Deathstroke #5 Review

Trash Talk

Written by: Christopher Priest
Art by: Joe Bennett, Mark Morales, Jeromy Cox and Willie Shubert
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: October 26, 2016

I had a bit of a problem getting into this book at the beginning of Rebirth, but each issue has drawn
me more and more into the story.  I would say that it's the introduction of Rose Wilson that really did it for me and this issue continues that...and more.  What is the more?  Well, Batman and Robin is the more and that's about as cool as you can get if you ask me.  So, does this issue continue the upward trend in quality as Deathstroke and Rose square off with Batman and Damian?  Let's find out...


The issue starts off with Rose on the phone with her boyfriend as she chases down Batman, but the real draw is Damian and Deathstroke.  If you read last issue, you know that Slade had captured Damian to get Batman's "cooperation" and the back and forth between them here is great.  It also shows what Wintergreen was up to last issue and the tie-in to that is what makes every panel in this series mean something.

Good times continue with Batman and Rose.  They are getting to know each other and Batman confirms some stuff that Rose already knows, but also schools her in his code.  Christopher Priest also does a great job showing us how smart Batman and Deathstroke are as they continue their little game of cat and mouse.

Back with Deathstroke, Damian also reminds the reader that he is ultra smart and also a giant dick.  Christopher Priest tells us exactly what happened to Grant and Joey and makes Damian tell us with glee.  Glee!  Heading back to Rose and Batman, we get more lessons in how great Batman is as he helps Rose...kind of.

After some more shit talking between Slade and Damian, we go back to Batman and Rose and see them as a fucked up Batman and Robin.  As Batman takes down some enemies, Rose joins in and goes a little to far.  Batman stops her and while he is pretty harsh, he is still fair and more importantly, he is 100% Batman.  It's funny, this is a Deathstroke book, but Priest really shows that he could wright a kick ass Batman book if given the chance.

The issue continues with Damian using some crazy tech to escape the deathtrap that Deathstroke has put him in, but when Batman and Rose show up, the Terminator is gone off after Rose's would be killer...or is he.  Or is HE?????

The issue ends with Christopher Priest showing us that everyone is playing everyone else and that if you think you are one step ahead of the game he and his characters are playing, you are dead wrong.

This book has layers galore, but even at a simple level, it is really good.  Christopher Priest really shows us the characters here by switching up the teams and the dialogue and characterizations are spot on.  I had a lot of fun reading this issue even if everyone in it were assholes.

Joe Bennett's art is good in that it helps tell the story and never gets in the way.  Rose is the standout character and the only thing I can complain about is that Damian looks different throughout the issue.

Bits and Pieces:

Deathstroke continues getting better and better and it's not because of over the top action, but the cat and mouse game that our main characters are involved in.  You don't know who to trust here and quite frankly, I wouldn't trust anyone.  It's great to see Rose and Batman work together, but the interaction between Deathstroke and Damian was priceless.

8.3/10