DEATHSTROKE THE TERMINATOR #6: The Gloves Are Off

It’s all been building to this moment, and now the gloves are off as Ravager’s life hangs in the balance. Deathstroke has made many mistakes in his life and can’t make amends for every one of them as his past has finally caught up to his present. It’s a race against time to save the one he loves from the person who he used to love.

Creative Team: Tony Fleecs, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ivan Plascencia, and Wes Abbott.

The Story:

There is so much raw emotion packed into this issue that has been boiling and boiling in the previous five issues. Slade has felt as though he has been holding back to a degree, and Tony finally unleashes him. I loved how scary Slade became as the story opens up in such a shocking way. However, Tony doesn’t make Wilson a totally redeemable person. He is complex and has failed in various areas, including his marriage, and has only ever cared about himself. At the same time, there are moments of absolute destruction and chaos in terms of action in this book, and they allow us to put ourselves in Deathstroke’s shoes if we were in his position. The way Tony narrates all of this with Wes’s lettering through a letter Slade pens to Rose was tragic and beautiful the same.

The Art:

The action sequences in this book are fiery and hot! Explosions and bullets are flying, ramping up the intensity of the story that I thought Carmine and Ivan brought to life so well. There is nothing but rage across Slade’s face from the opening jump, where the duo lets us sit with what happens in the first couple of panels. I love the little details such as the hoodie Slade wears or the sorrow across the faces of those who simply wanted justice against Slade Wilson, who had lost his way. The artwork stood out immensely, and I can’t wait to see how they bring this whole thing to a close.

Final Thoughts:

Deathstroke The Terminator #6 is a heavy and action-packed entry into this storyline. Nothing is ever truly black and white in this world, and this issue puts those complex personalities to the front and center. With each issue, I love this run more and more, and I hope it gets its time in the spotlight!

Final Grade: 9.7/10

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