The Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X, is an anti-hero team of incarcerated supervillains and superheroes who act as deniable assets for the United States government, undertaking high-risk black ops missions in exchange for commuted prison sentences. The group operates out of the Belle Reve Federal Penitentiary, under the command of Amanda Waller.
During World War II, army riffraff of the United States Military Forces were assembled into a unit that was described as a "top-secret Ranger outfit" whose members were trained to tackle missions from which ordinary volunteers were not expected to return alive, as such the members of the unit were considered highly expendable and therefore nicknamed the "Suicide Squadron"; several such teams existed. After the war, the units were put under the umbrella organization of Task Force X and were expressly formed to fight monstrous menaces as a replacement for the Justice Society of America, whose members had mostly retired in the wake of unjust accusations during the McCarthy Era.
By modern time the Suicide Squad units are covert black ops strike teams working for the interests of the United States Government. The units are made up of superheroes who are serving out a favour and imprisoned supervillains who agree to serve as expendable agents performing extremely dangerous missions, which are officially denied by the US Government using the prisoners' participation as rationale to claim that the incidents are merely attacks by criminals.
"This is Amanda Waller. You are now enlisted in the Suicide Squad, the black ops division of our agency. You will be working with heroes from Task Force X until this operation is complete. Comply, and I will commute your sentence. Disobey and I will use that shock collar to liberate your head from your body." — Amanda Waller
"This is Amanda Waller. You have been recruited for a classified Task Force X mission. You'll be working with members of the Suicide Squad until all objectives are complete. I advise you to stick to the mission." — Amanda Waller
On Duty Menu with red target cross
In DCUO the Suicide Squad stands for cross-faction play. Heroes might get villains into their queueing group when not enough heroes would be available for the instance and vice versa.
Instances where this is possible are tagged with a big red target cross in a circle in the On Duty Menu.
"This is Waller. You are now assigned to the Suicide Squad. By now, you are intimately aware of our arrangement. Cooperate with members of Task Force X or I yank the leash connected to that collar. Got it?" — Amanda Waller
More Quotes
"It's Waller. I'm taking over this situation. This team is now operating under Suicide Squad's authority. I've 'recruited' some members of Task Force X to assist. Get the job done." — Amanda Waller
"This is Amanda Waller. Task Force X is taking control of this situation. I'm sending the Suicide Squad to assist you. I assure you that those mercenaries will comply." — Amanda Waller
"Amanda Waller here. You have been appropriated by the Suicide Squad, You will comply and work with members of Task Force X until the objective is complete. Failure to do so will result in your... termination." — Amanda Waller
"Amanda Waller, here. This is now a Suicide Squad operation. Members of Task Force X will be assisting you until the objectives are complete. Play nice." — Amanda Waller
"It's Waller. I am taking over this situation. This team is now operating under Suicide Squad's authority. I've 'recruited' some members of Task Force X to assist. Get the job done." — Amanda Waller
"This is Amanda Waller. The Suicide Squad is now in control of the situation. I'm sending members of Task Force X to assist you. I don't want to hear *any* complaints - you *will* cooperate with them." — Amanda Waller
"Waller, here. This affair is now under Task Force X jurisdiction. I've assigned members of the Suicide Squad to assist you in your objectives. Just keep your nose down. The Squad won't step a toe out of line." — Amanda Waller
"This is Waller. You have been temporarily assigned to Task Force X. You will be working with members of the Suicide Squad until the mission is complete. I will remind you that our agency appreciates your *complete* cooperation." — Amanda Waller
The Suicide Squad first appeared in Legends #3 (1987).
The Squad's existence is top-secret, creating much tension within the group, and leading the Squad to be targeted (unsuccessfully) by the likes of Lois Lane and Batman (the latter was forced to back off from his investigation when Squad leader Amanda Waller threatened to use her considerable government resources to expose Batman's secret identity).
Waller uses explosive chips injected into squad members skulls to keep them in line. She originally used explosive bracelets, however, the team members soon learned how to disable them.
