I'd rather not be called at all. But I'll do anything to get out of this hellhole. 
- — Savant src
Savant (real name Brian Durlin) was a quiet, bitter, and experienced weapons expert and criminal. He was a member of the first Suicide Squad team sent to Corto Maltese to destroy Project Starfish.
History
Early life
Durlin in prison
Brian Durlin was born around 1960, and at some point, became a weapons expert and master of hand-to-hand combat with incredible hand-eye coordination. He turned to crime, sustaining some severe injuries over the course of his life, including deep scars across his face. Durlin's experience hardened him into a cold, heartless killer, and he was eventually caught and incarcerated in the Belle Reve Correctional Center for a lengthy prison sentence. There, he was offered a place on the black-ops team Task Force X, better known as the Suicide Squad, by Amanda Waller, in exchange for time off his sentence. He accepted, and a nanite explosive was inserted into his skull, which would be detonated if he disobeyed any orders.[1]
The Corto Maltese mission
Savant's last mission
In 2021, Savant was assigned to the first Squad sent to the Latin American island of Corto Maltese to destroy the mysterious and dangerous Project Starfish. His team was lead by Colonel Rick Flag, and was comprised of Harley Quinn, Weasel, Captain Boomerang, Blackguard, Mongal, Javelin, and T.D.K. Unbeknownst to Savant and the team, however, they were merely a distraction for the Maltese Army so Waller's second Squad, headed up by the assassin Bloodsport, could complete the mission unhindered.
The Squad was flown in a helicopter to Corto Maltese and dropped into the sea when they were close enough to swim over to a beach. However, Weasel was unable to swim, forcing Savant to rescue him and swim him to shore. He assumed Weasel had drowned and declared him dead, but actually saved his life, making Weasel one of the only survivors of the following massacre.
Savant's bomb is detonated
When the rest of the Squad arrived on the shore, they were ambushed by the Maltese Army, who they had been sold out to by Blackguard. Savant took cover as most of the Squad members went to attack the soldiers, but they were vastly outnumbered. Within a few short minutes, every member of the Squad, save Harley, Flag, and Savant had been horribly slaughtered in a bloody massacre. Seeing all this carnage terrified the usually stoic Savant, and he attempted to run from the island, but Waller took note of the violation of his agreement and activated his brain bomb, making his head explode. His corpse was later partially devoured by a canary.[1]
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Paraphernalia
Equipment
- Combat suit: Durlin wore a protective suit that shields him and carries his equipment.
- Night-vision goggles: Savant wore special night-vision goggles that allowed him to see in the dark.
Weapons
- Pistol
Notes
- This version of the character is exclusive to the continuity of the DC Extended Universe and is an adaptation of Savant. The original character was created by Gail Simone and Ed Benes and first appeared in Birds of Prey #56.
- Savant was portrayed by Michael Rooker.
- At the beginning of The Suicide Squad, Savant kills a canary in his cell. Jim Lee has heavily implied that this is because Black Canary sent him to Belle Reve.[2]
Recommended Reading
Related
- 2 Appearances of Brian Durlin (DC Extended Universe)
- 8 Images featuring Brian Durlin (DC Extended Universe)
- 1 Quotations by or about Brian Durlin (DC Extended Universe)
- Character Gallery: Brian Durlin (DC Extended Universe)
External Links
Footnotes
  Suicide Squad member |