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Deathstroke (2016)
Deathstroke, Vol. 1: The Professional
Deathstroke may be one of the most hardened anti-heroes in the DC Universe, but there's no cutting corners when it comes to contract killing, especially when your family is on the hit list!
Confronted by his own troubled past and challenged to reinvent himself before he loses everything and everyone in his life, Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke, finds himself and those he values most in the crosshairs--stalked by an unseen enemy.
Collecting: Deathstroke 1-5, Rebirth
Confronted by his own troubled past and challenged to reinvent himself before he loses everything and everyone in his life, Slade Wilson, a.k.a. Deathstroke, finds himself and those he values most in the crosshairs--stalked by an unseen enemy.
Collecting: Deathstroke 1-5, Rebirth
144 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2017
127 people are currently reading
1065 people want to read
About the author
Christopher J. Priest
1,058 books188 followersFormerly (before 1993) known as James or Jim Owsley.
Christopher James Priest is a critically acclaimed novelist and comic book writer. Priest is the first African-American writer and editor for Marvel and DC Comics. His groundbreaking Black Panther series was lauded by Entertainment Weekly and The Village Voice and will serve as the basis for the 2018 Marvel Cinematic Universe adaption.
Besides Black Panther, Priest has written comics for Conan, Steel, Green Lantern, The Crew and edited The Amazing Spider-Man. He also co-created Quantum & Woody along with Mark Bright and co-founded Milestone Media.
After a decade long hiatus he is currently writing comic books again and recently concluded a stint writing the comic book Deathstroke (2016-2019).
In addition to being a writer, Christopher J. Priest is also a baptist minister.
Christopher James Priest is a critically acclaimed novelist and comic book writer. Priest is the first African-American writer and editor for Marvel and DC Comics. His groundbreaking Black Panther series was lauded by Entertainment Weekly and The Village Voice and will serve as the basis for the 2018 Marvel Cinematic Universe adaption.
Besides Black Panther, Priest has written comics for Conan, Steel, Green Lantern, The Crew and edited The Amazing Spider-Man. He also co-created Quantum & Woody along with Mark Bright and co-founded Milestone Media.
After a decade long hiatus he is currently writing comic books again and recently concluded a stint writing the comic book Deathstroke (2016-2019).
In addition to being a writer, Christopher J. Priest is also a baptist minister.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 196 reviews
May 7, 2018
I really wanted to like this because I really like Christopher Priest.
But there were just too many moments that I just kind of shook my head, re-read a few pages, and then went...Wait. What?
I know who Deathstroke is and I know some backstory on his character, but I don't think I'm alone when I say that I don't have an encyclopedic knowledge of everything about the guy.
It's Deathstroke, not Superman, you know?
A little re-cap wouldn't hurt.
So, I don't know whether I'm just missing too much information that I should already know about Slade Wilson (who the fuck is Wintergreen?) or if Priest just did a piss-poor job telling the story? I get that it was supposed to be all twisty with these big reveals to make you GASP!
But almost all of it was (to me) extremely confusing. I know I'm not the smartest person out there, but I shouldn't have had to read, re-read, and re-read again...just to finally sort of get the gist of what was going on. Maybe?
I don't know. I liked Rose and since a lot of the story (towards the end) revolves around her, I'm willing to keep going. Hopefully, this was just a bumpy start.
But there were just too many moments that I just kind of shook my head, re-read a few pages, and then went...Wait. What?
I know who Deathstroke is and I know some backstory on his character, but I don't think I'm alone when I say that I don't have an encyclopedic knowledge of everything about the guy.
It's Deathstroke, not Superman, you know?
A little re-cap wouldn't hurt.
So, I don't know whether I'm just missing too much information that I should already know about Slade Wilson (who the fuck is Wintergreen?) or if Priest just did a piss-poor job telling the story? I get that it was supposed to be all twisty with these big reveals to make you GASP!
But almost all of it was (to me) extremely confusing. I know I'm not the smartest person out there, but I shouldn't have had to read, re-read, and re-read again...just to finally sort of get the gist of what was going on. Maybe?
I don't know. I liked Rose and since a lot of the story (towards the end) revolves around her, I'm willing to keep going. Hopefully, this was just a bumpy start.
March 14, 2017
Did you know Rebirth is a massive hit for DC? They’re selling a buttload of these comics! But is anyone reading them? Because if they are, how are DC still managing to sell so many comics when they’re this bad?? I’m honestly at a loss to explain it.
Despite his horrendous Black Panther comics at Marvel, I was willing to give Christopher Priest another shot but after Deathstroke Rebirth, that’s it. I’m never reading another Christopher Priest comic again!
After some meandering drivel in Africa, Deathstroke is reunited with his long-lost daughter Rose who’s being targeted by someone and he decides to save her by killing her assassin. Also Batman makes a cameo.
Are you familiar with Deathstroke? Because if you’re not, you’re gonna be really lost as Priest doesn’t give you any help on the character’s background. We’re just meant to know who Wintergreen is, what happened to Slade’s first family, and how his daughter Rose came to be. Not just who her mother was and how that came about, but WHY did she become Ravager, following in her dad’s footsteps – does she even like her estranged father? She had a relationship with Nightwing - was she training to be a good guy and then got sidetracked? I know Rebirth is about returning to classic continuity but a little bit on his history would’ve gone a long way, particularly for the new readers jumping on for the first time.
