Deathstroke July 2019 Solicitation

We already know about an appearance in Batman Universe this summer, let's see what's going on in Deathstroke's own title.

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN
Cover by ED BENES and RICHARD FRIEND
Variant cover by DAVID FINCH 

In the wake of Slade Wilson’s death, a new Deathstroke has vowed to complete his last, unfinished assignment. But the master assassin Shado has plans of her own, looking to step in for the late, great World’s Greatest Assassin and usurp his place in villainous hierarchy. 

Meanwhile, Rose Wilson discovers the identity of the person responsible for her father’s death. Can her brother, Jericho, stop her from seeking vengeance? 

Also in this issue, Slade Wilson’s son Jericho accepts Lex Luthor’s offer of power—but he’s determined to use it as a force for good…so why is Lex smiling? 

ON SALE 07.03.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
CARD STOCK VARIANT COVER $4.99
FC | RATED T+

Lots going on there...

So Shado, eh? There's a name I didn't expect to read. I don't recall any connection between the two of even if they've ever met. I'm only vaguely familiar with her so let's get a breif bio, courtesy of the DC Fandom Data Base.

Shado is an enemy, ally, and lover to Green Arrow. Her father was a member of the Yakuza, and she became a bow-wielding assassin to avenge her parents. Despite her selfish motivations, she has teamed up with Green Arrow and encouraged him to execute his targets. She is also known to have raped Green Arrow while he was delirious from fever. This allowed her to conceive a son, Robert Queen.

Sounds like sweetheart with similar parenting skills to Slade. Hope she stick around a while.

Deathstroke to Appear in Batman Universe #1 this July

While Deathstroke was featured rather prominently on the Walmart-exclusive Teen Titans books, I didn't pay much attention to them when they were announced and released.

The reason is simple; Deathstroke's appearance in these books was in a reprint of issues from the Titans book from 2003, written by Geoff Johns. The 100-page books all included four stories, three of which were reprints. Deathstroke did not seem to appear in the single story of new material.

That he appeared in the Batman story eluded me. Here is a portion of a press release (first seen on Newsarama, for the record) about these Walmart exclusives being reprinted for comic shops this summer.

Following the theft of a priceless Fabergé egg, the Riddler leads The Dark Knight on a wild hunt after its true owner: Jinny Hex, a descendant of the haunted Western hero Jonah Hex. Deathstroke, Green Arrow and some of the brightest stars in the DC Universe will join The Dark Knight on the chase to find this treasure! 

The covers to the early issues of these Batman books all seemed to give one of the reprints the spotlight. Check out Deathstroke at the bottom right of the fourth issue.

I believe that will be his only appearance.

While attempting to sort all that, I collected the covers from the Titans books which featured Deathstroke and those are now displayed below.

Our Ravager Is Confirmed

Chelsea Zhang it is. So unless they start casting for Adeline or Grant Wilson (mum and brother to Joseph/Jericho, as you probably know) we have our Wilson family.

The character bio for Ravager:

“Daughter of the deadly assassin, Deathstroke, Rose Wilson was forced to undergo the same procedure that granted her father nearly superhuman abilities, becoming a weapon known as Ravager. Ever resentful, she seeks out the Titans not only for their protection but to get back at her father. Knowing how dangerous it is to be the offspring of their deadliest foe, the Titans take her in but that doesn’t necessarily mean they trust her.”

Again, this was reported by Deadline first, I believe.

And Now We Have Our Jericho

Raise your hand if you thought Chella Man would make a great Jericho!

If you raised your hand you're a filthy liar. :-)

I didn't know this guy from a hole in the ground so I looked him up. The information below is from this Deadline article.

Man is a model, a student at New York University, and a You Tube presence (173,000 subscribers, 2.5 million views) with his personal account of gender transition and living “deaf, Genderqueer, Chinese, and Jewish.”  Man has also contributed writing to multiple blogs (including Condé Nast’s Them) and is a speaker on gender, identity, race, and disability.

Okay, so...He doesn't particularly look the part and has absolutely no relevant body of work. It does appear as though the first criteria is achievable though. Prior to finding the photograph above in this article, I did not think so.

The Titans casting has been pretty solid so far so they certainly deserve the benefit of the doubt here. I remember when Daniel Craig was going to be a terrible James Bond, Ben Affleck a weak Batman and Gal Gadot couldn't fill Wonder Woman's outfit. All those opinions were ultimately proven to be very, very wrong. There's a reason why these things aren't left up to fans.

