From Slipknot To Captain Boomering (And Back Again): Meet The Suicide Squad | Empire 

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From Slipknot To Captain Boomering (And Back Again): Meet The Suicide Squad

All the characters from David Ayer\'s villainous superteam explained

Suicide Squad, the second Warner Bros./DC Comics film targeting a 2016 release, represents the companies’ attempt to do something Marvel so far hasn't: focus on a group of villains rather than heroes. As a concept created in 1959 by Robert Kanigher and Ross Andru, Suicide Squad is a revolving team of super-villains who carry out missions for the US government in exchange for commuted sentences. Formally titled Task Force X, they’re an unpredictable bunch, but then that was itself predictable, given their largely villainous nature. For those whose first introduction to the characters was the casting of Will Smith, Margot Robbie, Jared Leto and the rest in the upcoming film adaptation, here is a handy guide to the group that will hit screens on August 5 next year…

Bio: As with so many comic book characters, there are different incarnations of Flag. The name Rick Flag has been used by three generations, all of them military men, and all linked in some way to a version of Task Force X. The main Flag is described as a former fighter pilot whose brush with death and tragedy – in his case, his entire unit being wiped out – pushed him towards an early attempt at the squad that fared little better. He agreed to lead the squad overseen by Waller and chafed at having to work alongside villains, balking at any idea that he and Deadshot (see below) might be similar. Expect similar conflict in the film, while the presence of Corina Calderon playing a character called Grace points to the potential inclusion of the love of Rick’s life, Karin Grace.

Bio: Floyd Lawton has a reputation as the world’s greatest marksman and works as a hired assassin. Thanks to an overpowering death wish, he was willing to kill anyone for the right price, but on the flipside was committed to protecting his estranged ex-wife and daughter. He pre-dates the squad’s birth as he was originally created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Sayre Schwartz in 1950 as a prime villain for Batman. He’s known for his trademark eyepiece and mask, which Smith will be wearing during the film.

Bio: He's the one character in the film who doesn’t need and introduction as he’s been a pop cultural icon since Jerry Robinson, Bill Finger and Bob Kane brought him to cackling life as Batman’s primary antagonist in 1940. He’s possibly the most famous comic book villain out there, appearing on TV and whenever Bats has hit the big screen. In the past, the likes of Cesar Romero, Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger have played him, and Leto has a lot to live up to embodying the Clown Prince of Crime, the Jester of Genocide, the Harlequin of Hate, and the Ace of Knaves. He’s usually seen first as a criminal (in the comics, one named Red Hood) who falls into a vat of chemicals that bleaches his skin, colours his hair and renders him insane. It’s unlikely that will be explored here, as, like Ledger before him, Leto’s Joker appears to be fully formed when we meet him. The Joker isn't a member of the squad itself but rather an inmate at Arkham Asylum that early drafts of the script had Harley Quinn trying to break out.

Bio: Harley is an unusual creation in the DC Universe in that she first appeared in an episode of Batman: The Animated Series in 1992 and proved so popular that she was added to the comic books. Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, she’s a frequent accomplice and often lover for The Joker (not the healthiest relationship, as you might imagine), sharing his penchant for madness, violence and unpredictability. She is also usually portrayed as a talented psychiatrist with the alter ego Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzelc (subtle!) In the relaunched timeline of the comic books, she goes on a murderous frenzy of vengeance after a falling out with ol’ smiley face and is forcibly inducted into the squad. Robbie’s performance will be the second time she’s been seen in live-action form, after short-lived DC TV series Birds Of Prey.

Have Your Say Register or login now to let us know what you think.

Posted by gb901 on Monday September 28, 2015, 18:48

Why is it that when film companies make comic book films the costumes, most of the time, look very different to the comics??? X-men for example. the costumes were all black leather. where were the cool colours we\'re used to seeing?? the Suicide Squad doesn\'t seem to be any different. Captain Boomerang, El Diablo, Slipknot. What the hell are they wearing???? More

Posted by krisalina on Friday July 17, 2015, 19:35

Let\'s wait till we\'ve seen the damn thing before passing judgement, eh guys...? More

Posted by chris kilby on Sunday July 12, 2015, 16:23

Bloody hell, the costumes look terrible! The dude that\'s playing Killer Croc looks like something out of Super Mario Brothers! Really, really hope that this isn\'t as bad as it looks. More

well not quite but Sinister Six was touted before Suicide Squad...... More

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