Priest is a shockingly incapable writer on every level. I mean, he doesn’t attempt establish who Deathstroke is. HOW did Slade Wilson go from being a loving father and husband to a cold-hearted tosspot assassin? WHY did he become an assassin and where did “Deathstroke” come from? If you didn’t know he had a healing factor, you’d wonder how in the fuck he could survive a bullet to the back of the head (his healing factor is mentioned dozens of pages after that panel)!
Besides the lack of information on the characters and the barely coherent, uninteresting and instantly forgettable story, Priest ineptly jumps back and forth in time. It’s so jarring and needlessly complicated - a caption to tell us we’re in the past would’ve been useful considering Slade looks the same in the past as he does in the present!
It’d have been good too if Deathstroke was even remotely likeable. Some writers with much more talent than Priest can make readers like completely degenerate scumbags but I hated Deathstroke from the beginning to the end. He’s a stoic, miserable cunt who I wished nothing but pain and suffering on every page. Rooting for him? HA! The only positive about this guy is that Marvel ripped him off to create the vastly better character Deadpool (Slade Wilson/Wade Wilson, both are assassins, both have swords and guns, both have healing factors, both have full face masks).
Priest is also completely detached from contemporary culture and modern kids which wouldn’t matter if he didn’t have to write a kid character. He writes the most horrible Damian Wayne I’ve read yet who makes ‘70s sitcom references to “Maude” in his dialogue. Kids these days have NEVER heard the theme song to Maude (unless they remember that one scene from Family Guy) and wouldn’t quote “And then there’s Maude”! Priest is 55 years old and would’ve been a kid when he saw those shows growing up in the ‘70s so HE would make those references but he’s so crappy and lazy a writer that he can’t even attempt to make plausible references to 21st century shows.
This was horrible! I guess Carlo Pagulayan’s art was competent but I loathed Priest’s bad writing and hopeless storytelling so much I couldn’t enjoy it in the least. Maybe established Deathstroke fans might get more out of this but I’ve gotta warn you that Christopher Priest’s writing is utterly abhorrent and might ruin it for you too. Deathstroke, Volume 1: The Professional SUCKED.
Despite his horrendous Black Panther comics at Marvel, I was willing to give Christopher Priest another shot but after Deathstroke Rebirth, that’s it. I’m never reading another Christopher Priest comic again!
After some meandering drivel in Africa, Deathstroke is reunited with his long-lost daughter Rose who’s being targeted by someone and he decides to save her by killing her assassin. Also Batman makes a cameo.
Are you familiar with Deathstroke? Because if you’re not, you’re gonna be really lost as Priest doesn’t give you any help on the character’s background. We’re just meant to know who Wintergreen is, what happened to Slade’s first family, and how his daughter Rose came to be. Not just who her mother was and how that came about, but WHY did she become Ravager, following in her dad’s footsteps – does she even like her estranged father? She had a relationship with Nightwing - was she training to be a good guy and then got sidetracked? I know Rebirth is about returning to classic continuity but a little bit on his history would’ve gone a long way, particularly for the new readers jumping on for the first time.
Priest is a shockingly incapable writer on every level. I mean, he doesn’t attempt establish who Deathstroke is. HOW did Slade Wilson go from being a loving father and husband to a cold-hearted tosspot assassin? WHY did he become an assassin and where did “Deathstroke” come from? If you didn’t know he had a healing factor, you’d wonder how in the fuck he could survive a bullet to the back of the head (his healing factor is mentioned dozens of pages after that panel)!
Besides the lack of information on the characters and the barely coherent, uninteresting and instantly forgettable story, Priest ineptly jumps back and forth in time. It’s so jarring and needlessly complicated - a caption to tell us we’re in the past would’ve been useful considering Slade looks the same in the past as he does in the present!
It’d have been good too if Deathstroke was even remotely likeable. Some writers with much more talent than Priest can make readers like completely degenerate scumbags but I hated Deathstroke from the beginning to the end. He’s a stoic, miserable cunt who I wished nothing but pain and suffering on every page. Rooting for him? HA! The only positive about this guy is that Marvel ripped him off to create the vastly better character Deadpool (Slade Wilson/Wade Wilson, both are assassins, both have swords and guns, both have healing factors, both have full face masks).
Priest is also completely detached from contemporary culture and modern kids which wouldn’t matter if he didn’t have to write a kid character. He writes the most horrible Damian Wayne I’ve read yet who makes ‘70s sitcom references to “Maude” in his dialogue. Kids these days have NEVER heard the theme song to Maude (unless they remember that one scene from Family Guy) and wouldn’t quote “And then there’s Maude”! Priest is 55 years old and would’ve been a kid when he saw those shows growing up in the ‘70s so HE would make those references but he’s so crappy and lazy a writer that he can’t even attempt to make plausible references to 21st century shows.
This was horrible! I guess Carlo Pagulayan’s art was competent but I loathed Priest’s bad writing and hopeless storytelling so much I couldn’t enjoy it in the least. Maybe established Deathstroke fans might get more out of this but I’ve gotta warn you that Christopher Priest’s writing is utterly abhorrent and might ruin it for you too. Deathstroke, Volume 1: The Professional SUCKED.
March 19, 2017
At first I didn't like it. The first two issues are confusing, jumbled, and pretty hard to following. Then it starts panning out, and you get into it, and then it clicks. It's a lot of fun when Damien and Batman come in. Batman being cold and calculated and Damien being a little shit in the best way possible. Works well to see the two work with Deathstroke and Rose (his daughter).
