With all the focus on galaxy-spanning drama and intense character studies, sometimes we forget that superhero battles are staples of the genre, one of the main reasons that people read such comics. Avengers vs X-Men, for example, doesn’t need a complex plot, just an excuse to have your favorite characters throw down. At its core, the same can be said for Justice League vs Suicide Squad, written by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by the likes of Jason Fabok, Tony S. Daniel and others. Although the story is not the strongest and contains some goofy moments, it’s a fun romp. One of the more interesting twists in the narrative, however, is the discovery of an original Suicide Squad, one of the most deadly teams ever to grace the pages of DC Comics.
The story begins with a mysterious jailbreak from a top-secret facility, later revealed to be the work of mind controller Maxwell Lord. Meanwhile, Amanda Waller sends her current Suicide Squad to diffuse a dangerous situation in a city of the island nation Badhnisia. Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Killer Croc, Enchantress, Killer Frost, El Diablo and Harley Quinn make quick work of Apex, a villainous cultist who is attempting to use a device that creates earthquakes. Unfortunately, the device activates, and it appears that the city is doomed. Just in the nick of time, however, the Justice League, consisting of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Flash, Aquaman and Green Lanterns Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz, swoops in to save the day. Batman isn’t happy to learn of the Suicide Squad’s existence, and the league orders them to surrender.
Welcome to the Suicide Squad, Justice League!
Anyone familiar with the conniving Amanda Waller knows that she does not take kindly to anyone meddling in her plans and projects, so she orders the Suicide Squad, on pain of death, to do the impossible: take down the Justice League. What follows is a mostly one-sided battle, though the Squad has a few decent moments. In a stunning reversal, Killer Frost is able to drain a weakened Superman after his battle with Enchantress, supercharging her abilities to the point where she freezes the entire battlefield and its combatants.
Having thus been captured, Waller welcomes the League to the Suicide Squad, though Batman is quick to escape his confinement. But before round two can go down between the two teams, Waller and Batman reveal a far more pressing threat that’s coming right to them: Waller’s original Suicide Squad, comprised of some of the most dangerous super-powered beings around. Filling its ranks are Emerald Empress, wielding the Eye of Ekron and its magical power; Rustam, who brandishes a flaming sword that can cut through anything; Doctor Polaris, master of electromagnetism; Johnny Sorrow, mysterious extra-dimensional entity who can kill anyone with a glance; and Lobo, the main man who can go toe-to-toe with Superman himself and can also regenerate from basically any damage. Led by Maxwell Lord, these villains are out for blood, and only the team-up of Justice League and Suicide Squad has a chance to stop them.
Aided by Katana and Rick Flag, the Justice League and Suicide Squad make their stand. Although initially outnumbered, Maxwell Lord’s team quickly turns the tables when Johnny Sorrow summons a horde of eldritch horrors from another dimension. Emerald Empress holds off both Green Lanterns but retreats when her Eye of Ekron is damaged. Doctor Polaris initially scoffs at battling Cyborg, but quickly realizes the mistake of underestimating his opponent as he is blasted away by Victor Stone’s own electromagnetic technology. Taking a cue from classical mythology, Wonder Woman battles Sorrow, aided by Harley Quinn (who is surprisingly unaffected by looking upon his face), defeating him with his own reflection. Rustam is defeated when his own flaming weapon is pressed into his face while dueling Katana. And the seemingly unstoppable Lobo is stopped, at least temporarily, when Batman injects him with one of Amanda Waller’s brain bombs that she uses to control her Squad.
Welcome to the Justice League, Suicide Squad!
That only leaves Maxwell Lord, but the mastermind of mind games has used the battle as a distraction to obtain what he’s really after: the diamond of Eclipso. Obsessed with a personal mission to save the world even by monstrous means, Lord seizes the dangerous artifact capable of corrupting anyone and turns most of the Justice League into his puppets. But even the power of Lord is not enough to maintain control, and Eclipso quickly manifests himself, bringing chaos and destruction. It’s up to Batman and the Suicide Squad to save the world, leading to the Dark Knight realizing that even though they may be villains, there is room in the world for Task Force X.
Anyone looking for a good superhero brawl that’s packed with action and a few chuckles should definitely check out Justice League vs Suicide Squad.