Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Review: Deathstroke #16

By Philip Schweier
April 13, 2017 - 13:06

Deathstroke has good reason to be angry. I had high hopes after reading my first Deathstroke, but #16 opens with an over-used narrative trope that I absolutely HATE. It launches with an action-filled moment – a battle between Slade Wilson and rival hitman Deadline – and then immediately flashes back to previous point in the overall narrative, to lead up to this opening scene.

This gimmick has been used in comics and TV shows – Smallville and Battlestar Galactica, most notably. I interpret it as the writer telling the audience, “Showing you the climax first is my best idea of hooking you.” It spoils the end, and I don’t know anyone who enjoys spoilers.

With comic books, it also enables the artist to repeat the same panels. The artwork is good, and the coloring has been toned down so as not to detract (see previous issue’s review), and it would continue to keep me engaged, assuming the writing does as well.

And the irony is that the previous ended with a battle between Deathstroke and rival hitman Deadline. Why not simply continue with that same scene. Slade Wilson tried to buy Deadline off the contract, but Deadline is too committed to the rules of the trade to ever back out of job, regardless of the payday or the end result.

I still think the title has something going for it, but this latest issue completely negates what was accomplished previously. There was an impressive spike, followed by a major disappointment.

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12