Slade Wilson is getting his Batman: Year One-like story in Deathstroke Inc.
Deathstroke Inc. #10 is the beginning of the title's "Year One" arc for the titular mercenary. Other heroes have had Year One stories in the past (i.e. Batgirl, Robin, Wonder Woman), but most comic fans will recall the four-issue Batman arc written by Frank Miller and illustrated by David Mazzucchelli in 1987 when hearing those two words. However, while Batman: Year One explores Bruce Wayne's first attempt at crime fighting and his origin as the Dark Knight, Deathstroke's "Year One" will be quite different.
A preview for Deathstroke Inc. #10, written by Ed Brisson and illustrated by Dexter Soy, shows Slade waking up from the experimental procedure that turned him into a super soldier, a procedure he volunteered for. In the pages though, Slade cannot remember where he is or what is going on, and immediately begins to fight the doctors and soldiers around him. Future issues announced by DC Comics' solicitations show "Year One" continuing through Sept. 2022, but how long the origin arc will last remains to be seen.
Brisson is taking the reins of the title from writer Joshua Williamson, who penned Deathstroke Inc. from its beginning through the Shadow War crossover with Batman and Robin. Before "Year One," the series focused on present day Slade Wilson and built towards Shadow War and Williamson's Dark Crisis event helmed alongside artist Daniel Sampere. The 2022 event takes Slade down a darker path as he wages war against the heroes of Earth with his Secret Society of Super-Villains at his command. So, Deathstroke Inc. is taking a time jump backwards and avoiding Slade's current villainy and any Dark Crisis tie-ins as of writing.
DEATHSTROKE INC. #10
- Written by ED BRISSON
- Art by DEXTER SOY
- Cover by MIKEL JANÍN
- Variant cover by IVAN TAO
- 1:25 variant cover by FILYA BRATUKHIN
- $3.99 US | 32 pages | $4.99 US Variant (card stock)
- ON SALE 6/28/22
- Slade Wilson's blood-drenched past and exploits are well chronicled, but how did Slade become the infamous assassin and mercenary known as Deathstroke? What dark turns did his life take that set him on the path of destruction that would tear his family apart? Find out as “Deathstroke: Year One” begins...
It is currently unknown what points from Slade's past or which characters he has previously interacted with will appear in "Year One." Though Green Arrow is set to appear in Deathstroke Inc. #12, Slade also has had history as a Titans villain, spats with Batman and other heroes, as well a few children of his own, including sons Joey and Grant and his daughter Rose aka Ravager.
Deathstroke Inc. #10 is written by Brisson with art by Soy, colors by Veronica Gandini, letters by Steve Wands and main cover art by Mikel Janín. Variant covers for the issue were contributed to by Filya Bratukhin, Rex Lokus and Ivan Tao. The issue goes on sale June 28 from DC Comics.
Source: DC Comics