The Suicide Squad is not your typical superhero team—it’s a deadly mix of DC’s wildest, weirdest, and most deadly villains, all press-ganged into duty by Amanda Waller. Some are there for salvation, others for mayhem, but when things go down, not everyone’s made to survive. A couple of the members, however, can more than hold their own—and then some. Whether in comics, film, or cartoons, these are the greatest 10 fighters to have earned their stripes (and blood splatters) in Suicide Squad history.
10. Cavalier – The Fencer Who Battled Batman to a Draw
He might appear as if he got lost on his way to a Renaissance festival, but Cavalier’s skills are not to be underestimated. With a rapier and dramatic flair, he once kept a young Batman on his toes for a duel that went on from nightfall to dawn. His stint with the Squad was brief—he didn’t live beyond his first issue—but the fact that he made the Dark Knight sweat counts for a lot. Cavalier was a “gag villain” in appearance, but his sword fighting was no joke.
9. Black Siren – The Mirror Image with a Killer Instinct
Black Siren, the corrupted Earth-3 counterpart to Black Canary, shares the same deadly combat skills with a dash of spite. She’s fought literal demons, avoided high-tech firepower from Owlman’s jet, and still emerged unscathed. Not as polished as her heroic analog, but still a terror in close combat—particularly if you confuse her with the “good” version.
8. Harley Quinn – Anarchy with Combat Boots
Harley’s the Squad’s wild card—you never really know what to expect. One minute, she’s making jokes during a fight; the next, she’s defeating superhuman foes like Killer Croc or even holding her own against Batman. Though not necessarily the most conventionally trained combatant, Harley’s quickness, unpredictability, and refusal to relent grant her an ugly ferocity. And anyone who can hold their own in Gotham’s rogues’ gallery deserves a spot on this list.
7. Peacemaker – Unhinged, Unstoppable, Unapologetic
Peacemaker lives by a simple motto: peace at any cost—even if that means mowing down anyone in his way. And he’s got the skills to back it up. He’s battled Swamp Thing, held his own against Amazon warriors, and can dish out or take punishment like a pro. Whether using firearms or fists, Peacemaker is a relentless combatant who thrives in the thick of chaos—even if his idea of “heroism” is, uh, flexible.
6. Black Manta – The Cold-Blooded Sea Assassin
Black Manta is more than a genius with technology or Aquaman’s arch-nemesis—he’s also the Squad’s deadliest operative. He has fought some of DC’s largest players and emerged victorious more times than not. Even without his suit, Manta has broken up teams of top-notch combatants and engaged Squad members such as Deadshot and Boomerang simultaneously. Tactical, merciless, and downright deadly—he’s the type of ally (or foe) you don’t take lightly.
5. Savant – The Strategic Mastermind with a Mean Right Hook
In the movies, Savant received scant screen time, but in the comics? He’s a chillingly skilled character. A hand-to-hand combat savant (sorry, had to do it), he’s defeated the best fighters out there, including Black Canary and even gone up against Batman. His brain may be splintered, but when it comes to combat with his fists, he’s surgically precise. By canon, despite being bound and freshly tortured, he still managed to overpower his captor. You’d want a guy like this in your corner when the going gets tough.
4. Talon (William Cobb) – Death’s Ninja of the Court of Owls
Talon is more than your average assassin—he’s an undead enforcer tutored by the nefarious Court of Owls. He’s fought Batman to a stalemate, bested Owlman in individual combat, and executes enemies at lightning speed consistently. With the ability to heal, a millennia-long background in combat, and an intimidating aura, Talon doesn’t merely fight—he slaughters. Even Amanda Waller believed he could take Owlman’s place on the Crime Syndicate. Enough said.
3. Black Spider – Batman Without Morals
Black Spider is essentially what you get when you take Batman’s abilities and toss the rulebook out the window. He’s a crack martial artist with a bad attitude, can hold his own against top-level killers, and even beat Batman himself. He’s fought the League of Shadows, jumped bullets during a battle, and has no problem getting his hands bloody. His temper is a liability, but as a raw combatant, Black Spider is one of the most intimidating fighters the Squad has ever put out.
2. Red Hood (Jason Todd) – The Strategist and Street Brawler
Jason Todd’s path from dead Robin to gun-wielding vigilante has transformed him into one of DC’s most lethal antiheroes. He’d beaten up Batman in a street fight, outgunned Ra’s al Ghul, and commanded his breakaway Squad. With military training, street intelligence, and a warchest of gadgets, Red Hood packs brains and brutality in equal proportions. Whether commanding the squad or operating alone, Jason is an army of one with no fear and a killer instinct.
1. King Shark – The Walking, Talking Tidal Wave
There’s powerful—and then there’s King Shark. He’s half-man, half-shark horror and all destruction in a hoodie. He’s torn apart villains in comics, films, and cartoons, sometimes with just one swipe or chew. Even with the odd cute moment, he’s a walking weapon who can absorb explosions, tear apart teams, and shrug off pain like it doesn’t matter. As GameRant suggests, he’s been a mainstay of Task Force X for a reason: when there’s brute force to be answered, King Shark is the answer.
The Suicide Squad is full of characters who can double as punching bags or comic relief, but these ten? They’re the genuine article—fighters who have consistently passed the test in the muddiest, most lethal operations. With fists, blades, guns, or jaws, these members of the Squad demonstrate that staying alive in this group has nothing to do with morals—it has to do with muscle, chaos, and insanity.