DC's Deathstroke Inc. #1
- WRITER
- Joshua Williamson
- Artist
- Howard Porter
- Letterer
- Steve Wands
- Cover Artist
- Hi-Fi, Howard Porter
- Publisher
- DC Comics
- Price
- 3.99
- Release Date
- 2021-09-28
- Colorist
- Hi-Fi
DC Comics' Deathstroke is awesome. As a foe to the Titans, Batman, and Green Arrow, Slade Wilson is one of the most popular anti-heroes in comics. While the Joker or Lex Luther occasionally receive solo series, Deathstroke has been a mainstay of DC Comics for years. In Deathstroke Inc., Slade teams up with Black Canary for a noble cause. Written by Joshua Williamson with artwork by Howard Porter, Deathstroke Inc. #1 starts with a bang and refreshes the fan-favorite mercenary without losing its edge.
Deathstroke Inc. #1 opens with Black Canary on an undercover mission in an idyllic European village. As she walks through the streets, she reports to her handlers at T.R.U.S.T. that something is up, summoning Deathstroke. The two soon discover that H.I.V.E. is using the village as a base for an evil operation. The duo races to confront the new H.I.V.E. Queen but are immediately attacked by her and her mutated family. The issue asks, Can Black Canary and Deathstroke keep each other safe? And, what hidden motive is guiding T.R.U.S.T.'s actions?
Williamson, who has been establishing a name for himself in the Green Arrow family of titles, and has heavily featured Green Arrow's son Connor Hawke in Robin, tackles the odd-couple tandem of Deathstroke and Black Canary again in Deathstroke Inc. The two make for engaging lead characters with a palpable tension between them -- even though Deathstroke claims he is genuinely trying to be a hero. Williamson's story immediately drops readers into an exciting world of spies and espionage. It's an efficient way to deliver all of the action that fans are looking for while still building up the lore behind T.R.U.S.T. (Transparent Researchers United for Strategy and Technology) and the ultimate direction of the series.
Williamson is joined by his Flash partner Howard Porter for Deathstroke Inc. #1 and their chemistry is apparent from the first page. Porter is a veteran artist with decades of hits, including JLA, Superman, and Scooby Apocalypse, so he's well-equipped for everything that this book throws at him. His versatility is immediately put to the test here, as the issue gives the opportunity to draw mutated bee people, devastated suburban landscapes, and Deathstroke riding atop the Batmobile with a Gatling gun. Porter's bombastic action scenes are fleshed out by Hi-Fi, who makes things even prettier with lush, dynamic colors. Queen Bee's house is plastered with gold and yellow detailing, while the hot oranges and cool blues of Deathstroke's design pop off the page. The art in this book is a beautiful representation of what visuals can be achieved exclusively in comics.
Deathstroke Inc. #1 ends with several teases for upcoming issues. One of these panels shows Robin fighting Deathstroke, and while it is unclear how these events will unfold, it's impossible not to get excited about that rematch. A lot has changed since the two last fought, and their shifting morals could influence a different victor -- especially with variables like Connor Hawke and Black Canary at play. Williamson loves embracing the shared continuity of the DC Universe and since this book already overlaps multiple different characters and franchises, it seems like nothing is off the table.
After only one issue, Deathstroke Inc. is already one of the most interesting books in DC's Infinite Frontier. By playing with Deathstroke and Black Canary's history, Deathstroke Inc. is charting a new course for their roles in the DC Universe. Williamson and Porter have a proven track record for big, creative stories, and it looks like this may be their most explosive work yet. Deathstroke Inc. is the comic you never knew you needed until you read it.