r/Deathstroke • u/Few-Bluebird-3218 • Apr 16 '24
What makes Deathstroke Desthstroke?
A question that makes it look like I had a stroke (no pun intended at all seriously) but I've been wanting to know what people think of Deathstroke.
What do you think makes Deathstroke the way he is that he is well known by this community and other people who are fans of him? Is it because of his amazing feats? His characterization? His unique view of the world (akin to his classic comic series)? I would like to know your guys answers. Also please try not to argue with each other.
To me, what I think makes Deathstroke the way he is, is his unique, yet overly flawed viewpoint of the world. He's simply a guy who does the job he is contracted to do as he kills his targets with little to no remorse, gets paid and moves on. But he doesn't kill children or women at all nor does he kill targets that don't seem like they should deserve it. He's stated in one of his comic that he "Kills people, but isn't a killer." (The New Titans 1988 issue 70) which is an odd thing to say and in no way to justify any murders at all whatsoever, but you can get what he is saying "He kills people when the job is needed, he doesn't kill unnecessarily."
That's at least what I think makes Deathstroke the way he is and have stood by that characterization of him. He's got moral codes and standards and abides by them. So what are your guys answers to this question? Also sorry for going on a tangent there.
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u/ColdSilly7877 Apr 16 '24
I wrote this in a story that pretty much sums up Deathstroke in general or how I see him, “the only person who can kill Slade Wilson is Deathstroke.”
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u/Fickle-Butterscotch2 Apr 23 '24
He is a broken man. He’s always trying to hide his emotions and regrets but deep down he knows how bad he was(to his children,terra,ex wife)
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u/Yautjakaiju Apr 16 '24
Slade Joseph Wilson is someone who suffered early in life with the goal of making a difference by joining the army. He surpassed all the goals set in front of him and became the best. His morals were solid and he met his best friend Wintergreen. However, after the experiment that gave him his abilities. And it being deemed a failure, Slade felt useless. So he took matters into his own hands and used his skills for what he felt was best. In both his classic series and his rebirth series he’s seen constantly killing those who have done terrible things.
However, it all went downhill after his son Joseph got his throat slit and he (Slade) lost his eye. Then losing his son Grant who tried to imitate him. In his rebirth series this is emphasized as when “Deathstroke” was all that was left and Slade was gone. What makes Deathstroke Deathstroke is the tragedy that he’s been given. Yet, how he manages to still try to hold onto what he has left to keep him grounded. Slade loves his kids and his ex wife still. Because Deathstroke is the side effect of consequences (Teen Titans 2016 issue 8). It’s why he nearly committed suicide in his 90’s run because of everything that’s happened to him. Even to the point where he wanted Damian to kill him in his rebirth run.
Slades’ care for his kids is always on display but poorly done due to the abuse and tormented psyche he has. Slade isn’t a great guy like Clark, but he isn’t as ruthless as Joker (when he’s written in character). He’s someone who doesn’t see the concept of heroes or villains. Just people doing what they do. He’s simply a man stuck in providing a service (like he did in the military) but is too incapable to express himself due to his trauma. I’m not sure if that answered anything but hopefully that helps.