I absolutely adored the old Ostrander book before it ran out of steam following the death of Rick Flagg and Waller going to prison. However, I never really had much interest in the current team, as it always seemed to be trying too hard to be kewl and edgy. I never really took to Strip-O-Gram Harley, although I think she was a great choice to add to the team.
If you had your druthers, who would be your pick for a new team to revamp the book?
I think I would go back to a mix of villains and C-list heroes and misfits like Ostrander had. He had Deadshot, and Boomer, sure, but he also had Vixen, Shade the Changing Man.
Deadshot, Boomer, and Waller aren't going anywhere. They are the trinity of this franchise. Without them, you don't really have a Suicide Squad. I think Harley has clearly joined that trio as a mainstay on the team. I believe she's the team's new field commander now, right?
So, with those four serving as the core membership, I would start rotating the cast much more, bringing in new villains on a regular basis for one-offs and seeing which combinations worked best.
Mark Shaw, Manhunter was one affiliated with the Squad. I'd like to see him be revisted, particularly after the Kate Spencer Manhunter book exploded his world by revealing that he'd had a mental breakdown and had been his archenemy Dumas all along.
The Creeper has always been a good wildcard character who would play nicely off of the now Joker-less Harley.
I think Katana is going back to the Outsiders, so I'd like to replace her with the similarly badass Lady Shiva.
The new Tattooed Man introduced around Infinite Crisis seemed to be on a redemption arc, so I'd like to see that explored within the Squad.
Lashina worked great within the Squad as Duchess. It would be fun to see another Fourth World character pressed into service by Waller.
Doctor Polaris is a fascinating Jekell & Hyde type. Lots of potential there.
Any other ideas?