Deathstroke #9 Review

Written by: Tony S. Daniel and Jame Bonny
Art by: Eduardo Pansica, Sandu Florea, Arif Prianto and Fahriza Kamaptura
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: August 26, 2015

Swords Out, Guns Out

The issue opens with some Deathstroke inner monologue getting everyone up to speed on the recent God Killer events and continues with some crazy bloodshed on Paradise Island.  While Hessia makes small talk with Slade, we get to see some of the God Killer sword's power.  It's pretty impressive, but not as much as Wonder Woman just ripping through Lapetus' Onyx Army.  As far as opening scenes go, this may be light on story, but boy it was heavy on action.  If you are a fan of this book, you know what that means...gallons of blood and severed limbs galore.



While we get to see Slade slice and dice every issue, Daniel and Bonny show the tactical side of the Terminator here as he follows Lapetus away from the battlefield.  Unfortunately, it leads to an ass kicking for our hero and the idea that he is in way over his head here, sword or no sword.  Then we get to see the reason behind Lapetus' attack. It's not a good thing for the Amazons because to accomplish his plan, he has to destroy Themyscira.  Over Diana's dead body, literally.

After Lapetus almost does kill Wonder Woman, the book shifts gears with this month's awesome guest star...Superman.  I love Supes, but he really comes off half-cocked here.  He punches first and asks questions later...much later...after a fight that seems more to show what the God Killer sword is capable of.  When Superman finally does try to ask (shout) some questions, he still seems ready to burn the hell out of Deathstroke before he can respond.  Luckily, Wonder Woman steps in to explain the situation.

The explanation is short, however, because Lapetus returns and he's brought a brand new toy.  It's not the biggest reveal or greatest cliffhanger, but the terror on Deathstroke, Wonder Woman and Superman's faces actually has me pretty excited for next month's finale.

This issue was a ton of setup.  After the last issue and the Annual, I was hoping we would move forward a bit more this month.  Sadly, the good stuff is left for the conclusion next month, but I always love seeing the bloody gore this book is famous for and we get it in spades once again.  We also get a better look at the God Killer sword and while it's awesome, it is already in danger of being too powerful.  Better scale that thing back, Tony.

Eduardo Pansica's art was really good in this issue.  Someone must have told him the formula because he sticks closely to it.  I will always want Tony S, Daniel's art in this book, but Pansica is a really good replacement. keep the limbs and blood coming.

Bits and Pieces:

The God Killer story is coming to an end next month and unfortunately, this month;s issue is some major setup.  Sure, it's bloody good fun and we learn Lapetus' plan and see more of the God Killer sword's many capabilities.  Superman joins in on the fun and it looks like the final battle is going to be epic.  This issue may not be the best in the series, but I had fun reading it nonetheless.

7.3/10