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{{short description|DC Comics character}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character
| image          = Deathstroke_(DC_Comics).webp
| character_name = Deathstroke
| converted      = y
| caption        = Cover art from ''Deathstroke'' (Vol. 4) #30 (June 2018). Art by Francesco Mattina.
| real_name      = Slade Joseph Wilson
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[The New Teen Titans]]'' #2 (December 10th 1980)
| creators       = {{plainlist|
* [[Marv Wolfman]] (writer)
* [[George Pérez]] (artist)}}
| alliances      = {{plainlist|
* [[Secret Society of Super Villains]]
* [[Injustice League]]
* [[H.I.V.E.]]
* [[Titans East#Deathstroke's Titans|Titans East]]
* [[#Titans: Villains for Hire|Titans]]
* [[Suicide Squad]]
* [[League of Assassins]]}}
| species        = [[Metahuman]]
| aliases        = Deathstroke the Terminator<ref name=Guide>{{cite book |last1=Cowsill |first1=Alan |last2=Irvine |first2=Alex |last3=Korte |first3=Steve |last4=Manning |first4=Matt |last5=Wiacek |first5=Win |last6=Wilson |first6=Sven |title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia: The Definitive Guide to the Characters of the DC Universe |date=2016 |publisher=DK Publishing |isbn=978-1-4654-5357-0 |page=85}}</ref>
| powers         = * Enhanced intellect and mental capacity
* Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, reflexes, and senses
* Accelerated healing
* Decelerated aging
* Master hand-to-hand combatant, martial artist, swordsman, and marksman
<!--Please do not add to this list. This list should be kept short and succinct. There is no need to list every single ability that Deathstroke has ever exhibited in his comic book history.-->
| cat            = super
| subcat         = DC Comics
| villain        = y
| sortkey        = Deathstroke
}}

'''Deathstroke''' is a <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; supervillains (and characters in general) are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.--><!--Do not add "anti-hero"; just because a supervillain has had his own comic book title or temporarily allied with heroic characters, it does not make their motives just or morally right in any sense.-->[[supervillain]] appearing in [[American comic books]] published by [[DC Comics]]. Created by writer [[Marv Wolfman]] and artist [[George Pérez]], the character first appeared in ''[[The New Teen Titans]]'' #2 (December 1980) as '''Deathstroke the Terminator'''.

Deathstroke is the alias of '''Slade Wilson''', a [[mercenary]] and former [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] operative who gains enhanced physical and mental abilities from an experimental [[Super soldier|super-soldier]] serum. Regarded as the greatest and deadliest assassin in the [[DC Universe]], he serves as the [[archenemy]] of [[Dick Grayson]] and the [[Teen Titans]], and is also an adversary of other superheroes such as [[Batman]], [[Green Arrow]], and the [[Justice League]]. Deathstroke's vendetta against the Titans began when he swore revenge for the death of his eldest son [[Ravager (DC Comics)|Grant]]; his other two children, [[Jericho (DC Comics)|Jericho]] and [[Rose Wilson|Rose]], would go on to join the Titans to oppose him. A bicolored black-and-orange mask that covers his missing right eye serves as Deathstroke's visual motif.

The character has been adapted in various media incarnations, having been portrayed in television by [[Manu Bennett]] in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'' and [[Esai Morales]] in ''[[Titans (2018 TV series)|Titans]]'', and by [[Joe Manganiello]] in the [[DC Extended Universe]] film ''[[Justice League (2017 film)|Justice League]]'' and its [[Zack Snyder's Justice League|director's cut]]. [[Ron Perlman]] and others have provided Deathstroke's voice in animation and video games. The character’s popularity with readers also led [[Rob Liefeld]] to create the popular [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Deadpool]], whose name, powers, and costume were originally patterned on Deathstroke.

==Publication history==
Deathstroke the Terminator was created by [[Marv Wolfman]] and [[George Pérez]], and made his first appearance in ''[[The New Teen Titans]]'' #2 in December 1980.

Due to his popularity, Deathstroke received his own series, ''Deathstroke the Terminator'', in 1991.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Manning|first1= Matthew K.|editor-last=Dolan |editor-first=Hannah |chapter= 1990s|title = DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle|publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] |year=2010 |isbn= 978-0-7566-6742-9 |page= 250 |quote = Slade Wilson began his impressive sixty-issue run with the help of writer Marv Wolfman and artist Steve Erwin.}}</ref> It was retitled ''Deathstroke the Hunted'' for issues #0 and #41–45; and then simply ''Deathstroke'' for issues #46–60. The series was cancelled with issue #60. In total, ''Deathstroke'' ran for 65 issues (#1–60, plus four ''Annuals'' and a special #0 issue).