Listen I don't like Slade much. I never understood the hype around him. I believe Judas Contract is veryyyyyy overrated. So I was surprised how much I did enjoy this. I think it comes down to Priest writing. It's not conventional. Sometimes very confusing. However it stays fun and I feel that's something missing from comic books a lot now days.
The dialog is sharp most of the time, super fun moments, and over the top action you learn to love. Especially Superman vs Deathstroke, very fun. On the flipside there is some bad. The story isn't easy to follow, feels like in the middle of an arc half the time, and it can be a bit over the top for some. However if get into the groove I think Deathstroke offers plenty of fun moments. Check it out!
Listen I don't like Slade much. I never understood the hype around him. I believe Judas Contract is veryyyyyy overrated. So I was surprised how much I did enjoy this. I think it comes down to Priest writing. It's not conventional. Sometimes very confusing. However it stays fun and I feel that's something missing from comic books a lot now days.
The dialog is sharp most of the time, super fun moments, and over the top action you learn to love. Especially Superman vs Deathstroke, very fun. On the flipside there is some bad. The story isn't easy to follow, feels like in the middle of an arc half the time, and it can be a bit over the top for some. However if get into the groove I think Deathstroke offers plenty of fun moments. Check it out!
April 12, 2017
Issues with Batman were okay. Everything before that was pretty meh. Artwork wasn't to my liking, at all. Full review to come.
August 28, 2022
In this book, the author goes for a style that switches time periods every so often. It reminded me of something from David Aja's Hawkeye run or Immortal Hulk, Vol. 3: Hulk In Hell. Sometimes this style can work for me, but other times it can just be super confusing. And in the beginning, it was confusing. And in like an annoying way. I feel like a needed to take notes to keep track of everything.
Eventually, about halfway through they slowly start to abandon that style. And that's when the confusion stops, and I actually start to enjoy the story. Which honestly just makes me really exited to read the next volume.
I (sort of) recommend.
April 24, 2019
I was not expecting a masterpiece and it is not a masterpiece, but as I (finally) am trying various Rebirth titles, this is the most promising first volume I’ve read from the Rebirth line so far.
“Well, is that really saying much for you, L.?”
Good point if you go over them:
DC Universe Rebirth One Shot- Meh. Not bad but didn’t particularly like it.
Detective Comics- Absolutely hated.
Harley Quinn- Pretty terrible despite the art.
Nightwing- Good. Fun but nothing great.
Wonder Woman- Very good but still not particularly great.
If there are any other ones I read, I don’t remember them. This however... this is in the great category.
What’s it about?
During a mission, Deathstroke’s past catches up with him in some shocking ways. Now Deathstroke must save his family as he tries to become a better person. Oh and there’s a bit of a squabble that goes on
Pros:
The story is interesting. Sure, some might argue that it’s what you’d expect from a gritty action comic but, that’s still fun and this is a bit more story focused than many similar comics.
The art is pretty good. It’s what many would consider typical DC art (which I often like) but with a bit of a more film noir (not black and white though) tone at times. I think it’s really cool.
The characters are pretty interesting and bad-ass.
There is a lot of exciting, bloody action. It is much grittier than most DC comics but I enjoy gritty action so that works for me! This is a book that would definitely appeal to fans of action.
There’s some well done comic relief.
This is more unpredictable than I expected.
Cons:
This volume ended at a spot that seemed kind of weird to me. Like, the ending isn’t bad just a slightly odd place for a volume to end, IDK why.
There’s a bit of subtle political commentary and while it’s not terrible or preachy it felt a bit out of place. Sorta like it was just there, perhaps in an attempt to seem more relevant, just didn’t seem like it was needed.
The narrative is a bit jumpy. It goes back and forth between different things, I personally don’t like when things do that, it just makes it a bit more confusing.
Overall:
This is really great and I’m definitely adding volume 2 to my reading list. Sure I had a few problems but they were mostly minor and I’m a nit-picky asshole so...
It’s an interesting story with cool art, fantastic action, some suspense, interesting characters and a touch of well done comic relief... yeah, I’d say it’s a winner.
An exciting comic that works very well for DC fans and probably a bit for people who like actiony, gritty tales but may not necessarily be into DC. I recommend this one!
4/5
“Well, is that really saying much for you, L.?”
Good point if you go over them:
DC Universe Rebirth One Shot- Meh. Not bad but didn’t particularly like it.
Detective Comics- Absolutely hated.
Harley Quinn- Pretty terrible despite the art.
Nightwing- Good. Fun but nothing great.
Wonder Woman- Very good but still not particularly great.
If there are any other ones I read, I don’t remember them. This however... this is in the great category.
What’s it about?
During a mission, Deathstroke’s past catches up with him in some shocking ways. Now Deathstroke must save his family as he tries to become a better person. Oh and there’s a bit of a squabble that goes on
Pros:
The story is interesting. Sure, some might argue that it’s what you’d expect from a gritty action comic but, that’s still fun and this is a bit more story focused than many similar comics.
The art is pretty good. It’s what many would consider typical DC art (which I often like) but with a bit of a more film noir (not black and white though) tone at times. I think it’s really cool.
The characters are pretty interesting and bad-ass.
There is a lot of exciting, bloody action. It is much grittier than most DC comics but I enjoy gritty action so that works for me! This is a book that would definitely appeal to fans of action.
