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!