I'm a fan of D.C. Comics but haven't read much about the Suicide Squad or any of the individual characters in this volume collection, so my opinions aren't in comparison to anything else I know of these characters.

Premise: The POTUS calls into question the Suicide Squad's ability to function reliably and without discovery. The director of their prison assures him that it will work, hires an ex-military prisoner to lead them, and sends them on a mission to a secret Russian prison to steal a mysterious "cosmic item." After the main storyline, there are also a few comics explaining a little bit of the background of each member of the Suicide Squad.

This is a hard volume to rate as a whole. Due to the nature of the Suicide Squad, the storyline functions more as a series of individual, minor events rather than a team effort. It's also near-impossible to figure out the motivations of half of the characters, even after their profiles at the end. Hopefully, this will sort out a bit in the next volume; I like a bit more character development. Based on what I've seen so far, Katana is pretty bada** and the clear favorite for me. Harley Quinn is the wild card. Flag is the mediocre but determined leader. And the others go back-and-forth. The illustrations are good: not the best but better than most. I would say the storyline recommends itself to people who like action scenes best. I'm interested to see where this one goes!

I love DC comics so I was excited when I received a ecopy of this graphic novel.

I really like the story of this volume one and I did love the illustrations as well. I think this one is very well done.

I give this 5 out of 5.

If you would like to purchase this you can do so at your local comic book shop or bookstores online and near you.

I was not too familiar with the characters of Suicide Squad before this Graphic Novel. I am not much of a DC fan, but I can see why most people really like the characters and why they were so excited for the movie to come out. I can honestly say this is way better than the movie. The characters were gritty, and pretty much the definition of ant-hero and if it was not for the bombs in their skull terrorizing innocent people would still be their plan.

Well, that was insane and very bloody and even had some things in it that I didn't expect.

Waller has added a new head of the Suicide Squad Rick Flagg. His second in command is Katanna. They don't have bombs in their head (well as far as I know) unlike Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, and a young woman who is sometimes Enchantress. They are tasked with going into an underwater Russian base and get a Cosmic big thing. They meet some (to me) surprising resistance. They also meet and get help from a Harley fan called Hack.

It was a pretty cool Rebirth TPB, but then again, I always thought that the New 52 Suicide Squad was a pretty good title too.

I got this ARC through Netgalley on behalf of DC Entertainment.

I’ve now read enough of the Rebirth line to know not to get my hopes up for anything and, yup, Suicide Squad Rebirth is another dud!

This iteration of the team is the line-up of the terrible (yet OSCAR-WINNING!!! And for makeup? Bullshit that garbage had better makeup than Star Trek Beyond!) movie: Deadshot, Harley, Boomerang, Killer Croc, Katana, Enchantress and Rick Flag. They gots to steal some powerful MacGuffin called The Black Vault and fight a Russian Suicide Squad and General Zod.

Rob Williams’ choice to have the team go up against a Kryptonian like Zod was really stupid. All it underlined was how useless and poorly conceived Task Force X are. I can understand Enchantress to a degree because magical characters are useful, but the others? Why the hell would anyone think a team comprising Harley (an insane supermodel with guns), Deadshot (a marksman), Boomerang (a dumbass who throws boomerangs), Rick Flag (an ordinary US soldier), Katana (an insane supermodel with a sword), and Killer Croc (brainless muscle) could possibly stand up to global super-powered threats?!

The entire time these (mostly) non-powered characters were fighting a Superman-level powered being, I kept waiting for Zod to rip each one of their heads off at super-speed! It’s not at all convincing to see characters like these fight someone of Zod’s calibre and somehow hold their own! And the resolution to their fight was contrived drivel.

Most of the characters are boringly one-dimensional. There’s a new character called Hack who isn’t interesting in the least (she HACKS computers, geddit?? Oh, the IMAGINATION that went into her creation!!!), the Russian Suicide Squad were a joke, and Zod was just angry. I didn’t give a damn about the silly retrieval mission storyline. Also included are backups about some of the characters’ origins that are just as dreary: Deadshot’s doing it for his daughter, Boomerang’s a fuckwit, Katana’s tragic, and Harley’s silly and heroic for no reason. Awful, just awful.

