Deathstroke
(Why Is He Worthy To Be Batman’s Newest Cinematic Adversary?)
by Phil Perich for the Legends of DC Blog
Today Ben Affleck put out teaser test footage of the character of Deathstroke. It was later confirmed that Slade Wilson, aka Deathstroke the Terminator would be Batman’s main adversary in the upcoming Batman solo movie. Why has Deathstroke been considered worthy enough to battle the Dark Knight and why is also one of the deadliest killers in the DC Universe?
Origin
Slade Wilson joined the US Army at the age of sixteen after lying about his age. Quickly rising through the ranks, Slade eventually submitted himself to experiments the government was performing to create super soldiers. Slade would gain enhanced physical abilities, including superhuman speed, strength, endurance, reflexes, and a powerful healing factor. He would eventually strike out on his own as a mercenary.
Those Pesky Kids…
Deathstroke first appeared in New Teen Titans #2 (December 1980) and would go on to battle probably the best known and maybe most powerful version of the Teen Titans. During the Judas Contract storyline, Deathstroke even managed to defeat and capture most of the team before they were rescued by Dick Grayson in his brand new identity of Nightwing and Deathstroke’s own son Jericho.
Batman V Deathstroke
A few years later, after many battles with Batman’s protege Nightwing and his friends in the Teen Titans, Deathstroke would face off with the Dark Knight himself. Batman discovered that Deathstroke had come to Gotham to commit an assassination. While the pair would meet many more times over the years and Batman would win most of these confrontations, that was not the case in their first encounter.
Deathstroke V Superman
A short time later, Deathstroke would go on the run when most of the law enforcement agencies on Earth attempted to capture him. After weeks of failed arrests by everyone, including members of the Justice League, Deathstroke would eventually be captured by Superman after a battle at an airport where Lucy Lane, sister of Lois Lane, is accidentally injured.
Man (of War) V (Wonder) Woman
As if his confrontation with Superman wasn't enough, Deathstroke has even encountered Wonder Woman several times over the years. Their most recent interaction occurred on Paradise Island, where Slade attempted to kill a god (hey, he took a contract)! After battling Wonder Woman, the two join forces to clean up the mess Deathstroke inadvertently created.
So there you go, Deathstroke has faced some of the heaviest hitters in the DC Universe and walked away most of the time. Are you excited to see him on the big screen battling Batman?
Let me know:
@nightwingpdp & @worldsfinestpod on Twitter
You can hear me and my friends discussing all things DC Comics on the Channel 52 (@channel52pod), Before the Bat (@BeforetheBatPod), and upcoming Legends of DC podcasts. I also write another blog, the True Believers Blog, about everything Marvel. You can find all of my podcasts, blogs, and those of others at www.southgatemediagroup.com. You can also find all of my creative endeavors at www.philperich.wordpress.com.