Following his injury in ''DC Universe: Last Will and Testament'', Deathstroke appears in one of the four ''[[Faces of Evil]]'' one-shots, written by [[David Hine]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18794 | title=David Hine on Deathstroke's Return | last=Renaud | first=Jeffrey | work=[[Comic Book Resources]] | date=November 12, 2008}}</ref>

Despite predating [[James Cameron]]'s film ''[[The Terminator]]'' by four years, the character is now simply called Deathstroke, though the full title has not completely fallen out of use, having been referenced as recently as ''[[Justice League Elite]]''.

==Fictional character biography==
[[File:Deathstroke (Slade Wilson - circa 1984).png|left|thumb|Deathstroke the Terminator, as he was originally depicted on the cover of ''Tales of the Teen Titans'' #44 (July 1984). Art by [[George Pérez]].]]
Slade Wilson was 16 years old when he enlisted in the [[United States Army]], having lied about his age. After participation in the [[Korean War]], he was assigned to Camp Washington where he had been promoted to the rank of major. In the early 1960s, he met Captain [[Adeline Kane]], who was tasked with training young soldiers in new fighting techniques in anticipation of brewing troubles taking place in [[Vietnam]]. Kane was amazed at how skilled Slade was and how quickly he adapted to modern conventions of warfare. She immediately fell in love with him and realized that he was without a doubt the most able-bodied combatant that she had ever encountered. She offered to privately train Slade in [[guerrilla warfare]]. In less than a year, Slade mastered every fighting form presented to him and was soon promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Six months later, Adeline and he were married and she became pregnant with their first child. The [[Vietnam War|war in Vietnam]] began to escalate and Slade was shipped overseas. In the war, his unit massacred a village, an event which sickened him. He was also rescued by [[Special Air Service|SAS]] member [[Wintergreen (comics)|Wintergreen]], to whom he would later return the favor.

Chosen for a secret experiment, the Army imbued him with a drug that allowed him to utilize and use up to [[Ten percent of the brain myth|90% of his brain's capacity]] granting him enhanced physical powers and near-mastery control of his body (accelerated healing-factor and heightened senses) in an attempt to create [[metahuman]] super-soldiers for the U.S. military. Deathstroke became a mercenary soon after the experiment when he defied orders and rescued his friend [[Wintergreen (comics)|Wintergreen]], who had been sent on a suicide mission by a commanding officer with a grudge.<ref name="dc-ency">{{Cite book | last=Beatty | first=Scott | author-link=Scott Beatty | contribution=Deathstroke the Terminator | editor-last=Dougall | editor-first=Alastair | title=The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page=97 | publisher=[[Dorling Kindersley]] | place=New York | year=2008 | isbn=978-0-7566-4119-1 | oclc=213309017}}</ref> However, Slade kept this career secret from his family, even though his wife was an expert military combat instructor.

A criminal named [[Ravager (comics)|Jackal]] took his younger son [[Jericho (DC Comics)|Joseph Wilson]] hostage to force Slade to divulge the name of a client who had hired him as an assassin. Slade refused, claiming it was against his personal honor code. He attacked and killed the kidnappers at the rendezvous. Unfortunately, Joseph's throat was slashed by one of the criminals before Slade could prevent it, destroying Joseph's [[Vocal folds|vocal cords]] and rendering him mute.

After taking Joseph to the hospital, Adeline was enraged at his endangerment of her son and tried to kill Slade by shooting him, but only managed to destroy his right eye. Afterwards, his confidence in his physical abilities was such that he made no secret of his impaired vision, marked by his mask which has a black, featureless half covering his lost right eye. Without his mask, Slade wears an eye patch to cover his eye.

===The Teen Titans===
Slade has a long history as an enemy of the [[Teen Titans]], beginning when his other son Grant received superhuman enhancements from the [[H.I.V.E.]], dubbed himself [[Ravager (comics)|Ravager]], and accepted a contract from them to kill or capture the Teen Titans.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Greenberger |first1=Robert |title=The Essential Batman Encyclopedia |date=2008 |publisher=Del Rey |isbn=9780345501066 |pages=109–110}}</ref> However, Grant's enhancements proved fatal, and Slade agreed to complete the contract. His first mission involved stealing the element Promethium from [[S.T.A.R. Labs]] and selling it as the ultimate weapon. He then kidnapped the Titans and placed them in the path of a Promethium bomb to test his device for the buyers, effectively killing two birds with one stone. The Titans escaped and pursued Deathstroke, but he severely wounded [[Beast Boy]] in his escape. This would be the start to a lasting animosity between the two.