There’s some well done comic relief.
This is more unpredictable than I expected.
Cons:
This volume ended at a spot that seemed kind of weird to me. Like, the ending isn’t bad just a slightly odd place for a volume to end, IDK why.
There’s a bit of subtle political commentary and while it’s not terrible or preachy it felt a bit out of place. Sorta like it was just there, perhaps in an attempt to seem more relevant, just didn’t seem like it was needed.
The narrative is a bit jumpy. It goes back and forth between different things, I personally don’t like when things do that, it just makes it a bit more confusing.
Overall:
This is really great and I’m definitely adding volume 2 to my reading list. Sure I had a few problems but they were mostly minor and I’m a nit-picky asshole so...
It’s an interesting story with cool art, fantastic action, some suspense, interesting characters and a touch of well done comic relief... yeah, I’d say it’s a winner.
An exciting comic that works very well for DC fans and probably a bit for people who like actiony, gritty tales but may not necessarily be into DC. I recommend this one!
4/5
May 22, 2018
Had this mixed up with Deathstroke, Volume 1: Legacy instead. Sorry if I have steered anyone wrong. But, I hear this newer collection is no better...
April 16, 2017
I received an eARC copy of this graphic novel from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
First off, I loved the artwork. The characters were drawn vividly and the color really jumps out and is pleasing to the eye.
But. The story? Eh. There were good moments, but overall it was pretty disjointed. Even within each issue, the storyline jumps from past to present to not as past but more past than present to kinda present to huh?
And, where I though this was a reboot of sorts, it did not help a new reader (me) to understand who was who or who was in relation to each other and whatnot. I'd recently read another Rebirth title, Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault, and very much got the feeling that it was meant as an introduction to the team and characters. This one seemed to require a good bit of prior knowledge of who Slade Wilson is and how he relates to the side characters.
I do find Slade interesting, but would like a more linear way of learning about him. All I knew going in was what I'd seen on Arrow and a brief appearance with The New Suicide Squad during the New 52.
First off, I loved the artwork. The characters were drawn vividly and the color really jumps out and is pleasing to the eye.
But. The story? Eh. There were good moments, but overall it was pretty disjointed. Even within each issue, the storyline jumps from past to present to not as past but more past than present to kinda present to huh?
And, where I though this was a reboot of sorts, it did not help a new reader (me) to understand who was who or who was in relation to each other and whatnot. I'd recently read another Rebirth title, Suicide Squad, Volume 1: The Black Vault, and very much got the feeling that it was meant as an introduction to the team and characters. This one seemed to require a good bit of prior knowledge of who Slade Wilson is and how he relates to the side characters.
I do find Slade interesting, but would like a more linear way of learning about him. All I knew going in was what I'd seen on Arrow and a brief appearance with The New Suicide Squad during the New 52.
March 15, 2017
I didn't care for the beginning of the series. It was a little too grim and gritty for me. But then Christopher Priest brought in those same storytelling methods that made his Black Panther series so great. Once Rose shows up the book really takes off. Her relationship with Slade is fantastic. I'd really like to see Priest write a series featuring Damien Wayne after his appearance in this book. I love how Damien is written as this snotty, little shit. He's hilarious. Carlo Pagulayan and Joe Bennett knock it out of the park with the art. It's spectacular. I really liked how Rose's clairvoyance is portrayed visually. I'm really looking forward to reading more as long as Priest is writing the book.
Received an advance copy from DC and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
Received an advance copy from DC and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
December 10, 2024
Pretty good, but did I really need to see Slade’s bootycheeks?? 😭
September 21, 2017
Wow! I don't think I've read anything having to do with Deathstroke since the glory days of the New Teen Titans. Takes me back. It's a tribute to Wolfman and Perez that their character is still going strong and seemingly an integral part of the DC Universe.
The book is all twisty and plot-y, appropriate for an action title with a mercenary protagonist. I found the storyline a bit confusing at first. It does a lot of jumping around, but there are some nice touches. I liked the handling of Clock King, a somewhat lesser-known classic villain. The book didn't really start to come alive for me until the Batman story arc. I particularly loved the sequence where they encounter each other. It looks like an ordinary street scene, but the captions reveal all sorts of hidden nuances as two somewhat paranoid master planners try to lure each other out of hiding. Be warned: the book ends on a cliffhanger.
In all, while this book had its moments, it's pretty standard fare. Artwork and story are both decent, solid work, but not memorably so. Not recommended, but nothing I regret having read either.
The book is all twisty and plot-y, appropriate for an action title with a mercenary protagonist. I found the storyline a bit confusing at first. It does a lot of jumping around, but there are some nice touches. I liked the handling of Clock King, a somewhat lesser-known classic villain. The book didn't really start to come alive for me until the Batman story arc. I particularly loved the sequence where they encounter each other. It looks like an ordinary street scene, but the captions reveal all sorts of hidden nuances as two somewhat paranoid master planners try to lure each other out of hiding. Be warned: the book ends on a cliffhanger.
In all, while this book had its moments, it's pretty standard fare. Artwork and story are both decent, solid work, but not memorably so. Not recommended, but nothing I regret having read either.