I enjoyed Jim Lee drawing the main story, particularly the HALO drop scene, though I don’t understand how Zod got to be so giant – he’s suddenly Prometheus Engineer-size! The backups also feature an impressive roster of artists: Philip Tan, Jason Fabok, Ivan Reis and Gary Frank, who all contribute amazing-looking pages.

Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault is such a dull read. I liked Rob Williams’ recent work on Martian Manhunter and his Vertigo series Unfollow is brilliant, but he can’t work his magic on The Trite Squad. Drink a few Red Bulls before reading this to stay awake!

*I received this through the netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

My first introduction to the Suicide Squad was during the new 52 universe. I fell in love with these characters and found myself rooting for the bad guys. I will gladly root for Harley Quinn in any given day. The Rebirth series is a fresh new look into the Task Force X. There are some new characters introduced in the mix (which I'm sure was heavily influence by the release of the Suicide Squad movie last year).

The graphic novel begins, as due most Suicide Squad graphic novels due, in complete and utter chaos. The task force is led into a violent situation and left in the dark by the leader of this organization, Amanda Waller. The Suicide Squad somehow manages to escape and on the other side of that is their new leader, Rick Flag.

In this first volume a lot happens without their being much plot advancement. There are some surprise visits from some beloved villains of the DC world, the Suicide Squad fight for their lives and it's all topped off with the humor I loved so much in the New 52 comics. It was a solid start to this Rebirth and I am excited to learn more.

One of my favorite things about this first volume is that you get a background story of some of the suicide squad members. Some of their backstories are altered a bit but it gives you an insight into their villainous minds. The absence of El Diablo, King Shark, and YoYo left me a bit sad, but as long as my favorite psychotic queen is there then I can forgive everything else. Great start and I'm ready for more.


Be sure to check it out!

Full disclosure: I love Suicide Squad. LOVE.

In theory. Because, you see, I've never read the comics. And I still haven't watched the movie.

But Bad Guys as Good Guys is my all-time favorite trope. And not only are the Suicide Squad the bad guys, they are bat shit crazy. If you don't think this is something I should've been reading from birth, you don't know me that well.

So when I had the chance to read an ARC of the new Suicide Squad, I lept at the chance. And I wasn't disappointed in the least. Would someone who's been a fan for years be disappointed? I honestly couldn't say, because I can't read from that perspective.

But as a long time fan, first time listener, I think this is such a promising series. The characters are witty, and darkly funny. There's so much surface that's only been grazed, not even scratched. You get background on almost all of them, but I am aching for more. Katana's was, by far, my favorite. I don't know what series she regularly appears in, but I need in on that.

I have a soft spot for Harley. She didn't let me down here. She, naturally, got all the best lines. Though Boomerang fought for that top spot.

The ink work is also fantastic. Sometimes the action got smushed in the panels, but that's normal for comics, and it's just me being a whiny brat.

I am pumped for the rest of this series. So pumped.

I have enjoyed all of the modern iterations of the Suicide Squad, and the Rebirth version is no exception. Humor, action, and great artwork make this a must-read volume. The standalone vignettes at the end are also very entertaining. Highly recommended.

A new, albeit familiar, Suicide Squad is formed as part of DC’s Rebirth project and easily falls in line to capitalize on the familiarity that the recent film provided. And like the movie before it, the comic is generic, played safe, and features a linear, if head-scratching, plot.

The premise is tried-and-true and even a bit cliché at this point. The baddest of the bad are recruited by the government to be the ultimate of shadow ops and installed with missions that no one in their right mind would take on. All of the usual personalities are in place for the role call: the assassin Deadshot, the Joker’s protégé Harley Quinn, the merc-with-a-gimmick Captain Boomerang, the cannibalistic-mutant Killer Croc, and so on. The basis for the organization is an easy one, and the formula is ripe with success. However, the plot for this graphic novel, much like the feature-length film, is as lackluster as it is frustrating.

