Deathstroke DC Rebirth Era HeroClix

It's been well over two years since I've covered any WizKids HeroClix merchandise so I felt it was time to delve back in the little plastic warriors to see what was new. Needless to say, I was ecstatic when I found DC Rebirth era HeroClix derived from some of my favorite story arcs from Christopher Priest's critically-acclaimed  Deathstroke (2016) run. Imagine my joy as I discovered not one, but three versions of Deathstroke representing "The Professional," "The Lazarus Contract," and "Defiance" story arcs. In addition, there was a Rebirth design Ravager, Adeline Kane, Jericho, Kid Flash (Wallace West), Power Girl (Tanya Spears from the "Twilight" arc) and the inexplicably back-from-the-dead, Terra. Furthermore, all of the above characters, save for Adeline Kane, also had a separate HeroClix depicting their short-lived Defiance costumes. Images of the Rebirth era HeroClix and their accompanying stat cards are posted below. As always, for best viewing, open each image into its own tab.

SHADES OF SLADE: Flashpoint's Pirate Deathstroke

Yesterday's post on the Deathstroke Files titled, "DEATHSTROKE COVERED: Joe Bennett and John Dell's Flashpoint: Deathstroke And The Curse of the Ravager (2011) #1," began the spotlight on DC Comics' pirate version of Deathstroke from Flashpoint. Today's SHADES of SLADE post takes a closer look at the alternate Slade Wilson, who was both a scourge of the high seas and a devoted father on a mission.

The Flashpoint Crisis (the fifth of the DC Multiverse's seven official crises), began as the Flash, Barry Allen," in a moment of weakness, attempted to go back in time to prevent his mother from ever being murdered at the hands of Eobard Thawn, aka the Reverse-Flash, aka Professor Zoom. While the Flash succeeded in saving his mother, he also fundamentally changed reality in such a way that while some vestiges of the world he knew where still present, the new status quo had become a nightmare version of Earth-0.

In the new reality of the Flashpoint Crisis, though Barry Allen's mother was alive, Allen himself never acquired superspeed powers thus never became the Flash. Gotham City's Joe Chill did gun down Martha Wayne in Crime Alley, but instead of killing her husband Thomas, Chill murdered her son, Bruce, thus putting Thomas Wayne on the path to becoming a callous and brutal incarnation of Batman. Instead of being raised in the loving arms of a young Kansas farm couple, an infant Kryptonian refugee instead fell into the hands of Gen. Sam Lane who looked at the child as nothing more than a lab specimen ordering experiments to be conducted on the child, depriving him of the humanity necessary for him to become the planet's greatest hero. Wonder Woman and Aquaman were not heroic allies in this reality, but instead were superpowered tyrants engaged in a devastating war, which resulted in the Amazons conquering and annexing the United Kingdon and the cataclysmic sinking of Western Europe into the Atlantic Ocean by Atlantis.

But the global chaos of Arthur and Diana's war brought opportunity to some willing and able to grasp it as a new age of metahuman pirates was unleashed on the high seas. One such metahuman was Deathstroke, Captain of the pirate ship, the Ravager. Deathstroke is an infamous pirate with a well-deserved reputation for brutality, but that reputation is an honorable one. Deathstroke doesn't kill unless it is necessary to do a job and he honors all of his fallen crew members with a dignified burial. Honor is especially important when it comes to his pirate rivals as evidenced from his battles with Travis Morgan, the Warlord to whom he refers as his "esteemed enemy." When he defeated the Warlord on his second ship, the Skartaris, Deathstroke expressed pleasure when Morgan had escaped because he desired a rematch because so he could take the Warlord out on his best ship, the Tara, because "anything less just seems unfair."

Deathstroke, Captain of the Ravager, along with members of his crew,
Clayface, King Shark, Icicle, and Briggs.
Art by Joe Bennett

Though he and his crew were pirates out for loot and plunder, Deathstroke had a more pressing agenda. His daughter Rose had been taken captive and his mission was to recover her. The reason that Deathstroke and his crew engaged the Warlord was that Slade had intel that Morgan was transporting a metahuman female in a containment pod, whom he hoped was Rose. I turned out that the pod did have a young female, but it was not Rose, but a young woman named Jenny Blitz, whom I assume was the Flashpoint reality's iteration of the Wildstorm Universe's Jenny Sparks. I won't spoil the remainder of the story, but suffice it to say that more swashbuckling, mutiny, double-crosses, death, and, yes love are all yet to come in this tale (and no I didn't spoil anything, I simply enumerated the required elements of every single pirate story, including this one).