March 14, 2017
ARC REVIEW
Story: This is a good starting point for new readers of Deathstroke. The first half of the volume; Prologue, Among Thieves, Band of Brothers, flip flops between the past and the present giving the reader a nice idea of the origin not an in depth one but it gives all the right information. The first three parts also tells of Deathstroke dealing with an African Warlord, the Red Lion, to save his friend Wintergreen. He also has to deal with the Clock King. The second half of the volume By Any Other Name, American Gothic, Mirrors deals with Deathstroke deals with a death threat on his daughter Rose, aka. Ravager, following the money and it leads them to Gotham. Deathstroke set up Rose with Batman and Robin while he goes off and does his own thing.
Art: I loved this, it was like reading a cartoon. The art is well drawn, colored fantastically. Pagulayan and Bennet do wonderful drawings very detailed; and Morales, Barbo, and Paz can’t forget the inkers. Cox completes the picture bringing it to life with amazing colors and shading. I always enjoy the variant cover art.
Characters:
Deathstroke/Slade Wilson: I have had a fascination with Slade since Teen Titans animated series first aired in ’03 voiced by Ron Perlman. He piqued my curiosity in the cartoon he was so mysterious and as I found out more about his past the more I liked him. A genetically enhanced super villain who switches side as easily as flipping a switch to suit his needs and has no problem being the bad guy just to make sure his kids become better than him.
Rose Wilson/Ravager: I like this Rose she wants so bad her Father’s attention and for him to be proud of her but is constantly getting hurt from his actions. She was initially trained by Nightwing and thinks that she is ready and wants to prove to her father that she’s ready. Wintergreen: Probably the only truly loyal friend Deathstroke has, he has acted like a friend and confidant for Rose as well. He’s kind of the voice of reason, the mediator between father and daughter. Wintergreen staged his own death so he could retire but was forced out of it when kidnapped and now he and Slade are tracking down who snitched on the truth on him being alive. Batman and Robin: Of course it’s Batman and Robin. Robin being Damien, Bruce’s son, and antagonistic and snarky as ever. Batman tries to convince Rose that she needs to not follow in her father’s footsteps and that Slade has his own reasons for leaving Rose in Gotham with Batman.
Review: Have I mentioned I hate cliffhangers. That is why I usually wait until the graphic novels are out so that I don’t have to wait for the next issue to come out. Damns youse! I love this one it is a great story it was engaging and dark, violent with the right amount of humor that has a great balance. I look forward to the upcoming issues.
Story: This is a good starting point for new readers of Deathstroke. The first half of the volume; Prologue, Among Thieves, Band of Brothers, flip flops between the past and the present giving the reader a nice idea of the origin not an in depth one but it gives all the right information. The first three parts also tells of Deathstroke dealing with an African Warlord, the Red Lion, to save his friend Wintergreen. He also has to deal with the Clock King. The second half of the volume By Any Other Name, American Gothic, Mirrors deals with Deathstroke deals with a death threat on his daughter Rose, aka. Ravager, following the money and it leads them to Gotham. Deathstroke set up Rose with Batman and Robin while he goes off and does his own thing.
Art: I loved this, it was like reading a cartoon. The art is well drawn, colored fantastically. Pagulayan and Bennet do wonderful drawings very detailed; and Morales, Barbo, and Paz can’t forget the inkers. Cox completes the picture bringing it to life with amazing colors and shading. I always enjoy the variant cover art.
Characters:
Deathstroke/Slade Wilson: I have had a fascination with Slade since Teen Titans animated series first aired in ’03 voiced by Ron Perlman. He piqued my curiosity in the cartoon he was so mysterious and as I found out more about his past the more I liked him. A genetically enhanced super villain who switches side as easily as flipping a switch to suit his needs and has no problem being the bad guy just to make sure his kids become better than him.
Rose Wilson/Ravager: I like this Rose she wants so bad her Father’s attention and for him to be proud of her but is constantly getting hurt from his actions. She was initially trained by Nightwing and thinks that she is ready and wants to prove to her father that she’s ready. Wintergreen: Probably the only truly loyal friend Deathstroke has, he has acted like a friend and confidant for Rose as well. He’s kind of the voice of reason, the mediator between father and daughter. Wintergreen staged his own death so he could retire but was forced out of it when kidnapped and now he and Slade are tracking down who snitched on the truth on him being alive. Batman and Robin: Of course it’s Batman and Robin. Robin being Damien, Bruce’s son, and antagonistic and snarky as ever. Batman tries to convince Rose that she needs to not follow in her father’s footsteps and that Slade has his own reasons for leaving Rose in Gotham with Batman.
Review: Have I mentioned I hate cliffhangers. That is why I usually wait until the graphic novels are out so that I don’t have to wait for the next issue to come out. Damns youse! I love this one it is a great story it was engaging and dark, violent with the right amount of humor that has a great balance. I look forward to the upcoming issues.
May 19, 2017
When I heard that Christopher J. Priest, the first black comic book writer and editor for Marvel and DC Comics was coming out of retirement, I knew I had to pick-up what ever project he was doing. After reading his amazing work for Black Panther (which will be made into a movie next year) I had very high expectations...and they have been met. He came back to write one of the most notorious characters in DC Comics history and brought his signature style to it. This was a blast to read pretty much a very dark version of Deadpool and it contained, for me, the best single issue of any comic book that came out in 2016 (Deathstroke (2016-) #5, if you're wondering), which I have been reading over and over since it came out.
February 4, 2017
I received this from Edelweiss and DC Comics in exchange for an honest review, sort of. I was supposed to receive Astro City, Vol 14, but got this one instead. By mistake. Whatever.
