Suicide Squad, Volume 4: Earthlings on Fire by Rob Williams

Suicide Squad, Volume 4: Earthlings on Fire Reviews

• 
  Chad

  Waller decides to force General Zod to join Task Force X. What could possibly go wrong? Waller seems to make more mistakes than all the convicted criminals in Suicide Squad combined. This leads into Suicide Squad taking on The People in the next volume. The capable Tony Daniel handles the art with a couple of fill in artists.
  
  Received an advanced copy from DC and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
• 
  Chris Lemmerman

  Okay, this one got the illusive 4 star rating, just barely.
  
  Amanda Waller deploys General Zod as part of the Suicide Squad, with predictable results. But when the events of Action Comics collide with Belle Reve, it's a battle royale between the Squad and not one but two Kryptonians, plus the Cyborg Superman.
  
  This story's been bubbling away since the beginning of the run, so seeing it finally come to fruition feels great. It goes off basically how you'd expect, but there are a few surprising moments at least. The arrival of Cyborg Superman and the Eradicator was already something I knew about since I'd read the Action Comics half of this semi-crossover, but Williams integrated their motivations into his plot fairly well, and it brought the arc to a nice conclusion.
  
  The final issue of the volume is the biggest surprise, as Amanda Waller tries to find a new leader for the Squad. The spotlight on the individual characters was fun, and something that the bigger storylines loses at times in favour of explosions. More issues like this would definitely be welcome.
  
  The artwork here's another tour de force of DC talent - Tony Daniel pencils the first three issues (though the inking on the second one is iffy at best), while Neil Edwards tackles the end of the Zod arc, and Stjepan Sejic draws the final issue in his absolutely beautiful style.
  
  Squeaking into 4 star territory, Suicide Squad turns up the action, pulls the trigger on a few long-standing plots, and manages to surprise as well. It took a little while to get going, but this series has graduated after this arc - we'll see if it can keep it up.
• 
  Wing Kee

  Missing some character moments but the last issue made up for it.
  
  World: The art is solid but at the same time inconsistent, with the bimonthly schedule you knew this would happen. That being said the Sejic issue was beautiful and I wished he did more for DC (he does the wonderful Aquaman), his character are so expressive it makes for wonderful character emotions. The world building is solid, this is the culmination of the Black Vault story with Zod and having Zod on the squad was a great piece of world building pulling from one of DCU's most iconic villains. The world makes sense too internally so I enjoyed it.
  
  Story: Well they got rid of the two stories per issue, which I do not like but I really enjoyed the single issue in the end that was just quiet moments and character development which made up for it (and the art was amazing). The main story was fast moving much like the rest of the series and this one was particularly brutal and violent which I was surprised. Zod is used to perfection without depowering him making him out of character, he acts the way he's suppose to and the end result we all saw coming is earned. I will say the sacrifice in the end was kinda meh and didn't have the emotional impact that the creative team wanted. Still it was solid and I am enjoying this series.
  
  Characters: We didn't get as much character development, well there was in the last issue but other than that there was only light banter and development. The Flag/Harley thing is completely forced and unearned so yeah that wasn't good at all, where as the June/Croc relationship works cause of the time spent developing it.
  
  Light on character development, although the single issue did do most of the heavy lifting, but overall a fun series.
  
  Onward to the next book!
  
  *read individual issues*
• 
  Greyson | Use Your Words

  Suicide Squad, DC Rebirth Series Ratings:
  
  Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault: ★
  
  Suicide Squad, Volume 2: Going Sane: ★★★
  
  Suicide Squad, Volume 3: Burning Down The House: ★★
  
  Suicide Squad Vol. 4: Earthlings on Fire: Lost Interest in Series
  —
  This was the second chance that I gave to the Suicide Squad Graphic Novels and it just got so much worse.
  
  While everyone else is busy growing and adapting, DC seems to be stuck in their old ways.
  ___
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• 
  Quentin Wallace

  It's just a bad idea to mess with a Kryptonian, especially General Zod.
  
