Is it Worth It? Resurrection Man (2011) #5

I own about 90% of Deathstroke's appearances in comic books. There are some that I've put off adding to the collection until more interesting or significant material has been acquired but I'm now in a position to close those questionable gaps.

Now that I have this site, I'm going to review certain guest-appearances based on whether they are worthwhile from the perspective of a Deathstroke fan specifically. So we're not reviewing a book based on its overall quality, just the Deathstroke parts.

That's an important distinction because Resurrection Man #5 is a very good book. But if you get it for Deathstroke's part only you may be disappointed.

We jump in mid-story. It seems that in the previous issue, Mitch Shelley, the titular Resurrection Man, has just been blown to bits by some lady named Suriel from the Special Angel Task Force. The bulk of the book from that point on is flashback and that's where Deathstroke comes in.

Deathstroke is on the payroll to clear a path for Mitch Shelley's lab techs as they study the remains of a US Army Patrol that was ambushed. While Shelley is a complete, heartless asshole, 'stroke is all business. The creative team does a good job of displaying his efficiency briefly for a book that isn't about him.

There is little interaction between the characters though. Deathstroke could be replaced by any mercenary character and it wouldn't really make a difference in the story. So on that level, since Deathstroke is really just a grunt, there's no real point in having it in the collection. But it does back fill some of his history so it's not a total waste.

Some numbers/stats/notes:

• This book was released the same month as Deathstroke, volume 2, #5.
• Deathstroke first appears on Page 4.
• Deathstroke appears on seven pages.

The highlight is his sudden appearance on the splash page.

Final judgement: Four eye patches out of 10.

Samurai 'Stroke

It's brief, as I suspect his actual "screen time" is, but you can catch of glimpse of a feudal Japan version of Deathstroke on the rather amazing Batman Ninja trailer.

Here's the whole two minutes of awesomeness, providing brief looks at the Damian Wayne Robin, Harley Quinn, Catwoman, etc. It looks extremely well done.

March 2018 Deathstroke Solicitations

Released earlier today:

DEATHSTROKE #29
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI 

“Chinatown” finale!

Deathstroke takes on China’s New Super-Man, the massively powerful Dr. Ikon and even members of his own team! It’s an action-packed climax that brings the events of the entire series full circle as both heroes and villains struggle with the question of how to stop the World’s Deadliest Assassin once and for all! 

On sale MARCH 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

No longer wearing the black and white outfit for this cover...

And our boy shows up in at least one issue of Justice League, though he may take something of a back seat to one of the co-stars from his own series!

JUSTICE LEAGUE #41
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by PETE WOODS
Cover by DAVID YARDIN
Variant cover by J.G. JONES 

“JUSTICE LOST” part two!

What does justice mean in a lawless world? This is the question the team must struggle with when the League finds itself trapped between warring factions, helpless refugees and mercenaries with advanced weaponry, all manipulated by Deathstroke’s frenemy the Red Lion.

Meanwhile, Batman forces a showdown between himself and the League’s biggest fan. 

On sale MARCH 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

The solicitation for April's trades was also made available. We've known for a while that the fourth book from the current volume would be released that month, but the text specifies that it "Collects DEATHSTROKE #21-25 and a story from the DC UNIVERSE HOLIDAY SPECIAL #1."  I wasn't aware of that last part.

That Time Deathstroke Appeared In A Justice League Film

Long story short, my sister-in-law had been whoring Netflix to my wife and I as though her entire livelihood depended on it. We didn't want to spend yet more time in front of a TV but she wore us down. We eventually gave up and accepted when we moved into our new place this past summer.

To be honest, I've found little on there that interests me. But for a kick I took the time to watch Justice League: Attack of The Legion Of Doom and got a pleasant surprise when Deathstroke showed up to audition for a spot in the Legion.

There was no reason to believe that Deathstroke might appear in this animated film, let alone that he would be so bad ass (well, right up until the final few seconds). Little did I know. Apparently he also shows up in Justice League vs Bizarro League under mental control by Gorilla Grodd. He is among a group of villains tasked with stealing a...crate of bananas.