One interesting tidbit about Flashpoint's pirate Deathstroke is that this version also had some legs to it outside of its initial three-issue miniseries. Pirate Deathstroke has made more than one cosplay appearance at different conventions and even at Halloween since his 2011 debut. He even appeared in a short scene from the animated film Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox (2013) voiced by Teen Titans' (2003) Slade voice actor, Ron Perlman. Pirate Deathstroke's look was such a hit that NetherRealm Studios included a Flashpoint Deathstroke skin in a DLC pack. Flashpoint Deathstroke received much love from the fans, and never once had to resort to the worn out "Yar, me maties," shtick. Though, if he wanted to do so, he could have pulled that off too.

Flashpoint Deathstroke skin from the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us.

DEATHSTROKE COVERED: Joe Bennett and John Dell's Flashpoint: Deathstroke And The Curse of the Ravager (2011) #1

This cover that was chosen for this edition of Deathstroke Covered from Flashpoint: Deathstroke And The Curse of the Ravager (2011) #1, absolutely reinforces three essential truths. Truth number one: Penciler Joe Bennett and inker John Dell should work together as often as possible as this cover is stunning. Truth number two: In almost every DC reality (be it an alternate universe or an alternate timeline), Deathstroke is a major badass!!! And truth number three: For the sake of the integrity of its cover artwork, DC Comics should stop whoring out its comic book covers to promote their movies, especially a universally panned dumpster fire that was the Ryan Reynolds-contaminated Green Lantern (2011). ARGH!

In any event, Bennett and Dell's cover for Flashpoint: Deathstroke And The Curse of the Ravager #1 is posted below. 

(DISCLAIMER: DC Comics is solely responsible for the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern content in the following cover image and in no way reflects the views or values of The Deathstroke Files.)

Pencils by Joe Bennett with inks by John Dell

Deathstroke and Nightwing Dance It Out Courtesy of Prinze, Jr.'s GEGGHEAD

The ongoing struggle between Slade Wilson and Dick Grayson traces all the way back to New Teen Titans (1980) #2. Often adversaries, sometimes allies, but always rivals, Deathstroke and Nightwing have spent years trying to establish dominance over one another whether it's through elaborate schemes or hand-to-hand. But there is one form of combat Deathstroke and Nightwing have yet to engage until now. DANCE BATTLE! Wait, dance battle? Sigh.

Brought to you by Freddie Prinze, Jr.'s GEGGHEAD, Deathstroke and Nightwing come face-to-face to settle the score by...dancing. Deathstroke portrayed Prinze and Nightwing, played by Jon Lee Brody, take their bad blood to the streets to get down. The GEGGHEAD video entitled, Nightwing and Deathstroke Bust a Move is posted below. Enjoy?

Deathstroke From 1995's SkyBox DC Power Chrome Legends '95

In the midst of the nonsense that was the 1990s "extreme," in 1995 DC Comics and Skybox released the 1995 SkyBox DC Power Chrome Legends '95 trading card set. Utilizing the same technology that brought us the super-rad Chromium comic book covers, Skybox incorporated chrome into steroid-inspired artwork that was ubiquitous prior to the soon-to-implode comic book market. Images of a sealed box and unopened packages of this set are posted below.

Of particular interest to this blog was card #47, which featured everyone's favorite assassin: Deathstroke the Terminator. In addition to the unnaturally massive physique and the mandatory 90s open-mouth snarly face was, what is either visible breath from being in the cold or smoke billowing from his mouth, which no doubt came from the red-hot 90s rage, which apparently literally burned within him. Card #47 front and back images are posted below.

Art by Sergio Cariello

Art by Sergio Cariello

But wait, that's not all the 90s extreme Deathstroke-related goodness offered by the SkyBox DC Power Chrome Legends '95 trading card set. Card #78 blessed us with the special gift of the DC New Blood, Gunfire, who naturally was also sporting mandatory the open-mouth snarl face. Card #78 front and back images are posted below.

Art by Ed Benes

Art by Ed Benes

Just looking at the radical, kick-ass goodness that was the SkyBox DC Power Chrome Legends '95 cards, one can almost hear the faint creaking of the comic book market about to collapse under the weight of its own die-cut, chromium covered awesomeness. EXTREME!!!

