Deathstroke #18 Review – Pulpier Than Pulp Fiction
Yes, I picked up another random DC title, Deathstroke. No, I’ve never had any interest in the character outside of the Teen Titans animated show from the 90s. The only reason why I bothered was thanks to other comic book websites showing sneak peeks of upcoming Teen Titans comics. Deathstroke appeared on the cover as part of a cross-over arc, “The Lazarus Contract.” It also seems that he is leading the Teen Titans as a mentor. I could have read the sneak peeks for more info, but I didn’t want to spoil anything for me that the covers didn’t already spoil. Me being me, I have to understand where Deathstroke was coming from before taking over the Teen Titans, or whatever else he is doing.
I bought the first three issues to give it a fair shake. If it was awful, I’d move on and just remain clueless during “The Lazarus Contract.” But since this is a review of issue #18, obviously I didn’t find it to be awful. In fact, I consider it to be pretty damn amazing.
I’m not sure if I would have liked it without the ability to binge-read it, however. So much is told out of order in piecemeal, a comic book form of Pulp Fiction, if you will, spread out over 18 issues. Deathstroke is a bi-monthly title, which does help with continuity. But not by much. This method of storytelling works very, very well for Deathstroke, even though it’s a bit of a brain tease. Considering how super intelligent Deathstroke is supposed to be, I suppose he wouldn’t have it any other way.
Deathstroke is an old man. He still has his super intelligence and his incredible agility. He’s still a mercenary, but he’s attempting to do some good after his eldest’s son’s death and his youngest son’s near death. Too bad the guy has no idea how to do good or do right with anyone. Instead of reaching out to his daughter, Rose, and asking to spend time with her, he puts a contract on her and warns her someone is out to kill her. He uses it as an excuse to investigate and spend time with her.
He tries to make amends with his youngest son, Joey. He ends up sleeping with Joey’s fiancee. Technically, that’s okay because his fiancee was really a spy from Amanda Waller, and Joey is also closeted. The marriage wasn’t going to last, regardless.
He tries to be a good mentor to Power Girl (yay she’s back!), but he lies to her about who he is. When she learns, she’s utterly devastated.
This panel perfectly illustrates the entirety of Deathstroke thus far.
At the start of #18, or really the end of #17, Joey’s fiancee is dead. We have no idea who killed her, but I’m fairly certain it wasn’t Deathstroke. Joey, however, completely believes it was Deathstroke. Since his fiancee told him the day before that she was sleeping with his father, it’s certainly very easy for Joey to try to piece those connections together. Joey then believes it is entirely appropriate to dress in his Jericho gear, storm down the aisle at his wedding, and beat the crap out of his father in front of everyone.
Families. Am I right?
My money is either on Waller or Joey’s mother as the murderer. Waller was angry with Etienne for getting, uh, too close to Slade, and Joey’s mother has been trying to kill Slade for years. Would she kill her son’s fiancee just to get her son to beat Slade to death? Yes. Yes, she would. She is that loco.
This week’s issue is supposed to wrap it all up before “The Lazarus Contract.” I hope this follow-through is as good as the lead-in.
Our Rating: YUS
Author: Christopher Priest
Artists: Joe Bennett, Norm Rapmund, and Jeromy Cox
Publisher: DC Comics
Publish Date: 05/03/2017
Acquired via Purchase
