Comic Title: Suicide Squad #40
Publisher: DC (DC Comics Inc.)
Address: 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY
Cover Date: April 1990
On Sale Date: March 6, 1990 Shipping Date March 6, 1990
Source: Previews, #12

Shipping Date March 6, 1990
Source: Amazing Heroes, #177

Shipping Date March 8, 1990
Source: Advance Comics, #14

Copyright Date March 6, 1990
Source: Library of Congress, Copyright Office 1990

Direct Market Date March 8, 1990
Source: Comic Shop News, #133, Page 2

Frequency: Monthly
Cover Price: $1.00
Page Count: 32
Editor: Dan Raspler

Notes:
This issue includes a poster insert.

Title: "Ashes"
Pages: 22

Feature(s):
Suicide Squad (Post-Crisis)

Writer: John Ostrander
Writer: Kim Yale
Artist: Geof Isherwood
Letterer: Todd Klein
Colorist: Carl Gafford

Reprinted In:
Suicide Squad:The Phoenix Gambit TPB (2017)

Feature Character(s)

• Suicide Squad (revived in this story; last appearance in Suicide Squad #39; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)

Guest Star(s)

• Batman (last appearance in Detective Comics #621; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)

Supporting Character(s)

• Amanda Waller (last appearance in Suicide Squad #39; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)
• Sarge Steel (last appearance in Suicide Squad #39; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)

Villain(s)

• Stalnoivolk (last appearance in Suicide Squad #37; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)
• Deadshot (last appearance in Suicide Squad #39; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)
• William Hell (identity concealed; last appearance in Suicide Squad #4; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)

Guest Appearance(s)

• Alfred Pennyworth (last appearance in Detective Comics #620; next appearance in World's Finest #1)
• Commissioner Gordon (last appearance in Detective Comics #620; next appearance in World's Finest #1)

Other Character(s)

• Nikolas Varga (a shipping magnate; dies in this story; no further appearances)
• Anya Kolchak (Varga's housekeeper; no further appearances)
• A security guard (no further appearances)
• Mr. Griswold (last appearance in Suicide Squad #38; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)
• Colonel Stoneman (last appearance in Suicide Squad #39; next appearance in Suicide Squad #41)

Cameo Appearance(s)

• Count Vertigo (mentioned by Sarge Steel)
• Zastrow (mentioned by Sarge Steel)
• Red Shadows (a Soviet metahuman group; mentioned by Sarge Steel)

Comments:
The Phoenix Gambit Part 1 of 4

This story takes place one year after the Suicide Squad was disbanded.

This story continues in Suicide Squad #41.

Synopsis:
Sarge Steel makes an offer to Amanda Waller, currently in prison, to lead a revived Suicide Squad. She refuses. Later, he approaches Batman, who is investigating the murder of a former Vlatavan national Nikolas Varga. The shipping magnate was killed by a metahuman, whom Batman identifies as Stalnoivolk. Batman fails to apprehend the Soviet agent just before meeting Steel.

Steel takes Batman to Belle Reve, where Waller is waiting. She now accepts Steel's offer, but using her leverage to insist on new conditions for the revived Suicide Squad. It will not be autonomous without government control or support. They will be funded to cover expenses, but offer reduced liability to their employers. Batman will assist with the Vlatavan operation, but he promises to shut Waller down if he doesn't like her methods.