Deathstroke next appeared in New York, holding officials hostage to lure the Titans into confronting him. [[Terra (comics)|Terra]], a new ally of the Titans, and Beast Boy were the only ones available to answer the call. Terra knocked Beast Boy out and fought Deathstroke single-handedly in an effort to prove herself worthy of being a Titan. Deathstroke escaped as the other Titans arrived, but by then Terra had proven herself and the team offered her membership. Later that night, it was revealed that Terra and Deathstroke had conspired to fake the fight in a plot to infiltrate the team.<ref>{{cite book | last=Nolen-Weathington | first=Eric |author2=George Pérez | title=Modern Masters Volume 2: George Pérez | year=2003 | publisher=TwoMorrows Publishing | page=128 | isbn=978-1-893905-25-2}}</ref>

===The Judas Contract===
During ''[[The Judas Contract]]'', the Titans eventually entrusted Terra with all of their secret identities. Once Slade had this information, he used it to systematically subdue each of the Titans, exploiting them at their weakest moments. [[Donna Troy]] was gassed at her photo studio, Changeling was anesthetized with tainted envelopes while responding to fan mail, [[Cyborg (DC Comics)|Victor Stone]] was electrically shocked by a chair in his own apartment, [[Starfire (Teen Titans)|Starfire]] was ambushed with a device that affected her powers, and [[Raven (DC Comics)|Raven]] was taken down by Terra herself. [[Dick Grayson|Nightwing]] was last to be attacked and he was confronted by Deathstroke himself. He avoided being captured and soon discovered that his teammates had already been taken. Nightwing arrived at [[Titans Tower]] to discover Slade's ex-wife and son. She told Nightwing that Terra was a traitor, how each of his teammates were captured, and related the origin of Deathstroke.

Nightwing, to confront Deathstroke and [[H.I.V.E.]], joined [[Jericho (DC Comics)|Jericho]] (Joseph Wilson). During the confrontation, Deathstroke recognized Jericho as his son, which caused him to hesitate. Jericho freed the Titans by possessing his father's body. After Terra died during the battle, Slade was then taken into custody.<ref>{{cite book |last =Rovin |first =Jeff |title =The Encyclopedia of Supervillains |publisher =Facts on File |date =1987 |location =New York |isbn = 0-8160-1356-X |pages=339–340}}</ref>

Slade was put on trial for his crimes, but the trial was deliberately sabotaged by Changeling so that he could kill Slade himself, believing that he was responsible for Terra's betrayal of the Titans. Slade agreed to the confrontation, but showed up out of costume. Changeling found himself unable to kill Slade, so instead they talked. Feeling some empathy for his grief, Slade explained his past with Terra, and Changeling realized that Slade was not to blame for the choices that Terra had made. The two men parted on peaceful terms, with Slade returning to Africa with Wintergreen.

===Titans Plague===
Months later, Slade encountered the Titans again while they were investigating mysterious attacks and disappearances. [[Donna Troy]] is attacked by a group of strange beastmen and barely survives the encounter. Meanwhile, while attending a fundraiser with his father, [[Beast Boy|Gar Logan]] recognizes Slade trying to maintain a low profile. When he finally catches up with Slade, he finds him about to kill the host of the fundraiser, Walter Lanier. He stops Deathstroke, but is surprised when Lanier turns into a bat-like creature and flies away. Slade reveals to the Titans that he was responsible for smuggling the drug the bestiamorphs were using to transform others, but did not realize what it was until it was too late. After Jericho and Raven were stricken by the plague, he aided them in destroying the beastmen and finding a cure for the contagion.

===Titans Hunt===
Shortly after this, he came to the Titans' assistance again during the ''Titans Hunt'' storyline. The members of the Titans, as well as many inactive members, all disappeared in a manner very similar to how they were abducted during the ''Judas Contract''. [[Mento (character)|Mento]], an on-and-off member of the [[Doom Patrol]], hires Deathstroke to find the missing Titans. He eventually discovers with Nightwing that the abductions were the work of the [[Wildebeest Society]], and that their leader was none other than Titans member Jericho, Deathstroke's son.

