Deathstroke #11 Review

Badass...Hey!

Written by: Tony S. Daniel and James Bonny
Art by: Tyler Kirkham, Arif Prianto and and Dave Sharpe
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 28, 2015

I have been a fan of this book and have stuck with it through some tough patches to get to where we are now.  Having just finished the God Slayer arc, we open this month with what feels like a good jumping on point for new readers.  Of course, the best jumping on point for a Deathstroke book has to be Slade going up against the Suicide Squad and that's what we get.  So, does a good jumping on point equal a good issue?  Let's find out...




Deathstroke is a badass and what better way to open his book with him free falling towards Belle Reve?  I for one don't know and I don't have to because we get just that.  Slade gives us just enough background to get the reader up and running and that continues as we go back a bit in time to see Slade working out on Danger Island.

The big thing here is that we finally get to see Slade with his eye missing again.  It just looks right, eye patch and all, but the fun doesn't last long as Victor Ruiz gives our anti-hero some bad news.  Ruiz has been keeping an eye on Deathstroke's daughter Rose's house, but unfortunately, an "eye" doesn't seem to mean "protect" because Rose is under attack.

Deathstroke finally gets to the house and after a little dead body switcheroo, Slade sets his sights on the person he thinks is responsible...Harley Quinn.  So, it's back to Belle Reve.

While I usually hate when a comic book thinks it's a Quentin Tarantino movie with it's out of sequence storytelling, this issue does it pretty good.  Back at Belle Reve, Deathstroke avoids being shot out of the sky with an EMP in a duffel bag and before we know it, he's in.  Unfortunately, all the criminals in the Belle Reve cells are now out.  Yes, that means the Suicide Squad and Deathstroke quickly grabs Harley and asks her a few questions.

I love Harley and Daniel and Bonny do her justice here as she sees a crazy opportunity and jumps at it.  She may not be the real culprit, but if Deathstroke wants to kill Amanda Waller for it, she won't stop him.  They take care of some unfortunate guards and then run into Deadshot...standing against the wall like a real badass.  If you weren't aware, Deathstroke and Deadshot have a long and sordid past that can only lead to violence and violence is what we get.  The two duke it out as Harley cheers on, but a mysterious "thing" named S. Pruitt steals the show.  Whatever/Whomever it is, it easily kills two armed guards (in a gruesome way) and has Waller over the coals.

To make sure she isn't the only one in trouble, Slade and Lawton's fight takes them to the Aquatic Block of the prison and another member of the Squad makes an appearance.  I bet you can guess who that is!

This issue starts a new arc and because of that, it's so much setup.  We get the story going forward with some kick ass action and even little character moments.  When it comes to this book, I only need Deathstroke kicking ass against all odds with plenty of blood being shed. Well, check and check.

Tyler Kirkham is on art this issue and this may be the best looking issue of Deathstroke yet.  I loved the art, especially his character design of Slade, himself.  If Kirkham stays on the book from here on out, I'll be a happy man.

Bits and Pieces:

Deathstroke has been a guilty pleasure of mine for quite some time and thankfully, this issue is a great jumping on point for new fans to join me.  Some good action, the Suicide Squad and kick ass art had me enjoying the ride.  Daniel and Bonny have made me Deathstroke fan and things just keep getting better with each issue.

7.0/10