Warning: spoilers ahead for Suicide Squad #4!
While it was believed that DC's Suicide Squad had their own version of Marvel's Groot - an ally who could only communicate by repeating a simple phrase - the latest issue reveals that it's all a deadly act. When Task Force X forcibly recruited William Cobb's Talon from Arkham Asylum in its first issue, it seemed as though he had gone somewhat insane, speaking only one word, which he had written all over his cell: "Who?" While this was an interesting development for the character while also being a fun reference to his connection to the Court of Owls, Suicide Squad #4 reveals that he's faking during Red X's attack on the team.
In previous issues of Suicide Squad, Talon has been the most reserved and enigmatic of the latest iteration of Task Force X, only speaking his one word while others such as Peacemaker and Conner Kent's Superboy fight amongst themselves and resist Amanda Waller's orders as much as they're able. The great-grandfather of Nightwing, William Cobb is one of the deadliest and most experienced members of the team, having been alive since 1901 and kept alive by the Court of Owls to serve as one of their master assassins. However, it seems as though his new recruitment is not to his liking, and he seems to be playing a long con to try and escape the team.
In Suicide Squad #4 from writer Robbie Thompson and artist Eduardo Pansica, Amanda Waller believes that she has the mysterious Red X in custody, but being captured was all part of his master plan. Using an EMP attack, he frees himself along with all of the inmates at Belle Reve prison, making the point that Waller is not nearly as in control as she thinks she is. Furthermore, he systematically takes down each member of the Suicide Squad one by one. This includes Talon, and their resulting interaction sees Cobb saying a lot more than just, "Who?"
Somehow, Red X knows that Talon has been faking the entire time, presumably trying to make himself seem less valuable to Waller as an asset and to be intentionally underestimated. Talon demands to know Red X's secret identity, and Red X identifies himself as a friend, perhaps hinting at a team-up down the line. While Red X's identity is still unknown, Waller did define him as a Batman-level intellect at the beginning of this issue. Given his knowledge about Talon's true nature, is it possible he's connected to Gotham City in some way?
In any case, it turns out that Talon is not so much the Suicide Squad's version of Marvel's Groot as readers were initially led to believe, and he's instead play-acting in order to hide how deadly and dangerous he can truly be. With Task Force X having been completely humiliated and demoralized thanks to Red X before he escaped from Belle Reve, perhaps Talon will be making some stronger plays as DC's Suicide Squad continues.