  So after "borrowing" some Kryptonite from Lex Luthor in order to fashion a special Kryptonite version of the brain bombs implanted in the brains of the Suicide Squad so she can add Zod to the squad and control him? How's that work out? Not too good. And then, Cyborg Superman and the Eradicator show up to make things worse. When the dust settles the squad has a new leader, and there's not telling where things go from here.
  
  
  
• 
  Nicole Westen

  The Good: Croc and June are precious babies and deserve to be happy.
  The Bad: Boomerang looked like a hobo for most of this volume.
• 
  Caity

  Action packed and entertaining.
• 
  Ivy

  5 🌟
  
  Amanda Waller recruits General Zod to the Suicide Squad which backfires tremendously.
• 
  Sarospice

  Loved it! Williams continues his roll though wild Suicide ideas throwing everything the DCU offers at the team. Loved this resolve for Zod. For now. ;) More Croc and June! Harley and Flag is boring.
• 
  Robert

  The main story is annoyingly brief - taking what could have been an epic arc with Zod and polishing it off in essentially a single issue. All issues that try to toughen up or heroically portray Waller are doomed to failure from the start, and the final 'who is the new leader' issue is filler of the worst sort, neither advancing the plot in a meaningful way nor entertaining in its own right.
• 
  Jakub Polák

  3,5/5
  Síce je to len jedna veľká bitka, ale užil som si to a asi dam tejto sérii ešte šancu.
• 
  J.M. Giovine

  Zod has been released from captivity, and now, he is officially the brand new member of the Task Force X. After defeating Rustam and Eclipso, we’re finally dealing with the imminent threat presented in the first volumes, with the presence of Zod, and the comeback of the Annihilation Brigade (which I really thought I was never going to see again), and not just that, but the very appearance of Lex Luthor, really makes this feel like the story we should’ve had right after the Black Vault. Not just that, but the combination of the artistic work of Tony S. Daniel seemed the best choice after the departure of Lee in the pencils, this is a volume that picks right up where it should’ve in the first place.
  Now, despite some improvements such as the art and the story, the book also comes with some of the flaws that affected previous arcs, particularly the third one, since we’re now dealing with a truly dreadful presence such as Zod, I feel Williams still made the same mistake of delivering an ending that feels a little more of a cliffhanger bridge onto a different title, instead of setting the ground for upcoming Suicide Squad titles. With the incursion of characters such as Superman Cyborg and Eradicator, it links directly to the Action Comics series, which is a nice touch, but since the series does cross paths, it could come as a problem, since at the end of the volume, the resolution depends on this.
  At first things look promising with Luthor and the reveal of the several Bizarros in the first issue and, again, with Tony S. Daniel in the art department, the art looks as good as it can. But the way I feel it, once he’s is replaced by Neil Edwards, the tone swifts, and here’s where the story stops being effective, although, the sense of strong climax never leaves, and that’s a point given to Williams’ storytelling. Edwards is definitely an inferior artist than S. Daniel, but fortunately, the very last issue is draw by Stjepan Sejic, and the art in there is beautiful as no other style has been presented in this series, sadly, not much is going on, and the very last issue in the book works only as a set up for the upcoming arc, since an important member of the team dies during this, the last issue is pretty much naming the replacement, but that’s it. Unfortunate, given how great Sejic’s art is.
  I believe there’s potential exploited properly in here, and given how the previous books after the first one were mostly fillers, this is actually heading to bigger and way engaging directions. I guess the use of Zod was good enough, and I’m glad he doesn’t remain an actual member of the team for the entire run, which would’ve feel wrong in the end, but again, Williams’ ways of closing this arc are spontaneous and abrupt, without given an opportunity to exploit the climax in the best way possible. I liked having Luthor in the first issue, I liked having Bizarro, I liked the action and dramatic moments with Zod and how the Phantom Zone has a certain value for the plot, and I also like the art, overall, but I don’t like how things get resolved, and I definitely don’t like how certain characters developed chemistries that don’t really match (attention to Harley Quinn having a romantic interest with a certain member of the team), or even how certain characters are given a ridiculous amount of importance when, being realistic, they’re there only for eye candy purposes, and eventual comic reliefs (yes, I’m also talking about Quinn).
  This is the continuation I was expecting after the Black Vault, even if in the end the stakes suffer a certain downgrade, but this is a series that is still fun to read and watch, and that is also growing for the best, even if only through baby steps.
  
