P is for Popper

These panels come from the same Suicide Squad run that featured Larvanaut. The big guy that gets blow up is Big Sir, and this initial Suicide Squad team is the Justice League Antarctica (minus G'nort).  Also Big Sir probably has the record for fastest Squad member to die on a mission (at least in the comics).

In the issue it’s never explained whether poppers are robots or genetically engineered bombs. I'm going to go with robots, because it's less disturbing. Honestly, they seem like something Waller would use if she got her hands on them.

Guardian

Small Construct, Unaligned

Armor Class: 12 (dex)

Hit Points: 14 (4d6)

Speed: 20 ft.

Challenge: 2 (450 XP)

Str 10 (+0) Dex 14 (+2) Con 10 (+0) Int 10 (+0) Wis 10 (+0) Cha 10 (+0)

Saving Throws: Con +2

Skills: Deception +2

Damage Immunities: poison, psychic

Condition Immunities: blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10

Languages: English

Unique Features

Expert Hugger: The Popper has advantage on all skill checks related to grappling.

Actions

Self-Destruct: Each creature in a 10-foot-radius sphere centered on it must make a Dexterity saving throw (DC 14) A target takes 8d6 fire damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. The Popper is immediately reduced to 0 hit points and destroyed.

The Adventures of Quailman!

The original Nickelodeon Doug was a cartoon I loved as a kid. Enjoy this edgey Marcelo Ventura take on Doug’s superhero alter-ego, Quailman.

O is for Oracle

This might sound controversial, but I really don't like Alan Moore's The Killing Joke. There are several reasons, but the main is because of the treatment of Barbara Gordon. It was fridging, before the coin was termed. Because there was no editorial edict or plans to use Batgirl again, Ostrander and his team decided to give the character second life. They didn't want to magically cure her paralysis, but still knew Babs was a great character and deserved new stories. In their Suicide Squad, Firestorm, and Manhunter stories a hacker named Oracle was introduced. Initially the readers didn't know Oracle was Barbara Gordon. The hacker helped Waller and when Flo, the main computer person for Task Force X, is killed, Waller informed Oracle. Waller saved Babs from an assassination attempt and was recruited to the team. When Waller was shot, Barbara even led Task Force X for a time.

Babs is a great character and I'm glad the folks writing Suicide Squad decided to give her new life. We wouldn't have the fantastic Birds of Prey if it not for the Squad.

I'm going to do something a little different today. While there are options like The Combat Wheelchair, I don't think I could do Oracle justice with the stats I would design. Instead I'm going to give a few alternate rewards like the ones presented in the Dungeon Master's Guide. These work like supernatural gifts or class abilities. Players can gain them if they gain Oracle's trust and respect.

Minor Boon

Tactical Knowledge

As a bonus action the character can contact call upon Oracle for strategic advice. The character has advantage on the next attack roll.  This boon cannot be used again until the character takes a short rest. 

Encyclopedic Knowledge

As a bonus action the character can contact call upon Oracle's vast knowledge. The character has advantage on their next Intelligence skill roll.  This boon cannot be used again until the character takes a short rest. 

Guiding Voice

As a bonus action the character can contact Oracle for guidance on using a new tool. The character gains proficiency with one tool, instrument, gaming set, kit, or vehicle of their choice. This knowledge lasts until they take a short rest. This boon cannot be used again until the character takes a short rest.

Bullet Club #1

Since I’ve been sharing art and things related to my A-Z theme I thought I’d show off this print from Erik Hodson.

This Bullet Club tribute is an homage to issue of Ostrander’s iconic Suicide Squad run.

N is for Nemesis

Nemesis is a non-powered vigilante who was recruited into government agent. A master of espionage and disguise, Nemesis worked for various government organizations, including two ran by Amanda Waller (the Suicide Squad and Shadow Hunters). He was one of the good guys in the original Ostrander run. He was a moral voice on a team full of criminals. This also caused him to spend some time in  a Soviet Russian prison, before being freed after a debacle involving the Squad and the Justice League International. 

Code Name: Nemesis

Real Name: Thomas Andrew Tressler

Team Affiliations: Task Force X, Shadow Hunters, Department of Metahuman Affairs, Justice League, Global Peace Agency

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Good 

Armor Class: 15 (Costume, Dex)

Hit Points: 65 (10d8+20)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 2 (450 XP)

Str 15 (+2) Dex 16 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Int 16 (+3) Wis 15 (+2) Cha 17 (+3)

Saving Throws: Cha +5, Wis +4

Skills: Deception +5, Insight +4, Perception +4, Persuasion +5, Stealth +5

Tool Proficiency: Disguise Kit

Senses: passive Perception 14

Languages: English, Russian

Trait

Cunning Action: On each of his turns, Nemesis can use a bonus action to take the Dash, Engage, or Hide action.

