Deathstroke #3 Review

Serial Numbers

Written by: Christopher PriestArt by: Joe Bennett, Belardino Brabo, Mark Morales, Jeromy Cox and Willie Shubert
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: September 28, 2016

I have not been a huge fan of Deathstroke since Rebirth started.  I think that this story will eventually get better and that has nothing to do with the actual quality that Christopher Priest is giving fans already.  The problem I have with the book at the moment is not quality, but quantity.  Actually, it's the quantity of the quality...we just haven't gotten enough of a story with each issue.  Plus, what we've been getting is convoluted by the out-of-time storytelling which has made things more confusing than it has to be.  Is this the issue where it all starts coming together and Christopher Priest shows us what he's been leading too?  Let's find out...


The issue opens with Rose laying on her bed with a ominous Deathstroke looking over her. Of course, we are left not sure what we've seen is real before heading off to the next scene. I can't say that the next bit was any less confusing as we get a clairvoyant hit girl who figures out her latest job is a setup.  Things clear up a little when Slade shows up and we find out that the girl is actually Rose.  Okay, i actually like where this is going!

We continue on with Slade and Rose catching up a bit as they join up with Wintergreen. The reunion is quick and Christopher Priest then gives everyone what they want...a Deathstroke and Ravager teamup!  Not much happens, action wise, but we do get some pretty good back and forth between the two before it ends abruptly.

Then we are off to see Adeline and Slade dealing with the aftermath of the "Call Me Deathstroke" problem from last issue.  Things don't look good and end even worse if you're name is Slade.  At least that's how it looks, but this book has so many twists and turns and red herrings that I've already become numb to just about anything happening.

Things kind of wrap around as Deathstroke and Ravager go after the thug who took on the contract to kill Rose, but instead of the person, Slade wants the money.  I have to admit...from this point on, I was pretty into this issue.  Why?  Because we find out why Slade wants the money (hint: it's not to buy new kicks) and where it's leading our "heroes". 

Okay, I am still not a huge fan of this book, but when Christopher Priest decides to tell a story that isn't designed to confuse the hell out of everyone, it can be pretty damn good.  We get that here in the last quarter of the book and that was enough to make me finally look forward to the next issue right after closing this one.  I hope that continues.


I also really liked Joe Bennett's art.  It was all about the character models and Deathstroke and Ravager (especially Ravager) looked awesome!  There is a little bit of action and Bennett handles it all with ease.  Overall, this is a good looking book.

Bits and Pieces:

While Christopher Priest seems to have signed up for this book only to confuse people, he finally lets his guard down a bit and gives the reader some pretty cool story with a promising cliffhanger.  Joe Bennett's art makes it all look great and while I still can't recommend this to everyone, it's getting there.

7.0/10