Deathstroke in DC Comics' Hidden Gem: The Chain Gang War (1993)

John Wagner is best known as the co-creator, with artist Carlos Ezquerra, of the British comic book institution that is Judge Dredd, as well as the author of the original graphic novel, turned Viggo Mortensen film, A History of Violence. In the heart of the all-guns-blazing attitude of the 1990s, Wagner, along with artist Dave Johnson, unleashed the first issue of a brutal new ongoing series set in the crime-ridden streets of Gotham City called the Chain Gang War (1993), which was replete with all the savage, violent action and gunplay that fans had come to expect from Wagner's work. 

The original solicitation copy for the series appears below.

A trio of armed vigilantes goes gunning for both street scum and super-villains. But quick executions aren't necessarily their style; they're into punishment. For that they have the House of Correction, an inescapable dungeon far below the Strang Mansion. There, justice is dispensed...despite the law! CHAIN GANG WAR is a series set in the gritty underside of the DC Universe, where shocks and twists abound with high-calibre action and intrigue. The Chain Gang has its share of friends and foes: police detective Joe Shanahan wants to bring them in and put them away for good; investigative reporter Marion Hawley wants the inside story on the Gang, and may go to extremes to get it; and the city is so frustrated with crime and motivated by fear that the anger boils into support for the vigilantes.

The street vigilante group known as the Chain Gang consisted of Ernie Doors, an unemployed Vietnam veteran, Yale Strang, a man of wealth who lost the love of his life to actions of a murderous street criminal, and Curtis Zecker, an unbalanced ex-con with a taste for violence and vengeance against purveyors of organized crime. The three gun-toting vigilantes target criminals, such as powerful Gotham mob bosses, who seem to consistently escape conviction in the courts, usually by mounting heavily armed invasions of their own homes. Much to the chagrin of Zecker, unlike many other armed vigilantes like the Punisher, the Chain Gang does not set out to murder their targets. Instead, the Chain Gang kidnaps and imprisons them in a makeshift dungeon in the bowels of Strang's mansion, setting something of a precedent for what Damian Wayne would attempt to accomplish with his reorganized Teen Titans and their Mercy Hall facility.

The Chain Gang from left to right; Ernie Dorrs, Yale Strang, and
Curtis Zecker
Art by Dave Johnson

Chain Gang War undersold in 1993 and 1994 because it got lost in the veritable deluge of other 90s titles that were heavy on bloodshed, gunfights, and other assorted varieties of over-the-top violence while starring A-list characters (i.e. Lobo, Punisher, Spawn, Wolverine, Youngblood, etc.). Unfortunately, the Chain Gang War was canceled due to those poor sales ending with issue #12, but in those twelve issues, Deathstroke appeared in eight of them (issues #3-7, 9-10, and 12). 

Deathstroke wreaking havoc on Ernie Dorrs and Yale Strang on the cover of
Chain Gang War (1993) #5
Art by Dave Johnson

So, the question becomes, "What was Deathstroke's connection to the Chain Gang?" The answer is that there are two coincidental reasons that set Slade Wilson on a collision course with the Chain Gang. The first reason was that Deathstroke was contracted by the family of Gotham mob boss and Strang Manor "inmate," John Scipio, to track down the Chain Gang, as the Scipio family suspected they had something to do with John's disappearance. Slade accepted the contract but insisted that his $10,000,000 fee be donated because his own interest in the Chain Gang was personal, not professional.

Slade's second connection to the Chain Gang was established in his days as a soldier during the U.S. war in Vietnam. As shown in a flashback in Deathstroke the Terminator (1990) #5, Slade was part of a squad whose mission was to eliminate some Viet Cong that were operating in a village full of innocent civilians. Slade's lieutenant ordered the squad to open fire on everyone in the village cutting down enemy and civilian alike. While Slade only aimed at the enemy, the rest of the squad fired indiscriminately. Slade's personal sense of honor caused him to be sickened by the cold-blooded murders of the village's civilians. Slade recounted this story to Wintergreen in Chain Gang War #4, but with one significant addition. After viewing video footage of the Chain Gang in action, Slade recognized one member of the Chain Gang as a member of his old squad in Vietnam, that member being Ernie Dorrs. Slade then placed Dorrs firmly within his sights to make him pay for the heinous actions of that fateful day.