For this particular starting point, the team is hastily put together in order to invade a secret Russian vault and abscond with a Phantom Zone generator. Yeah, like that Phantom Zone. Superman and General Zod and all that. Instead of a mirror floating endlessly in space, this portal is represented as a back orb. Yet never in this story, and perhaps this why the “Volume 1” designation appears, does writer Rob Williams bestow any answers for the whys. Why does Russia have this? Why does America want it? And why send a squad that is almost entirely comprised of typical human agents who simply wield guns, swords, or, well, boomerangs, to go against a potential Kryptonian menace? Hello, yellow sun. And finally, with all that has happened before with this series, even looking back to the John Ostrander and Luke McDonnell’s conception back in the eighties, why isn’t this introduction more exciting? Jim Lee’s artwork, which is merely serviceable in this outing, does not provide any further answers.

Fortunately, Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault contains some entertaining back stories on key characters. One to note of features the gorgeously illustrative work of Gary Frank spotlighting Harley Quinn. Another focuses on Captain Boomerang and his amusing fantasy of being an Australian super-spy. Both of these tales were written by Williams, proving he can break out the imagination when needed and crafts the back-ups with more attention and appeal than that of the main plot. Maybe that imaginative force is behind bars at Belle Reve and is only allowed to work on certain missions? Yet another question that requires an answer.

Thanks to both Netgalley and DC Comics for the advance preview of the new Suicide Squad title. Reminds me of my letterhacking days and receiving similar advance copies for solicitation. I’m glad to be able to contribute such reviews again.

I was never a comic book reader but that is changing, and fast. D.C. Comics has me hooked and Suicide Squad is just the latest in the awesome comics I have read from their publishing house. Suicide Squad The Black Vault is part of D.C. Rebirth (this gives you all the back stories on all of the characters in the comic, awesome for people like me new to the series), has all of the characters that you know and love or will get to know and love, like Capt. Flag, Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Killer Croc, Boomerang, Enchantress, Katana, and Waller, not to mention all the gruesome bad guys. This was a awesome action packed first edition and I can't wait for the next.


review will go live 3/7/2017

After the mixed reviews of the movie, the comic is a welcome return to what the Suicide Squad is really all about. Part of the DC Rebirth platform, Suicide Squad Rebirth, The Black Vault brings together the squad again under the command of Rick Flag. An easy read comic that can be for new recruits or more seasoned readers brought beautifully to life by Jim Lees stunning pencil.

Was looking forward to reading Suicide Squad Vol. 1: The Black Vault and it did not disappoint. I especially loved the illustrations and detail to all of it.

This is one of those where I was glad to see more of Colonel Rick Flag and how he took command of the group, showing why he was chosen as the field leader of the Suicide Squad. Harley, who never fails to make everything more fun even when she isn't at the forefront of things. Also seeing Killer Croc, who isn't always shown as having smarts and being more like an animal than a man, have his moment by saving half the members of the team from imminent danger.

More than anything I loved the storyline, how everything was brought together and the over-the-top scenes that were placed in front of the reader. There was much going on in this graphic novel and everything had its place. And of course tons of Amanda Waller making sure everything was going according to plan and having it out with President Barack Obama over her selected team having to exist to take out those neither him or the Justice League should know about.

It was nonstop all the way and we got to see plenty of backstory for many of the squad members, which is always a plus. There was not one thing I didn't like about any of it, and I will be looking into getting my hands on a printed copy of this novel.

And there is a special appearance by a few other characters and someone in the Phantom Zone, which the reader won't want to miss out on. You'll have to read to find out how all that goes.

***I received this copy from DC Comics via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***

I've never been much of a Suicide Squad fan: the concept is a lot of fun, but I've never felt like the characters chosen were really right for what you want for this. Especially when Boomerang is a major player in the squad. This was, well, more of the norm. The story isn't bad (I'll probably end up picking up part 2), but nothing to go out of your way for.
I do like this way more than any Suicide Squad New 52 stuff I read, so it does seem to be moving in a generally positive direction.

far better storyline than the Suicide Squad movie! the characters are who they should be, the dialog great, the pacing fantastic. Great book that I strongly recommend for DC fans.