Okay, that's completely ridiculous but I totally have to track that down.

Maybe Netflix doesn't suck after all...

Deathstroke #27 Davis Variant

I've quietly been updating the various pages above with additional variant cover art and solicitation material, including the one for Rose Wilson. One of the covers I'd copied was of poor quality so while trying to find a higher quality one, I came across the variant for #27, by Shane Davis, as usual, and available next month. I believe I first saw it on Bleeding Cool. Enjoy!

Best Look Yet At Joe Manganiello As Deathstroke

Posted by the man himself on his Instagram account. More on that later.

February 2018 Deathstroke Solication

There's always a moment of incredulity when the Deathstroke solicitations are made available. Christopher Priest is amazing at somehow taking Deathstroke in all sorts of new places while remaining true to the character. One of these days, his name will not be attached to this title and it will be devastating.

And with that, let's check out the solicitation for #28, due for February.

DEATHSTROKE #28
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI 

“Chinatown” part one! In the aftermath of the shocking events of this year’s Deathstroke Annual, Slade finds himself at a crossroads as his ad hoc “Dark Titans” team dissolves and even Wintergreen finally abandons him. Slade begins a turbulent backslide to his old ways, bringing him face to face with China’s New Super-Man! 

On sale FEBRUARY 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

This super-Man looks to be getting a bit of a push (to use a wrestling term) that month as his own book gets re-titled and becomes a team book. Cool to see Deathstroke as part of the process. 

Classic And Arkham 'Stroke From Iron Studios

I stumbled into the following figurine by Iron Studios while searching for upcoming Deathstroke trade paperbacks.

It was originally meant to ship in February of this year and I can only assume that it did. It is a limited edition item, made of polystone and hand-painted, based on art and design by Ivan Reis. 

The detail is impressive enough on what is a pretty complex outfit, but the maskless option displays some quality work on that level too.



Iron Studios produced a Deathstroke figurine based on the Arkham video game series as well and the same applies to that one.





Judging from the Amazon listing, that one will come out early next year. These will run you about $120 to $150 U.S.

Dark Nights: Metal #3 Variant (and one of his own)

This book came out on October 11th with several covers. Though he does not seem to play a huge role in what is a large cast for a single issue, Deathstroke did get the John Romita Jr. variant cover treatment. Check that out, if you missed it.

And while we're on the subject of variants, check out this beauty from Shane Davis for issue #23 of Deathstroke's current book. Just gorgeous.

Have A Killer Christmas With DC's Holiday Special!

When the DC Comics Holiday Special was first announced, there was no mention of Deathstroke in its solicitation text.

Join Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash as they deliver powerful messages of hope like only The Worlds Greatest Super-Heroes can! Plus: Sgt. Rock fights the Nazis on Hanukah, the Teen Titans take on the literal ghost of Christmas past, and Swamp Thing battles that creeping feeling of existential dread! And don’t miss the legendary Denny O’Neil’s return to comics with an all-new Batman story!

So the usual suspects. And Sgt. Rock.

No big deal, Deathstroke isn't exactly a Christmas kind of guy. One can only imagine the conversation at the dinner table.

But Den Of Geek received some preview pages from DC Comics and it turns out that Deathstroke does appear. And, as one might expect from Deathstroke, he has Santa Claus at gunpoint.

That's the original outfit, minus the split mask. So this flashback goes WAY back to prior to Slade Wilson having his right eye blown out by his now ex-wife. Here's the info that DC gave Den of Geek:

Out of the kindness of his heart Joey Wilson donated one of his Christmas gifts to charity. Little did he know that his father Deathstroke hid a nuclear trigger in the gift for safekeeping. Now Deathstroke and his partner Wintergreen have to get the trigger back and get to Deathstroke’s Sister-in-Law’s house for Christmas dinner.

Sounds fun. For more preview material, check out Den Of Geeks' own article about the book.

I was reminded of another Christmas encounter that took place in issue #7 of volume one involving guest-star Batman. Writer Marv Wolfman cleverly used a couple of street-level scenes to display the difference in perception and tactics between the bat and Deathstroke.

