When a retired American politician is taken to Europe and tried for alleged war crimes, the USA must recover him from an allied nation before terrible truths are revealed. Enter the Suicide Squad, who storm the Hague itself to save America from her own dark secrets. The writer who started a revolution, John Ostrander returns to the Suicide Squad for the first time in a decade to tell one of his boldest and bloodiest stories ever.

Writer John Ostrander returns to the Suicide Squad for a one-shot special that has to team breaking international law in a fascinating story for so many reasons. As a political science geek, the idea of kidnapping an American official to stand trial at the Hague has me drooling at the concept. The reasons this is a big deal is laid out well in the comic as Ostrander gives enough detail to show why this matters, but not enough that it qualifies as a Poli-Sci college credit.

Suicide Squad: War Crimes Special #1 takes a real world issue and uses it as the impetus for the story. And, it’s a real-world issue that is constantly fought and rather serious. Ostrander doesn’t make light of it at all, and the end of the comic resolves in a way that is blunt and very “real” in many ways.

The comic is mostly action, which isn’t surprising consider who it involves and the battles are satisfying enough. There’s some twists and turns I didn’t see and Ostrander takes advantage of it being a one-shot. I have no idea if the comic will have an impact on the ongoing series, but there’s a moment or two I can see coming up at various points down the road.

The art by Gus Vazquez is hit and miss for me. Harley Quinn stands out with features more akin to the Joker or Joker’s Daughter. Her contortions at points are really off with strange twists and turns. The other characters generally look good, so not sure why it’s just Harley that has the issues here.

Overall, the comic is entertaining. I tend to find one-shots and annuals lacking, but that’s not the case at all. Ostrander still can masterfully entertain with these characters while weaving in real politics.

Story: John Ostrander Art: Gus Vazquez
Story: 8.15 Art: 6.7 Overall: 7.85 Recommendation: Read

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review