• 
  Brian Rosenberger

  Suicide Squad Vol. 4 Earthlings on Fire
  Collects issues 16-20
  The Zod Squad
  
  Amanda Waller meets with Lex Luthor while the rest of the Squad (Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley, Enchantress, and Colonel Flag) invades Lex’s Vault. They are challenged by a robot and a bunch of Bizarro (not bizarre but Bizarro) experiments. Lex gets involved with the action too. The combat was for nothing. Lex was willing to give Amanda what she wanted – Kryptonite.
  
  Amanda uses it to implant a Kryptonite bomb in Zod’s brain. Welcome to the Squad, General.
  
  Along with the additions of Croc, Katana, and now Zod, the Squad heads to Zimbabwe to battle the Annihilation Brigade. It’s a short battle, lasting only a few pages. I wish the fight would have been expanded. I enjoyed the Annihilation Brigade (Cosmonut, Tunguska and Tankograd), especially the Cosmonut (a character with a hammer for a head). Where’s his origin story? The Cosmonut seems like a character that could develop a cult following. Order your T-shirts now.
  
  Squad mission accomplished, Zod operates on himself, removing the Kryptonite bomb. Heat vision has its advantages. Free of the bomb, Zod heads for The Black Vault, a portal to the Phantom Zone, and battles the Squad when the Cyborg Superman and the Eradicator crash the party. Zod doesn’t approve of the party crashers
  
  Flag seemingly sacrifices himself in order to destroy The Black Vault.
  
  General Zod, Cyborg Superman, and the Eradicator put aside their differences and fly away together, probably to Action Comics. Good luck, Clark.
  
  With Flag seemingly dead, Waller weighs her options on the new Squad leader. The winner – Harley Quinn, Puddin’.
  
  I’m a new convert to being a fan of Zod, largely due to his appearances in Green Lantern. I wish the story would have been expanded to two volumes with more pages featuring an expanded fight scene with the Annihilation Brigade and also more action regarding the Squad, General Zod, Cyborg Superman, and the Eradicator in the Black Vault fight sequence.
  
  A fun, quick read with some surprises!
• 
  Scott Lee

  Ties into Action Comics and the massive team of Superman badies that gathered there its last collected volume.
  
  Waller finds a way to get a brain bomb into Zod, and Zod's powerful enough, dangerous enough, and disciplined enough to get the darned thing out on his own and tears apart Belle Reve. The team does it's best to respond but the threat is clearly beyond them and all they can do is throw themselves at it and hope for the best. They result they get is a "not-the-worst-possible-outcome" ending. The volume deals with the aftermath of Waller's disastrous attempt to add Zod to Task Force X and what it costs the team.
  
  Again, Williams does a nice job of making these characters intriguing, demonstrating their humanity within the context of who they are and the situation they've been caught in. Harley's handled best, as has been fairly consistently true through the whole series so far, and Waller is pushed along in decent fashion, as well I suppose. She's incredibly well-drawn, I just find her so disgusting I can't appreciate it much. Deadshot is probably the most interesting character after those two, and he continues to play the self-interested lone wolf, as effective as ever. He seems like he wants nothing, but Williams always drops hints of his daughter and how much he (Williams) has shown she means to him (Deadshot). The rest of the crew are mostly background fodder. Williams tries to bring Captain Boomerang forward again, as he's tried in several issues of each volume, but he makes the good Captain too much of a clown in my opinion. Digger's the one characterization failure for me. I'll be back for volume five, which is four longer than I expected this book to keep my attention.
• 
  Adam Fisher