Here's the description of Jericho, from the very same article.

Son of the infamous DC villain Deathstroke (played by Esai Morales), Joseph Wilson is the Titan known as Jericho. Mute after his father failed to rescue him from having his vocal cords severed by assassins, Jericho has the unique ability to possess anyone just by making eye contact. This gentle natured yet proud hero has proven himself a formidable Titan.

Hopefully this means we gets casting news for Rose Wilson soon as well. Ironically, in light of her comic book history, I would completely expect an Asian influence where that character is concerned (her mother is Hmong). I'm curious to see if we'll get it.

Edit: We very well might. Revenge Of The Fans speculates that Chelsea Zhang may have nailed down the role. I'll wait for something a bit more official though.

Deathstroke June 2019 solicitations

Looks like just one book in June but it should be an interesting one.

DEATHSTROKE #44
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI and CAM SMITH
Variant cover by RICCARDO FEDERICI 

“DEATHSTROKE: RIP” starts here! 

Deathstroke is dead, secretly killed at the hands of a Teen Titan. As Slade’s closest friends, enemies and frenemies pay their respects (and disrespects) to the World’s Deadliest Assassin, some uninvited guests crash the event—the Legion of Doom! But what do they want with the body of the most lethal man on the planet? And will anyone find out who killed him? A brand-new storyline begins here…with an ending you won’t see coming! 

ON SALE 06.05.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+

It's amusing to see comics news sites refer to a "spoiler" about Deathstroke's death in the solicitation. For one thing, it was quite clear from last month's solicitations that Robin had apparently killed Deathstroke at the end of the crossover with the Titans. For another, I think by now we all know that comics deaths are rather...temporary.

That said, I'm looking forward to seeing what Christopher Priest does with it. He's one of few writers that I trust to make a promise of "and ending you won't see coming" stick.

Esai Morales is your Titans Deathstroke

We've known for a while that Deathstroke would appear in the Titans TV show but we finally know who will bring him to life in this incarnation. 56-year old veteran of virtually every cop show ever made (but most prominently NYPD Blue) Esai Morales has the honours.

This works for me. I have no doubt that Morales will be able to look sophisticated and/or bad ass, depending on what the situation calls for. I've already come across comments online about how he's not menacing enough and that sort of thing but I don't buy it.

For the sake of interest, here’s Titans’ official description for Deathstroke:

“Slade Wilson is known for being DC’s deadliest assassin. While serving his country, Slade became an elite soldier before government testing enhanced his physiology to near superhuman levels, putting him on a path of darkness and revenge. To his family, Slade is a father and husband, but to the rest of the world, he is feared by many as the infamous Deathstroke; selling his services to the highest bidder as the ruthless assassin that never gives up and never misses.”

Father and husband, well...By definition, that's certainly true. I know the show is not about him but if his kids also show up as rumoured I hope we get a glimpse of his dysfunctional that clan is.

I don't know how accurate this is but IMDB currently has Morales appearing in episode 2.1 of Titans.

Apparently this news was first announced by Deadline.

The Terminus Agenda Concludes in May

And it doesn't sound like it goes real well for our boy.

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST and ADAM GLASS
Art and cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ
Variant cover by CLAYTON CRAIN 

“The Terminus Agenda” finale! 

It’s code red for the Teen Titans as their plan to capture and imprison Deathstroke has backfired in the worst possible way. Mercy Hall is on lockdown, and all the super-villains have escaped their cells! 

As the villains team up to take down their captors, Deathstroke makes one final attempt at “fixing” Damian—will Damian finally abandon Batman’s code to save his friends from certain death? 

ON SALE 05.01.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+

Strangely enough, the regular cover for the book seems to be a little tricky to find among solicitation listed on the major comics sites. Bleeding Cool displayed the page from the Previews catalogue though so I share that here since it's as good a version of it as I've come across.

But get a closer look at Clayton Crain's variant for this book. Damn!

It's not clear whether Deathstroke show up in the epilogue that takes place in Teen Titans #30. It doesn't sound like it, as that issue appears to me more geared towards blow back to Damian's actions in the Deathstroke issue. The cover alone makes that quite clear.

If writer Christopher Priest continues as he has, I suspect we'll get another 5-6 part story following starting in June with Slade's world properly shaken up as a result of this one's conclusion. Dude doesn't mess around!

Deathstroke April 2019 Solicitations

The Terminus Agenda continues in April.

