Deathstroke is about to encounter a new kind of challenge.
DC Comics has released its solicitations for May 2022, including information on Batman #123. The upcoming issue written by Joshua Williamson and drawn by Howard Porter will be the fifth part in the "Shadow War" event, but will also feature a backup story focused on Slade Wilson. The backup story will be written by Williamson as well, but will feature art by Trevor Hairsine and explore what a Joker toxin-infected Deathstroke would be like.
BATMAN #123
- "SHADOW WAR" PART 5
- Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
- Art and cover by HOWARD PORTER
- Backup written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
- Backup art by TREVOR HAIRSINE
- Variant cover by GABRIELE DELL'OTTO
- 1:25 variant cover by JAY ANACLETO
- 1:50 variant cover by JOCK
- $4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
- ON SALE 5/3/22
- Batman and Robin are finally reunited! Together they will hunt for the truth behind the death of Ra's al Ghul! But then who is left to defend the Secret Society against the League of Shadows? Deathstroke's fight against the Demon's Shadow ends with a shocking cliffhanger!
- Plus, what happens when you get Deathstroke infected with Joker toxin? Find out in the epic backup story!
Joker toxin is one of the Clown Prince of Crime's signature weapons of choice, causing uncontrollable laughter, a giant smile and eventual death for whoever is exposed. Of course, there are variations of the toxin and types, being that some are gaseous, others are non-fatal and/or something else entirely. If exposed to the the toxin that resides within the Joker's heart, you could develop his own twisted morality and a fashion sense comprised of leather and metal spikes, such as was the case with the Batman Who Laughs.
The most notable use of Joker toxin in the last year was during the events of Infinite Frontier #0. Now dubbed "A-Day," Joker toxin was used to kill many of the workers and inmates of Arkham Asylum, eventually resulting in the facility's destruction. Following the events of the previous Batman event, "Fear State," the facility has now been replaced with Arkham Tower, which is the main focus of Detective Comics' current "Shadows of the Bat" event.
What Joker Toxin will do to Deathstroke remains to be seen, but he will likely survive the exposure -- and not only because he is set to be in future stories. As a result of the procedure that turned him into a super soldier, the mercenary possesses an enhanced resistance to toxins. Though it is an Elseworld story, DCeased showed that Slade could even overcome a techno-organic virus turning the world's human and metahuman populations into zombies, including Superman. When Superman was under the influence of Joker toxin, he nearly killed the Batman Who Laughs.
After "Shadow War," it appears that Deathstroke may have a prominent role in the upcoming Dark Crisis event helmed by Williamson. He has been shown in artwork for the upcoming event, which will explore how the legacy heroes of the DC Universe handle a crisis-level event following the Justice League's death. The event launches with Dark Crisis #0 on Free Comic Book Day and spins out of Justice League #75.
In addition to Williamson writing and both Porter and Hairsine on art, variant covers for Batman #123 were created by Gabriele Dell'Otto, Jay Anacleto and Jock. The above header features artwork from Jonboy Meyers' cover for Deathstroke Inc. #9. Batman #123 goes on sale May 3 from DC Comics.
Source: DC Comics