  An action packed Volume takes the previously slower pace, and turns it up several notches, resulting in an epic tale here....
  Waller has a plan for the team, but she needs Lex Luthor's help. Luthor is the only one who has kryptonite, which she needs to create a brain bomb to control General Zod, her recent capture. After its implantation, Zod joins Task Force X on their next mission: take out the Annihilation Brigade, who are a 'suicide squad' of sorts, but for the terrorist organization "The People". With Zod on their side, it's very much overkill, leaving only Cosmonut (villain with a giant piece of Russian steel hammer for a head) alive. But Zod despises captivity, so he does the most insane and violent thing he can do.... cut out his brain bomb with his own eye lasers. (This scene is very graphic on its own, but it is directly panel-for-panel intermixed with Harley and Flag having sex... very intense and awesome)
  Brain bomb on the floor, Zod proceeds directly for what he wants: The Black Vault, which he reveals to be a portal directly to the Phantom Zone. As he fights the Suicide Squad, Eradicator and Cyborg-Superman show up to help him open the portal, but Zod's plans are cut short by Flag sacrificing himself for the team by taking the brain bomb and using it to blow up the portal. The three reject Kryptonians leave to fight another day, and Harley, despite her intense mourning for Flag, is made new leader of the team.
  Next up? Taking on "The People"!
  
  A wonderful return to this book being a leader in DC's action books. Recommend. We'll see if it continues...
• 
  Rolando Marono

  Parece ser que la historia que williams está contando es una historia grande desde el primer volumen.
  Este tomo comienza de manera muy interesante con el robo a Lex Corp y continúa interesante con el ataque al escuadrón ruso. La incorporación del general Zod ayuda a mantener fresco el título, como ya había mencionado en mi reseña del segundo tomo, lo bueno de la premisa de este equipo es que los miembros mueren y son reemplazados, y lamentablemente no hemos visto nada de eso en esta serie. El equipo principal, con pocos cambios, se ha mantenido así desde el inicio.
  El resto de la trama, se cae un poco porque se parece mucho a lo visto en el tomo dos. Lo bueno es que se conecta un poco con lo que vimos en el volumen 4 de action Comics, lo malo es que si no está siguiendo esa serie, este tomo no se toma las molestias de explicar nada de lo que estamos viendo con el Erradicador y Cyborg Superman.
  Me gusto que hay varios giros en la trama y aunque todavía no se habla mucho de "La gente" parece que en realidad son los buenos y Amanda es la malvada, lo que no es muy sorpresivo.
  El volumen termina con un giro curioso, un poco sorpresivo pero no tanto cuando ves las ventas que genera ese personaje pero aun así me dejó entusiasmado para el siguiente volumen.
  El arte deja de llevarlo Romita Jr y gracias a Dios es así.
• 
  M

  Rob Williams and a trio of artists team together for the fourth volume of the Rebirth-era Suicide Squad. Having acquired a new asset in General Zod, Amanda Waller looks to Lex Luthor for a means of controlling the Kryptonian. Despite the successful trial mission in Zimbabwe, Zod successfully escapes Waller’s kryptonite leash. Contending with both Zod and his Phantom Zone spirits is one thing; the arrival of Cyborg Superman and the Eradicator is quite another for the Squad. At the end of the day, one member will not make it out alive - as the team of villains lives up to its namesake. Williams attempts to juggle DC editorial mandates with this collection, as his inclusion of Zod is cut short by the Superman villains reunion happening over in Action Comics. His characters remain fairly flat and static until the final issue of the volume, which puts the spotlight on the individual personalities that make up this latest version of the Squad. The rotating artist cast does not help matters. Tony S. Daniel does a great job with the simplified art style, which is followed up by Neil Edwards and an attempt at realistic imagery; both pale in comparison to Stjepan Sejic’s gorgeous linework that is sadly limited to only one issue. Suicide Squad: Earthlings on Fire unfortunately flames out under its own shortcomings.
• 
  Alex E

  Amanda Waller has some really dumb ideas sometimes, but this one takes the cake.
  