Batman drives by a break-in attempt. When the would-be thieves see him, they run away. His reputation is such that all he had to do was slow down momentarily to scare them off.

Deathstroke isn't quite so well known so he has to take far more direct measures.

 Better than any gift card that dude might have found in a stocking.

The Holiday Special will be in stores on December 6th.

Revisiting Nuclear Winter

Since I own the individual issues to the first Deathstroke regular series, the solicitation for the third reprint collection from that run wasn't of great interest to me. But coming across it again on Amazon months later, it might actually be worth a longer look.

This was how the book was originally marketed:

In these stories, hunted by the CIA and the Teen Titans, Deathstroke is in trouble--he may be dying. But his chances for survival lie with a figure from his past, half a world away in Cambodia.

While his pursuers believe him to be dead, Deathstroke takes refuge on Titans island--and when he regains his strength, he's shocked to learn that the island has been taken over by the forces of the evil Lord Chaos. How will he escape with his life? 

Collects Deathstroke, The Terminator #14-20.

Here's the new version of the solicitation text:

The unthinkable is happening: Deathstroke the Terminator is dying. The serum that gave Slade Wilson his enhanced abilities seems to be killing him, and the CIA is still hunting him for crimes he didn’t commit. With no one to turn to, he must seek out his former enemies/allies, the Titans. But what he discovers at Titans Tower could lead him to salvation…or global nuclear war!

Plus, Deathstroke must join forces with Peacemaker and the Huntress to stop the madman known as Kobra!!
 
 Collects DEATHSTROKE THE TERMINATOR #14-20 and SHOWCASE ’93 #6-11!

 

Well! Not only is that much more clear, but that added content is motivating!

As described here in the past, Showcase was an anthology book which, if my memory is sound, typically featured three unconnected stories. I thought it was standard size but a quick research reveals that each issue was actually 48 pages in length. The story in which Deathstroke takes part would probably have been a solid 12-16 pages long per issue then.

I know I have at least one issue of that run of Showcase stashed away somewhere and I don't recall being particularly motivated to gather the rest no matter how big a fan of Deathstroke I was and remain. The story didn't particularly grab me at the time, Slade seemed out of character, and Peacemaker is a tool.

But in a collection, clocking in at 272 pages total, of which about 120 pages or so are new to me, and including guest stars like Katana and Deadshot...I might just have to take the plunge on this after all.

The book is now due for release on December 12th, according to Amazon. It bears noting that DC comics lists it on their website as having been released last month and with only Deathstroke issues 14-23 (instead of 14-20) included. There is no mention of the Showcase story. It feels a little early for a new edition of a book that was released three weeks ago, so it may be best to wait until this book is actually in stores and content can be reviewed before ordering it.

The Wrap: Gareth Evans in Talks to Direct Deathstroke Film

This is an abbreviated version of an article from The Wrap:

“The Raid” helmer Gareth Evans is in early discussions to write and direct DC Comics Assassin “Deathstroke” film, TheWrap has exclusively learned.

 

“True Blood” and “Magic Mike” star Joe Manganiello is attached to star. Deathstroke was previously attached to be the antagonist on the solo “The Batman” film when Ben Affleck was still attached to direct. “He’s a great villain because — I just had an instinctive feeling that he would match up with him well. You know, I’m a big admirer of that character as well, especially in the New 52 the way that they did Deathstroke, and I thought that it could work,” Affleck told Collider.

Last year, Affleck posted a cryptic tweet of Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke walking ominously toward the camera, which set of a frenzy of speculation.

After Affleck stepped down and Matt Reeves was hired to direct “The Batman,” Reeves shelved Affleck’s script and started over. Evans who initially passed on directing “Justice League Dark,” however impressed DC executives with his Deathstroke pitch that the company decided to go forward with a spinoff film.

Evans exploded onto the scene after he wrote and directed the 2011 action film “The Raid: Redemption” that starred Iko Uwais. The movie was praised for its unique action sequences and thrilling scenes, and was acquired for the U.S. by Sony Pictures Classics. The sequel, “The Raid 2” also written and directed by Evans, was released in 2014.

