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Deathstroke: The Terminator (2026-) #1
Soldier-turned-superhuman assassin for hire Slade Wilson has made hundreds of enemies in his day, and now one of them is taking his world apart piece by piece. The hit is out on Deathstroke as he evolves into his purest form…a terminator out for revenge and ready to kill anyone who stands in his way. Prepare for brutal violence with over-the-top action and intrigue from the twisted mind of writer Tony Fleecs (Stray Dogs, Uncanny Valley) with pulse-pounding art by Carmine Di Giandomenico (Flash). DC’s contract killing bogeyman is back and bloodier than ever!
Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2026
About the author
Tony Fleecs
254 books79 followersTony Fleecs is the writer and artist of In My Lifetime, an autobiographical comic book. First published in 2006, ‘Lifetime was an immediate critical success, featured twice in Wizard Magazine, in the Comic Buyer’s Guide and on the Ain’t-It-Cool-News.
Fleecs has since been a contributor to anthologies including; Postcards: True Stories that Never Happened (nominated for the 2008 Eisner and Harvey awards for best anthology), Boom Studios’ Pulp Tales and C.B. Cebulski’s Wonderlost. He and writer, Josh Fialkov, provided the Li’l FireBreather backup stories for Phil Hester’s 2nd FireBreather series at Image Comics. Last year saw his first work for hire writing work when he scripted the comic book adaptation of the classic John Holmes film, Tell Them Johnny Wadd Is Here, widely regarded as the first comic book based on a porno to not be completely awful.
This year, Tony will co-write and illustrate the graphic novel Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth (again with Fialkov) for Oni Press.
His company Fleecs Design (who’s talent roster includes only himself) has a client list that features Disney, 20th Century Fox, Bongo Comics, Marvel/Rittenhouse, The Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinatti Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, Monster Garage, Taco John’s, major hospitals, insurance providers and banks.
His comics have been published by Random House (Villard), Image Comics, Silent Devil Productions, Boom!, IDW and Terminal Press.
Fleecs has since been a contributor to anthologies including; Postcards: True Stories that Never Happened (nominated for the 2008 Eisner and Harvey awards for best anthology), Boom Studios’ Pulp Tales and C.B. Cebulski’s Wonderlost. He and writer, Josh Fialkov, provided the Li’l FireBreather backup stories for Phil Hester’s 2nd FireBreather series at Image Comics. Last year saw his first work for hire writing work when he scripted the comic book adaptation of the classic John Holmes film, Tell Them Johnny Wadd Is Here, widely regarded as the first comic book based on a porno to not be completely awful.
This year, Tony will co-write and illustrate the graphic novel Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth (again with Fialkov) for Oni Press.
His company Fleecs Design (who’s talent roster includes only himself) has a client list that features Disney, 20th Century Fox, Bongo Comics, Marvel/Rittenhouse, The Milwaukee Brewers, Cincinatti Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, The Weinstein Company, Monster Garage, Taco John’s, major hospitals, insurance providers and banks.
His comics have been published by Random House (Villard), Image Comics, Silent Devil Productions, Boom!, IDW and Terminal Press.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 19, 2026
Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 delivers solid action and a gritty tone, with strong, cinematic artwork that really carries the issue. Slade feels dangerous and capable, which is always a plus.
That said, the story didn’t fully grab me. The revenge setup feels pretty familiar, and there’s not quite enough depth yet to elevate it beyond “just okay.”
A decent start, but I’m hoping it finds a stronger hook in the next issue.
That said, the story didn’t fully grab me. The revenge setup feels pretty familiar, and there’s not quite enough depth yet to elevate it beyond “just okay.”
A decent start, but I’m hoping it finds a stronger hook in the next issue.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2026
I didn’t want to like this because I can’t stand Deathstroke but for my girl Rose Wilson I subject myself to his shit time and time again (I also have enjoyed Tony Fleecs’ work in the past). It pays off sometimes because this issue was awesome. I was anticipating some kind of “twist” to set this new series off, and I was not disappointed. So congrats, five stars from me on a Deathstroke book, not to be taken lightly. Here’s to hoping they’ll let Rose be happy for once.
March 23, 2026
Mercenary/assassins seem to be getting a lot of #1s at the moment and this is another serviceable entry.
There is a lot of action in this one but it all feels a bit empty and effortless for Deathstroke. For such a legend, I'm surprised he never questioned the premise of why this target would be so heavily guarded.
