Tuesday, October 6, 2020

The Suicide Squad Roll Call Teaser, My Thoughts

The DC Cinematic Universe is rolling on! In 2016, WB released the movie universe's third installment: Suicide Squad. Based on the comic book series, the David Ayer-written and directed film was about a group of supervillains and anti-heroes conscripted into government service. The film was given a mostly negative reception from critics, but it was praised for its cast and makeup. It even won the Best Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar at the 89th Academy Awards. The film would get a spinoff in Birds of Prey, and now...it's got a standalone sequel that was written and will be directed by James Gunn. Let's look at the trailer!




Makes sense Amanda Waller would come back.

And we got a new actor for Rick Flag Jr.

Savant - aka Brian Durlin. First appearing in Birds of Prey #56 (August 2003), created by Gail Simone and Ed Benes. A wannabe-vigilante turned blackmailer. Martial artist with genius intellect. I'm also not surprised that Michael Rooker would be in this movie. After all, James Gunn is directing. I think Savant will die, because of his obscurity and his lack of any real superpowers.

Javelin - Real Name unknown. First appeared in Green Lantern #174 (February 1984), created by Len Wein and Dave Gibbons. A former German Olympian athlete turned supervillain, he's skilled with his namesake weapon. I think this dude will be cannon fodder.

Harley Quinn - No introduction really needed. She first appeared in the Batman: The Animated Series episode "Joker's Favor" (first broadcast on September 11, 1992), and made her comics debut in Batman: Harley Quinn (October 1999), created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm. She's a psycho psychologist who is a skilled acrobat/martial artist. In the comics, thanks to enhancement from Poison Ivy, she is immune to toxins and poisons. She will definitely live. And I like her costume here better than her outfits in Birds of Prey.

Polka-Dot Man - Real name Abner Krill. First appeared in Detective Comics #300 (February 1962), created by Sheldon Moldoff. The dots on his costume contain various devices. He's pretty obscure, and I can imagine the film getting a couple of gags out of his costume's gimmicks, but yeah, he's toast.

Ratcatcher - Real name Otis Flannegan. First appeared in Detective Comics #585 (April 1988), created by Alan Grant, John Wagner, and Norm Breyfogle. Flannegan had the power to command, well, rats. Interestingly enough, the Ratcatcher was an actual rat-catcher before becoming a supervillain. This film's version is female and called "Ratcatcher 2", implying she's a legacy character. I think it will be a tossup if she lives or dies.

Bloodsport - This Bloodsport is likely based on Robert DuBois (the first Bloodsport, there have been three in the comics), first appearing in Superman #4 (April 1987), created by John Byrne and Karl Kesel. He has a teleporter grafted into his body that allows him to summon weapons. I think he'll survive the movie because he's likely there to take the place of Deadshot.

King Shark - Real name Nanaue. First appeared as a cameo in Superboy #0 (October 1994), then fully appeared in Superboy #9 (November 1994), created by Karl Kesel and Tom Grummett. A demi-god, he has a human mother and his father was a shark god. He's super strong, has a healing factor, and you don't want him to bite you. He's a powerhouse character, and considering the popularity the character has gotten thanks to the Harley Quinn animated series, I think he may live.

Mongal - First appeared in Showcase '95 #8 (Deptember 1995), created by Peter Tomasi and Scot Eaton. An alien powerhouse, super speed, strength, durability, etc. I found her an utterly bizarre choice for this movie, and I would not be surprised if she gets killed off. Should be hard to do, though.

The Thinker - Likely the Clifford DeVoe version, this incarnation first appeared in All-Flash #12 (Fall 1943), created by Gardner Fox and E.E. Hibbard. In the comics, the Thinker was known for using a device known as a "Thinking Cap" to use various mental powers. Considering who is playing him, I think he may live.

Sol Soria - I think she's a new character, so she may likely survive. She's been described as a "South American revolutionary", so its possible that this may be a hint as to the Squad's mission in the movie.

Blackguard - Richard Hertz. First appeared in Booster Gold #1 (February 1986), created by Dan Jurgens. In the comics, Blackguard wore armor that allowed him to create a mace and shield made of energy. He's pretty obscure, so I think he's going to be toast.

TDK - Real name Floyd Belkin. First appeare in Secret Origins #46 (December 1989), created by Gerard Jones and Curt Swan. Has the power to remove his arms and use them as limb. He's often thought of as a bit of a joke, so he'll likely get killed off.

Weasel - Real Name: John Monroe. First appeared in The Fury of Firestorm #35 (August 1985), created by Gerry Conway and Rafael Kayanan. In the comics, Weasel was a serial killer in a costume, not a mutated animal like he seems to be here. He's dead.

Captain Boomerang - Real name George "Digger" Harkness. First appeared in The Flash #117 (December 1960), created by John Broome and Carmine Infantino. An Australian supervillain, he uses, well...boomerangs. He'll likely survive, as he's one of the "iconic" members of the Suicide Squad.

Peacemaker - Real name: Christopher Smith. First appeared in Fightin' 5 #40 (November 1966), created by Joe Gill and Pat Boyette. Skilled martial artist, and weapons user. I hope he survives, personally. John Cena can be pretty funny. I expect him to be a breakout character. I have heard there was more stuff with him in the works, so it's likely he'll live.

I admit, I am rather excited for this movie. I never saw the first one. Looking back, the promotion for that one gave me the impression they were trying to respond to Guardians of the Galaxy. Kind of ironic that James Gunn is directing this film, then. Huh. This trailer gives me the impression that this will be a good time popcorn movie. The kind of film you just sit back and have fun watching. And I am all for that. I also like that this film is giving some spotlight to some lesser-known DC characters...even if it's only brief.

Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves, and each other. Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, and wear a mask! See you next time!




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