Potentially exciting stuff. I don't want to get my hopes up too high because this kind of thing can be pretty fluid at this early stage but there's cause for optimism.
Manganiello, when speculation began to surface to the effect that he would not be included in the Batman movie, said something to the effect that he knew everything but wasn't allowed to share. That seems like the kind of thing you'd say when you have every reason to believe you're getting your own movie after getting bumped from one.

Deathstroke Annual in January!

DC Comics solicitations for January became available today and I liked the way Bleeding Cool went about it. They copied the pages from the Diamond catalogue.

The text is a little hard to read though, even at full size, so let me blow that up for you:

DEATHSTROKE #27
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and JASON PAZ
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI 

“The Fall of Slade” part two! Father and son clash when Jericho flies to rescue Deathstroke from Jericho’s ex—the resurrected Dr. Ikon! 

Meanwhile, Terra is summoned to an ambush by the Forgotten, the deadly leader of the White Lotus, and worlds collide as the New Super-Man demands Deathstroke’s arrest! 

On sale JANUARY 3 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+  

DEATHSTROKE ANNUAL #1
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DENYS COWAN and BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Cover by RYAN SOOK 

“An Innocent Man”! Team Defiance is pushed to the edge of oblivion when one of their own ends up dead—and Deathstroke is to blame! Is this the end of Slade Wilson’s hero turn? It’s all been building to this—don’t miss the finale of “Defiance,” the events of which will lead Deathstroke down a shocking new path! 

On sale JANUARY 31 • 48 pg, FC, $4.99 US • RATED T+

One of their own is killed and Deathstroke is to blame. Based on the cover to #27 up there and her appearance in Teen Titans in the 80s (The Judas Contract specifically), I'm not liking your odds, Terra...

Dream Team! Deathstroke And...Aquaman?

This is interesting. Joshua Williamson, writer of the Flash and Justice League vs. Suicide Squad books for DC, posted the image below on Twitter a few days ago. It reveals at least a small appearance by our main man in Flash #33, out this month, as part of the ongoing Metal storyline running through the Bat books.

Check out this amazing 2-page spread @MrHowardPorter & @hificolor did for FLASH #33. The 1st part of the Bats out of Hell crossover! METAL!

He's involved with some pretty heavy hitters there. Wonder what his motivation is? And why he'd be partnered with Aquaman, of all people.

No mention of him or any of the other guest stars above in the solicitation text, however, so his contribution might amount to little more than the panel above.

THE FLASH #33
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by HOWARD PORTER
Cover by NEIL GOOGE
Variant cover by HOWARD PORTER 

“JUSTICE INSURGENCE” part one! 

After the harrowing events of DARK NIGHTS: METAL #3, the JUSTICE LEAGUE has scattered around the world to find the only artifacts that can fight back against the invasion of the Dark Multiverse. The League thinks they know how to take back their world, but they are not prepared for who is standing in their way. The Seven Dark Knights of the Dark Multiverse. All the brilliance of Batman, but none of the morals.

Barry Allen, The Fastest Man Alive, is the first to get a taste of their plan, as BATMAN: THE RED DEATH takes him on at the Fortress of Solitude.

So could it be that Deathstroke actually guest-stars in an Aquaman? Not in October, as Aquaman's issue that month features the fifth part of a story entitled Underground. That story concludes in November. Part two of Bats Out Of Hell takes place in Justice #32.  Aquaman is on the cover, but there's no sign of Deathstroke.

Maybe the preview material will reveal a bit more. At this point it doesn't look like we'll see much of him but it's cool to see him included at all.

Missed Solicitations

How the hell did I not see this?

The following book was very much included in the September solicitations for DC but perhaps the cover was not included at the time and I overlooked Deathstroke's name. In any event, Deathstroke will be a major player in the Superman book that comes out on September 20th.

SUPERMAN #31
Written by
James Bonny 

Pencils and Inks
Tyler Kirkham 

Colours
Arif Prianto 

Cover by
Ian Churchill 

"BREAKING POINT" part one. 

