Deathstroke is a character that I prefer to see used as a full-on villain. There have been some attempts to cast him in an anti-hero role, but that never sits well with me. I saw him commit too many despicable acts in the pages of New Teen Titans and elsewhere to ever want to have to root for him in a story. I'm all for a good redemption arc in comics, but it has to be done with the right character.
Starting tomorrow, STF's longest continued story yet - a 7-Parter!
A week-long serial?! Pencil me in as intrigued!
ReplyDeleteAs for Deathstroke; I think you're right. He's not the anti-heroic type. Wolverine, yes. But, Deathstroke is like a cross between Deadpool and Paladin. The latter is into costumed crime-fighting mostly for the money. While the former is in it mostly for the challenge (a.k.a. adrenaline rush). Deathstroke, however, predates both of them. So, with him (if you'll forgive the food-related metaphors), it boils down to this. Monetary profit is merely gravy; doing something considered impossible, even for him, is the meat. Someone less fortunate benefiting, as a result, is strictly dessert. As in, occasionally pleasant-tasting but not essential to his regular diet.
Actually, Paladin debuted as a Daredevil opponent two years before Deathstroke started bedeviling the Teen Titans. But, I do agree with the rest of what you said.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought on this is: excellent lining up of art pieces, Ross! I know you sometimes struggle to find two pieces of character art that go together, but this looks downright inspired.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, Deathstroke has tended to strike me the sort of guy whose conscience is green. He'll default to doing the right thing, but for the right price -- or the prospect of greater profit -- he'll do whatever's necvessary.
And regarding the upcoming seven-parter: I'm looking forward to that -- especially since it end with #3670, the next "special team" issue!
Team issues are generally 40 issues apart, making the next one scheduled for #3680.
ReplyDeleteA seven-parter, gosh. Good thing you'll be spacing them out- if it were the same team-up day after day for that long, it would have to involve Snoopy or it would get monotonous.
ReplyDeleteOn the Arrow TV series it was strange seeing Green Arrow team-up with Deathstroke when you consider the fact that he killed Oliver's Mother.
ReplyDeleteHow about something unusual for #3670: Iron Fist vs. Iron-fist (one-time foe of MLJ's The Webb)!
ReplyDelete@Ross: 40? I thought it was 30. I must've gotten confused, or missed a change, or something.
ReplyDeleteBut it still might be fun, some time, to use a multi-part epic to lead up to the introduction of a surprise team -- perhaps five to seven individuals with nothing in common but a shared vision for justice and how it should be carried out. I'm thinking something like Nightwing, Falcon, Ghost (Dark Horse), Ahsoka Tano, Worf, and maybe a couple of others with compatible views but no other real common thread. (Nite Owl? Gizmoduck?)
@Wolfhammer: Well, Slade was "under the influence" (of Mirakuru) at the time, so Oliver's forgiveness is understandable.
@Anon752: I'm for it.
ReplyDeleteWould love a sequel wit Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu vs Deathstroke the Terminator
ReplyDelete@Anon@7:52 & Cary: There was also a villain named Ironhand in an episode of Get Smart. I'm not sure if anything can be done with that, though.
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ReplyDelete@Bob: I didn't want anything done with Ironhand! I was aiming for 100% synchronicity of nomenclature.
ReplyDelete@Bob and Anon: maybe Ross can find an image of the GET SMART villain that could be cut-and-pasted next to a photo-capture of the Netflix Danny Rand for a simulated movie poster.
ReplyDelete@Carycomic: I'd rather see the White Tiger meet the Bronze Tiger.
ReplyDeleteThey met in STF #2097
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