Exclusive Preview: DEATHSTROKE #3

Deathstroke is a killer. He's not one to mess around. He had the nickname 'The Terminator.' If there's one thing the current DEATHSTROKE series is not short on, it's violence and action. DC Comics has given us an exclusive first look at issue #3.

Still reeling from the Harmory job, Deathstroke seeks answers from a super villain arms manufacturer. But when Slade storms the weapon maker's fortress, he finds himself face to face with a new threat known only as "Legacy" and a plot to manipulate Slade that runs far deeper than he could ever have imagined!

DEATHSTROKE #3 is on sale November 9, 2011 with a $2.99 price tag.

I get that Deathstroke is "the ultimate badass," but can the action take a backseat just for a bit so we can get some plot and character development the reader can enjoy?

Despite that, I'm still going to pick it up. I'm a sucker for popcorn entertainment, but I'd really like to see this series expand into something more than "SLAUGHTERFEST, SLADE IS AWESOME" per issue.

I LOVE this series. It feels like All Star Batman done right. I can't get enough of Deathstroke chopping people up.

like the new look, not really digging the stories.

I really REALLY like the covers this title has been getting. The stories themselves aren't really my cup of tea though.

I'm getting the feel of Super Patriot #2 (or was it #1 when he was being tested by the Covenant).

@k4tzm4n said:

I get that Deathstroke is "the ultimate badass," but can the action take a backseat just for a bit so we can get some plot and character development the reader can enjoy?

Despite that, I'm still going to pick it up. I'm a sucker for popcorn entertainment, but I'd really like to see this series expand into something more than "SLAUGHTERFEST, SLADE IS AWESOME" per issue.

I agree but It is nice to have one book with not much plot and a lot of decapitation.

Is it just me or is that second page clunky as sh*t? Also, I'm not digging the shoulder pads. They're too big towards the back.

I hope this guy lasts longer than Road Kill (Rage?) who was gone before he got started. And yes, it would be nice to see Slade with a plan rather than playing rl God of War.

It's all about the gore baby.

Oh my gosh! He cuts off a guys head, cuts another guy in half and smashes a guys head with his boot!

Remember when they used to have to obscure that stuff, or make the blood green or black to tone it down?

Legacy looks cool.

I'm going to be dropping this title unless the writing picks up soon. This issue looks like it's going to exactly the same as the previous two issues.

"I R Deathstroke, I R Badass!"

"LOL U R old news, I R bigger badass"

"LOL, U R dead. Cos I R Deathstroke LOL"

"Look at me I'm a badass" the book, It doesn't bother me much, but even with art depicting his actions with little to no words, it still gives me the feeling they are telling me he's one instead of showing me if that makes any sense.

this is why i really wanted to read the new 52 because of introducing new villains! or more characters (not sure who really is the villain in here lol)

Should look more like deadpool.

Penance?

@Morpheus_ said:

Higgins, you continue to disappoint me.

Why? This series has been awesome! One of the best of the relaunch.

@Iron_Turtle said:

I'm going to be dropping this title unless the writing picks up soon. This issue looks like it's going to exactly the same as the previous two issues.

"I R Deathstroke, I R Badass!"

"LOL U R old news, I R bigger badass"

"LOL, U R dead. Cos I R Deathstroke LOL"

When does he say that? Give me proof. Even something remotely similar to that.

@fitchy101 said:

@k4tzm4n said:

I get that Deathstroke is "the ultimate badass," but can the action take a backseat just for a bit so we can get some plot and character development the reader can enjoy?

Despite that, I'm still going to pick it up. I'm a sucker for popcorn entertainment, but I'd really like to see this series expand into something more than "SLAUGHTERFEST, SLADE IS AWESOME" per issue.

I agree but It is nice to have one book with not much plot and a lot of decapitation.

But there is a plot. And I find it pretty interesting. It has a little plot and a lot of pizzaz. This books is most definitely for people who like action and a character that often changes sides for his own benefit.

@Iron_Turtle said:

I'm going to be dropping this title unless the writing picks up soon. This issue looks like it's going to exactly the same as the previous two issues.

