The Time(s) Deathstroke Beat the Entire Justice League

Ah, this was fun. And it still is for a totally different reason.

I don't know if other shared my experience, but I recall the buzz for this showdown between Deathstroke and the Justice League being high when the previews came out. Comments were to the effect that Deathstroke is such a bad ass, the fight looked awesome, etc.

In fact, people seemed to be into Identity Crisis in a big way at first. This was reflected in its sales at the time. According to comichron.com, the second and third issues were the third best-selling books in their respective months of release (July and August 2004).

But the whodunnit's big reveal fell flat and it seemed like everyone suddenly decided that the entire seven-issue mini series was crap. And nowadays if I see a mention of Deathstroke's fight against the Justice League in the third issue, it's usually in reference to how improbable it is that Slade would have won like he did. The back-pedaling cracks me up.

Even setting aside the whole bit about how Deathstroke is supposed to be the best of the best anyway, it must be taken into account that Deathstroke was completely prepared for this battle, whereas the league was caught with their pants down. The league was expecting to go whup on a long-time loser in Dr. Light. They had no idea he had hired Deathstroke for protection. And Deathstroke had planned ahead.

The narration is by Green Arrow, who doesn't fare much better. 'Stroke removes him from the equation by rendering his weapons useless.

Love that.

Now it isn't all gold. Deathstroke takes Hawkman out by cutting the strap to his wing harness, as if that character is incapable of fighting without them. And for some reason Green Lantern decides the best way to contribute is not to use the most powerful personal weapon in the universe but rather to throw a punch, which is completely illogical, not at all true to form, and of course backfires.

But the disdain over this fight is still a bit overblown because Deathstroke doesn't win. He doesn't actually beat the league. He is eventually overwhelmed after blowing his top when Arrow stabs him in the right eye socket (though he does manage to escape them).

The notion that he would cause the league fits shouldn't be so ludicrous anyway because there actually is some precedent to Slade Wilson dispatching several of that team's members.

In the 13th issue of the first volume of his own book, Deathstroke is on the run from the law (hardly cause for surprise) and the league tries to locate him. He handles several members, including Flash and Green Lantern.

The cover to that issue (at right) kills me, by the way. You have a bunch of Justice League members guest-starring in a book and what do you do? Spotlight a battle against some nobody called "Hemp". What's his power? To make really strong rope??

Anyway...In facing the league that time, Deathstroke uses much the same method as in the Identity Crisis fight. Applying a basic understanding of his opponents' strengths, weaknesses and personalities against them. He can't "out-power" The Flash or Green Lantern but he can outsmart and out-think them. Sometimes, all you need is to drive a stick in their spokes.

    

Fun stuff. I'm no Flash expert but I believe it's always been said that while his speed is enhanced, his reflexes are not. So the gut shot is actually entirely plausible.

On to Lantern.

So Identity Crisis was not the first time that Deathstroke made members of the league look foolish. It's not surprising that a character that walks both sides of the morality line would face off against the "good guys" numerous times and as this blog continues to grow it'll be fun to go over some of those battles. I might even keep a win-loss record!