Deathstroke #5

The Good

The moment we all knew would come sooner or later, Deathstroke vs. Batman. Deathstroke is supposed to be the deadliest assassin in the DCU. Batman is...Batman. He's supposed to be able to take on anyone. With Deathstroke in Gotham City, there's no way he could avoid a confrontation. Keep in mind that Deathstroke is a little off his game with his recent transformation. He's trying to adjust to the changes he went through but we have seen him up to his usual violence and mayhem.

It's easy to expect this to be a quick fight. Because it's Deathstroke's book because Batman is who he is, we get a very nicely drawn out battle. Tony Daniel makes sure it's a brutal and intense fight. You might think you'll know how it'll play out but Daniel throws some twists our way.

Despite the nice and lengthy battle, it doesn't fill up the entire issue. We do get more on Jericho and Ravager. It's fantastic seeing Rose here. I'll admit I kind of lost track of what she was doing in the New 52. With the way Daniel keeps cranking up the action, we can expect some great things for her, Jericho, and Slade.

The Bad

Having Batman appear felt a little unnecessary. In the past, comics have used a guest appearance by Batman as an almost desperate notion. Thankfully Daniel makes it fun and exciting.

Harley on the other hand, feels like more of a nuisance. It's understandable that she played a part in this book to tie up some loose ends from SUICIDE SQUAD. Maybe she added some levity during the fight. She just started getting to be too much here.

The Verdict

It's like a comic fan's dream, Deathstroke fighting Batman. Often a Batman appearance feels forced but Tony Daniel makes it fun and exciting. He's been spoiling us with lots of big and over the top action. The fight between the two is just what we'd want. Daniel doesn't just fill the issue with a huge fight scene. We get more on Jericho and Rose along with those pesky bad guys stirring up all sorts of trouble. Tony Daniel is cranking up the action and storytelling in this series. There's no telling what will happen next.

Before this thread gets crazy too:

I asked Tony Daniel if we will find out later why Deathstroke is currently weaker and slower and he said yes, we will find out soon.

Also I asked him a few weeks ago if Deathstroke is wearing Nth metal under his pencil. He said no.

Just some facts before this gets crazy.

All I want to know is who wins.

Someone please tell me :D

Ok a few notes about this issue.

The fight was good and interesting. Normally I think from showing DS would wreck Bats and there was some inconstancy concerning how good DS is here as apposed to how he was against Bronze Tiger. Still it was enjoyable.

I'm not feeling the whole Deathstroke's father thing. I hope that turns out to be a lie.

Lat but not least. I got to say I enjoy how Harley is written so much more here than in her own book. Also you have to take note of the costume. I really prefer this one over to her bootie shorts costume. The rest of DC needs to get in line on that.

Apparently Batman wins via DS being weakened

@allstarsuperman: @sealife: @deathstroke52: I call it a draw do to explosive interference.

Does Batman pull out a "DS Buster", or something, out of his *ss this time?

This was effin Lame. Very disappointing for the hype of a "big fight".

@fuzzylittlerodent:
Nah DS is just weak from the changes done to him. DS believes he should be ale to take Bats in three moves.

@allstarsuperman: Never get worked up over hype. You'll always build it bigger than it is and end up disappointed.

@dernman: I feel lied to. The promise was a big fight. Here is the description:

Deathstroke vs. Batman – with Harley Quinn stuck in the middle! The most intense, brutal battle in the history of The New 52 takes place in this issue!

What a load of bullsh!t. If one of the characters is weakened so bad that he gets stomped, then its clearly not that intense.

@allstarsuperman: ??? Nobody was stomped.

@sodamyat: http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pTqt7DbXYKI/VO35LV70ylI/AAAAAAAIIvo/ZxMEJgdvGXE/s1600/p10_8%2Bcopy.jpg

You didnt read the whole thing did you?

@sodamyat: I did. And the entire thing was DS monologing about how he has no skill.

We read different books then.

To be fair. Batman skills > Slade's. Him depowered made it worse though. He couldn't use his superior physicals to even the playing field.

@allstarsuperman: The fight seemed pretty even throughout to me. I will admit that how it ended was disappointing and unsatisfying. It really could have ended either way if it was for the interference of Harley.

I found it kind of weird how Deathstroke mentions he's de-powered then proceeds to lift a chunk of wall above his head like it was nothing... Anyone else notice that?

I personally think this:

Pre N52=Advantage Deathstroke

New 52=Advantage Batman

For the most part all gadgets, armors and weapons aside the fight was mostly H2H clearly Batman was winning majority of the fight.

Deathstroke said the return of his eye is what's throwing him off which he's repeated over and over again as being a problem.

@revivalmh:Yea I found DS lifting that chunk of wall was pretty funny, it made me wonder what exactly DS stats are supposed to be.

That was an awesome fight and the art was amazing. This issue was very exciting, way better than the last one. I liked new 52 Harley but she was really terrible here.

I have to ask: What did autocorrect change into 'pencil' in this?

(Or was Slade wearing a new type of stationary-themed armour?)

He said he was slower, not weaker. He still has his strength and durability.

Wow, that's so stupid. So he's basically ignoring everything the last book did.

Not ignoring it. He's just not wearing it right now. Its only been 5 issues. Maybe he'll use it later.

Tony S Daniel is doing very good.

Hmm, accurate

While Deathstroke was not at 100%. And it was still fairly even.

Really wish Harley wasn't in it.

Ah yes. Deathstroke should stomp Batman without super armor or powers.

This is what DS fanboys honestly think...

And anyone who feels that Batman can beat a common cold are called deluded wankers.

Fight was aight, but felt kind of forced.

"Having Batman appear felt a little unnecessary." This is pretty on point. Art was really nice though.

Fanboyism would say the Batman would win simply because he is Batman but I don't think so. Deathstroke is not the unbeatable enemy some like to think imo. Batman has defeated many enemies with meta abilities much higher that DS.

It feels like Harley Quinn ends up on the cover of all these random DC books. Is there some kind of event going on with her as the theme?

I thought this was an excellent issue. The fight was entertaining, and of course the art is fantastic. I can't wait to see how the story with Rose and Jericho is played out.

It was an enjoyable fight, but kind of depressing because it kind of made clear throughout the fight how much better it would have been if DS had been in top form. So it was kind of like even DS was saying, this could have been much cooler.