"I R Deathstroke, I R Badass!"

"LOL U R old news, I R bigger badass"

"LOL, U R dead. Cos I R Deathstroke LOL"

@ZORN said:

"Look at me I'm a badass" the book, It doesn't bother me much, but even with art depicting his actions with little to no words, it still gives me the feeling they are telling me he's one instead of showing me if that makes any sense.

@Morpheus_ said:

Higgins, you continue to disappoint me.

Those who complain about too much action in a strategist story have no patience. Higgins said everything Slade does and IS doing plays a role in a larger underlying story. Everyone is quick to hate on the badass killing when that in itself is what was needed to establish this books introduction. Slades effin pissed, no one respects him anymore for what he does. So lay down so Higgins can read you a bed time story. Nah, thats not where this is going. Slade is re-establishing himself as the greatest mercenary in the DC Universe. All the killing, being broadcasted on the news worldwide as of issue 2. Was to get his name out there. NOW we are ready to kick the story into full gear with #3. Same for his Nightwing #3. Higgins said this is where his stories will begin to become much more thematic.

Deathstroke + blood & gore = Badass. I love this title, Deathstroke is back and better than ever

@MrRagePants: Agreed, Superpatriot is badass as hell.

This Deathstroke series is everything i expected and that's a good thing. He's been completely unstoppable until now and it will be nice to see him challenged.

Hey guys-- while issues 1 and 2 are quite heavy on the action and lighter on character, there's a reason for that. Issue 3 starts bringing everything together, including Slade's motivation and reasoning behind killing for money and the "big, flashy violence" that he prefers. At the same time, every action has consequences, and they start popping up here...

Kyle Higgins Tweets:

"Here's a preview from Deathstroke 3, though it contains none of the things that make issue 3 The best yet"

"I wish they would have given a preview of the first 3 pages, when Deathstroke talks aboutWHY he kills for money... What it means to him."

This is where your thematic story begins people.. With the philosophy behind the Terminator himself.

Those who complain about too much action in a strategist story have no patience. Higgins said everything Slade does and IS doing plays a role in a larger underlying story. Everyone is quick to hate on the badass killing when that in itself is what was needed to establish this books introduction. Slades effin pissed, no one respects him anymore for what he does. So lay down so Higgins can read you a bed time story. Nah, thats not where this is going. Slade is re-establishing himself as the greatest mercenary in the DC Universe. All the killing, being broadcasted on the news worldwide as of issue 2. Was to get his name out there. NOW we are ready to kick the story into full gear with #3. Same for his Nightwing #3. Higgins said this is where his stories will begin to become much more thematic.

I really hate Deathstroke's new armored look. SMH

@Morpheus_: Well said. I like your your wording of "tormented, noble warrior that lies within" I think your interests will be in good hands though with what he just posted here. Perhaps you will grow to like the explanation behind the terminator in this issue. when you read through his motivation and reasoning.

Daaammn..plenty of slicing and dicing...

@Morpheus_: No doubt, I personally have faith in Kyle with this book. From what I've read so far and seen personally he understands the character more than almost anyone I know. Slade's evolution more than anything. Higgins knows what he's doing, it's all part of the plan. It'll be evident next week, I bet you'll find the noble side of Slade you love from the 80's/ 90's within the first 3 pages and why it's not his most evident characteristic anymore. I'll follow you and see if you have any other thoughts later on.

I don't believe being let down by the lack of development with Slade in the first two issues necessarily makes one impatient, especially when (as Morph says) he did it so well in Nightwing, and we see the same taking place in other titles. I'm sticking with the book, but comics aren't exactly a cheap hobby, so if someone is looking for depth it's more than understandable if they're turned off from the title based on the first two efforts.

Legacy looks like Annihilus impregnated Penance while Klaw was filming it.

@Morpheus_: No doubt, I personally have faith in Kyle with this book. From what I've read so far and seen personally he understands the character more than almost anyone I know.

 Higgins knows what he's doing, it's all part of the plan. It'll be evident next week, I bet you'll find the noble side of Slade you love from the 80's/ 90's within the first 3 pages and why it's not his most evident characteristic anymore. I'll follow you and see if you have any other thoughts later on.

