DC’s Suicide Squad is made up of the worst of the worst of the DC Universe’s criminals and supervillains – but Amanda Waller can control them through more than implanted explosives. The Suicide Squad is infamous for their members receiving an injection that implants a miniature bomb in the base of one’s spine; if anyone fails to continue with the mission or otherwise disobeys orders, Amanda Waller detonates the explosive with a push of a button, instantly killing the recruit. But not every criminal has a neck in which to implant a bomb…forcing Waller to resort to more horrific means of control.
While most of the Suicide Squad is made up of human or enhanced human members (Deadshot, Harley Quinn, Bloodsport, etc), some of Waller’s other recruits are decidedly less humanoid. The animalistic King Shark is a notable exception – his skin is too thick to penetrate with a needle, so Waller struck a deal with his father to periodically release him for family visits. Some members aren’t technically alive at all – like Gentlemen Ghost – and in Suicide Squad: King Shark #6, written by Tim Seeley with art by Scott Kolins and colors by John Kalisz, Waller reveals a strategy for controlling the undead.
At the start of the issue, Amanda Waller is spending time in Hawaii (taking time off from dealing with King Shark and his story concerning his father – the God of All Sharks – and the Wild Games). While in a pool, one of the accompanying dolphins starts speaking to her – tipping her off that this is merely Gentlemen Ghost possessing a dolphin and not a talking mammal. Waller is nonplussed to be interrupted, and advises James Craddock to tell her what she wants to know without wasting her time with jokes, “…or my staff of exorcists will bind your soul to a toilet in a truck stop. Again.”
There are multiple takeaways from this exchange. First of all, Amanda Waller’s preparation rivals that of Batman; she has an entire staff of exorcists ready to control – or potentially, eliminate – any magical threat. Secondly, the fact that she’s already bonded Gentleman Ghost’s soul to a toilet only suggests what else she’s capable of. Using this and other methods of leverage, Waller can just as easily harness the powers of Gentleman Ghost for the sake of the Suicide Squad as she can harness any other magical being in the DC Universe.
As seen in 2021’s The Suicide Squad, some members are willing to rebel in the face of disagreeable orders or simply fear (like Savant). As horrific as Waller’s contingency measures can be, they stop criminals from turning loose and injuring civilians while on-mission. Many see the Suicide Squad as a downright irresponsible idea because of this, but Amanda Waller will go to any lengths to defend it.
