The Deathstroke Files Remembers the Tragedy at Pulse.

Image Source: IDW

In the world of comic books, violence is glorified. Whether it is a thunderous right hand from Superman, a slash of the sword by Wonder Woman, or a boot to the face by Batman superhero comics depend on violence to drive their action and, in many cases, to resolve the narrative conflict. The "good guys" win, "evil" is punished, and all is well...in comic books. I've yet to encounter a case where the fantasy, fictionalized violence, which only appears literally within the pages of a comic book has resulted in any real-life bloodshed (damned paper cuts notwithstanding).

When real-world violence occurs it is always tragic. While narrow definitions classify civil authorities as "good guys" (and the majority truly are), and the authors of violence as "bad guys," whether or not the "evil" is punished resolves nothing for the victims of violence whose lives are fundamentally changed (if not ended) or for the family members of those who were needlessly murdered. Just knowing that the "bad guy" has died or been captured doesn't instantly help these people cope with their new, and profoundly different realities. And unlike the fantasy world of comic books, people in the real world don't return from the grave. They are gone; forever.

But a funny thing happened after the horrendous shootings at the Pulse night club on June 12, 2016. The fantasy worlds of comic books and the all-too-real one merged in a way that sought to bring some much-needed relief to the survivors of the attack and to those who lost loved ones because of it. Veteran comic book writer, Mark Andreyko organized a 144-page anthology masterpiece from IDW, with assistance from DC Comics, called Love is Love that featured works by some of not only comic book heavyweight talent, but also some pretty big names from Hollywood. Comic book giants like Grant Morrison, Brian Michael Bendis, Jim Lee, Gail Simone, G. Willow Wilson, Tom King, and Deathstroke's legendary co-creator George Pérez joined forces with literary masters such as J.K. Rowling and Brad Meltzer in addition to TV and film folk like Matt Bomer, Patton Oswald, Taran Killam, Morgan Spurlock, and Wonder Woman (2017) director Patty Jenkins. All of these brilliant professionals and hundreds more volunteered their time and their tremendous talents to produce this anthology, with all of its sales proceeds going to help the Orlando tragedy's survivors and the families of the deceased in their long and challenging recovery.

Characters from all over the wide and varying landscape of fiction appeared in support of those affected by the tragic events at Pulse. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Catwoman, Nightwing, Batwoman, Harley Quinn, Archie Andrews, Kevin Keller, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, the Spirit, Cassie Hack, Apollo, Midnighter, assorted Green Lanterns, Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Hermine Granger, and Ron Weasley coming together to support consensual love in all its forms. But one feature character that seemed completely out of place at first was none other than Deathstroke the Terminator. Deathstroke's views concerning violence and death seem ill-fitted to the anthology's themes of love, tolerance, and acceptance rather than the cruel, cold violence normally associated the Slade Wilson. But the one-page story (posted below), penned by SNL alumnus, Taran Killam, injects Slade with a dose of humanity, albeit a very temporary one.

Written by Taran Killam, Art by Barry Crain

The Deathstroke Files remembers the victims, survivors, and family members who were forever changed by the horrific events at the Pulse night club. For those of you who have not yet purchased this beautiful anthology and still wish to help, Love Is Love is still available at many comic book retailers, book stores, Amazon.com, and Comixology.