  I mean, the thought of taking super villains and blackmailing them to do your bidding under penalty of death, is already batshit crazy. But for the most part it works because the bad guys are 1. human for the most part and 2. not kryptonian 3. not insane.
  
  Unfortunately Zod doesn't fit this mold. He is basically evil superman and that kind of power appeals to Waller. So she gives it a shot. Tries to put a kryptonite bomb in Zod's head to control him and lets him know the situation. Of course this backfires (I know, shocking right?) when Zod uses his eye beams to literally remove the kryptonite bomb from his own head and then proceeds to go nuts. Good thing the Suicide Squad is there to help.
  
  I thought this was a good volume because it deals directly with Waller's flaws. She bites off way more than she can chew and everyone now see's it. To the point where one of the Suicide Squad doesn't make it out alive.
  
  The art is mostly good in this volume. There are some choppy bits here and there, but for the most part, the art matched the tone of the book well. A special shout out to Stephan Sejic who does one issue only and it is easily the best issue art-wise. I cant wait to see his other DC work as well.
  
  Overall, a good enjoyable volume. Of course the tone of the book is still action/comedy, so don't expect to much change with the tone. But the Zod situation gives the book a compelling antagonist and plenty of conflict to work with. Definitely recommended for fans of Suicide Squad.
• 
  Hannah

  ARC REVIEW
  
  Story: Amanda Waller has really bit off more than she could chew when she acquires exactly what she wants, lucky for her Lex Luthor knows a lot more than she thinks he does. Waller thinks she can control Zod but he proves no one controls Zod. She just needs one mission to go right the one mission to finally take out The People and their own Suicide Squad, The Annihilation Brigade, and to lay a trap for the trader in her own ranks. Shortly after Waller thinks everything has gone well Zod breaks loose and starts reeking havoc in Belle Reve. The Suicide Squad barely contained him the first time and without the help of Hack they alone can not take him out.
  
  Art: The art was visually pleasing. I love the covers, especially Otto Schmidt's cover for Managing People, and there were quite a few individual panels I quite liked. "Alone" was probably the one I liked the least it didn't seem like it stayed consistent with the others it almost seemed like more time was spent on Zod, Eradicator, and Cyborg Superman then the rest of the characters.
  
  Review: Overall, it was a good story. I'll admit I did get teary eyed there. "Alone" while probably my least favorite art-wise was my favorite story-wise. In "Managing People" you discover that Waller knows what Boomarang did and I'm am just waiting for the day Harley discovers it and tears him a new one. I love the unlikely romance between June and Waylon (still a better romance than Twilight as my son would say). And I'm still crossing my fingers that what happened isn't a permanent
• 
  Arturo

  There's something lacking in this series. The characters are 2 dimensional, they're too bad to care about them and they're too good to be anti heroes who shock with badassness, Overall there nothing to care about, to follow this series.
  As for it's strenghts, a book to pass the time with explosions, gunfire and semi cool moments, with no need to follow what comes next or came before.
  The plot: Luthor has a gift. Zod vs Annihilation Brigade. Harley cares about Russian prisoners. Eradicator and Cyborg Sup vs the Squad vs Zod vs Eradicator and Cyborg. A Suicide. Zod doesn't kill Waller, wtf. Harley's not too happy.
  It entertained *shrugs shoulders*
• 
  Bunny

  Suicide Squad vs Robot Supermen.
  
  Every time I finish a new volume of this series, I tell myself I want to read the characters' solo stories. So far, I have read a lot of Harley Quinn, and none of the others. I need to rectify this, because these players really are fascinating.
  
  This installation had quite a few, "Ooh, didn't see that coming" moments, especially involved Kneel Before Me Puny Humans guy. I always worry with this comic that I'm going to get to a volume where there's too much action, too much history, and I'm going to get lost. It hasn't happened yet, and I credit that to excellent writing keeping my attention.
  