It was revealed that Jericho had been possessed by the corrupted souls of [[Azarath]], as they were using him to capture the Titans and use them as physical hosts to survive. During the transfer process, Jericho's true self resurfaced briefly, begging his father to kill him. To spare his son any more pain and save the remaining Titans, Slade was forced to drive a sword through Jericho's heart, seemingly killing him.

Afterward, Slade continued his life as a mercenary, but also acted as an occasional ally to the Titans, aiding them when mutual threats outweighed their rivalry, most notably during the ''Total Chaos'' storyline when the [[Team Titans]] arrived in the 20th Century to assassinate Donna Troy before she could give birth to her son, who in their timeline had grown up into the tyrannical despot Lord Chaos. Slade also met Pat Trayce, a tough former cop who would become the new [[Vigilante (character)|Vigilante]]. Pat Trayce became Slade's lover later on, and the two developed a romantic as well as a professional relationship.

===Family business===
After Slade foiled an assassination attempt on the [[President of the United States]], he was subsequently framed for the murder of a U.S. Senator. The man responsible had taken on the identity of the Ravager and was hunting down Slade's friends and loved ones. Eventually, with the help of the Titans and [[Sarge Steel]], Slade was able to prove his innocence and the true culprit was revealed to be Steve Dayton, under the alias of the Crime Lord, who had again succumbed to mental instability caused by his Mento helmet.

Meanwhile, Slade's relationship with his estranged wife Adeline took a tragic turn, as Slade underwent a process to gain the ability of physical regeneration, allowing him to survive any wound so long as his brain is intact (but this power is limited, as Slade cannot regenerate his lost eye because that injury happened before he gained his healing factor). After gaining this power, Slade was forced to give his wife a blood transfusion to save her life, resulting in her gaining a similar healing factor which manifested itself as a form of immortality. This alteration of her DNA drove Adeline insane, shaming Deathstroke into going into a semi-retirement state.

In ''Titans'' #12, Deathstroke teamed up with the Titans to face his wife Adeline, who in her insane state had revived the H.I.V.E. and sought to rid the world of all superhumans, blaming them for Jericho's apparent death. During the battle, interrupted by [[Vandal Savage]] and a band of villains that he had organized from recent Titans battles, Adeline's throat was slit. In a brief return of sanity, she begged Slade to kill her, requesting him to reunite her with "my... ''our'' children..." because her version of the healing factor would not heal the wound, but only allow her to live in spite of it. Deathstroke refused, but Koriand'r shocked her teammates and Deathstroke by using her starbolt blast to disintegrate her completely, per Adeline's wishes. This was a turning point, as Deathstroke renounced all ties with the Titans as a result of Starfire's act.

It was then revealed that Jericho managed to transfer his consciousness into Deathstroke in the instant before his death. Taking control of his father, Jericho forced Deathstroke to murder his longtime butler, mentor and confidant Wintergreen. He then launched a series of attacks against the current Teen Titans, most notably shattering [[Bart Allen|Impulse]]'s knee with a shotgun blast, before leaving his father's body. Deathstroke has since manipulated his one remaining child [[Rose Wilson]] into the mercenary business as the new Ravager, to find and kill Jericho, using a specially designed serum to heighten her hostility and push her over the edge. Unfortunately, the process also resulted in her being driven at least partially insane, to the extent that she cut out her own left eye in an attempt to prove to her father that she was just like him.

===''Nightwing'' and ''Birds of Prey''===
Deathstroke appeared in ''[[Nightwing]]'' (vol. 2) #23 as a mercenary against [[Black Canary]] and [[Conner Hawke]] as part of the "Brotherhood of the Fist" tie-in to the ''[[No Man's Land (comics)|No Man's Land]]'' story arc.<ref>''Nightwing'' (vol. 2) #23. DC Comics.</ref>

Deathstroke also appeared in ''[[Birds of Prey (team)|Birds of Prey]]'' #22–24, where he was sent to [[Gorilla City]] by [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]] to get an ape-heart. He is accompanied by [[Lady Vic]], Grimm, and Black Canary, who is posing as [[Barbara Gordon|Oracle]].