3 stars, and showing promise. I was really confused about what was happening with all of the flashbacks and jumping all over the globe, but about halfway through the book, things started coming together. Probably because a certain character just seemed to disappear. The book ends very abruptly, right in the middle of the plot. I hate that.
If I see the next volume, I'll probably pick it up.
3 stars, and showing promise. I was really confused about what was happening with all of the flashbacks and jumping all over the globe, but about halfway through the book, things started coming together. Probably because a certain character just seemed to disappear. The book ends very abruptly, right in the middle of the plot. I hate that.
If I see the next volume, I'll probably pick it up.
February 27, 2017
Not bad but not great. I liked seeing Slade come back but the story got a little cheesy at times. I would read more of this series. Didn't care for the art although the Batman redesign was pretty cool.
January 3, 2019
reading this now is so much better, a lot of stuff happens in later issues that makes this volume feels more sophisticated and complex, plus, it's easier to understand too
July 17, 2020
5 🌟
Deathstroke goes to rescue Billy Wintergreen after he is captured by Clock King. After, Slade goes to find his daughter, Rose, after a hit is put out on her. They go to Gotham and encounter Batman and Robin.
Deathstroke goes to rescue Billy Wintergreen after he is captured by Clock King. After, Slade goes to find his daughter, Rose, after a hit is put out on her. They go to Gotham and encounter Batman and Robin.
December 23, 2022
Priest writes Deathstroke as an ice cold veteran addicted to misdirection, a description which applies to character and author: this is Priest at his most stylised and clinical, offering the inattentive reader as little hand-holding as he can get away with.
Which meant I hugely enjoyed it while appreciating it doesn’t quite have the heart, fury or laughs of his best work. Deathstroke’s defining characteristic for Priest isn’t his effectiveness but his status as DC’s all time worst Dad - putting his catastrophic partnering and parenting skills in the centre gives the comic a reason to exist (should you require one) beyond the lashings of violence and bravura plotting.
Which meant I hugely enjoyed it while appreciating it doesn’t quite have the heart, fury or laughs of his best work. Deathstroke’s defining characteristic for Priest isn’t his effectiveness but his status as DC’s all time worst Dad - putting his catastrophic partnering and parenting skills in the centre gives the comic a reason to exist (should you require one) beyond the lashings of violence and bravura plotting.
April 20, 2017
I'm not a fan of the character Deathstroke. I wouldn't put him in the top 25 villains at DC and I've never really read much with him as a central figure, but since this was free, I figured I'd check it out. Christopher J. Priest has told a underwhelming story with many unnecessary flashbacks. Those flashbacks come at weird times in the story and break the flow of the narrative. I understand that these Rebirth books are supposed to be a jumping on point for new readers, but even with the flashbacks, and how they are executed, you don't get a lot of useful information on Slade Wilson/Deathstroke's backstory.
The whole gist of this story is that someone put a hit on Slade's daughter, Rose aka Ravager, and he's trying to get to the bottom of it while getting to spend some time with Rose. The first few issues have Deathstroke rescuing an old friend, someone I've never heard of as far as I can remember. This guy is the one that gives Slade the heads up about the hit on his daughter. He also sets Slade up with some equipment that Slade will need when he gets to Gotham where the hit originated. Of course, being in Gotham, the story has Slade and Rose run into Batman and Robin. This is where the story went a little off the rails for me. The whole Batman part of the story seemed rushed. There also isn't a resolution to this first story arc in this volume. I don't understand why DC would release a book that doesn't contain the whole first arc. For the plot being rushed in places, slow and fragmented in others, and for not having a completed story, the writing gets 2 stars.
Carlo Pagulayan is the artist for the Rebirth one-shot and issues #1-2. Joe Bennett finishes out the book with issues #3-5. Both guys have similar styles and comparable talent levels. I've seen a good bit of Bennett's work before. I'm not a huge fan, but he always does some competent work that looks better than the majority of comic art today. Pagulayan surprised me because I didn't really expect that same level of art from someone I've never heard of before. I'll keep an eye out for this artist in the future. Art gets 3.5 stars.
I averaged the 2 aspects of the book together and got a final rating of 2.75 stars. This isn't the worst Rebirth book I've read and it is far from the best. A friend of mine loves Deathstroke and usually buys the books. That may be the only reason I'll return to this series since I can read them for free. If you aren't already a die-hard Deathstroke fan, there probably is much better stuff out there for you.
The whole gist of this story is that someone put a hit on Slade's daughter, Rose aka Ravager, and he's trying to get to the bottom of it while getting to spend some time with Rose. The first few issues have Deathstroke rescuing an old friend, someone I've never heard of as far as I can remember. This guy is the one that gives Slade the heads up about the hit on his daughter. He also sets Slade up with some equipment that Slade will need when he gets to Gotham where the hit originated. Of course, being in Gotham, the story has Slade and Rose run into Batman and Robin. This is where the story went a little off the rails for me. The whole Batman part of the story seemed rushed. There also isn't a resolution to this first story arc in this volume. I don't understand why DC would release a book that doesn't contain the whole first arc. For the plot being rushed in places, slow and fragmented in others, and for not having a completed story, the writing gets 2 stars.
