Letters to Suicide Squad Annual #1

Oh My God! This bloody rocked! You tied together all these events and WOW they rocked so hard! I was gripped from the beginning to the end, but then WAIT! More! I can't wait for #1.5!

Twenty nine stars my friend, TWENTY NINE!

I enjoyed this issue a lot, and I suspect I'd have enjoyed it a lot more if I'd read all the previous Suicide Squad issues referred to herein. Especially liked Noah's rules. The only downer is that I''m kind of sad that we'll never get to see Calculator in his original groovy outfit in the DC2.

Thanks for the kind words. This issue (and the one that follows) were my favorites so far to write. Yes everything tied together but it was so hard to have it all make sense in the end. You should see the time line diagram I charted out over a year ago! I won't bore you with the details but this story along with the other 16 issues I will do before leaving this title have been planned to since Oct '05 so its fun to finally see some of it see the light a day!

I should also say that this was never intend to be a two-parter but when I got into it I realized that it was over 20,000 words and I didn't want people losing interest halfway through.



Thanks for editing this Brian. If this was your fav wait till next issue where...



I kind of like where the Calculator is going character wise. And you should feel guilty because this story would have never came about if you would have let me use...well, there is a funny story behind that!



Thank you sir! I sometimes wonder if I am too subtle. Thats why I like a story like this where I can say "Hey things have been happening all along and nothing happens without a reason."

As for the comparison to one of my favorite writers, I appreciate it and will leave it at that.



Thank you Mark. The reason why this was so hard to write was because I wanted the tale accessible whether you had read an issue before or not. But I also wanted to reward someone who had read every issue and was able to enjoy things coming full circle.

By all means go back and read the issues you missed cause I think they still might be enjoyable since this story only focused on some of the stuff that happened.

Sorry but especially with the way this story ends I doubt Noah will go back to the giant LCD padded costume.



I wasn't sure if Noah would be cool after the way I decided to portray him here since its a bit different then how he is in the DCU. Of course the story picks back up six months later so he might move a little closer to that version when we see him again.

I don't see where having Nocturna around should be a problem? When people are in a relationship and use each other nothing but good things happen right?

I also would like to give a special shout-out to Craig for providing a pretty damn cool interior image for this issue. He did a total of three images but the other two are in the next part.

Also thanks to Doc for a super cool image that became this issues cover. The slightly tweaked version of the same cover shows up next issue and reflects the second part of the tale perfectly!

I have never been disappointed by an issue of Suicide Squad--- and this issue is no exception.

I agree with Brian that the Rucka comparison is apt: John can write a complex, plot-driven story that is easy to follow, and when the pieces (all cleverly laid-out) fall into place, the reader is feels truly rewarded.

I loved how this issue incorporated the first year of SS storylines, and put certain events into new perspective, as seen through the lens of the Calculator. His story was the most fascinating aspect of the issue, and I am really looking forward to reading more about him.

I have to say that John writes some of the best dialogue! Every character comes across with their own voice (which is a feat, because he juggles a ton of them per issue). Coupled with the sharply-written, crisply described action scenes, this makes Suicide Squad one of the most readable titles at the DC2. This book moves!

Favorite scenes in this issue: the first scene with Noah (I'm a sucker for a good Oscar Wilde quote); where Noah pushes Scandal--- and she shuts him down! And that last scene with Waller, after she finds out Marshall was innocent. I'm not a big fan of Waller (though I suppose, according to the way she is written, I'm not supposed to be), and I found myself snickering with Kuttler (though poor John Marshall !).

It was great to see a DrDread cover grace the DC2 again--- come back, Doc, we miss you!

Five stars, all around! And I am anxiously anticipating 1.5 (great idea, btw, though frankly, I'd've read the whole thing in one sitting, as I couldn't put down this one)!

Thank you very much. Rucka is one of the coolest writers around in my eyes. So I guess I try to write what I like to read. But as long as I don't stoop low enough and write a Checkmate title here I won't be totally pathetic!



You can blame Mark and Brian for the Calculator stuff!



Thanks for the dialogue compliment. If I had my way everyone would just sit around and bs for a full issue. The actions scenes is where I struggle immensely! So if you think the book moves now wait until issue #11 where Jay comes on board to help finish off my run. That guy can write character driven action like no other!



Again Noah was fun to write! I always try to slip in a little class now and then and who was classier then Wilde?

Once again I blame Mark and Brian for the death of Marshall. They know why too!



Glad to hear Doc is still around and I am proud to show off another cool cover of his. Hope it isn't the last!



Thanks again. Come back in a week to check out the finale!

I figured that I better read a SS book since Catman will be in this series soon. So I figured that this annual was a perfect jump off point for me. in all honesty, I never read the Squad in DC, so I don't care for them one way or the other. But a bunch of in prisoned criminals used by the government for whatever they want, I gues that where Marvel's Thunderbolts gets their idea from.

Well ever since Identity Crisis I loved the character of the Calculator. I loved how he just screwed with Waller. That was great it was be..u...tee...full. I loved anything that was done with him in the story.

Well tonight I hope to read the other half and issue #11.

Mischief