Are you looking forward to seeing Suicide Squad? The live-action comic book adaptation is this summer's most anticipated film, but it wasn't until the last trailer dropped at San Diego Comic Con that fans were really lit. Despite what critics are saying, Warner Bros. have an awesome marketing team working on the Suicide Squad hype train. Don't know about you folks, but I am hyped for this!

But, I had to gather myself and ask what do I really know about the Suicide Squad? Having been a D.C. Comics fan all my life, I have never been interested in reading these comics until now. With some research, I found some interesting facts to share with everyone who is unfamiliar with this deadly group of criminals.

Ready? Let's go!

WHAT’S THE PURPOSE OF THE SUICIDE SQUAD?

Task Force X aka the ‘Suicide Squad’ are violent criminals who have essentially entered a work-release program formed by Amanda Waller. This secret special-ops team are expendable government assets sent to carry out whatever high-risk missions are deemed appropriate. The group has battled human, monster, and supernatural elements.

WHO ARE THE ORIGINAL SUICIDE SQUAD MEMBERS?

With the first appearance of the group popping up in 1959 with members including Bronze Tiger, Captain Boomerang, and Deadshot. Since then, member roster has changed a lot over the years. The film characters Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Slipknot, Diablo, Captain Boomerang, Katana, and Rick Flagg make up one of DC comics’ more recent teams.

WHO IS AMANDA WALLER?

Amanda "The Wall" Waller’s first appearance in D.C. Comics was in 1986 in Legends No. 1. As the leader of the group, she sends them on whatever mission she deems fit. Due to her mercenary past, she was hand-picked to spearhead the A.R.G.U.S (Advanced Research Group for Uniting Superheroes) Program for the U.S. government. As a rebel in her own right, Waller operates by her own rules. She believes what she is doing is right,although some believe she isn't much different from the members of the squad. 

HOW IMPORTANT IS HARLEY QUINN TO THE STORY?

In the comics, Harley Quinn is looked to as the current leader of the Suicide Squad, and from the movie trailers it definitely looks like she is a central character. Harley is not attached to the Joker here. She has her own independence and has a reputation as an antihero. In some editions of the Suicide Squad comic, Harley purposely joined the group to get away from the Joker. Leaving one violent situation for another?! Sheesh Harley!

HOW BIG OF AN INFLUENCE DOES THE JOKER HAVE ON THE SUICIDE SQUAD?

According to the comics, not much. In early renditions, he has nothing to do with the Suicide Squad. It wasn't until Harley Quinn joined the group that the he became a bit of a regular in the comic so writers could explore their violent relationship. However, in the film, the Joker is an important link to Harley’s past. While watching the movie, be sure to look closely for easter eggs involving the clown prince and princess.

Are you ready for the next installment in the Warner Brothers/D.C. comics cinematic universe? From the trailers, it looks like the cast is going rock in these roles. 

Images via DC Comics & Warner Brothers Studios