Deathstroke #49: The Sum of All Parts

As we continue to barrel towards the series finale of Deathstroke (next month with the double-sized #50), Priest’s experiment in the exploration of this iconic character nears its end. Once again, this issue features a pair of Deathstrokes and while it is not yet clear whether or not one of these is the Deathstroke that belongs in this timeline, it is becoming increasingly clear what differences mark the older version, seen here fighting Joey and Rose, different from the Slade Wilson we have grown accustomed to.

With this older version of Deathstroke, Priest seems to be exploring the vital importance of Wintergreen to Slade Wilson. By presenting a Slade who has lost the moral compass provided by his anchor in Wintergreen. This version is hardened even more than the usual version and seems to lack that “weakness” that has been highlighted throughout this series but accentuated during the Arkham arc.

From the very beginning, this series has been somewhat counter-intuitive, asking the question “what makes Deathstroke Deathstroke?” yet providing answers that only come from external sources. Wintergreen, Hosun, Rose, Grant, Joey, Adeliene, Superman, Damian, Robin, Talia, Tanya, Isher, and many others– these relationships are what make Deathstroke, a “lonesome” mercenary into what he is. Deathstroke is conceptually a product greater than the sum of its parts because those parts are not Deathstroke. How this experiment will end is anybody’s guess at this moment in time but it remains clear that this run will be a defining run in the history of the character that will be talked about for generations.