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!