Why The Suicide Squad Should Be An Elseworlds Story
Alright, let's talk about something that might sound a little quirky at first: why The Suicide Squad, you know, the one with all the explosions and the morally grey characters, would actually make a fantastic Elseworlds story. Now, before you start picturing Batman in a jester hat (though, hey, that’s a thought!), hear me out. Elseworlds in the comic world is basically a fancy way of saying, "What if...?" It’s like when you’re cooking and you decide to swap out the usual chicken for tofu, or you decide to put sprinkles on your morning oatmeal. It’s still you, but it’s a different vibe, a new flavour. And honestly, The Suicide Squad, with its inherent chaos and its lovable band of misfits, is practically begging to be let loose in a brand new, unexpected universe.
Think about it. We’re all so used to the established DC universe, right? Superman’s the ultimate good guy, Batman’s the brooding detective, Wonder Woman is all about truth and justice. They’ve got their lanes, their whole thing. But The Suicide Squad? They’re the rebels. They’re the folks who, if they were at a party, would be huddled in a corner talking about how the punch is too sweet or how the DJ is playing the wrong kind of cheesy 80s hits. They’re not the heroes who save the day with shining armor and perfect speeches. They’re the ones who stumble through, often by accident, usually with a lot of collateral damage, and somehow, against all odds, get the job done. It’s like watching your clumsy but ultimately good-hearted friend try to assemble IKEA furniture – a mess, but you can’t help but root for them.
An Elseworlds take on The Suicide Squad would give us the freedom to plop these wonderfully messed-up characters into literally any setting imaginable. Forget the grim realities of government black sites and world-ending threats for a second. Imagine them as, I don’t know, a ragtag group of delivery drivers in a futuristic city, tasked with getting a very important, probably explosive, package across town before their rival pizza joint’s obnoxious mascot can intercept them. Harley Quinn as the hyperactive, scooter-riding delivery person, Peacemaker as the overly dedicated, rule-following (but in a terrifying way) dispatcher, and King Shark… well, King Shark as the guy who insists on eating the packages that look like fish.
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Why We Need More Than Just the Usual Hero’s Journey
We love our heroes, of course. Who doesn’t feel a little spark of hope when they see Superman fly? But sometimes, it’s nice to see the underdogs. It’s relatable, isn’t it? We all have those moments where we feel a bit out of our depth, like we’re just trying to wing it. The Suicide Squad embodies that feeling, but they do it with style, and usually, a lot of gunfire. Giving them an Elseworlds spin would let us explore that “winging it” in new and hilarious ways. It’s like deciding to go on a road trip without a map. You might get lost, you might end up in a town famous for its giant ball of twine, but the stories you’ll come back with? Unforgettable.
Think about the sheer joy of seeing these characters in entirely new contexts. What if they were a struggling band trying to make it big, with their gigs constantly interrupted by interdimensional threats? Deadshot could be the reluctant lead singer who’s secretly amazing at guitar, but only plays when he’s feeling particularly nihilistic. Ratcatcher 2 could be the quirky, animal-loving keyboardist who communicates best with her rat companions. The possibilities are endless, and frankly, a little bit delicious.
The beauty of Elseworlds is that it strips away the continuity baggage. We don’t have to worry about how this fits into a grander narrative or what happened in the last issue. It’s a blank canvas, and James Gunn, the mastermind behind the recent The Suicide Squad, has already shown us his knack for taking these characters and making them feel fresh, even when they’re at their most bizarre. He’s the kind of director who sees a slightly unhinged concept and thinks, “Yeah, let’s run with that until it catches fire… metaphorically speaking, of course.”
It’s All About the Vibe
What makes The Suicide Squad so special, even in its canonical form, is its unashamed embrace of the absurd. It’s not afraid to be silly, to be gory, to be unexpectedly heartfelt, often all at once. That’s the kind of energy that translates perfectly to an Elseworlds story. It’s like when you’re having a potluck, and everyone brings their signature dish. You might have someone bring a fancy seven-layer dip, and someone else brings peanut butter sandwiches with the crusts cut off. Both are valid, both bring something unique to the table, and both can be surprisingly delicious. An Elseworlds Suicide Squad is that peanut butter sandwich – simple in concept, but when done right, it’s pure comfort and joy.
Imagine, for a moment, Peacemaker in a rom-com. I know, I know, it sounds utterly bonkers. But think about the sheer comedic potential! His unwavering, often misguided, sense of patriotism clashing with the awkwardness of dating? Or King Shark trying to navigate a dating app, with his profile picture being a rather enthusiastic selfie of him mid-chomp? These aren’t just jokes; they’re opportunities to explore the core of these characters in ways we haven’t seen before. It’s like giving your favorite, slightly worn-out sweater a new lease on life with some cool patches.
Ultimately, the reason why The Suicide Squad should absolutely be an Elseworlds story is because it allows for pure, unadulterated creativity. It’s a chance to see these characters we’ve come to love, or at least tolerate with a chuckle, shine in scenarios that are completely their own. It’s about taking that core essence of the lovable losers, the chaotic good (or sometimes just chaotic), and dropping it into a blender with a thousand other possibilities. It’s the ultimate playground for storytellers, and for us, the readers and viewers, it means more wonderfully weird, unexpectedly touching, and hilariously violent tales to enjoy. And who wouldn’t want more of that?
