Rick Flag Sr.

Rick Flag Sr.

When Flag and his wife were eighteen, they had a son named Rick Flag, Jr., and Flag joined the military to help provide for his family. Once Flag Jr. turned eighteen, he joined the military due to his love of America and desired to make it a better place.[1] While serving in the military, Flag Sr. was stabbed on a mission in the Persian Gulf, leaving his body heavily scarred. Colonel Rick Flag, Jr. was killed by the vigilante Peacemaker[4] during a mission for Task Force X, known as Project Starfish, in the small island nation of Corto Maltese.[1] His death left Flag deeply heartbroken, fostering a lasting bitterness towards Peacemaker for his son’s demise and causing his wife to divorce him, leaving Flag in a saddened state of depression and loneliness. Two years later, Flag, Sr. and Amanda Waller watched a GBS News broadcast detailing an international incident in Pokolistan as Circe, who claimed to be the rightful heir to Themyscira's throne, sought to overthrow the Pokolistani royal family. Outraged by the reactionary actions of the Sons of Themyscira, Flag expressed his frustration. Waller emphasized the urgency of the situation, reminding Flag that Pokolistan, an ally of the United States, was vital due to its oil-based alliance and revealed that Princess Ilana Rostovic was already negotiating a deal with the United States as they headed to an elevator in Belle Reve Correctional Center. Upon reaching the elevator, Flag expressed confusion to Waller, noting that Congress had halted Task Force X's activities. However, Waller explained that Congress' regulations were limited to human activities, and upon entering the monitoring facility, Flag was shocked to see that non-human prisoners were being held there. Waller then introduced Flag to the non-human division of the prison, saying that for years only the highest levels of security were aware of their existence and that their non-human nature could bypass the congressional restrictions.

Rick Flag Senior

Waller proceeded to introduce Flag to the members, starting with the Bride. Flag asked about Doctor Phosphorus, so Waller explained that he had radiation powers which should have minimal effects. Flag asked what the effects would be, so Waller explained that it would sterilize him. Waller then explained that Weasel was one of the few survivors of the Corto Maltese mission, apologizing to Flag for reminding him of his son's death in the operation, lamenting his loss. When Flag pointed out G.I. Robot, Waller told him that the robot had killed over three hundred Nazis in World War II. Waller then introduces Nina Mazursky as the smartest of the team while they walked down the stairs to approach the members. As Waller opened the entrance to see the prisoners, Phosphorus, the Bride, and Weasel rushed to attack her, so Flag quickly pulled out her pistol. However, Waller used the Nano-Bomb Remote Detonator to electrocute them in order to stop them, also electrocuting G.I. Robot and Mazursky in the process. Handing her detonator to Flag, Waller told him that they were her new government black ops team named Task Force M, also known as Creature Commandos. As they walked out into the hallway, Waller told him that there was already an Osprey waiting to take him straight to the castle and protect Rostovic from Circe, with Flag giving a military salute in commitment Knowing of the trouble Weasel had caused on their last mission, Flag, Sr. tied him up with multiple belts so he would not escape. Upon takeoff, Flag tried to be understanding with the team, knowing they had no choice but to tag along, with Doctor Phosphorus sarcastically claiming to be excited about the mission. Weasel began to chirp and try to get free, leading G.I. Robot to believe him to be a Nazi. However, Flag stopped G.I. Robot, explaining that Weasel was not a Nazi. When Phosphorus mentioned that Weasel was a child killer, Flag told him that Weasel had supposedly had trouble traveling on the Sheba.

Rick Flag Sr.’s Personality

Rick Flag Sr. can be described as a competent and charismatic leader, someone who knows how to work in a team and unite his allies in moments of tension. His confidence and negotiation skills are evident, especially in critical situations, like when he compassionately convinces Dr. Phosphorus to abandon his plan to steal the shock device and forces him to cooperate. His reliability makes him one of Amanda Waller's most prestigious men. Flag Sr. is a man of authority who, although serious and dedicated to his duty, is also described as incredibly vain and concerned about his appearance. Despite his firm demeanor, Flag Sr. is susceptible to beautiful women and has a weakness for them, which makes him vulnerable to attempts at seduction. When he meets Ilana for the first time, he quickly feels attracted to her, though he initially resists her advances, justifying his actions with the importance of his role as her protector. However, this resistance quickly crumbles when Ilana tries to seduce him again, and he ultimately gives in completely. Rick Flag Sr.'s personal struggle, although he doesn't show it, is that he is still deeply hurt by the loss of his son, Rick Flag Jr., a wound that remains fresh even after two years. The guilt consumes him, especially because Flag Jr. enlisted out of love for his country, largely inspired by his father. Despite being an open-minded man, Rick Flag Sr. is not immune to the horrors he witnesses in his line of work. His years of experience make him cautious, but he is still shaken by certain situations and looks on in shock. For example, he is deeply disturbed when witnessing the extreme violence Circe suffers at the hands of Weasel and Dr. Phosphorus. He is not insensitive to the suffering of villains. When G.I. Robot is destroyed, he comforts Nina by gently placing his hand on her shoulder, acknowledging their friendship.

Rick Flag Senior

Rick takes his job VERY seriously and behaves professionally