Higgins is easily one of my new favorite writers.

you know i was kind of new to the charcter and wasnt really introduced to him til the teen titans show but ive always felt that Deathstroke the terminator was kind of overkill for me I like the fact that the teen titans show used the name Slade instead of Deathstroke simply because again the name snds overkill for me but maybe its just me bc Slade just sounds so much cooler

@k4tzm4n: But the thing is that there is no lack of development. To many readers it might seem that way. They only see what is given to them without digging deeper into the psychology that is Slade Wilson. And hence I get you when you say they can be turned off. However, what they are looking for is right under their noses. Like Kyle Higgins himself Stated a few spaces Up/Down.

"Hey guys-- while issues 1 and 2 are quite heavy on the action and lighter on character, there's a reason for that. Issue 3 starts bringing everything together, including Slade's motivation and reasoning behind killing for money and the "big, flashy violence" that he prefers. At the same time, every action has consequences, and they start popping up here..."

Everything from issue one and two was development in itself even though there was not enough dialogue to satisfy some people. A picture is worth a thousand words. And those pictures of motivation and reason are being brought together into a thematic scrapbook of revelations right here in issue 3 to shape up what we'll know as Deathstroke the Terminator.

I'm pretty Psyched that your sticking to the book though for sure K4tz

Wow, seems very Doc Ock'ish to me, this Legacy character. Still, all that aside, it sure is nice to see Slade in his kick-@$$ element!

Loving me this new Deathstroke series

It's really awesome that Kyle Higgins leaves the character development for Nightwing and the good stupid fun for Deathstroke. Higgins set out to do exactly what he said for Deathstroke.

Make Slade Wilson a huge badass.

All I want to know is when Higgins two characters will meet face to face!? I get goosebumps just thinking about it..

I hope we get some story rather than pointless action

Nice biz cover!Wish for Lobo series now after seeing that.

Im surpised at just how much I like this book. It set the tone for what we should be seeing DS portrayed at. Merciless, remoarsless, and a badass. Im looking forward to more of an actual lenghty story now. How come I haven't seen a Stormwatch review yet?? I put it in my top 3 of the new 52 so far, and the art is insane.

@Morpheus_: @Bluefox170: Man, feels good just to see some good old fashions fans, we need more passion in the industry as a whole.

Now, personally I think its great, sure maybe a tad overdone on action in the first two, but thats not exactly a bad thing. I also think people aren't really listening to the character development being done outside the comic. Such as Kyle's continued comments and descriptions of Slade as a whole, it really does show how much he is truly putting into his character. Not to mention all the statements of the potential and inevitable Nightwing crossover, that in itself is just genuis in promoting both his books.

Sounds like a decent book for Deathstroke. Much better than his Titans book previously, for sure!

Looks very over the top, kinda reminds me of Lobo, slicing people in half, torso's and heads. Villain looks interesting in a manner of speaking, but green and purple?? Why?? What do they think when they're designing these costumes/villains/hero's?? Sorry, but green and purple doesn't look badass in my book.

I think this whole unstoppable theme will continue to be used until fans get tired,and then with a BANG someone will defeat Deathstroke which will have eyes popping along with shocks powerful enough to give a heart attack.

Sounds like a decent book for Deathstroke. Much better than his Titans book previously, for sure!

I think this whole unstoppable theme will continue to be used until fans get tired,and then with a BANG someone will defeat Deathstroke which will have eyes popping along with shocks powerful enough to give a heart attack.

This is really annoying. Some story and/or character development would be nice, three issues in. I don't need a monthly reminder that Slade's a badass, I already know that.

hahaha his opponent looks like Penance .

@Bluefox170: I certainly understand where you're coming from, but not all fans have the luxury/dedication to keep up with Kyle's twitter feed and such. The New 52 has attracted a lot of new fans, so I'm just saying it taking 3 issues to provide more depth could be a major turn off to some. However, I wouldn't be surprised if the majority action approached appealed to more than it put off, honestly.

And yeah, I'm by no means an expert on the character, but he's always appealed to me, so it's definitely a title I'll continue to follow.