A Superman ally-turned-villain has joined Rick Flag's team in a preview for Suicide Squad #9.
Since the beginning of writer Robbie Thompson and artist Eduardo Pansica's tenure on the book began, Amanda Waller and Flag have been on a collision course. Flag first challenged Waller's plans in Issue #1, escaped her captivity in Issue #4 and began forming his own Squad to take her down in Suicide Squad 2021 Annual #1. In the series' ninth issue, Lor-Zod will be joining Flag's crusade against his old boss and team.
First appearing in Action Comics #844, Lor-Zod has had a few iterations, though this appears to be the one from Action Comics' "Booster Shot" arc, being that his suit and appearance are the same in Suicide Squad, minus the beard. In this arc, Lor-Zod and his parents -- Superman nemesis General Zod and Ursa Zod -- rule over an enslaved planet, Jekuul, in one possible future that Superman and Booster Gold find themselves in. However, Lor-Zod was not always a villain, but actually a hero before The New 52 happened.
In the Pre-Flashpoint DC Universe, Lor-Zod actually held the mantle of Nightwing. Fans of Dick Grayson as the tight spandex-wearing vigilante may recall (especially after being reminded in Nightwing #83) that he came up with his name after Superman gave him the idea while discussing Kryptonian mythology. Again, before Flashpoint, Clark Kent adopted Lor-Zod who would take on the name Chris Kent and the Nightwing mantle later on.
With Lor-Zod now being a villain, he is the latest member of Flag's gaggle of bad guys to take on Waller. After Flag recruited Mirror Master in Suicide Squad's annual issue, it was revealed in Suicide Squad #8 that the Flash villain joined up alongside Cheetah and a parademon, Flag then attempting to bring a freed Peacemaker into the revenge-fueled fold as well. It is unclear if Peacemaker accepted Flag's offer, being that he is not visible in the preview.
Suicide Squad #9 also promises to launch Waller's squad into space and face the Green Lantern Corps, with a variant cover teasing that Far Sector's Jo will come into conflict with the Squad. The preview and solicitation for the issue can be found below.
SUICIDE SQUAD #9
- Written by ROBBIE THOMPSON
- Art by DEXTER SOY
- Cover by EDUARDO PANSICA
- Variant cover by GERALD PAREL
- $3.99 US | 32 PGS | $4.99 US Variant (Card stock)
- ON SALE 11/16/21
- Amanda Waller needs one last item before she can begin her invasion of Earth-3. The problem? It’s locked in a vault on Oa. The solution? SQUAD IN SPACE! Meanwhile, Rick Flag is assembling his OWN Squad to take down Waller!
Suicide Squad #9 is written by Robbie Thompson with interior art by Dexter Soy. Main cover and interior art was also done by Eduardo Pansica, while variant cover art was created by Gerald Parel. The issue goes on sale Nov. 16 from DC Comics.
Source: DC Comics