Suicide Squad ##1
DC Comics • Suicide Squad Vol. 1
Writer
John Ostrander
Interior Artist
Luke McDonnell
Cover Artist
Howard Chaykin
Publication Date
May 1987
Cover Variant
Regular/Direct Edition
Printing
First Printing
Comic Description
Premier issue of the modern Suicide Squad (Task Force X). Amanda Waller assembles a team of incarcerated villains to perform high-stakes black ops missions for the US government in exchange for reduced sentences. The team includes Deadshot, Rick Flag, Captain Boomerang, and others.
Condition & Value
Condition Grade
Very Good/Fine (CGC 5.0)
Condition Details
Multiple white-colored spine stress marks (color-breaking ticks) along the left edge. Significant corner blunting and rounding on the top and bottom left. Visible edge wear and small white nicks on the right-hand side. Black cover background shows significant 'scuffing' and fingerprinting common with this issue's dark ink.
Estimated Market Value
Raw: $15-$25; Graded (CGC 5.0): $40-$50
Recent Sales
High-grade 9.8 copies have sold for $250-$300; mid-grade raw copies frequently sell in the $20 range due to the dark cover showing wear easily.
Grading Recommendation
Not recommended for professional grading. The cost of grading (approx $35-$50) would equal or exceed the market value of a 5.0 grade. This issue is only worth grading if it is in Near Mint (9.4 or higher) condition.
Notable Features
First appearance of the modern Suicide Squad; first appearance of Rick Flag Jr. and Bronze Tiger in this title; iconic Howard Chaykin cover; 75-cent cover price variant.
Authentication Notes
Authentic first printing. Shows appropriate age-related paper oxidation on the edges and standard DC 'Checkmate' promotional corner box from 1987.