Two Quick Shots Of The Suicide Squad

There are two members of the Suicide Squad from the recent movie that were similar, yet had very different foundations before they ended up serving time with the Squad.

The odd thing, as professional assassins, both of them likely could have been hired to be a part of the team, but instead they were captured by heroes, and forced to serve like most of the other members.

So, without further ado, here's a quick rundown of Javelin and Blackguard.

Javelin

This German assassin was first hired by Congressman Bloch (by the Monitor) to take out Green Lantern and Ferris Aircraft with his special weapons....from which he took his name....in Green Lantern #173 (February, 1984) by Len Wein and Dave Gibbons.  The battle continued into the next issue with Green Lantern winning (and a little flashback in the next issue to before events in these two issues.

Javelin was recruited for the Suicide Squad in Justice League International #13, where he and the Squad faced off against an equal number of members, and, in Suicide Squad #13, the battle ended, with Batman very leery of the Squad.  Javelin next showed up in Suicide Squad #58, preparing with the team to attack Circe's island, and it looked like she finished him off in War Of The Gods #3....yet, he survived, returning in Power Company #5, then again in Deadshot #4 and #5 as part of team to take out Deadshot....

...with a few appearances as a member of the Suicide Squad proper in Checkmate #6 and #7, then as a villain on the run in Justice League: Cry For Justice #2 and #3, sometimes with his trademark German accent, sometimes not, but always there with his Javelin, ready to battle (as long as the money was right).

Blackguard

Richard Hertz (though no alter ego given in his first appearance) in Booster Gold #1 (February, 1986) by Dan Jurgens and Mike DeCarlo, where he was the main enforcer for the 1000 (a group of mobsters that grew out of the 100, which faced the Thorn and Black Lightning).  Basically a tough guy in a super suit, with a few technological weapons, he was a menace to Booster Gold for his first four issues.

Blackguard next appeared in a super prison in Green Lantern #52, though mostly in passing.  Blackguard got an upgrade from the demon, Neron, in Underworld Unleashed #1, and was part of a team of enhanced villains (including Cheetah and Earthworm) to attack Guy Gardner's bar in Guy Gardner: Warrior #36.  His birth name was revealed in JLA: Classified #4, where it looked like he retired, but he was recruited for a Squad mission in Suicide Squad: Raise The Flag #4, and served until he, like most members recruited for this mission, gave his all for the team (which was through issue #7, though the only covers he made were those of Booster Gold)..

Of course, these aren't the only members of the Suicide Squad, and covered before are: Rick Flag and Captain Boomerang, Amanda Waller, Harley Quinn, Polka-Dot Man, and Bloodsport, as well as folks who appeared like the Thinker, Calendar Man, and the mystery villain, with more to come!