Deathstroke is currently having the worst week of his life. In Deathstroke #2, writer Tony Fleecs and artist Carmine Di Giandomenico continue the “nothing left to lose” saga that started in the debut issue. Slade’s been stripped of his money, his safehouses, and even his best friend, Wintergreen. It’s a classic setup for the world’s most dangerous mercenary, but Fleecs adds a personal layer of vengeance that makes this feel like more than just another contract gone wrong.
- Title: Deathstroke #2
- Creatives: Tony Fleecs (Writer), Carmine Di Giandomenico (Artist), Ivan Plascencia (Color Artist), Wes Abbott (Letterer)
- Characters: Slade Wilson, Adeline Wilson, Deadshot, Deathblow
- Villain: Adeline Wilson / Mercenaries
- Format: Ongoing Series
- Our Rating: 9/10 Stars
Why did Adeline shoot Deathstroke’s eye out?
The issue kicks off with a flashback that reminds us why Slade Wilson is essentially the world’s worst dad. We see the moment his ex-wife, Adeline Kane, shoots him in the face. It wasn’t just a domestic dispute. Slade’s lies and his double life as a mercenary led to their son’s throat being slit, leaving the boy mute. Adeline trained Slade, so she knew exactly where to aim. She didn’t finish the job back then, but the present-day story shows she’s finally ready to close the book on him. Fleecs does a great job of seeding this conflict without over-explaining it. You feel the weight of their history in every panel.
Carmine Di Giandomenico Makes Chaos Look Beautiful
Di Giandomenico’s art is the perfect fit for a bloodied, desperate Slade. He looks menacing even when he’s losing. The action sequences are kinetic and messy in the best way possible. Slade takes hits and gives them back with interest, and you can feel the physical toll the escape takes on him. Letterer Wes Abbott clearly had a blast here. The pages are practically raining bullets, with BLAM, BANG, and every other sound effects filling the space. It adds a nice, frantic energy to the safehouse escape, making the stakes feel dangerous and immediate. On colors, Ivan Plascencia uses a heavy palette of reds and oranges, keeping the tension high and making the entire book feel like it’s set in a pressure cooker. You actually end up feeling a bit afraid for a guy who usually has all the answers.
Slade eventually crashes a Hummer and crawls panel to panel to reach safety, only to find that his “code” is working against him. He wants to know who set him up, but the very rules he established for his hits prevent his support contact from giving up the client. It’s a very interesting look at the honor among thieves trope.
Who are Deadshot and Deathblow?
Just when you think Slade might get a breather, the world’s mercenaries come for the million-dollar bounty on his head. Slade isn’t running, though. He doubles down on the insanity by crashing his Deathstroke-copter directly into his assailants (he really isn’t escaping the Batman rip-off allegations here). Fleecs adding the internal monologue with Wintergreen is a great touch. It leaves you wondering if he’s finally cracking or what. The real surprise comes later, though. We’re left hanging with the sudden arrival of Deadshot and Deathblow!
Now, most fans know Deadshot as the world’s premier marksman, often seen leading the Secret Six or hanging with the Suicide Squad. Seeing him back with his trademark wrist guns is a treat. However, the real shocker is the inclusion of Michael Cray, also known as Deathblow.
For those who haven’t followed Wildstorm history, Deathblow is an elite assassin with a regenerative healing factor and explosive psionic powers. These powers are triggered by a sentient alien tumor in his brain. It’s a wild concept that Fleecs is weaving into the main DC continuity. Having Slade Wilson face off against both a tactical genius like Deadshot and a powerhouse like Deathblow sets up a third issue that promises to be absolute carnage.
The Verdict: Should you buy Deathstroke #2?
Ultimately, Deathstroke #2 is a punishing read that proves Slade Wilson is at his most dangerous when he’s at his absolute lowest. Tony Fleecs has stripped the character of every safety net he ever had, leaving us with a raw, desperate assassin who has stopped playing by the rules. Carmine Di Giandomenico’s art captures that violence with incredible kinetic energy. The bullets feel loud on the page, the blood feels heavy, and it looks like we’re just getting started.
‘Deathstroke’ #2 | Slade Wilson is broken, bloodied, and hearing voices
Deathstroke #2 is a punishing read that proves Slade Wilson is at his most dangerous when he’s at his absolute lowest. Tony Fleecs has stripped the character of every safety net he ever had, leaving us with a raw, desperate assassin who has stopped playing by the rules. Carmine Di Giandomenico’s art captures that violence with incredible kinetic energy. The bullets feel loud on the page, the blood feels heavy, and it looks like we’re just getting started.