The big development really requires having some connection to a character who I've never heard of - if they are a new character they require some more characterisation for me to care.
I'll admit to some intrigue in who the antagonist is going to be. I suspect a family member, possibly even Rose. It feels like the arc may hang on whether the antagonist reveal is ultimately satisfying.
The art is good but because I didn't find the action particularly interesting, or have any investment in the characters it didn't really shine and felt a bit functional. Some scenes in silhouette could have benefitted from being more distinctive - a razor thin (and overly long) bandana was a bit cryptic. Maybe if the story engaged me more, I could appreciate the art fully? The colouring did stand out and gave a neon night feel to all the night action and helped the art feel "modern".
While I wasn't taken by the book, I could see those who like full-on "cool" action will enjoy. Perhaps a "John Wick" crowd? I don't know Deathstroke well enough as a solo character to say whether fans would be at home with this book.
I'd say the recent debuts for "Punisher" and "Wade Wilson: Deadpool" were more enjoyable but that comes with the caveat I know the characters and felt the writer was giving me what I expected. For me, Deathstroke should be a character who is single-minded , always several steps ahead of everyone else, and able to take down stronger opponents because of that. This debut didn't really do that as he was taking out low level combatants and caught completely off-guard. But I'm informing my view of the character based on Geoff Johns "Teen Titans", "identity crisis" and "Arrow" which may be off the mark.
Overall = 2/5
Writing = 2/5
Art = 3/5
Will I read the next issue? No
Wait for the trade collection? Possibly as the main thrust of the series is only introduced towards the end of the issue. It probably depends on who the antagonist ends up as.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? This is a real issue 1.
Will I read previous issues? No
There is a lot of action in this one but it all feels a bit empty and effortless for Deathstroke. For such a legend, I'm surprised he never questioned the premise of why this target would be so heavily guarded.
The big development really requires having some connection to a character who I've never heard of - if they are a new character they require some more characterisation for me to care.
I'll admit to some intrigue in who the antagonist is going to be. I suspect a family member, possibly even Rose. It feels like the arc may hang on whether the antagonist reveal is ultimately satisfying.
The art is good but because I didn't find the action particularly interesting, or have any investment in the characters it didn't really shine and felt a bit functional. Some scenes in silhouette could have benefitted from being more distinctive - a razor thin (and overly long) bandana was a bit cryptic. Maybe if the story engaged me more, I could appreciate the art fully? The colouring did stand out and gave a neon night feel to all the night action and helped the art feel "modern".
While I wasn't taken by the book, I could see those who like full-on "cool" action will enjoy. Perhaps a "John Wick" crowd? I don't know Deathstroke well enough as a solo character to say whether fans would be at home with this book.
I'd say the recent debuts for "Punisher" and "Wade Wilson: Deadpool" were more enjoyable but that comes with the caveat I know the characters and felt the writer was giving me what I expected. For me, Deathstroke should be a character who is single-minded , always several steps ahead of everyone else, and able to take down stronger opponents because of that. This debut didn't really do that as he was taking out low level combatants and caught completely off-guard. But I'm informing my view of the character based on Geoff Johns "Teen Titans", "identity crisis" and "Arrow" which may be off the mark.
Overall = 2/5
Writing = 2/5
Art = 3/5
Will I read the next issue? No
Wait for the trade collection? Possibly as the main thrust of the series is only introduced towards the end of the issue. It probably depends on who the antagonist ends up as.
Did I need to read previous issues/series? This is a real issue 1.
Will I read previous issues? No
April 27, 2026
I really want to rate this a 3.5 star read but I am feeling generous to the overall direction of this series and the creators involved so I'll round up.
I don't have a lot of history with the character but I picked this up as part of the DC Next Level initiative. I was impressed with the big screen inspired explosive action provided by Carmine Di Giandomenico's art and I can pick up the history well enough from the way the story is told. I am somewhat at odds with the overall morality with the character but can admit that this can also be what is interesting about him, enough that there have been over 150 issues of his solo comic.
For me though I think I'll continue reading the series via the DC Infinite app. Maybe pick up the individual issues if I ever see a good deal on them.
I don't have a lot of history with the character but I picked this up as part of the DC Next Level initiative. I was impressed with the big screen inspired explosive action provided by Carmine Di Giandomenico's art and I can pick up the history well enough from the way the story is told. I am somewhat at odds with the overall morality with the character but can admit that this can also be what is interesting about him, enough that there have been over 150 issues of his solo comic.