Now this, this is a book with good Suicide Squad stories. Better than the movie, and the previous New 52 stories I've read. Very entertaining, slightly influenced by the movie, but followed the comics more than anything. Had some side stories that are just as good, Good job Rebirth.

I haven't really liked Suicide Squad since the third volume written by Adam Glass. Yet, I continue to try! Am I a glutton for punishment? Probably. I think it's just because I love Harley so much, that I want to read everything she's in. I need to stop! I think Suicide Squad is SO boring. It's like, the characters are compelling enough, but the story-lines are just blah. Maybe someday they'll find a writer who can write an arc i'll actually like. I guess I'll find out since I apparently don't learn and will probably continue to read it!

This book was pretty awesome and I loved the illustrations! The story was pretty good too and I liked the part where all the backgrounds were given. It helped me connect to all the characters as I didn't know about half of their pasts.

The dialogues were good too and overall I think this is one of the best graphic novels that I've read in the recent years. The female characters were neither over-dramatically sexy or muscle-ly or gay. They were really awesome and bad-ass and I really liked Harley Quinn and Katana.
I loved Deadshot and Colonel Rick Flag and even Croc, but Boomerang was just... meh.. though his background story was cleverly told.

All in all, I liked this book better than any other that had Harley Quinn in it and hence, I'll be giving it an extra star.

3.5 Stars
A well-illustrated graphic novel for Suicide fans. I enjoyed the flashbacks and backstories of the characters and look forward to the possible introduction to new super villains, but the plot was slow in some areas and not always clear. Again, the artwork was fun and this book would be a good addition to any new Suicide Squad aficionado, especially those readers who may have seen the recent film and want to learn more about the other medias for this franchise. Overall, it's convinced me to keep following this series.

Net Galley Feedback

A great rebirth of the Suicide Squad focusing on each inidividuals origins as well as their first mission together. The banter and action is entertaining and beautifully merges with the DC world.

SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1: THE BLACK VAULT is part of DC Rebirth and introduces the members of the Suicide Squad for readers new to the series, or readers only familiar with the characters through the "Suicide Squad" film. Fans of the film will recognize Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Rick Flag, Katana, June Moone aka Enchantress, and Captain Boomerang. The only character that was in the film but not in this book is Diablo. Jim Lee's artwork in SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1: THE BLACK VAULT is superb as always, and he makes misfit action heroes and science fiction warfare look beautiful.

SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1: THE BLACK FAULT has a bit of art imitating life. Just as the cold war between the US and Russia in the 1950s and 1960s spawned some great science fiction, current world events frame this story of the fantastical and the slightly whacky. The first few pages of SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1: THE BLACK VAULT give the reader a taste of who these central characters are and what they're all about. Much of this book dealt with Rick Flag's ability to control his team and bring things to a successful conclusion without things blowing up in his face. Unlike the "Suicide Squad" film, there wasn't really any hint of deeper feelings between Flag and June Moon, so it will be interesting to see if anything develops in later stories. The quirky helpers, out-of- this-world bad guys, and unknown quantities along the way in SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1: THE BLACK VAULT provide an opportunity for amusing snarky comebacks, and a striking contrast to the group of disaffected antiheroes that make up Task Force X.

SUICIDE SQUAD VOL. 1: THE BLACK VAULT is full of stylized techno wizardry, badass characters, and intriguing possibilities. Included in this book are background stories involving Deadshot and a past encounter with Batman, a glimpse into Captain Boomerang's psyche, a detailed look at Katana's tragic past, and a solo mission involving Harley and Rick Flag. As someone who has never read many comics featuring Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and Katana, it was interesting to see them outside of a group setting and get a better feel for their personality. Although I was always partial to the character King Shark in the "Suicide Squad" comics, I always wanted to see Killer Croc get better stories than his past Batman-centered stories, and I hope to see him shine in future books. Also included at the end of this collection is a variant cover gallery with artists like Amanda Connor, Jim Lee, Lee Bermejo, and others. I look forward to reading more "Suicide Squad" books in the future.