Deathstroke Vs. Batman

Credit to Bleeding Cool.

Looking forward to an official announcement for this when the April solicitations are revealed. I assumed it's a mini-series and not a replacement to the regular Deathstroke title. To my knowledge, Deathstroke still sells well enough to continue for a while longer.

I'm curious as to the reason for the feud as well. It isn't as though these two haven't crossed paths numerous times in the past. They did in the City of Assassins story from volume one (issues 6 to 9) and in issue 4 of volume three in early 2015. Sandwiched between the two was a lengthy scrap in Detective Comics 710 in 1997, the cover to which, interestingly, was also done by Lee Weeks.

More recently, Deathstroke (and Deadshot) appeared briefly in part 3 of The War Of Jokes And Riddles in the main Batman book...

...and of course Batman also showed up in Deathstroke's current book. And that encounter was pure genius. Two strategic masterminds "fighting" one another without throwing a punch. It had been quite some time since I'd read something that cleverly done.

Christopher Priest wrote that issue so naturally expectations will be high for the Deathstroke/Batman book. He's set himself a high bar but there's every reason to believe he'll deliver.

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.