For me though I think I'll continue reading the series via the DC Infinite app. Maybe pick up the individual issues if I ever see a good deal on them.
March 20, 2026
Un premier numéro plutôt sympathique qui cherche autant à se vendre sur l'action que sur l'émotionnel, même si ce second aspect est de la redite. Di Giandomenico est capable de tout, ici il livre une belle partie graphique, en espérant qu'il garde le cap.
April 13, 2026
Boring, unimaginative, repetitive oh man this is first disappointment in the next level series. In my younger years Slade Wilson was a character i adored but throughout adulthood for me he became dull and boring old man.
March 22, 2026
Wow, what a great first issue! I have not read a Deathstroke book before, though he has appeared in many of the books I have read. I have seen several versions of the character depending on the writer, some better than others, but I usually just shrugged when he showed up, thinking of him as just an assassin who is good at his job.
This issue completely changed my perspective. I loved every second of it, and based on the buzz I have heard, it seems to bring him back to what made the character so compelling in the first place. While this is still very much an introduction to Deathstroke and parts of his mythos, it does not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary details. Instead, it works as a strong jumping-on point and immediately raises the stakes for what is to come.
The art was fantastic as well and really pulled me into the story. I could not recommend this issue more. Grade: A
This issue completely changed my perspective. I loved every second of it, and based on the buzz I have heard, it seems to bring him back to what made the character so compelling in the first place. While this is still very much an introduction to Deathstroke and parts of his mythos, it does not overwhelm the reader with unnecessary details. Instead, it works as a strong jumping-on point and immediately raises the stakes for what is to come.
The art was fantastic as well and really pulled me into the story. I could not recommend this issue more. Grade: A
March 19, 2026
What…I for one did not see that twist nor turn coming from a mile away, that was a wild ride and we are only getting started. There is no such thing as holding back. This issue starts out on a fairly normal note, Deathstroke concerned anyway, as Wintergreen (Slade’s butler, advisor, and friend) met with Rose Wilson to try and convince her to come into the business to help Slade out as Wintergreen is growing old and can’t do it anymore. But Rose, pretty rightfully as well, refuses to. She knows her father will never change and refuses to help a killer who masquerades as a mercenary. But as we jump into the field with Slade we find him armored out to the brim, wintergreen on comms in his ear, scoping out his current job to take out a Cale industries whistleblower located deep within a compound surrounded and filled with highly trained guards. Wintergreen didn’t have a lot of information, he doesn’t even know who the client is as they paid extra for a blind drop, but wintergreen continues to anger Slade by sidetracking the conversation to a convo about Rose and Wintergreen’s desire for Slade to reach out to her. One comment I find hilarious is that when Slade finds out the target is a divorced father of three, Slade responds with: “Hey, just like me.” LMAO. At the moment Slade is in a large parking garage opposite the compound outfitting a truck with a ton of explosives. The client doesn’t get to dictate how they like the job done and the recommendation for “quietly” goes unheard as Slade gets on top of the truck, absolutely sends it out of the parking garage, and proceeds to fire his assault rifle from the top as it crashes down on the front defense in an inferno as Slade aura farms his way out of the smoke. As Slade fights his way through the compound the chaos is overlapped with a quite calming letter from Slade to Rose. He starts with an apology as she only wanted him to reach out when he was ready it change…and he still isn’t, but things are changed find around him and it’s not good. As Slade continues to fight he apprehends one of their bikes, outfitting it with more explosives and sending it right into the next guard post. There is another hilarious moment where a guard at the post gets a call from the tower about the terminator breaking in, prompting him to take his 15 minute break…only to walk out and find the motorcycle, packed with explosives, charging towards him.
As the very loud infiltration continues, Slade thinks back on his life and how ordered it was. How he was a trained weapon even before the super soldier treatment that gave him strength and a healing factor. He talks about his first love, something he sees as a weakness who found even more of his weakness, and how hard bread to maintain personal relationships (gee I wonder why…cough cough Judas contract you monster). As Slade infiltrates the complex he is able to follow, using his display visor, the route inside but he has no intel on who could be in his way. Which led to a HUGE surprise for me as none other than the healing factor assassins out of the pages of resurrection man known as the body doubles are there to guard the place!! Hahahaha, what a pull! I find it kinda funny and kinda sexist that Slade has had no remorse so far in killing any random guard in his way, but the moment he started fighting these two female assassins he had thoughts about holding back…until he realized they had healing factors. Unfortunately for him they are still a bit faster, and before he could shoot them they shoved a sword in his stomach bringing back all kinds of memories from events I haven’t read yet as he talks to Rose about all the losses he has faced in his life. But it only takes him a moment to pull the sword out and immediately stab it into Carmen as he shoots Bonny and continues on his way to the target.