Lois Lane is after the interview of a lifetime. The subject of her Daily Planet article... Deathstroke the Terminator. 

Determined to get "inside the mind of a killer", Lois follows a trail of bodies across the globe and comes face to face with the ultimate assassin. But the encounter turns deadly and, with Superman half a world away, the interview of a lifetime could cost Lois Lane her life!

Deathstroke will apparently also be in issue 32, the variant cover to which was revealed on Bleeding Cool recently.

It is said to be by Ian Churchill, but I believe that is incorrect. It looks like Tyler Kirkham, who worked on Deathstroke a fair amount towards the end of Volume Three.

Now evidently plans changed along the way as the solicitation text makes reference to a story called "Imperius Lex". Unless Breaking Point is actually a one-off, but then the cover above wouldn't be for #32 but rather for #31. I guess we'll just wait it out.

That done, let's throw down DC's November offering for the Deathstroke series.

DEATHSTROKE #25
Written by
Christopher Priest  

Pencils and Inks
Carlo Pagulayan, Jason Paz 

Cover by
Ryan Sook 

“The Society”! After betraying another assassin and violating an unwritten code of conduct, Deathstroke is kidnapped and brought to stand trial before the Secret Society of Super Villains!

Will Deathstroke pay for his crime? And what of Slade Wilson’s recent turn toward heroism? Don’t miss this special bonus-size landmark issue guest-starring The Riddler, Black Manta, Reverse-Flash and more!

Deathstroke vs Deadshot: Round 1

Yesterday, Bleeding Cool was kind enough to make us aware that Deathstroke and Deadshot have themselves a good scrap in Batman #28, released earlier today. Here's their description of it.

...in Batman #28 by Tom King, Mikel Janin and June Chung, published tomorrow by DC Comics, fans will get what they have wanted for ages. With Deadshot and Deathstroke divided by allegiances to the Joker and the Riddler as the War Of Jokes And Riddles — and Batman’s post-coital-and-proposal conversation with Catwoman — continues after the previous Peanuts-inspired interlude. 

And a full-blown, knock-down battle between the two across the streets of Gotham with a longevity more like a cricket game than a baseball match. And a little on the Miracleman #15 side, too…

The article in question mentions that they've been in conflict before but that it's not a regular occurrence. By my quick count, this would be the fourth and they're fairly well spread out.

For kicks, we're going to go over each one, starting with Deathstroke: The Hunted #41. But first, if you're somehow less familiar with Deadshot, here's some abbreviated background from the DC Comics website.

An assassin (and) expert marksman, Floyd Lawton lives by a simple code: do the job that you're hired for with the least amount of casualties possible—after all, you're not being paid to waste bullets. 

...Deadshot is obsessed with precision, firmly believing that the target who’s been paid for should be the only one taken down. In the midst of a successful career, Lawton was taken down by the Dark Knight and sentenced to life in prison...Deadshot joined the Suicide Squad—a team of villains recruited by Amanda Waller to carry out covert (and highly illegal) missions. Often the de facto leader of the team, Deadshot always aims to complete the mission at hand... even if it kills him.

Along with his ability to "never miss" his target, Deadshot possesses an unfulfilled death wish...His reasons for this are unknown—many speculating family upbringing, loss of a loved one or simply not having anything left to live for. However, this complete disregard for his own life, along with his commitment to the job, make Deadshot one of the most dangerous assassins in the world.

One of them. Deathstroke can lay claim to that title too. But in the first meeting, Deadshot got a clear upper hand.

In 1994, Deathstroke's solo book took on the sub-title "The Hunted". Slade was being framed for an attempt on the president's life so the government was hell-bent on bringing him in. They first sent Deadshot's Suicide Squad teammate Bronze Tiger after him, but when the man in charge of the operation (Sarge Steel) lost faith in Tiger, Deadshot was sent in as well. Deadshot showed up while Tiger and 'stroke were grappling.