Carlo Pagulayan is the artist for the Rebirth one-shot and issues #1-2. Joe Bennett finishes out the book with issues #3-5. Both guys have similar styles and comparable talent levels. I've seen a good bit of Bennett's work before. I'm not a huge fan, but he always does some competent work that looks better than the majority of comic art today. Pagulayan surprised me because I didn't really expect that same level of art from someone I've never heard of before. I'll keep an eye out for this artist in the future. Art gets 3.5 stars.
I averaged the 2 aspects of the book together and got a final rating of 2.75 stars. This isn't the worst Rebirth book I've read and it is far from the best. A friend of mine loves Deathstroke and usually buys the books. That may be the only reason I'll return to this series since I can read them for free. If you aren't already a die-hard Deathstroke fan, there probably is much better stuff out there for you.
June 4, 2017
The first half of this comic is a schizophrenic jumbled mess that is trying way way way too hard to be smart. Super PAC's, Kurds aren't jihadis, Khmer Rouge, on and on and on. Non-linear stories work when its abundantly clear *when* things are happening, Priest needs a stronger grasp on how to inform readers what the hell is going on. Too convoluted, a rocky start.
The second half of this story is fantastic. A complex story, not convoluted. Witty characters, still trying to be too smart with the "hey you're Hmong let me tell you about Hmong culture" but it's miles better than the first half.
The art is above average throughout the story, a solid C+/B-.
First half is two stars and second half is four so the whole volume averages out to three.
The second half of this story is fantastic. A complex story, not convoluted. Witty characters, still trying to be too smart with the "hey you're Hmong let me tell you about Hmong culture" but it's miles better than the first half.
The art is above average throughout the story, a solid C+/B-.
First half is two stars and second half is four so the whole volume averages out to three.
March 14, 2017
Overall, a pretty good volume. It got much better as it went along. The first few issues involve separate missions and people from Deathstroke's past. I'm no expert on Slade so these were new-to-me characters. Then the book settles into the main arc, which was the best part for me. A hit is taken out on Deathstroke's daughter and they end up in Gotham having a head-to-head with Batman and Robin. The ending brings a shock reveal that hooks you into needing to keep reading.
September 19, 2024
Hard to follow. Does a lot of telling us who Deathstroke is instead of showing us because Deathstroke doesn’t express emotions like normal people, and isn’t that convenient. What we do learn about him is that he’s a bad dad. Not new information and not shocking, but every time DC tries to suggest he cares about his kids they’ll present much more evidence to the contrary.
I read this to learn more about Rose, and it’s hard to learn anything about Rose when I feel like DC hits the reset button on her every time she appears in another book. So, it’s the same critique I always have for Rose. There are good ideas here, but it’s like none of these writers care enough about Rose to follow through and make her a complex AND sympathetic character. It’s easier to have her be a dumb girl that everyone from Wintergreen to Damian Wayne can hit on.
I read this to learn more about Rose, and it’s hard to learn anything about Rose when I feel like DC hits the reset button on her every time she appears in another book. So, it’s the same critique I always have for Rose. There are good ideas here, but it’s like none of these writers care enough about Rose to follow through and make her a complex AND sympathetic character. It’s easier to have her be a dumb girl that everyone from Wintergreen to Damian Wayne can hit on.
September 4, 2017
wow, this rebirth is really a sh*t parade of terrible albums..
There was nothing interesting about this Deathstroke.. And I like Deathstroke... But this piece of §#!é made sure I will never continue reading this...
DC is running out of chances.. Think I'm ready to move on now :p
There was nothing interesting about this Deathstroke.. And I like Deathstroke... But this piece of §#!é made sure I will never continue reading this...
DC is running out of chances.. Think I'm ready to move on now :p
March 14, 2018
This was just way too confusing at the start. It didnt really hit its mark until Batman entered the story. I really enjoyed Robin in this, played a bratty young punk type role. Ended quite well but probably not something I'll continue.
April 30, 2017
Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths.
It took me a long time to write this review. Probably that is because I hate saying bad things about comics. Even when I don’t like a character, or story, or whatever, I know others love them. So, anyway, it took me a while to decide how to say I didn’t like this new Deathstroke comic at all.
When I started this book, I didn’t know very much about Deathstroke. (Well, other than what has been in The Arrow tv show, which isn’t anywhere close to the comics I’ve been told.) But I didn’t worry about it, because this was Rebirth, so I thought we’d have a new origin story, get to see how Deathstroke became who he is, what happened to his family, why his daughter is Ravager, and everything else. But, boy, was I wrong!
Instead of telling a reader anything about this new Deathstroke, we are given a pretty boring story about him in Africa doing something, then he is reunited with his long-lost daughter Rose, who just happens to be a target of an assassin, and so DS decides to find whose trying to murder his daughter and take care of them himself. We even have Batman making a guest appearance just to make things better.
There are a lot of things I didn’t like about The Professional. Since I’m not the greatest writer out there, I’m just gonna make a list for you.
1. The story was confusing, boring, jumped backward and forwards in time too much, told me nothing much about Slade Wilson, his family, or how he became this feared assassin. It was just bad every way you look at it.
2. I hated Deathstroke. There was nothing to like about him. He is a cold, uncaring jerk.
3. Very little fighting. I mean, DS is a deadly assassin, but we hardly get to see him do anything except try to trick everyone. Great, I guess, but I didn’t want to read about an assassin trying to outsmart everyone.
4 . The art was okay, but nothing awesome. So it didn’t make me want to read the bad story just to look at the really cool fight scenes and stuff. Oh, I forgot, there weren’t any cool fight scenes.