But as Deathstroke slams down the door to the room where the target should be…he instead finds wintergreen bleeding out in a chair…dead. Attached to him is a note…”Slade-I’m taking everything.” Slade looks over to see a transfer completing from Deathstroke Inc…all of his funds are gone and he can’t stop it. The last word of his note to Rose was a promise that she would always be taken care of as wintergreen has access to all the accounts and loves her like his own. But now all of that is gone in an instant. Slade is once again surrounded as he quickly guns down any of the armored officers that cane in. But as he used wintergreen as a meat shield, with the promise that he would have done the same for him, Slade suddenly had a voice in his ear mimicking wintergreen once more only to reveal that there is a bomb strapped to the bottom of the chair wintergreen is in! As the issue comes to a close the bomb goes off and engulfs Slade. As the dust settles the officers try and search the rubble to make sure he is dead, only to find something moving as a bloody Slade bursts free ready to take everything from the person who took all his money and his best friend.
“I am changing, Rose. That’s the thing…I was just a killer. Now I’m something worse.”
As the very loud infiltration continues, Slade thinks back on his life and how ordered it was. How he was a trained weapon even before the super soldier treatment that gave him strength and a healing factor. He talks about his first love, something he sees as a weakness who found even more of his weakness, and how hard bread to maintain personal relationships (gee I wonder why…cough cough Judas contract you monster). As Slade infiltrates the complex he is able to follow, using his display visor, the route inside but he has no intel on who could be in his way. Which led to a HUGE surprise for me as none other than the healing factor assassins out of the pages of resurrection man known as the body doubles are there to guard the place!! Hahahaha, what a pull! I find it kinda funny and kinda sexist that Slade has had no remorse so far in killing any random guard in his way, but the moment he started fighting these two female assassins he had thoughts about holding back…until he realized they had healing factors. Unfortunately for him they are still a bit faster, and before he could shoot them they shoved a sword in his stomach bringing back all kinds of memories from events I haven’t read yet as he talks to Rose about all the losses he has faced in his life. But it only takes him a moment to pull the sword out and immediately stab it into Carmen as he shoots Bonny and continues on his way to the target.
But as Deathstroke slams down the door to the room where the target should be…he instead finds wintergreen bleeding out in a chair…dead. Attached to him is a note…”Slade-I’m taking everything.” Slade looks over to see a transfer completing from Deathstroke Inc…all of his funds are gone and he can’t stop it. The last word of his note to Rose was a promise that she would always be taken care of as wintergreen has access to all the accounts and loves her like his own. But now all of that is gone in an instant. Slade is once again surrounded as he quickly guns down any of the armored officers that cane in. But as he used wintergreen as a meat shield, with the promise that he would have done the same for him, Slade suddenly had a voice in his ear mimicking wintergreen once more only to reveal that there is a bomb strapped to the bottom of the chair wintergreen is in! As the issue comes to a close the bomb goes off and engulfs Slade. As the dust settles the officers try and search the rubble to make sure he is dead, only to find something moving as a bloody Slade bursts free ready to take everything from the person who took all his money and his best friend.
“I am changing, Rose. That’s the thing…I was just a killer. Now I’m something worse.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2026
Desde luego se sobreentiende el interés en tener a Deathstroke en esta remesa de nuevas cabeceras "cara B" del panorama ALL IN. El personaje sigue teniendo un impacto visual tremebundo, y el artista escogido para esta etapa, Carmín de Giandomenico, ofrece un gran recital de lo que quiere explotar con la acción desenfrenada de The Terminator en la enésima trama donde la profesión de mercenario internacional se vuelve en contra de Slade Wilson. Aunque esta vez de entrada ya se lleva por delante a alguien muy cercano al personaje. Tony Fleecs tiene mucho que defender en el próximo número para que esto no se sienta como una "excusa editorial" para rellenar espacio de Next Level y mantener vigente a este personaje.
April 6, 2026
What a way to start the series. Deathstroke is a contracted, super ability having hitman, who struggles with his relationship with his daughter. On his mission, he gets tricked. His only friend gets killed and everything he has finance wise, gets stolen from his bank. He is now PISSED off and is going to seek revenge. He first needs to find who contacted him.
