force X, also known as the Suicide Squad, is the team for the job. This group, led by the no-nonsense federal agent Amanda Waller, consists of notorious super-criminals. They are presented with a tough decision: undertake extremely dangerous missions to gaze at death and potentially earn their freedom or spend eternity in prison. John Ostrander, a comics legend, redefines the Suicide Squad in this gritty saga about war and redemption.

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2024-08-26 23:10