Today DC announced, via IGN, that some new faces will be coming to Task Force X this July in the pages of a new series, New Suicide Squad #1. The new lineup includes Deathstroke, Joker’s Daughter, and Black Manta. It seems Harley Quinn and Deadshot will still be around. However, Amanda Waller doesn’t have as much power and the team will receive a trial by fire when they head to Russia for their first mission.
Now seems like a great time to team up some of these characters; DC is definitely striking while the proverbial iron is hot. The Suicide Squad is fresh off a titular episode of the hit TV series, Arrow. Not to mention that show also includes Deathstroke as a regular character. Mr. Slade Wilson has been dominating various forms of media, also making prominent appearances in the animated series Young Justice and the awesome video game Batman: Arkham Origins. Putting him on covers is a wise move. DC also seems to have big plans for Joker’s Daughter, so it will be wise to keep an eye on her. I wonder how long she can run around in that rotting dead skin mask. (There’s your nod, Slayer fans.)
The current Suicide Squad series will end with issue #30 (pictured right). The new book will be written by Sean Ryan, who wrote some Flashpoint tie-ins, and illustrated by up-and-comer Jeremy Roberts. Roberts won the Harley Quinn talent search and was given a full page to showcase his skills in issue #0 of her new series. He also contributed to Stormwatch #30, which will close out that series. I think he has a very bright future in the industry, so jump on his bandwagon as soon as you can. He also sat down with IGN to discuss the new series.
On winning the talent search and having the opportunity to pencil a new series:
I feel very very lucky! The DC Comics Talent Search was an amazing opportunity, and it has completely changed my life. I get to do my dream job everyday, and its better than I could have imagined. I assumed it would be like any other illustration job, I never realized how much I would enjoy drawing comics. As soon as I finished that first book, I desperately wanted to draw more… I never expected to get a new #1. That’s incredible, and its a big responsibility. So, I’m putting everything I’ve got into every page.
On his favorite characters to draw:
Harley Quinn is always fun to draw, and Deathstroke is one of the coolest characters in the entire DCU. But, I’ve actually had the most fun drawing Deadshot. I don’t know if its the costume or the attitude, but he’s a fun character. And I love the way that Blond colors him!
I’ve never been much of a Suicide Squad fan, but the dynamic presented by the new lineup compounded with Roberts on art may be enough incentive for me to check out this new series.
Source: IGN