  The art work is nothing to shake a boomerang at, either.
  
  How long until the next volume comes out? Maybe this time I'll read up on at least one other character. Enchantress? Katana? Anyone other than Harley Quinn for a change?
• 
  Cale

  Honestly, this whole Zod side story is stupid. Waller is supposed to be a brilliant tactician, but she makes so many idiotic mistakes, all following from the single basic misconception that a Kryptonian is ever going to be under her control.
  That said, while the reasoning is pretty stupid, the story from panel to panel isn't bad. The attempt to raid Luthor's building goes about as well as can be expected, but gives the team dynamics some chances to shine. And then when Zod is introduced to the team, he does exactly what you would expect, and goes rogue as soon as he can, leading to some sacrificing to get him back 'under control.' The resultant change in team organization makes for a decent story, at least. And The People start to make their move, but that's just set up for the next volume.
• 
  Andria Kennedy

  Ugh, Zod, Zod, Zod. Why is everything related to Superman so ANNOYING? (I'm going to take this second to admit I disliked him even before the movie reboots) You can't help but dislike the guy. I don't know if it's the limited vocabulary (seems to be a trait of every Kryptonian offshoot) or the tendency toward single-mindedness, but flipping through the pages got tedious. Mr. Williams needed more cheeky one-liners to break up the irritation.
  
  Not the worst installment in the Rebirth, though. The final chapter recovered the fumble nicely. Waller's insight into the Team verges on the supernatural (why has no one questioned her abilities?). It hammered home the underlying psychological messages of these "missions" - summing up the series brilliantly. The pages were worthy of framing.
• 
  John Shaw

  The problem with any comic book sourced film ESP if it is successful is that the publishing house looses it's mind and goes crazy printing books from those characters.
  Suicide Squad is not an exception.
  The series has been fairly solid for the last several years and the increased spotlight has only given DC
  more pressure to turn out a great book.
  The cast of Task Force X is in constant rotation since they keep getting killed.
  A shockingly clever use for the MANY D grade villains that have piled up over the last 90 odd years.
  Grim and dark in ways that Marvel can only hope to be there is reason the book has been around for so long.
• 
  Nikki in Niagara

  Quite an epic volume in the series. With a kryptonite bomb implanted in his brain Zod is awakened and forced to join the Suicide League. He's a good fighter to have on your side but he's no team member and he becomes a problem for Waller. The team with Zod is sent after The People and meet up with their Russian counterparts. One team member dies and leadership changes hands. I really enjoyed the Russian meta-humans; they were a lot of fun. Great story with lots of action and an ending that leaves you excited for the next volume.
• 
  Ron

  Waller blew it this time. First she had The Squad invade Lex Luthor's stronghold for something he was perfectly willing to provide - i.e. Kryptonite. Then she used the Kryptonite to create a brain bomb for General Zod. Of course he would not stand for that and blew out part of the few brains he had to get the brain bomb out and get his revenge by opening up the Black Vault. That was prevented by Flag, but it really cost him this time. So now, Waller needs a new leader for The Squad. And the choice will surprise you!
• 
  Sylvester

  A short volume but the quality was top notch. Waller begins her plan to control General Zod by inserting a kryptonian brain bomb into Zod's brain, but this has backfired. Emilia is exposed and the suicide squad is tasked with finding this Russian villain. After Rick Flagg's death, the suicide squad needs a new leader and Amanda is on the hunt to get one from the current team members.
  
  It's a really nice volume, I really enjoyed issue 20. Rick Flagg dying was cliched but a necessary sacrifice to advance Harley's character development.
• 
  Jenna

  A rather bloody volume and I liked the dynamic between Waller and Luthor, especialy all the back and forth manipulation. Did she really think controlling Zod in that manner would work? Anyways, didn’t care for the drawing style EXCEPT for the final issue, which was gorgeously illustrated and oh so familiar, as it’s courtesy of Sunstone’s Stjepan Sejic!! His Harley Quinn and Katana are gorgeous....