DC’s Absolute Suicide Squad Is Revealed With A New Design

Comic book fans finally get to see DC Comics' Absolute Suicide Squad, along with a brief explainer on each member of the team.

Per Bleeding Cool, Absolute Wonder Woman scribe Kelly Thompson has offered up not just artist Hayden Sherman's character designs for the members of the Absolute Suicide Squad as they appear in the series' recently released sixteenth issue, but breakdowns for each of them. As of now, the lineup consists of Doctor Poison, Giganta, Cheetah, Ara, and Zatanna, although the original design for the goddess Aphrodite was also included.

Regarding the upgraded suit donned by Doctor Poison in Absolute Wonder Woman #16, Thompson noted, "This was actually a funny design challenge because I don't think Hayden or I really wanted to change her perfect first costume, but since I'd written into the narrative that she was demanding a new suit... Fortunately, Hayden is a design genius and this new version really keeps the aesthetic of the original while still feeling more mobile and like a clear upgrade for whoever is inside."

Kelly Thompson Explains The Absolute Suicide Squad

Thompson went on to note that the Cheetah seen with the Absolute Suicide Squad is not Barbara Minerva, though fans will only have to wait one more issue to find out who she really is. "I can say for fear of spoilers, except that if you feel this design feels 'unfinished,' it is, and that's by design," Thompson stated.

Of Giganta, Thompson explained that "She's the one most excited to be there, which is... not great for Diana long term." Thompson also promised a major threat in the form of Zatanna, who "is the very big design here," yet who may not prove to be a lasting problem for the Absolute Wonder Woman.

Instead, Thompson pointed towards Ara, Queen of the Fish-Men, as a potential long-term player in the Absolute Universe. "She doesn't have a huge role in this arc, but I wouldn't be surprised to see her show up again down the line as a multi-faceted problem for Diana," Thompson said of the character.

Lastly, Thompson discussed Sherman's design sheet for Aphrodite, the goddess of love, lust, passion, beauty, and certain potential aspects of war and seafaring. "I just... could not love this one more," Thompson said of Sherman's Aphrodite. "This was, I believe, the very first sketches Hayden sent in for the concept of the character, and the email thread just exploded with everyone going 'Okay. That's genius. That design is locked.' Truly... To me it honestly feels like what an Aprhodite design always should have been:"

The members of the Absolute Suicide Squad have been glimpsed previously, with each being a victim of Veronica Cale's massive super prison. With the release of Absolute Wonder Woman #16, fans have finally been given a chance to see each of these characters up close, with Zatanna quickly proving to be a serious problem for the titular hero by binding Diana's magic to her own.

The official solicit synopsis for Absolute Wonder Woman #16 from DC Comics reads, "After her exploits in the Area 41 maze, Diana has resolved not to let her personal mission overwhelm the one she was sent to the surface world to fulfill. But a new threat has emerged in Gateway City, and it turns out the best thing to send to kill Wonder Woman is... another witch! Zatanna is here, and Diana's life will never be the same!"

Absolute Wonder Woman #16 from DC Comics is on sale now.