Board Thread:DC Universe Discussion/@comment-1038387-20121001081404/@comment-1038387-20121001085942

She's not really a Justice League villain. She's a government operative, head of the Suicide Squad. She also served as Secretary for Metahuman Affairs during Luthor's presidency. She sits on the fence between good and bad.

She's hard and ruthless (hence her nickname, "The Wall"). She knows she isn't there to be liked, and nobody likes her anyway. She's practical: if she sees a problem, she wants it fixed. Her pre-New 52 origin:

Amanda Waller (née Blake) was a mother of five from Cabrini-Green, Chicago. Baptist, happy, devout and faithful, married as soon as she turned 18. Joe Sr. had a job, but they did have to rely on government benefits. Wasn't a nice neighborhood, though. Her eldest child, Joe Jr., was a basketball hopeful, but was murdered on the streets. The second, Damita, was brutally raped and murdered. Seeking revenge, Joe Sr. confronted the rapist, which left both men dead. Now widowed, she made sure her last children got through college, and then got herself a political science degree. (the children, by the way, never showed up again.)

She started working for a local politician, Marvin Collins. He was a softie; her dedication as his campaign manager turned his fortune. She got him elected for Congress, and served as his aide. During research for a bill, she encountered a file containing president Truman's Task Force X (consisting of Argent and the Suicide Squadron). She recruited the Squadron's leader's son, Rick Flagg Jr., and petitioned with Reagan to reinstate the Squad, this time with criminals. He agreed.

That's all from Secret Origins #14. Amanda was created for the Legends event, which is famous for that other guy. Legends is definitely Amanda Waller recommended reading. So is Suicide Squad: Raise the Flag.