TDKPH Villain of the Month -- Deathstroke

Just this past week, Geoff Johns confirmed that Joe Manganiello will portray DC's deadliest assassin, Deathstroke, in the Cinematic Universe. While this news got a lot of fanboys shiting in their pants, this could mean trouble for the Caped Crusader.

New Teen Titans #2

Slade Wilson a.k.a. Deathstroke was created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. He first appeared in New Teen Titans #2 which was released on December 1980. A mainstay adversary to the Teen Titans, Deathstroke also made a lot of enemies in the DC Universe like Batman, Harley Quinn, and Lobo.

He was a soldier who agreed to undergo experiments for the purpose of creating a super-soldier. The result activated Wilson's meta-gene which allowed him to use 90% of his mental capacity. Consequently his speed, agility, endurance, and healing capabilities were also enhanced.

Tales of the Teen Titans #42-45 - Judas Contract

Judas Contract expanded Deathstroke's origin. Slade kept the experiment hidden from his wife, Adeline Kane. They lived as husband and wife and had two offsprings--Grant and Joseph. Jakal, another mercenary, tried to learn who had put the hit out on his client by kidnapping Joseph for the purpose of making Slade talk. Before Slade could've saved his kid, Jakal slit Joseph's throat, rendering him mute. Adeline was enraged and tried to kill Slade for his failure to save their child. As a result, she was able to injure his tight eye. This is also the very reason why Deathstroke's mask is covered in black on the entire right side.

Tales of the Teen Titans #44

At one point, to save the world, Deathstroke made a hard choice by killing his son, Joseph, code-named Jericho. At the moment of his death, Jericho entered Deathstroke's mind, where he would reside for years. In that time, Deathstroke became a feared killer. Despite those circumstances, he occasionally fought on the side of heroes when it is demanded of him. In one instance, he fought alongside the Titans against the H.I.V.E., which was then led by his ex-wife, Adeline.

Deathstroke the Terminator #6-9 - City of Assassins

In City of Assassins, Deathstroke proves to the DC Universe that he is the best when it comes to hand-to-hand combat. Slade was able to incapacitate Batman in a gruesome battle across Gotham City twice in the same issue!

Deathstroke the Terminator #7

Identity Crisis 

In one of the most controversial story arcs in the DC Universe, Deathstroke was hired by Dr. Light to act as his bodyguard when he was sought by the Justice League of America. When the League confronted Dr. Light, Deathstroke was able to defeat the likes of Green Arrow, Elongated Man, Flash, Zatanna, and many more. He systematically incapacitated them one at a time to protect his client. Slade almost killed Oliver Queen but was tackled by the league to the ground. In that moment, Dr. Light managed to teleport himself together with Deathstroke away from the League.

Identity Crisis #3

Armed with a power staff, pistols, and knives, Slade was an expert in most forms of hand-to-hand combat as well as comfortable with any form of weaponry. Using his marksmanship and fighting skills along with his enhanced  physique, he became a feared threat known as Deathstroke the Terminator.

If you want to read more Deathstroke stories, here's a link to the chronological list we've found laying around the web. However, it seems to be outdated.

Also, please make sure to follow Deathstroke Rebirth! Two of our very own, Carlo Pagulayan and Jason Paz are handling interior and cover duties for the said book.