Ernie Dorrs in shock at what he had done, and Slade Wilson declaring his
intentions to make Dorrs pay for his war crimes.
Art by Dave Johnson

I won't spoil how Deathstroke's confrontation with Earnie Dorrs and the Chain Gang ends up as I feel it is one of the few chapters of Deathstroke's history that is still semi-hidden because the Chain Gang War did not sell well in its day, it has not yet been collected in trade paperback form, and is not currently available to purchase digitally. If you can find a way to read the entire twelve-issue series, I highly recommend that you do so. Wagner and Johnson's Chain Gang War is a smart, adrenaline-fueled action story that shines a light on multiple "shades of grey" characters taking extreme actions based upon their own personal brands of "justice over law" morality. Chain Gang War is a true hidden gem indeed.

Cyborg From 1985's Who's Who #5

Regardless of specific comic book continuity, Victor Stone, aka Cyborg, became the symbolic embodiment of the future's promise to overcome the challenges and tragedies of today through the continued advancement of knowledge and technology. Even though he was created in 1980, it's apropos that a character born of state-of-the-art technology has really come into his own in the twenty-first century. Two years before the real world's Jarvik 7 artificial heart was implanted in a human, Marv Wolfman used cutting-edge technology to reconstruct over half of Victor Stone's body following a catastrophic lab explosion at S.T.A.R. Labs. Now, in a world of routine artificial hip replacements, cochlear implants, and voluntary embedding of microchips in the human body, a character like Cyborg seems more prophetic that fictional.

Even though he has been associated with other superhero groups, like the Doom Patrol or more recently the Justice League, Cyborg will be forever linked with the New Teen Titans. Cyborg lengthy tenure with the began with the team's revival, putting him squarely on a collision course with the original Ravager, Grant Wilson, and his father, Deathstroke the Terminator. In fact, Grant's first ever act as the Ravager from New Teen Titans (1980) #2 was an attack on Cyborg, from which he needed an unexpected assist from the Terminator to avoid defeat. This event made Cyborg the first Teen Titan to cross figurative swords with Deathstroke. Posted below is a scan from Cyborg's 1985 Who's Who entry from issue #5 (V) featuring art by both Deathstroke's and Cyborg's legendary co-creator, George Pérez, and Romeo Tanghal.

Art by George Pérez and Romeo Tanghal

Wilson!!! WILSON!!! I'm Sorry!! I'm Sorry!!! WILSON!!!!!

I saw this, and I couldn't resist.

Just Don't: Deathstroke Full-Face Hooded Jacket

This is a public service announcement. The jacket pictured below may look cool, but please don't walk around in the real world with your face fully covered like this, especially in the US. The chances of everyone you meet saying, "All right! Deathstroke Rules!" are slim. The chances of getting arrested or shot for freaking out the general public...pretty high. If you have this jacket (And really, why?), save it for Comic-Con where you'll be safe because remember, only Deathstroke could get away with dressing like this in the real world unscathed.

You are not Deathstroke. Just don't.

DEATHSTROKE BY: Deathstroke and Harley Quinn by Leo Matos and Blackmoonrose13/Cat Lunascia

This edition of DEATHSTROKE BY comes to us courtesy of a couple of talented artists. The piece below is titled, aptly enough, Deathstroke and Harley Quinn. The first version features pencil and ink work by Brazilian artist, Leo Matos. More of Matos' pencil work can be seen in his DeviantArt gallery by clicking here.

Deathstroke and Harley Quinn
Pencils and inks by Leo Matos

Providing the appropriately moody finishes for this piece is US-based colorist, Blackmoonrose13, aka Cat Lunascia. More of Blackmoonrose13's color work is available here at her DeviantArt gallery by clicking here.

Deathstroke and Harley Quinn
Pencils and inks by Leo Matos
Colors by Blackmoonrose13/Cat Lunascia

Funko Dorbz 2 Pack: Nightwing and Deathstroke

When I post about Deathstroke-related merchandise, I like to focus newer items or even ones that have yet to be released because older pieces tend to be increasingly entangled in the "eBay Effect" of artificial price inflation that plagues the secondary market. The eBay Effect really kicks in when the merchandise has a limited production run or has an exclusive retail availability. Funko had entered into many such arrangements with WalMart, Target, and Toys "Я" Us leading to some exclusive figures fetching ridiculous prices in the online aftermarket. 

Now imagine a collectible that was only available for sale at a convention, only 1,500 of them were made, and was only on sale for four days. OUCH! Logic and history tell us that such an item would bring hundreds, if not thousands of dollars online. But what if I told you that I have routinely found this item of eBay for as low as $20.00 USD? Brand new, the Funko Dorbz 2 Pack: Nightwing and Deathstroke sets were sold exclusively at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con, and had only a limited 1,500 unit production run. Exclusive availability, short availability time, and a microscopic production run should have sent this item through the secondary market's figurative roof, but this item can still be acquired at a more-than-reasonable price by the savvy collector.

