WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Deathstroke Inc. #5 now on sale from DC Comics

Deathstroke has risen in the ranks of the DC Universe over the years, evolving from his initial role as a Teen Titans enemy to become one of DC's greatest utility villains. Now, he's positioned to step up into a whole new level of power. Deathstroke Inc. #5 ( by Joshua Williamson, Paolo Pantalena, Hi-Fi, and Steve Wands) sees Slade Wilson ascend to the apparent role of King of the Super-Villains. While it's a big shift for the character, it's also a long-overdue acknowledgment of Deathstroke's potential as one of DC's greatest villains.

Black Canary and Deathstroke have found themselves in a very unlikely position as of late. Recruited by T.R.U.S.T., the pair were initially led to believe this could result in a radical reinvention of what the landscape of heroes and villains could look like. In reality, T.R.U.S.T. turned out to be a new extension of the Secret Society of Super-Villains, now keenly invested in manipulating events to avoid the reality-threatening direction other DC villains had recently made. Confronting the Secret Society's leadership, Calculator and the new Libra, Deathstroke and Black Canary learn about the Society's intentions. But Deathstroke saw a flaw in the plan: it doesn't revolve around him. Deathstroke shot down Libra and Calculator before anyone could respond. He then took the Calculator's position at the center of the group, declaring himself to be the King of the Super-Villains.

RELATED: Did DC's Most Infamous Organization Become Its Biggest... Superhero Loser?

It's a major development for Slade, particularly given how the series up to this point had been pointing him towards a potential point of redemption. Seeming on his way to death, Deathstroke seemed content to do some good on the way out. But as always, his ambition and greed seem to have gotten the better of him. It's another chapter in the winding story of Slade Wilson, and a good example of why he's proven to be so compelling over the years. Deathstroke's ruthless nature has always been at the heart of the character, and his simple execution of rivals before they even realize what's happening is a good reminder of that. Although he ended up with a very defined hate for certain heroes, he's maintained a unique place in the DC Universe as someone who could commit terrible acts or be genuinely heroic.

His family connections and moral complexities make him a more inherently compelling character than almost any other notable villain in the universe. It's because of many of these reasons that Deathstroke became such a fan favorite, even beyond his tactical and combat skills. Deathstroke rising to power was always a given, and now he's coming into his own at the perfect time. The assembled villains fear the dark machinations happening behind the scenes, suggesting the waves from the oncoming conflict around the Great Darkness have already spread. This will unite plenty of villains behind him, and set him up to command a unique variant of the Secret Society.

RELATED: Who Is Black Zero? DC's Villainous Superboy Is Back - And An Even Bigger Threat

The confirmation that he's behind the upcoming murder of Ra's Al Ghul moves him into a globally dangerous position, setting him at the center of the Shadow War. Perhaps most notably, Deathstroke is taking control just as his most dangerous threat, the Justice League, is about to be removed from the board. The upcoming Justice League #75 will kill most of the world's most established powerhouses. This will likely leave a power vacuum that Deathstroke can use. Without heroes like Batman, Green Arrow, and Black Canary in the way, Deathstroke might have the perfect opening to establish a foothold in the world. DC has the perfect opportunity to showcase just how dangerous Deathstroke really is with this move, setting him up to become the kind of villainous mastermind Lex Luthor could only ever dream of becoming.

KEEP READING: One Of Wonder Woman's Most Dangerous Enemies Just Revealed A New Power