Warning! Spoilers ahead for Suicide Squad #4!
In Suicide Squad #4, Rick Flag is finally made interesting as he goes rogue. Every team needs a level-headed leader, however, that doesn’t always lead to the most interesting characters. This is especially true in the case of the Suicide Squad’s ex-team leader. Flag is mundane and boring, instead of being the potential cool leader of this rogue team of misfits. Undoubtedly, having set up his character like this, it’s always going to be a struggle to make him shine. Especially, amongst the extravagant villains that surround him.
However, Infinite Frontier’s Suicide Squad run is mixing things up for Rick Flag. Changing him as we know it, by giving him something actually interesting to do. This all began back in Suicide Squad #1, where Amanda Waller brought together a new team led by the ruthless Peacemaker. At the start of the issue, Flag and Waller heavily argue about her new methods. It’s at this point that the issue crosses between their confrontation and Peacemaker’s mission, proving that Flag was right. By making Flag rebel against Waller, it’s given him a new purpose and it serves as a great chance for DC to reinvigorate the character.
In Suicide Squad #4 by Robbie Thompson, Eduardo Pansica, Julio Ferreira, and Marcelo Maiolo, Rick Flag’s role is flipped. In issue one, Waller forcefully locked up Flag in one of her prison cells. However, in this issue, Red X fights his way out of confinement, causing chaos in Waller’s base of operations. Whilst the fights ensue, Rick Flag is able to break free of his cell. Now, a fugitive with a clear goal in mind, he will finish what he started.
Having Red X break Flag out of prison is an ingenious move as now, fans and Waller alike will be waiting for his return. Now, a rogue antagonist to the Suicide Squad, Flag is the perfect person to take them down. Having been one of Waller’s soldiers for a long time, he knows every tactic and goal of hers. Therefore, he can target her when she least expects it. Using his past experiences in the Suicide Squad, he’s likely to strike against Waller and the team by using their own tactics against them.
At the moment, he is a solo act, but even knowing Waller’s operations inside and out, he may need some backup. Obviously, if anyone’s to attack Waller, the Suicide Squad will be there to back her up. Therefore, Flag may need to recruit some further assistance if he’s to take down the squad and their new missions. This simple switch in alliance has turned Flag’s character right around. Going from the most mundane presence of the series to one of the most compelling, in an instant. When Rick Flag strikes against Waller, will the Suicide Squad be able to stop him?