During that era, Deathstroke had a habit of returning to life in a berzerker frenzy. As a result, he popped back to life in the next issue and would live on to encounter Deadshot again, several years later. But there's little question that Deadshot got the first solid punch in.

Before moving on, I want to point out that Deathstroke also appears on the cover to #30 of Batman, something I'd missed earlier.

Deathstroke October 2017 Solicitation

This info has been available for a few days now but I've been in the middle of a move with spotty internet connection. I get that I'm well behind on "announcing" it, but I do so regardless for the sake of completism, a word I just now totally invented.

DEATHSTROKE #23
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI 

“DEFIANCE” part three! As Kid Flash gets to know his new teammates, he soon discovers that Defiance is a team built on secrets and lies…but Kid Flash might be keeping the biggest secret of all!

Meanwhile, a dangerous new threat emerges from the Far East and threatens to destroy Defiance before they even begin! 

On sale OCTOBER 4 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

I believe that's actually part four of Defiance...

In any event, I've finally been able to order the second trade from volume four. I should get it in the mail tomorrow. It'll be awesome to finally catch up a bit. I read the first half dozen issues again recently to refresh my own memory and they're so great, I can wait to move forward again!

Diamond Comic Distributors and Icon Heroes present a new Rebirth Deathstroke Figurine!

Follow this link for more information about this pretty thing.

Fans of the DC Comics mercenary will be delighted at the details put into this 8” tall statue. This high quality polystone statue is expertly crafted with texturized armor based off his newest Rebirth-era uniform. Deathstroke comes with both his pistol and sword at the ready to fight off anybody that stands in the way of getting his job done.

$55 suggested retail price.

Deathstroke September 2017 Solicitations

DC Comics' September solicitations were released yesterday and while we're now only getting one issue of Deathstroke a month, it does look as though he might show up in a high profile book again that month.

BATMAN #30
Written by TOM KING
Art by CLAY MANN
Cover by MIKEL JANIN
Variant cover by OLIVIER COIPEL 

“THE BALLAD OF KITE MAN” part two! 

In our second “War of Jokes and Riddles” interlude, it’s the making of a super-villain! He’s been pushed by Batman to snitch on The Joker, and cajoled by The Joker to betray Batman—now, the flunky who would be Kite Man finally snaps. He’s lost everything, and a life of crime is the only way to go. 

On sale SEPTEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

Not sure how he fits in exactly, but over in his own book, it looks like the father/daughter relationship is as strong as it's ever been.

DEATHSTROKE #23
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and JASON PAZ
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI 

“Defiance” part three! 

As the team begins to crack under Slade’s harsh leadership tactics, Defiance is called into action after a cruise ship gets hijacked on the open seas! It’s sink or swim for Deathstroke’s new squad when they’re put to the test against impossible odds! 

On sale SEPTEMBER 6 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

Bah. I'm way behind on this series, but let's face it, he probably had it coming.  "Harsh leadership tactics" indeed...

Deathstroke August 2017 Solicitation

Let's take a look at what genius Christopher Priest has in store for us in August!

DEATHSTROKE #22
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES and JASON PAZ
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS and MICHELLE DELECKI 

“DEFIANCE” part two! With his new team assembled, Deathstroke takes Team Defiance on their first mission to retake control of a U.S. Embassy held hostage in a small foreign country. But while the team fights for their lives against a mysterious new villain known as the Radiant Man, Slade abandons his team to address some unfinished business with an old friend: Dr. Light! 

On sale AUGUST 2 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

Team Defiance. It was a shock to see at first, and no doubt will be very temporary, but I could get used to that team. They have an interesting blend of abilities and various awkward backgrounds with our favourite merc.

As for Dr. Light., he has no friends, but anyone who's been reading comics since the early 2000s or so will know that he hired Deathstroke in Identity Crisis, leading to 'stroke kicking the Justice League around.

Good times. Never gets old.

Issue #20 Variant Cover

As shared by Bleeding Cool, art by Shane Davis.

May Covers

Bleeding Cool gave us a look at some covers for the May books last week. They are not necessarily all variants, some are for books that did not a include a cover image with its promotional text.

