Deathstroke #21 –
DC Comics
Written by Priest
Pencils by Diogenes Neves
Inks by Jason Paz
Color by Jeromy Cox
Letters by Willie Schubert
Cover by Ryan Sook
It’s not uncommon for characters to have transformations over the course of their various runs in comics. Villains become heroes, heroes become villains, not to mention anti-heroes and so on. Then you look at someone like Deathstroke, and you have to wonder if what you’re seeing is true. So after the events of The Lazarus Contract, I had to see for myself what kind of Slade would come out of that. Time to enter the pages of the Eisner Award nominated, Deathstroke series from DC Comics.
(WARNING! Contains spoiler for the previous The Lazarus Contract storyline that spanned Titans, Teen Titans and Deathstroke.)
Slade Wilson has not only decided to stop being Deathstroke, but he is turning over a new leaf with a new team. He’s reformed, and looking for a chance at redemption. This book immediately tests your belief in if this is actually possible or not. It seems like such a natural feeling to not just simply accept this turn of events to me, so this book did not disappoint. Other than Slade, we get to see a bit of the dynamics of the new Defiance team. If you have been reading this book, Titans, Teen Titans and/or The Flash you are probably already familiar with the principle players here. It’s also no secret how they feel about this new Slade. Not to mention the family dynamic of a “loyal” daughter, a son on a mission and an ex-wife who is trying to assert herself. I won’t spoil any of the details, but I will tell you this…there is a BIG payoff at the end of this book. You may not be completely surprised, but if you’re a loyal Teen Titans comic book fan, you will love the reveal in the final page of this book.
I will freely admit that I wasn’t a huge fan of this series during the first Rebirth arc. I jumped back in after several issue, and I am glad that I did. What Priest is giving us here feel fresh, compelling and gives us several different angles to consider. Not only is the seed of doubt planted about Slade, but you have that anticipation of the fallout of the big reveal at the end. I was immersed in this story from the start, and the amazing art had me closely studying each panel. It doesn’t hurt that on of my favorite artist, Ryan Sook, did the cover this this either. This is the Deathstroke story I never knew I wanted, but now am very happy that we all have.
RATING: PULL / BUY