Nemesis Mask System: Nemesis can apply a disguise kit in one minute rather than ten. He can remove a disguise as a bonus action. These disguises are extremely high quality and he has Advantage on Charisma (Deception) checks to maintain his cover. 

Actions

Multiattack: Nemesis can make two unarmed or  pistol attacks.

Unarmed: Melee Weapon Attack. +4  to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4+2) bludgeoning damage.

Pistol: Ranged Weapon Attack. +4 to hit, range 50/150 ft., one target, Hit: 10 (2d6+3) piercing damage. (15 round clip).

M is for Meow Meow

Meow Meow is a Suicide Squad member that has (to my knowledge) only appeared in the three part DC Black Label title Suicide Squad: Get Joker!. While she only appeared in three issues in her introduction Harley says that she went on a few Squad missions with her and vouched for her to team leader, Red Hood. While I didn't like everything about that story (particularly Rick Flag and the Task Force X kill squad's willingness to kill Jokerized kids), overall I enjoyed the story.

Not much is known about her. She's from Tokyo (Meow Meow is a translation of her name). She has necrotic powers. She can kill cells and rot tissue throw contact. She also makes a comment in the series that she implied she did some super creepy fetish work.

Code Name: Meow Meow

Real Name: Unknown

Team Affiliations: Task Force X

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Evil

Armor Class: 13 (Dex)

Hit Points: 52 (8d8+16)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 2 (450 XP)

Str 10 (+0) Dex 16 (+3) Con 14 (+2) Int 12 (+1) Wis 13 (+1) Cha 14 (+2)

Saving Throws: Con +4

Skills: Deception +4, Sleight of Hand +5, Stealth +5

Senses: passive Perception 11

Languages: Japanese, English 

Traits

Hideous Visage: Meow Meow gains advantage on all Charisma (Intimidation) skill checks.

Actions

Mutliattack: Meow Meow can make two necrotic tongue attacks.

Necrotic Tongue: Melee Attack. +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (3d6) necrotic damage.

Unarmed: Melee Attack. +2 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 bludgeoning damage.

Music Monday - Sucker For Pain

If you can't tell I really liked the soundtrack to Ayer's Suicide Squad. While this one doesn't feature artists I regularly listen to, I enjoyed the track. 

Yet Another X-Men #1 Tribute

This Marcelo Ventura tribute to Jim Lee’s iconic X-Men #1 cover is dope!

This isn’t the first time I’ve shared these homage pieces. You can check out the others by clicking on the links below:

• Post 1
• Post 2
• Post 3
• Post 4

L is for Larvanaut

Spinning out of the Our Worlds At War event, Sgt. Rock lead a version of the Suicide Squad in the early 2000's. I've never actually read this run, but have read a bit about it. The collected volume is on my wishlist. 

Larvanaut was a part of this short lived version of the squad. Not much is known about him or his abilities. He has bluish-purple skin, had large metal gauntlets, had a prehensile tail, and had some sort of device over his mouth. In his first and only mission he and his team were sent to find the queen of a hive of advanced killer ants. Larvanaut was the tracker and after locating the the targets he abandoned the group. However, he was able to kill the queen and complete the mission. However he was considered expendable and was devoured by the rest of the killer ants.

Code Name: Larvanaut

Real Name: Unknown

Team Affiliations: Task Force X

Medium Humanoid, Neutral Evil

Armor Class: 14 (Costume, Dex)

Hit Points: 45 (10d8)

Speed: 30 ft.

Challenge: 2 (450 XP)

Str 10 (+0) Dex 14 (+2) Con 10 (+0) Int 10 (+0) Wis 16 (+3) Cha 10 (+0)

Saving Throws: Dex +4

Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +4, Survival +5

Senses: passive Perception 15

Languages: English 

Traits

Keen Smell: Larvanaut has advantage on Wisdom (Perception and Survival) checks that rely on smell.

Prehensile Tail: Larvanaut can hold items with his tail. It also gives him advantage on Strength (Athletics) checks related to climbing.

Actions

Mutliattack: Larvanaut can make an unarmed strike and a tale swipe.

Tail Swipe: Hit: 3 (1d4+1) bludgeoning damage and the target must make a Dexterity Saving Throw (DC 12) or be knocked prone.

Unarmed: Melee Attack. +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d6+1) bludgeoning damage.