There are some other aspects of this set worth noting. While there are other versions of Nightwing available in the Dorbz collection, this set is the only way to get Nightwing in his original George Pérez designed "Judas Contract" era costume, which debuted in Tales of the Teen Titans (1980) #44. Furthermore, this two-pack set contains the only version of Deathstroke currently in the Funko Dorbz line. So if you ever wanted a semi-rare Deathstroke collectible, but were never willing to take out a second mortgage, the Funko Dorbz 2 Pack: Nightwing and Deathstroke set is a great way to make it happen without breaking the bank.

Deathstroke vs. Judge Dredd: Somebody Please Make This Happen!!!

I don't normally use my Deathstroke Files blog for self-serving purposes, but why bother creating a virtual soapbox if you're not going to climb atop it from time to time to let your voice be heard. Of late, DC Comics has entered a new era of cooperation with other comic book companies. Collaborations with companies like Archie Comics [Harley & Ivy Meet Betty and Veronica (2017)], Boom! Studios [Planet of the Apes/Green Lantern (2017)], Dark Horse Comics [Wonder Woman/Conan (2017)], and Dynamite Entertainment [Batman/The Shadow (2017) and The Shadow/Batman (2017)] are becoming commonplace.

Frequent DC Comics collaborator,
IDW Publishing

DC Comics has cultivated an even closer relationship with IDW Publishing than with the previously mentioned comic book companies. This partnership has yielded many crossover series and specials including Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2015), Star Trek/Green Lantern (2015), Love is Love (2016),  Star Trek/Green Lantern vol. 2: Stranger Worlds (2016), Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II (2017), Batman/The Maxx (2018), and Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III (2019). But to me, DC Comics' relationship with IDW is of particular interest because of one character: Judge Dredd.

IDW holds the North American license to publish Judge Dredd through a partnership with the UK-based Rebellion Publishing, which owns and publishes Judge Dredd in Britain. For the uninitiated, Judge Dredd, created by writer John Wagner and the late Carlos Ezquerra, follows the exploits of Joe Dredd: a government-sanctioned street judge charged with keeping the peace and administering swift, street-level justice as literally judge, jury, and often executioner in the mean streets of the post-apocalyptic North American megalopolis, Mega-City One. Dredd metes out justice from atop of his Lawmaster motorcycle, which is armed with machine guns and a laser cannon as well as his multifunction high-tech sidearm, the Lawgiver. Needless to say, Judge Dredd is a no-nonsense, tough as nails badass. Does Dredd's description sound familiar to Deathstroke fans?

Tell me this isn't an intriguing matchup!

As if it isn't obvious by now from the image above, I am proposing that DC and IDW come together for either a limited series or an original hardcover graphic novel pitting Deathstroke the Terminator against Judge Dredd. Think about it, Deathstroke, the world's greatest assassin going to war with Mega-City One's greatest lawman. Deathstroke accepts a contract to take out someone in the future with Judge Dredd sparing no violence at all to bring him down. Brawling, explosions, gunplay, and plot twists colliding intelligently with savage, heavy artwork that harkens back to a 1980s Frank Miller-style blood fest! The assassin that always fulfills his contracts and the judge who is the law; SOMETHING'S GOT TO GIVE! This project has to happen (Ok, I suppose the world could continue on just fine if this doesn't happen, but it would be a cooler world if it did)!

Let's see what we can do to make this dream matchup a reality. Use the hashtag, #DeathstrokevsDredd, to discuss this topic on DC Comics' and IDW's social media. I'm not saying we can make this project happen (this is not the largest blog out there after all), but I'd at least like to give it a try. Feel free to use the image below in any way you see fit to help me promote this idea to the powers that be to see if we can make this dream matchup a reality.

#DeathstrokevsDredd

DC Comics, IDW, Rebellion Publishing...Please make this happen!
#DeathstrokevsDredd

DEATHSTROKE COVERED: Villains United (2005) #1 by J.G. Jones

If you want to know what those within the DC Comics villain community, look no further the cover to Villains United (2005) #1 posted below. In a group portrait composed of Talia al Ghul, Black Adam, Doctor Psycho, the Calculator, and Lex Luthor, it was Deathstroke the Terminator and his blood-drenched sword that commanded center stage. Cover artist J.G. Jones arranged the villains so that they were all looking down, denoting a position of superior power, and all had their eye/s trained squarely on the reader as if to say, "We're coming for you next!" I for one am glad I live on Earth-33 so the bad people from Earth-0 can't hurt me.

