The list of characters set to hit the screen for 2021's The Suicide Squad is lengthy, and now Flula Borg as Javelin has joined the fray. There isn't much known yet about the plot of the film itself, but James Gunn is most certainly flexing his DC knowledge muscles with the supervillains he's pulled out from the depths of DC Comics obscurity.
If there is one thing Gunn is known for as a filmmaker, it's his ability to take lesser known comic book characters and bring them into mainstream recognition. With Guardian's of the Galaxy, fans saw him splash his obscure knowledge of comics across the big screen. Although the first installment of Suicide Squad - helmed by David Ayer - may have gotten mixed reviews, Gunn revealed during DC FanDome that this new installment will act as a sort of sequel to John Ostrander's acclaimed original comics.
Although he's made appearances in DC comics, first as an antagonist to the Green Lantern, and then later as a member of the Suicide Squad, Javelin never really achieved mainstream fame. Regardless, it won't be surprising if Gunn is able to bring recognition and clout to Javelin's character. It may help that he's cast a widely recognized triple threat for the role: German actor, comedian, and musician, Flula Borg. To get the ball rolling on Javelin's path to recognition, here's everything to know about Javelin's origin and powers.
Javelin first came on the scene in Green Lantern #173 (1984) as a former professional athlete who became a villain for unclear reasons. Although his character was created in the 80s, during the Bronze Age of comics, much of his character seemed to resonate more with Silver Age villains because of the style of Green Lantern comics at the time. One could easily guess what kind of athlete he was before he began a life of committing crime, just from his name. What's most important about him, though, is the timing of his introduction into DC comics.
He was introduced in the lead up to the Crisis on Infinite Earths stories and soon became an accomplice of the supervillain Monitor. Javelin was one of many villains Monitor was testing leading up to the crisis. His first break out crime, and his first run in with the Green Lantern, was when he was hired by Congressman Bloch to attack Ferris Aircrafts. On this criminal expedition to steal a solar engine, he encountered GL and his power for the first time. However, he did manage to get away. Regardless of Javelin's continued efforts, GL managed to stop him from launching his solar engine-turned aircraft, thus saving Ferris Aircrafts from ruin.
There have also been multiple occasions when Javelin has been killed in the comics, magically returning at a later date with little to no explanation. But, more important than his miraculous reappearances, is his original team up with the Suicide Squad. His first mission with the Suicide Squad was with Rick Flag when he went rogue and recruited Javelin by promising him his freedom. Not only was this a lie, but he was also to later be thwarted by the Justice League. This was the first time he joined the infamous team of villains, but it would not be his last.
The short story of Javelin's abilities is that he, well, throws javelins. He has a utility belt of small cylindrical poles that extend into different types of javelins when he pulls them out. Considering his athletic background he also has his own personal strength to back him up in fights, and boy does he have quite the throwing arm. Don't be mistaken though, just because he's an athlete doesn't mean he's not also a fairly capable engineer.
His javelins aren't always ordinary in their abilities. He has a variety of them, each with unique properties. In his arsenal of pointy projectiles he's got everything from smoke javelins to explosive ones and even self-accelerating ones. So it should be very interesting to see which types of javelins James Gunn will provide Flula Borg's character with on screen.
Some may be wondering why they've chosen a well known German comedian as a DC supervillain. In the comics Javelin is said to speak with a German dialect and is often assumed to be of German decent. So, there's one simple explanation for casting Borg, but it goes farther.
Gunn is known for his adept ability at mixing comedy with action and drama. Guardians of the Galaxy was a huge fan favorite, and his ability to mix genres is one of the reasons for its popularity. Borg is loved by many for his crazy comedy and characterization. Chris Pratt was also known as a pretty cooky comedian that came to fame as a ridiculous, but loved character before he branched out more into drama. It's right on theme for how Gunn likes to cast, and if it's worked so well in the past, what's to say it won't work again?
Now all that's left to uncover is how Borg's Javelin will play into the next installment of The Suicide Squad. One thing fans now for sure is that, according to the exclusive sneak preview from DC Fandome, his costume will be almost identical to the comics in coloring and in style, and even feature Javelin's signature blonde locks. Whoever is on the other end of his javelins, beware.
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