This was an awesome start. The story is nothing new, but captivating. The best part is the art and the action scenes. He is unstoppable. He is a beast. He wrecked havoc. It was awesome!
This was an awesome start. The story is nothing new, but captivating. The best part is the art and the action scenes. He is unstoppable. He is a beast. He wrecked havoc. It was awesome!
April 19, 2026
To me this one is kind of a disappointment, I mean you have Deathstroke #1 with the name "the terminator" in the title and even though the action is very frequent it kind of seems like it's also censured and weak, so it losses impact at what the main character is supposed to be (ruthless, cruel and extreme violent). It didn't resonate with me the way that I expected so I guess I'll have to continue reading to see where this goes.
Btw, as others said I really don't understand why Deathstroke never questions himself whom the client is and why he's so protected.
Btw, as others said I really don't understand why Deathstroke never questions himself whom the client is and why he's so protected.
May 16, 2026
"...he's a killer."
This was such a very good start! Damn, somebody is coming for Deathstroke at a high level and they've now taken EVERYTHING! This was action packed, high energy, fast-paced entertainment. I enjoyed it all. You know it's all about to go to sh*t when you come for a killer's very own. And, rightfully so. What's next is the question on my mind as well as who is behind the takedown?
4.5/5.
This was such a very good start! Damn, somebody is coming for Deathstroke at a high level and they've now taken EVERYTHING! This was action packed, high energy, fast-paced entertainment. I enjoyed it all. You know it's all about to go to sh*t when you come for a killer's very own. And, rightfully so. What's next is the question on my mind as well as who is behind the takedown?
4.5/5.
March 19, 2026
I have to say this first issue felt pretty weak. It didn’t really feel enjoyable or engaging at all. Also the art style alright, nothing really crazy. Not sure if I’ll pick up the next issue, but who knows… I’ll see.
March 22, 2026
really a return to form
I loved the original Deathstroke comic run, but so many of the recent runs seem to be suffering from an identity crisis. This though felt like a return to what makes the character great.
I loved the original Deathstroke comic run, but so many of the recent runs seem to be suffering from an identity crisis. This though felt like a return to what makes the character great.
March 23, 2026
This was such a strong first issue! I had very little knowledge of Deathstroke in general, but I liked Rose in the comics she appeared in (the few I've read) so here I am. And it was really worth it. The art is amazing and the set-up was really strong, very excited to read more!
March 23, 2026
another one I wasn't going to pick up. never minded him as a Batman villain but also never got into Deathstroke. however Fleecs kicks this of with a bang and treats it like a pure action movie. plus Di Giabdomenico's art is bright, bold and beautifully detailed. definitely picking up issue #2
March 18, 2026
apa pun tentang Deathstroke gue suka 😋😋😋 I hope this Deathstroke series will have the same vibes as the classic DS and won't ruin his characterization.
March 18, 2026
This is my first Deathstroke comic I’ve read. I liked the letter to his daughter and how that parallels with the story at hand.
March 18, 2026
Slade Wilson is a killer, a mercenary, and his money was stolen?? All he cares about really. This issue is gorey and action packed. Excited for more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2026
I loved it! Keep this series at this high level of intensity!
March 21, 2026
Gritty and quite enjoyable.
March 21, 2026
Deathstroke- The terminator 1: Lleno de acción, deathstroke está desatado. piensa que ya no siente nada y que se está convirtiendo en algo peor que un asesino. Ganas del siguiente número
March 22, 2026
Awesome issue of Deathstroke.
Superb artwork and storyline.
Plenty of action and suspense.
Superb artwork and storyline.
Plenty of action and suspense.
March 27, 2026
Hell yeah
So happy Slade Wilson is back baby! The freakin Terminator! Long overdue return. Super excited to see this series through. Very good!
So happy Slade Wilson is back baby! The freakin Terminator! Long overdue return. Super excited to see this series through. Very good!
April 16, 2026
Awesome! Can't wait to read the next issue
April 17, 2026
Issue 2 even better than one.
Great art. Fun story. Action packed non stop.
Great art. Fun story. Action packed non stop.
April 18, 2026
Solid start and really sucked me in. I am not a huge Deathstroke guy, but I loved this issue.
April 24, 2026
This was a better read than DC's Go! version. I was NOT expecting Wintergreen to die, everybody's Alfreds are dying!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews