Deathstroke #24 Review

Lone Gunman 

Written by: Christopher Priest
Art by: Diogenes Neves, Jason Paz, Trevor Scott, Jeremy Cox and Willie Schubert
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: October 4, 2017

Deathstroke is easily one of my top three comics I read right now.  Priest has done such a good job of tying even the littlest details up in his story that no matter what he throws at the reader, I am confident it will be explained and be important at some time soon.  Because of that, I love being confused by this book and like trying to figure things out on my own...even though I'm a big dummy and usually don't.  So, does this latest chapter of the Stroke Squad continue the awesomeness?  Let's find out...


The issue opens up with Willow who is looking for the missing Claire.  She doesn't find her friend, but does get a good idea where she is in a very messed up way.  I'm sure it's a trap, but from what little I've seen, she can take care of herself.  We then head off to the Stroke Squad (I know they are called Defiance, but I don't care!) and get a very Wally West-centric issue that I am all about.

It seems that Wally has been spying on everyone on the team and also recording his observations.  It's like a messed up Harriet the Spy bit as the team sits and listens to Wally's dark secrets about Power Girl's booty, Rose's hottness and Slade's born again attitude.  It's done really well as it's intermixed with some more messed up Deathstroke training and some clothes shopping with Jericho that made me laugh.

I really like the way Priest writes Wally in this issue and wish he was on the Flash book right this instant, but my wishes never come true.  This is the next best thing, though, as Wally fails every step of the way, but is still so likable here.  Slade is also very likeable in this issue as he takes on a bit of a fatherly role with Wally.  He gives Kid Flash some pretty damn good advise and it's one of those great Priest scenes that makes you feel good while you know he is setting you up for better things to come.

The issue continues showing us that Wally choose poorly in Slade's earlier training lesson, but then the unthinkable happens...someone has kidnapped Deathstroke.  If you've been reading, it's an easy guess as to whom, but seriously, who the hell would be able to kidnap the Terminator.

The issue ends by showing us exactly whom and it seems a bit off continuity wise for some of the players involved, but I'll wait to see what's going on next issue.  Priest has earned that trust.

I liked this issue a lot.  In the overall scheme of things, the story didn't move ahead a whole lot, but I loved how Priest handled Wally and how messed up the ending was.  I can't wait to see the Stroke Squad go to rescue their mentor!

Diogenes Neves continues the great art in the series and I'm afraid that I am taking it all for granted here.  I guess that's the problem with being consistently great...that's just what I keep expecting with each issue.  Neves hasn't disappointed me yet.

 Bits and Pieces:

Deathstroke continues being one of the smartest books on the shelf today and Priest adds Wally West as a character he can totally kill with this week.  The art and story are so good and the only thing stopping this from getting higher marks is the slow paced nature of the overall narrative.  However, I can't really complain too much because I have been loving the ride.

8.8/10