Art by J.G. Jones

Deathstroke August 2019 Solicitations

DEATHSTROKE #46
written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by FERNANDO PASARIN and CAM SMITH
cover by CARLO PAGULAYAN and NORM RAPMUND
variant cover by SKAN

It’s all-out war between Rose and Jericho in the wake of Deathstroke’s murder. Rose is hell-bent on punishing the one responsible for Slade’s death, while Jericho will stop at nothing to prevent further bloodshed, even if it means using Lex Luthor’s gift—an immense power upgrade—to bend his sister’s will. As Jericho takes a dark turn…will the ends justify the means? Or is Jericho’s path to villainy only just beginning?

ON SALE 08.07.19
$3.99 US | 32 PAGES
FC | RATED T+
This issue will ship with two covers.
Please see the order form for details.

DEATHSTROKE: ARKHAM TP 
written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST
art by ED BENES, FERNANDO PASARIN, CARLO PAGULAYAN and others
cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA

After being declared criminally insane, Deathstroke is committed to Arkham Asylum! It isn’t long before the hunter becomes the hunted as Slade, powerless and weaponless, is targeted by some of Gotham City’s most wanted. But Deathstroke soon learns that his only hope for survival may be to confront his own inner demons. Has Slade really lost his mind? And just who is this impostor masquerading as Slade on the outside? Collects DEATHSTROKE #36-40.

ON SALE 09.11.19
$16.99 US | 144 PAGES
FC

Deathstroke Animated Series to Air on CW Seed

A funny thing happened at this year's broadcast and cable television industry trade exposition, known as The TV Upfronts. During a live presentation to prospective advertisers, CW Network President, Mark Pedowitz announced that an animated series starring none other than Deathstroke is currently in development and was on its way to the CW Seed digital streaming platform. In the past few years, the CW Seed has a put together a strong track record of developing other animated series based on DC Comics' television properties such as Vixen (2015), Freedom Fighters: The Ray (2017), and Constantine: City of Demons (2018). Though unconfirmed, it is speculated that the animated series will draw its inspiration from the television version of Deathstroke that appeared in the CW's Arrow, which was portrayed by the fan-favorite actor, Manu Bennett.

A promo image for the animated Deathstroke series in development
for The CWSeed digital streaming platform.

Pedowitz was light on details like voice cast members or even a premiere date, but he did drop some interesting nuggets about the series premise. The show will "follow Slade [Wilson] as his family is threatened by the murderous villain Jackal and terrorist organization HIVE." It certainly sounds like the animated series' developers are borrowing heavily from Deathstroke's early appearances in New Teen Titans (1980) and the "Full Cycle" story arc from Deathstroke the Terminator (1991), all of which was written by Deathstroke's legendary co-creator, Marv Wolfman. If the image above is any indication, it appears that Deathstroke's look will resemble the bulky New 52/Arrow-style armor rather than the sleek and stealthy Ikon Suit. 

As more details about Deathstroke's CW Seed animated series emerge, you can be sure that The Deathstroke Files will bring them straight to you.

Affleck Developing Batman vs. Deathstroke: Dawn of Vigilantes Before DCEU Departure

Ben Affleck as Batman

The DC Extended Universe of films has yielded a veritable roller coaster of results. Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Suicide Squad (2016), and Justice League (2017) left bad tastes in the collective mouths of critics and fans alike. But Wonder Woman (2017), Aquaman (2018), and Shazam! (2019) have been both critical successes and financial gold mines for Warner Bros. Prior to the release of Justice League, star, Ben Affleck and director, Zack Snyder each teased the arrival of Deathstroke into the DCEU via Twitter. Snyder posted a storyboard image what would be the Deathstroke/Lex Luthor mid-credits scene. Affleck, however, posted a video of what was assumed to be test footage for Joe Mangianello's Deathstroke. 

Speculation about the footage began to fly as fans began to debate whether Deathstroke would appear as a major player in Justice League or if he would menace Affleck's Batman in a solo film. Recent reports from multiple news sources seem to have settled the debate as to the purpose of Affleck's footage and for Deathstroke fans, it's a huge kick in the gut. Apparently, Affleck was developing a  Batman film, but it would not have been a true solo film because the main would have had equal billing. Batman v Deathstroke: Dawn of Vigilantes would have introduced Mangianello's Deathstroke as a major player, but the lackluster performances of early DCEU films made Warner Bros. executives rethink their whole approach to their DC Comics film properties. 