Nice change, it appears as though the variant covers are being revealed ahead of time. That Mattina one is a thing of beauty, too.

DEATHSTROKE #42
written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST and ADAM GLASS
art and cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ
variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
“The Terminus Agenda” part two! Captured by the newest group of Teen Titans, Deathstroke finds himself powerless and restrained inside Damian’s secret prison. But when a crisis erupts, only Deathstroke stands between the Teen Titans and total disaster—can Robin swallow his pride to protect his team?
ON SALE 04.03.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+

TEEN TITANS #29
written by ADAM GLASS and CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by BERNARD CHANG
cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ
variant cover by MICO SUAYAN
“The Terminus Agenda” part three! After their last mission nearly ended in disaster, the Teen Titans are coming apart at the seams. As Deathstroke’s influence over Damian reaches new heights, the team must evaluate how far they are willing to go in their war on crime. And with the Teen Titans seemingly on the brink of destruction, a new threat reveals itself. And the worst enemies of all…come from within!
ON SALE 04.17.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T

Deathstroke March 2019 Solicitations

Hooray!  We get another crossover with the Titans!

First, in Deathstroke #41...

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by LARRY STROMAN and JASON PAZ
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
Variant cover by DAVE JOHNSON 

A prelude to “The Terminus Agenda”! The road to the highly anticipated Teen Titans/Deathstroke crossover event starts here! 

Deathstroke’s body count has grown even higher after murdering his therapist en route to escaping from Arkham Asylum, which prompts Commissioner Gordon to expose Slade’s identity as Deathstroke to the public! Now the world’s most wanted criminal, the walls are closing in on Slade Wilson, and a new threat, Damian Wayne’s newest Teen Titans, waits around the corner…Is there any hope of escape for the World’s Deadliest Assassin? 

ON SALE 03.06.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+

TEEN TITANS #28
Written by ADAM GLASS and CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by BERNARD CHANG
Cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN
Variant cover by MICO SUAYAN 

“The Terminus Agenda” part one! The hunter becomes the hunted as Robin and the Teen Titans set out to end Deathstroke once and for all! But no man has ever gone toe-to-toe with the World’s Deadliest Assassin and walked away unscathed! Lines will be crossed, secrets will be revealed and blood will be shed! Don’t miss the crossover event of the spring, which kicks off a bold new era for Teen Titans and Deathstroke! 

ON SALE 03.20.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T

Sounds like a blast!

It also sounds like Christopher Priest is hanging around for the foreseeable future. I have no reason to think otherwise but he has done such a marvelous job with this character that I dread the day he leaves him so I'm always on watch for some sign that he will.

Unlike the Lazarus Contract story from a couple of years ago, it doesn't appear that the other Titans team (the non-teen one) will be involved in this one. That's too bad because Deathstroke truly does not have much history with this Teen team. he's certainly built some with Damian Wayne at a rapid pace, as well, as kid Flash, but I don't believe he's had any interaction with the other members.

Also, I thought Slade Wilson's identity as Deathstroke was public anyway so I'm not sure what Gordon is actually revealing to anyone.  But then, maybe one of the great many universal reboots at DC has done away with all that. Who can keep track anymore?

Museum Masterline Batman (Comics) Deathstroke EX Version

Christmas shopping for a Deathstroke fan? For a mere $1000, you can get him or her a sharp as hell 30 to 36 inch (depending on accessory on display) Deathstroke figurine.

Here's the lowdown...

Prime 1 Studio is proud to present 1/3 scale MMDC-30: Deathstroke from DC Comics Universe.

In this comic version Deathstroke statue, you have more weapon options to choose such as right hand with Samurai sword or handgun and left hand with a sword or M4 Rifle. As more arm options, it’s able to switch out to several kinds of poses as you like.

For the head part, it comes with 2 alternate portraits both mask his ugly face. There is one more alternate portrait coming in the Exclusive version only, the mast with Half skull and Half mask. Deathstroke is standing under a Grim Reaper base design.

The above has that Google translate feel, doesn't it?

So what are your options?

• Size approximately 30 inches tall holding sword [(H):75.3cm (W):61cm (D):64cm]
• Size approximately 36 inches tall holding M4 Rifle [(H):89.5cm (W):61cm (D):68.7cm]
• One (1) Grim Reaper Design base
• One (1) Right-arm
• Two (2) alternate Regular Portrait
• Two (2) interchangeable Left-arms
• One (1) interchangeable Left-hand holding M4 Rifle
• One (1) interchangeable Left-hand holding a Sword
• One (1) interchangeable Right-hand holding a Samurai Sword
• One (1) interchangeable Right-hand holding Handgun

Man alive...Sure, you'll need to mortgage your house to afford it, but at least if includes every accessory under the sun. You'll never need another Deathstroke display again, so long as you can tolerate the New 52 version.