Like I said at the beginning of this, I don’t like writing bad things about comics. I love comics and want every single one of them to be great. But Deathstroke: The Professional just wasn’t for me. Maybe, fans of the character, who already know everything about him, might love this book. I hope they do. But me . . . all I’m gonna say is that this Deathstroke isn’t for me, at all.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
Well, I hope you liked this review, and friend me any time to talk about my reviews or comic books.
It took me a long time to write this review. Probably that is because I hate saying bad things about comics. Even when I don’t like a character, or story, or whatever, I know others love them. So, anyway, it took me a while to decide how to say I didn’t like this new Deathstroke comic at all.
When I started this book, I didn’t know very much about Deathstroke. (Well, other than what has been in The Arrow tv show, which isn’t anywhere close to the comics I’ve been told.) But I didn’t worry about it, because this was Rebirth, so I thought we’d have a new origin story, get to see how Deathstroke became who he is, what happened to his family, why his daughter is Ravager, and everything else. But, boy, was I wrong!
Instead of telling a reader anything about this new Deathstroke, we are given a pretty boring story about him in Africa doing something, then he is reunited with his long-lost daughter Rose, who just happens to be a target of an assassin, and so DS decides to find whose trying to murder his daughter and take care of them himself. We even have Batman making a guest appearance just to make things better.
There are a lot of things I didn’t like about The Professional. Since I’m not the greatest writer out there, I’m just gonna make a list for you.
1. The story was confusing, boring, jumped backward and forwards in time too much, told me nothing much about Slade Wilson, his family, or how he became this feared assassin. It was just bad every way you look at it.
2. I hated Deathstroke. There was nothing to like about him. He is a cold, uncaring jerk.
3. Very little fighting. I mean, DS is a deadly assassin, but we hardly get to see him do anything except try to trick everyone. Great, I guess, but I didn’t want to read about an assassin trying to outsmart everyone.
4 . The art was okay, but nothing awesome. So it didn’t make me want to read the bad story just to look at the really cool fight scenes and stuff. Oh, I forgot, there weren’t any cool fight scenes.
Like I said at the beginning of this, I don’t like writing bad things about comics. I love comics and want every single one of them to be great. But Deathstroke: The Professional just wasn’t for me. Maybe, fans of the character, who already know everything about him, might love this book. I hope they do. But me . . . all I’m gonna say is that this Deathstroke isn’t for me, at all.
I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to receive this review copy and inform everyone that the review you have read is my opinion alone.
Well, I hope you liked this review, and friend me any time to talk about my reviews or comic books.
November 14, 2016
I admit to being a Christopher Priest fan especially his work on Xero and Black Panther. When DC lured him back to comics I was looking forward to this title, especially as Priest said he wasn't shying away from the fact that Slade Wilson is a villain.
Priest does what Warren Ellis did in Doom 2099 and Shawn Ryan did with The Shield-create a scenario and character who is a villain but whom you can also/kind of root for. Wilson is one messed up human being, and his mercenary ethics are certainly questionable. That doesn't stop Priest from delivering an entertaining read.
Deathstoke tussles with The Bat, creates more than a little chaos in an African nation, and what he does to spend time with his daughter Rose exhibits what a messed up human being he is.
Priest does what Warren Ellis did in Doom 2099 and Shawn Ryan did with The Shield-create a scenario and character who is a villain but whom you can also/kind of root for. Wilson is one messed up human being, and his mercenary ethics are certainly questionable. That doesn't stop Priest from delivering an entertaining read.
Deathstoke tussles with The Bat, creates more than a little chaos in an African nation, and what he does to spend time with his daughter Rose exhibits what a messed up human being he is.
December 29, 2017
This was a tough book to get through, the writing is pretty bad. If you want to get to know Deathstroke from a newbie perspective this is not a book for you. I know very little about Deathstroke and I felt lost at times. The book starts with an african adventure rescuing Wintergreen but it also has flashbacks to a younger Slade which make a super confusing start. The story continues on with Rose his daughter and a hit put on her but the story is a mess of flashbacks that don't connect very well and almost no background on how Slade becomes Deathstroke. Batman cameos are the best part of the book and that adds up to 1/4 of the book at best. The art is good but doesnt save the book. I would be interested to read more but if book 2 is like 1 I am done.
March 12, 2017
This is a pretty dense read. It asks a lot from readers that are not well acquainted with Deathstroke as a character. I have read Higgins’s run, and I have come across Deathstroke in other DC comics, but am by no means an expert. Consequently, reading this was a challenge, due in no small part to the flashbacks—which is odd considering the volume is the first in the series. I do not really care for Deathstroke’s characterisation; he is quite disagreeable and lacks any real depth. Things improve near the end with Batman and Robin’s appearance; however, I am not entirely sure this bodes well for the series.
December 25, 2017
So I was browsing the library shelves and noticed they'd acquired some of the new DC "Rebirth" titles. I don't usually pick up the anti-hero/villain-focused books; but I've been in sort of a dark mood lately, plus I like the version of Deathstroke/Slade Wilson who's on the Arrow TV show. The art in this book is excellent, but the plot is intricately double-crossy to the point of being confusing and too cynical for my taste. I'm giving it 3 stars just because of the art.
March 22, 2017
A little uneven, but overall, pretty promising. The final storyline was the strongest.
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