While today is April Fools' Day, after checking with Snopes.com, I can confirm Frank Tieri and Mark Texeira's Deathstroke/Yogi Bear Special (2018) #1 was, in fact, a real comic book. I kid, of course, but before 2017, the very notion of a DC Comics/Hanna-Barbera crossover that utilized top industry talent would seem like a completely plausible hoax that would be perpetrated on the internet. But, a series of such crossovers did happen and to a respectable level of critical and fan acclaim; enough so that there have been three waves of the titles released to date. So, enough time has passed since its release, I'd take a look back at what happened when the world's deadliest assassin crossed paths with the certain Jellystone bear that just happens to be "smarter than the av-er-age bear!"
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| Yep! This was a thing. A real...thing. Art by Tyler Kirkham & Arif Prianto |
In examining this comic book, I'm going to employ the tried and true technique known as the "compliment sandwich," where I start and end my analysis with positives so that everyone feels better about how I crap on this book in the middle. So, without further ado...
One of the strongest aspects of this book is the sharp artwork turned in by veteran penciler, Mark Texeira. Texeira has always been a favorite of mine dating back to his Marvel Comics' work on both the New Universe title Psi-Force (1986) and the Danny Ketch Ghost Rider (1990) reboot. Texeira's work on this special successfully walks the fine line between communicating the serious, violent action and danger, while still providing appropriate levels of whimsey when spotlighting Yogi's goofy nature. Slade appears appropriately menacing as do the book's full cast of antagonists including the ridiculous Sonny and Cher-inspired big bads from H.I.V.E., Weirdly and Creepella Creepley. While this book does have its flaws (which will be discussed below), Texeira's visuals and panel layouts aren't any of them.
Now we move on to the less enjoyable part of this post, which is the book's negatives. Comic book readers have to develop a substantial ability to suspend disbelief to properly enjoy the medium, however, everything from the basic plot the pairing of heroes requires too much disbelief on the part of the reader. Tieri's script can't rescue the rotten mismatch of protagonists as a premise, such as this one just screamed for a more appropriate character like Harley Quinn, the Heckler, the Ted Kord Blue Beetle, or even Ambush Bug, and definitely not Deathstroke. Yogi's personality was well-matched to his actions and dialog, from the use of phrases like his signature "pick-a-nick basket" to his newly coined "punchity punch punch" (yes, he really said that). But by comparison, Tieri's Deathstroke felt like a very uncomfortable fit as he abandoned core principles like, I don't know, getting paid actual money for his services. It was truly out of character that Slade would be willing to help anyone without a six-figure deposit, let alone some idiot talking bear he just met (yes, I really just wrote that). Tieri also devoted an entire page to a flashback montage of Slade talking himself up to Yogi, to assure him that he could handle whatever dangerous anthropomorphic animals that could come their way. I'm sorry but if you know enough to hire Deathstroke in the first place, then you should already know what a badass he is. Even further contrary to his nature, Slade took down the Dalton Gang alive, but in fairness, I suppose he would get more bounty money that way. Anyway, those are my gripes, so back to the positives.
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| I'm still not sure what this page accomplished. Art by Mark Texeira |
Despite my issues with the premise, plot, and script, others clearly do not agree with my assessment of this special. The review aggregator site, Comic Book Round Up, has issued it a score of 7.9 based upon 11 professional reviews, with the highest single score coming in at a 9.5. These scores make it tied for second highest special in the whole DC/Hanna-Barbera series, placing it just behind the Aquaman/Jabberjaw Special at 8.1. Personally, I found the Super Sons/Dynomutt Special to be the class of the entire line, but this is just one person's opinion. Many reviewers praised the pairing of Slade and Yogi and the "humor" of their odd couple-inspired banter. The twist ending does make a continuation of the main plot a possibility for future installments, I just don't think that Deathstroke's involvement is required to make it happen. In any event, I generally did enjoy most of the DC/Hanna-Barbera crossovers that have been released so far, but in the end, this one just wasn't for me.