Full specs and details here.

Deathstroke #40 Soliciation

Deathstroke's tour of Arkham Asylum continues into 2019 and the kids are involved!

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN and JASON PAZ
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
Variant cover by DAVE JOHNSON 

Deathstroke’s son Jericho breaks into Arkham Asylum in an effort to free him, but Slade Wilson is caught up in his own conflict with the return of Dev—a.k.a. “Death Masque”—and the realization that his hallucinatory trip into outer space may have been more real than previously advertised! 

Meanwhile, Two-Face has Rose dead to rights—is there anyone left to save her? 

ON SALE 02.06.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.

Deathstroke #39 Solicitation

Man alive...Deathstroke spends more time in Arkham than The Joker.

• written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
• art by CARLO PAGULAYAN, FERNANDO PASARIN and JASON PAZ
• cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
• variant cover by DAVE JOHNSON

Slade is back in Arkham after his Zeta Beam jaunt to the planet Pulor…but did he ever actually leave? Is the alien invasion just a delusion? And who is this faux Deathstroke running around? 

A deep dive into Slade’s psyche, just in time to watch him lose his mind! 

ON SALE 01.09.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES

Deathstroke / Yogi Bear Variants

When the Deathstroke / Yogi Bear special was announced, the cover below was displayed as the main cover.

Recently, this second cover was revealed as a variant.

But Forbidden Planet, which calls itself the "the largest UK stockist of the latest comics and graphic novels" displays a different cover.

They make no reference to the above cover being another variant. They seem to list it as the regular cover. Perhaps a different cover is being used for the European market? In any event, I found it difficult to come by and therefore thought it might be worth sharing.

Revoltech Figure Available in January 2019.

I stand to be corrected, as I don't keep a close watch on the toy industry, but I believe this action figure was first announced in July. Kaiyodo has now released some images and, particularly from an articulation standpoint, they're quiet stunning.

The package will with the following items, according to Big Bad Toy Store.

• Maskless head 
• 2 Pair of hands 
• 2 Swords 
• 2 Sheaths 
• Assault rifle 
• Pistol 
• Bo staff 
• 2 Grenades 

It looks like it run ya approximately $80 U.S.  Check out several images over at Toy Ark.

Deathstroke, Jericho, To Appear in Titans TV Series

The following test is lifted from cbr.com.

Fans of the professional mercenary Deathstroke and his son, Jericho, will be pleased to hear that the duo will be coming to DC Universe’s upcoming live-action series Titans. The news was revealed today at New York Comic Con by one of the show’s executive producers, Geoff Johns. 

While Johns confirmed that Deathstroke will be showing up in Titans given enough time, he did make the curious addendum that the series’ Deathstroke might not be one fans are familiar with. 

“You’ll see Deathstroke in Titans eventually, but it’ll be a new version,” said Johns. “You’ll definitely see it in the show.” 

What exactly this means is anyone’s guess, but any changes made to the character could be meant to differentiate him from his various live-action incarnations in both the Arrowverse and the DC Extended Universe. 

Deathstroke was a fixture on The CW’s Arrow for some time, where he was played by Manu Bennett. The character was also featured in an after-credits stinger for the film Justice League, where he was played by Joe Manganiello. Manganiello is rumored to be reprising that role for Matt Reeves’ upcoming Batman solo movie. 

Deathstroke’s son, Joe Wilson, otherwise known as Jericho, has far less live-action representation. The character was played by Liam Hall on Arrow, but only appeared for a brief time. At the DC Universe panel, DC Co-Publisher Jim Lee revealed that Jericho will likely be making his way into the show, too. 

“Last night at dinner, Geoff and I were talking about Jericho,” said Lee. “So yes, definitely.” 

...

There’s no telling what form Deathstroke and Jericho will take in DC Universe’s Titans series, but, if the trailers for the series are any indication, there will likely be ample cussing and lots of blood when they show up. 

As there should be!

I just happened to read that a second Titans season is already planned so it may be a while until we see out favourite merc but it's great news nonetheless. I couldn't care less about Jericho, to tell the honest truth, but since Deathstroke's daughter Rose was once a Titan, the dark and violent tone would appear to make her a natural no-brainer of a fit. Fingers crossed.