Before long, Affleck stepped down as the Batman film's director and eventually announced his departure from the role of Batman entirely. Affleck said on numerous occasions that one of the reasons he left the project was that he was unhappy with the script. Appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in February 2019, Affleck explained that, “I tried to direct a version of it and worked with a really good screenwriter, but just couldn’t come up with a version that couldn’t crack it. And so I thought it was time to let someone else take a shot at it." But veteran storyboard artist, and frequent DC Animation film director, Jay Oliva, claimed that "The original Affleck script was the best Batman script I’ve ever read. Ben had a kick a-- story and I believe that the audience and fans would have loved it..." Oliva continued that, "It had some of the best Batman/Deathstroke stuff I’d ever done!" Deathstroke actor, Joe Mangienello, also indicated on social media that he loved the Affleck script as well.

These conflicting comments about the original script seem to indicate that there was much more to Affleck's departure than previously thought. A Batman film is still in the works headed by director, Matt Reeves [Cloverfield (2008),  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), War of the Planet of the Apes (2017)] titled simply, The Batman. Reeves' film is said to feature a younger Batman, which some speculate may have been "requested" by Warner Bros executives. It is unknown at this time if Deathstroke will appear The Batman, but the news regarding Affleck's original plans for Deathstroke will undoubtedly leave fans of the Terminator lamenting the film that might have been.

Wondergirl 1987 Who's Who Entry From Issue #26

Here is a scan of the 1987 Who's Who entry from issue #26 (XXVI) for the original Donna Troy Wonder Girl. Wonder Girl was a member of the first iteration of the Teen Titans, joining the team in The Brave and the Bold (1955) #60 and was a founding member of the team's Marv Wolfman and George Pérez New Teen Titans' revival squad that first crossed swords with Deathstroke the Terminator. Wonder Girl's Who's Who entry featured original art by New Teen Titans' legend, George Pérez.

Deathstroke Hollywood Rumor Mill: Idris Elba As James Gunn's Deathstroke? (UPDATED 2021)

Idris Elba: The Suicide Squad's
Deathstroke?

Multiple entertainment news sources are reporting an interesting rumor in regards to casting for James Gunn's The Suicide Squad film, scheduled for an August 6, 2021 release. It has been previously confirmed that Margo Robbie, Viola Davis, Jai Courtney, and Joel Kinnaman will return for the franchise's next installment reprising their roles as Harley Quinn, Amanda Waller, Captain Boomerang, and Col. Rick Flagg respectively. It has also been confirmed that  David Dastmalchian was cast as obscure Batman villain, Polka-Dot Man and Daniela Melchior was cast as a female version of Ratcatcher. Idris Elba was also cast to, what many believed, to replace Will Smith as Deadshot. But it is now being speculated that Elba will play a role other than Deadshot, with many rumors pointing to Deathstroke.

The veteran actor, Elba is familiar to most fans for his BBC One television role of DCI John Luther on the eponymously named Luther (2010). Elba has also played many film roles such as the Asgardian gatekeeper, Heimdall, from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Janek from Prometheus (2012), Stacker Pentecost from Pacific Rim (2013), or the Gunslinger, Roland Deschain, in the film adaptation of Stephen King's The Dark Tower (2017). Though Elba has played a wide range of parts, he does have a particular knack for action roles and would be an excellent choice for a big screen Deathstroke.

If the rumors are true (and at this point, they are only rumors) it could mean a number of things. First, it could mean that Elba is outright replacing Joe Manganiello as DC's movie Deathstroke. Second, it could mean that James Gunn's The Suicide Squad is a reboot that is not a part of the wider DC film universe. Thirdly, this could all be rampant speculation as Elba won't be playing Deathstroke at all. But whatever happens concerning Deathstroke's silver screen future, you can be sure that The Deathstroke Files will be all over it.

(UPDATE 2021)

Idris Elba in fact did not play Deathstroke but in fact, played Bloodsport. My speculation of Deathstroke's appearance in The Suicide Squad (2021) was completely full of crap and further illustrates my rather inept ability to predict the future. This is also why I should never be allowed to gamble with real money in any form or fashion.

Idris Elba taking direction from James Gunn. Also noteworthy
is that Elba is as well not playing Deathstroke in this photo.

Happy Birthday, Marv Wolfman From the Deathstroke Files!

