The Losers (comics)

The Losers is a DC Comics imprint originally created by Robert Kanigher and first appearing in Our Fighting Forces #123 (1969). The team, consistently comprised of a rotating roster but often including Captain Storm, Gunner, Sarge, and occasionally others like Johnny Cloud, focused on a group of World War II soldiers deemed expendable and regularly sent on dangerous, often suicidal, missions in the European theater and the Pacific.

The original Losers stories were generally stand-alone tales emphasizing action and the grim realities of war. They were characterized by a high casualty rate, with team members frequently wounded or killed. The team was seen as more realistic and gritty compared to other war comics of the era.

A reimagined version of The Losers was created by Andy Diggle and Jock in 2003, published under the Vertigo imprint. This iteration revamped the team as a black ops squad betrayed by their CIA handler and left for dead. The team, led by Clay Quatermain, consists of members such as Roque, Pooch, Cougar, and Jensen. This version sought revenge against their former employers while undertaking other dangerous missions. This series ran for 32 issues and significantly updated the concept for a modern audience, incorporating elements of political intrigue and conspiracy.

The Vertigo version of The Losers was adapted into a 2010 action film of the same name, starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Zoe Saldana, and Chris Evans. While based on the comic book, the film took certain liberties with the plot and characterizations.