Also, comicbook.com added that the quote above was said in reference to adapting The Judas Contract storyline.

When talking about a possible adaptation of "The Judas Contract," Johns told the audience at the panel that they "would be fools not to," Johns said. Given that Deathstroke is the major villain in that comic storyline, Titans would have to introduce him on the series sooner than later.

Titans debuts October 12th on the dcuniverse.com streaming service.

Deathstroke #38 Solicitation

Deathstroke's Arkham vacation continues this December!

• written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
• art by FERNANDO PASARIN
• cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
• variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA

Deathstroke finally meets his match: Arkham Asylum?! Now an inmate, Slade Wilson must prove his sanity so he can stop an alien invasion (what?). Before he can even attempt a breakout, he’s got to face off against angry Arkham inmates out to get him. And what’s Two-Face’s role in all this mayhem? He keeps showing up in two places at once! 

Meanwhile, Deathstroke’s daughter, Rose Wilson, is kidnapped! Can Jericho save his sister?

Arkham Continues in Deathstroke #37 This November!

DEATHSTROKE #37 

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by FERNANDO PASARIN
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
Variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA 

It’s Groundhog Day for Deathstroke. After experiencing a strange encounter with an inmate claiming to be an alien, Slade Wilson wakes up in Arkham Asylum as if nothing happened, and the only person who believes him is Harvey Dent, a.k.a. Two-Face! But can Two-Face be trusted? (Not likely.) And what machinations does Hugo Strange have in store for Deathstroke? 

ON SALE 11.07.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES

Deathstroke 36 Solicitation

In addition to the team-up (or battle against, whatever) with Yogi Bear, Deathstroke's own title continues in October with issue 36. What's in store following his scrap with Batman? Let's find out, courtesy of First Comics News this time.

DEATHSTROKE #36
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by ED BENES
Cover by TYLER KIRKHAM
variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA 

“Deathstroke: Arkham” starts here!

After being declared criminally insane, Deathstroke is committed to the infamous Arkham Asylum! It isn’t long before the hunter becomes the hunted as Slade, powerless and weaponless, is targeted by some of Gotham City’s most wanted. But after initially mocking and contravening the system meant to help him, Deathstroke learns that his only hope for survival may be to confront his own inner demons. 

ON SALE 10.03.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES

I had a moment of thinking "this again" until it struck me that...Deathstroke has never been in Arkham. The closest he's come is being included in a couple of the Arkham series of video games. And why should he be? He's not insane no matter what the solicitation text says, though clearly someone makes a convincing argument.

DEATHSTROKE / YOGI BEAR SPECIAL #1

I can't say I ever envisioned a day where Yogi Bear would have his own tag on this blog...

Building on recent success with other DC Comics/Hanna-Barbera team-ups, we have one of the world's great hunters stalking one of the most elusive animals in the forest.

DEATHSTROKE/YOGI BEAR SPECIAL #1 

Written by FRANK TIERI
Art by MARK TEXEIRA
cover by TYLER KIRKHAMvariant cover by PAOLO PANTALENA 

In Yellowstone Park, legends speak of a spirit bear referred to as “the Yogi,” which few if any have actually encountered. Real or not, when a bear seems to have graduated from stealing picnic baskets to kidnapping actual campers, Ranger Smith decides it’s time to stop this menace—so he calls on the services of Slade Wilson—a.k.a. Deathstroke—to get the job done.

Got to admit, Yogi's looking pretty bad-ass there though...Credit where it's due, I first came across the above information on Bleeding Cool.

Deathstroke #35 Solicitation

September looks like another lean month, unfortunately.

Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
Art by CARLO PAGULAYAN and JASON PAZ
Cover by ROBSON ROCHA and DANIEL HENRIQUES
Variant cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA 

In this corner: Deathstroke, suffering from a traumatic brain injury at the hands of Batman! In the other corner: Batman, with Deathstroke’s knife in his gut! All of this with the feds invading Wayne Manor—and now they’re in the catacombs under the mansion, which lead to the you-know-what-cave! If they’re going to escape, Batman and Slade are going to have to work together. 

ON SALE 09.05.18
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+

I believe this is the final part of the Batman vs Deathstroke mini-series-within-a-series. We'll wait and see if the Deathstroke title can retain some of the additional readership it picked up as a result of the bat's guest-appearance.