The first that they showed was, oddly enough, very much revealed when The Lazarus Contract was announced. It is the regular Mike McKone cover for Deathstroke #19 (though BC seems to indicate it is for #18, but I believe that is an error on their past) so I've ignored it.

But what I believe is the "real" cover to #19 was displayed as well. That's it below, by Ivan Reis.

Hard to top Ivan Reis but goddamn if Phil Jiminez doesn't do exactly that in his cover for Teen Titans #8.

Naturally, I became a Deathstroke fan as a result of being a New Teen Titans fans first during the Marv Wolfman / George Perez years. I liked the new characters just fine (well, except for Changeling, he's a pain in the ass) but even at the time there was just something about the original characters that I found more compelling. I was always more interested in stories that featured those guys than Cyborg, Starfire, etc. I'm glad that they have their own book, though I admit I don't think it's quite hit the mark.

Variant Cover To Titans #11

The four books that combine to tell the Lazarus Contract story all have similar covers by Mike McKone but three of them have variants as well (the Teen Titans annual apparently does not).

Today, Bleeding Cool had the variant for Titans #11 on display. It is the work of Norm Rapmund. The story gets underway with that book's release on May 10th.

Oh my...Deathstroke #21 solicitation

I have a feeling this will get a negative reaction because it will be taken a little too literally and/or seriously.

DEATHSTROKE #21
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by DIOGENES NEVES
Cover by RYAN SOOK
Variant cover by SHANE DAVIS

*Includes a code for a free digital download of this issue. 

“DEFIANCE” part one! A new day has dawned for Deathstroke. Having emerged from the Speed Force a changed man, Slade Wilson takes aim at living a better life—a life in service of justice. But when the world refuses to accept the new Deathstroke, Slade recruits a group of young heroes to join him including including former Teen Titans Kid Flash and Power Girl, his children, Rose and Jericho, and the bombastic Terra! 

But has Slade truly shed his villainous past? And what other shadowy forces are working against him? Find out as Deathstroke’s bold new direction begins here! 

On sale JULY 5 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+#

The resemblance to the oft-copied cover Justice League International #1 can hardly be a coincidence.

And like very other time he has led a team, this will be short-lived, if he even truly "leads" them. Even the solicitation text questions Deathstroke's sincerity. It wouldn't be the first time he's had an agenda.

The thing of it is though...That's a pretty cool looking bunch right there. I'd buy the hell out of that book. Since Deathstroke's own title is being reduced from being published twice a month to only once, maybe that team could complement it. Unlikely, since most of the characters are unknown but perhaps if the premise is good...

Dreaming, I know. But while the image does pack a jolt at first sight for a long-time Deathstroke fan, with a few minutes to take it in, it certainly has me curious.

Cover image and solicitation text first spotted on bleedingcool.

Lazarus Contract Hardcover Scheduled For November 2017

According to Amazon, that is. They already have it listed even though we're several weeks from the first issue of the arc being released. Mind you, the 6-month gap in publication is pretty consistent.

Now word on when the softcover version might be available. And as usual with Amazon, the promotional image being used currently may not be the final cover image.

Titans past, present and future collide with their eternal enemy Deathstroke in this monumental crossover from DC Rebirth TITANS: THE LAZARUS CONTRACT!  

When Deathstroke discovers that Wally West's return holds the key to bringing his son back from the dead, he'll stop at nothing to do just that. Standing in his way? Both the Teen Titans and the Titans! But will both teams kill each other before Deathstroke does? Or will the Titans and the Teen Titans be fast enough to stop him from changing the world as we know it?  

With a powerhouse creative team of Dan Abnett, Benjamin Percy and Christopher Priest, TITANS: THE LAZARUS CONTRACT sets the stage for the next era of Titans, Teen Titans and Deathstroke, the consequences of which will be felt for years to come! 

Collects TITANS #11, TEEN TITANS #8, DEATHSTROKE #19 and TEEN TITANS ANNUAL #1

Issue 17 Variant Cover by Shane Davis!