Happy birthday to Deathstroke's
co-creator, Marv Wolfman!

Today the Deathstroke Files celebrates the 73rd birthday of Deathstroke the Terminator's legendary co-creator, Marv Wolfman. Wolfman's first professional work was in 1968 as a plotter for DC Comics' Blackhawk (1956) #242. Marv has worked as a writer and an editor for both DC Comics and Marvel Comics and continues to put out great stories to this day.

He has written some of the most important comic book titles ever published in the United States including DC Comics' House of Secrets (1956), Green Lantern (1960), Superman (1939), Action Comics (1938), Adventure Comics (1935), Batman (1940), The New Teen Titans/Tales of the Teen Titans (1980), the landmark maxi-series Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985), Vigilante (1983), The New Teen Titans/The New Titans (1984), and of course, Deathstroke the Terminator (1991). 

Wolfman also made significant contributions to the Marvel Comics Universe, not only as its one-time Editor-in-Chief, but with seminal runs as a writer on titles such as Amazing Spider-Man (1963), Daredevil (1964), Fantastic Four (1961), Marvel Two-in-One (1974), Nova (1976), and Tomb of Dracula (1972).

In addition to his mainstream work, Wolfman also had successful runs on some independent comics like Sable (1988) for First Comics, a creator-owned series The Man Called A-X (1994) for Malibu Comics' Bravura imprint (volume 2, however, landed at DC Comics), both Rob Liefeld's Brigade (1992) and Darren G Davis' 10th Muse (2000) at Image Comics and Defex (2004) for the Aftermath imprint of Devil's Due Productions. The man's work is prolific!

Wolfman has left comics at times to make some pop culture contributions in other genres of speculative fiction. After the release of Transformers: The Movie in 1986, fans and many parents were outraged at the death of Optimus Prime and were resistant to his successor, Rodimus Prime during season three of the animated television series. To assuage angry fans and toy buyers, in Wolfman was charged with co-writing a two-part story that aired in early 1987, which resurrected Optimus Prime after the original season finale had aired in 1986. In 1999, Wolfman developed the series Transformers: Beast Machines to air on Fox television. In addition to his work in television, in 2005, Wolfman wrote a prose novelization of his watershed comic book, Crisis on Infinite Earths, and then he novelized the film, Superman Returns in 2006, which almost by most accounts was the superior way to experience the story.

Wolfman is still putting out excellent comic book work today. He returned to his New Teen Titans creation, Raven, for two well-received limited series, Raven (2016) and Raven: Daughter of Darkness (2018). Originally written for the ultimately canceled Superman Confidential (2007), Wolfman's Man and Superman 100-Page Super Spectacular (2019), which Wolfman himself describes as “...the best Superman story I’ve ever written,” was a critical success as evidenced by a 9.6 rating on comic book review aggregator, ComicBook Round Up.

No matter how much I write here, I can never come close to doing Wolfman's career justice. With that said, happy birthday, Marv Wolfman! 

The Deathstroke File's 200th Post!

💀😀200th POST!!!😀💀

Today marks the 200th time that this blog has put out an original post! Now, I fully understand that that making blog posts is not a very large accomplishment in the grand scheme of things, but given some of the things I've endured over the last ten years, I have fully embraced the philosophy (which is backed up by psychological research) that celebrating all accomplishments, however small they may be, is not only good for one's overall well being, but it also serves as motivation to accomplish more things in the future. So... Yay, Deathstroke Files!!!

I'd like to thank anyone who has ever taken time out of their busy day to look at this little blog. Everyone has a life full of things like families, jobs, school, friends, etc. that require the majority of your time and attention, so to think that I put out some silly content on the internet that anyone would deem valuable enough to devote one iota of their precious time to consume is truly humbling. I started this blog on a lark to amuse myself and as a fun way to keep my writing skills sharp (By the way, I'm sorry about the myriad typos; I'm a one man operation and I can't catch everything), but as I see the number of daily viewers slowly increase over time, I'm grateful that others seem to be enjoying it as well.

I'm still thoroughly enjoying the process and challenge of putting out at least one original piece of Deathstroke-related content (with occasional off-brand posts) per day as well as holding down my dream job and being the best husband and dad I can be. I have plans for new posts and features that will be debuting in the coming months and I'll continue to spotlight the best comics, stories, merchandise, fan art, and...well all things Deathstroke. And as always, I'll continue to do it for the love of the character and the medium, not for page views or profits.

So, starting tomorrow, we're off to the next 200 posts. Thanks for being a part of it all.