I was so preoccupied with looking for Deathstroke in other DC Comics that it escaped my notice that only one issue of the man's own title is schedule in June. It would seem that he title is no longer being released twice a month but hey, what I've read if the current series is so damn good that I'm grateful for getting that much material for most of the past year.

And those awesome Shane Davis variant covers! Here's the man's work for #17, for which he channels his inner Liefeld with the sword reflection trick.

The image was first found on Bleeding Cool.

Upcoming Collections

The early peek at the June solicitations reminded me to have a look at Amazon for books available for pre-order and sure enough, there are a couple on the way beginning with, unsurprisingly, the third book of the current series.

Deathstroke Vol. 3: Twilight (Rebirth) 

What happens when the World's Deadliest Assassin begins to go blind? Faced with a potentially career-ending diagnosis, Deathstroke is coached by Power Girl to reinvent himself--and comes face to face with a rival assassin known as Deadline! But he might not be able to face this villain until he unearths a way to cure his own weaknesses.  

Written by Christopher Priest (Black Panther) and featuring stunning illustrations by special guest artist Cary Nord, this game-changing volume collects DEATHSTROKE #12-17.

This one is fresh enough that there is not even a tentative cover available for it yet. It is scheduled for October of this year. That's kind of good because volume two is only due for July, which seems pretty damn far away.

Meanwhile, reprinting of Deathstroke's first series continues with the World Tour story being made available next March.

Deathstroke The Terminator: Vol. 4 

Deathstroke, the breakout villain from the 1980s sensation THE NEW TEEN TITANS and current star of the hit TV series Arrow stars in his own graphic novel series! In these stories, hunted by the CIA and the Teen Titans, Deathstroke is in trouble! 

From writer Marv Wolfman (THE NEW TEEN TITANS) this graphic novel collects DEATHSTROKE THE TERMINATOR#27-34 and DEATHSTROKE THE TERMINATOR ANNUAL #2.

Fun story. They are using the cover to issue 27 for it remains to be seen whether that's going to last. I would think the reference to 1993 will disappear. We'll find out some time in the next year.

Early Look at June Solicitations: Deathstroke 20

DC Comics provided Comic Book Resources with a preview of their June material in the form of the Titans titles. The Lazarus Contract has run through May and the ripple effect if felt through Titans, Teen Titans and, of course, Deathstroke.

DEATHSTROKE #20
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by LARRY HAMA and CARLO PAGULAYAN
Cover by LEE WEEKS • Variant covers by SHANE DAVIS 

“The Lazarus Contract” epilogue! 

As Deathstroke picks up the pieces of his life following the traumatic events of last month’s “The Lazarus Contract,” a threat years in the making boils to the surface when an old friend becomes mortal foe! 

On sale JUNE 7 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

Dude can't get a break...

So a threat years in the making. Is Priest digging into past material again or will he back fill Slade's military days, as so many have done? My initial thought was Pat Trayce again since she was referred to in the early issues of the series. And it's not like Slade has a whole lot of friends. Bronze Tiger was treated as such, for the most part, in volume three by I get the sense that entire series is being scuttled. Looking forward to finding out.

The Titans titles don't seem to include Deathstroke at all however if other book do in June I'll add them here.

Sideshow: Deathstroke Premium Format Figure

Whooo! Look at this beauty!

Sideshow is proud to pay homage to the merciless man hunter Slade Wilson with this new museum quality Premium Format™ Figure, depicting this relentless assassin in his trademark orange and blue attire and one-eyed mask, but in our own signature Sideshow hyper-real style. 

Never one to be caught unarmed, Deathstroke is festooned with a veritable arsenal of firearms, swords and knives – even storing large blades in the vambraces that protect his forearms!

Cold, calculating and intimidating, this Deathstroke Premium Format™ Figure is sure to add a touch of menace to any DC Comics rogues gallery!

The Sideshow Exclusive version of this Premium Format™ Figure comes with a swap-out hand holding Deathstroke’s Power Staff.

The Deathstroke Premium Format™ Figure will be priced at $524.99 and will be available for pre-order Thursday, March 2, 2017.

Full details on this page.