===''Identity Crisis''===
In the ''[[Identity Crisis (DC Comics)|Identity Crisis]]'' miniseries, Deathstroke was enlisted as a bodyguard for [[Doctor Light (Arthur Light)|Doctor Light]], who was being pursued by the [[Justice League|Justice League of America]] as a suspect in the murder of [[Sue Dibny]]. In the ensuing battle, Deathstroke nearly beat the team of [[Elongated Man]], [[Wally West|Flash]], [[Zatanna]], [[Hawkman]], [[Green Arrow]], [[Black Canary]], [[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Atom]] and [[Kyle Rayner|Green Lantern]]. He systematically took out every member except for Rayner, whom he had the potential to disable through trying to usurp his ring's energies using his own formidable willpower. But before the outcome of this conflict with Green Lantern ended, Green Arrow stuck an arrow in Deathstroke's right eye socket, enraging him. Slade went ballistic, which derailed his pre-planned strategy and began to beat Green Arrow, but was stopped when the majority of the team tackled Deathstroke to the ground. Dr. Light used his powers to allow the two to escape. Near the end of ''Identity Crisis'', Deathstroke confronts Green Arrow on a rooftop. Arrow sees his reflection in the windows of a nearby building, but when he turns to confront Slade, Deathstroke is gone. Instead, Green Arrow finds Slade's cowl and a note stuck to the wall by the very arrow he stabbed in Slade's eye socket. The note reads "This is yours – we're not done."

===''Infinite Crisis''===
Deathstroke was a founding member of [[Lex Luthor]]'s [[Secret Society of Super Villains]] in the ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' storyline. He was seen in ''Infinite Crisis'' #1, hiding in a warehouse south of [[Metropolis (comics)|Metropolis]] waiting to ambush the [[Freedom Fighters (comics)|Freedom Fighters]] with several other members. The battle did not last long, and by the end, Deathstroke had killed the [[Phantom Lady]]. Slade is also the one who landed the final stroke on Uncle Sam by shooting him in the back (and leading to his apparent death).<ref name="dc-ency"/>

He was the employer of Nightwing, whom he hired to train his daughter Rose. However, after the two have a confrontation with [[Superman]], Deathstroke discovers that Nightwing had been teaching Rose the values of heroism. He could not kill Grayson in front of his daughter, because doing so would undo all of Slade's teachings. Nightwing offered a deal: he would stay away from Rose if Slade would keep the [[metahuman]] villains out of [[Blüdhaven]]. The deal held for 34 hours until ''Infinite Crisis'' #4, when Slade, under the orders of [[Alexander Luthor Jr.]], the real leader of the Society, went with several villains (including old Titans and Doom Patrol foes and [[Brotherhood of Evil]] members [[Monsieur Mallah]] and [[Brain (DC Comics)|Brain]]) to drop [[Chemo (character)|Chemo]] on [[Blüdhaven]], killing over 100,000 people. Slade gave the explanation to the Brotherhood that Nightwing should be made to believe that he can never go home again.

Nightwing took the first of his revenge by bursting in on Deathstroke and Rose's training session, revealing to the latter that the [[kryptonite]] that Deathstroke had implanted in place of her missing eye was radioactive and deadly to humans as well as to [[Kryptonian]]s. Angered, Slade went after Nightwing with a grenade, only to have Rose try to stop him. Amid the smoke of the resulting explosion, Rose fled, telling her father that she hated him. Nightwing disappeared as well, but not before leaving a note for Slade warning him that he would be back to make him pay for Blüdhaven.

At the climactic Battle of Metropolis at the conclusion of ''Infinite Crisis'', Slade was confronted by [[Batman]], [[Tim Drake|Robin]] and Nightwing. During the struggle, he was questioned regarding his motives for aiding the Secret Society. His claims of monetary motivation were deemed unsatisfactory; Batman accused him of having forsaken his code of honor, and Nightwing said it was because his family had abandoned him. Enraged, Slade said that was because of Nightwing, and that it was always because of him, before Batman told him to take responsibility for his actions and he was rendered unconscious.

===''One Year Later''===
[[File:Titanseast.PNG|thumb|left|250px|Cover of ''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #43: "Titans East Part 1". Art by [[Tony Daniel]].]]
Slade appears in the ''Green Arrow'' series after the [[One Year Later|one year jump]] in DC Comics' storylines. Apparently in hiding, he nearly murders a crony of several [[Star City (comics)|Star City]] businessmen who want to hire him for a murder. Before finishing his violent refusal, he asks the name of the target. When informed that it was to be the mayor of Star City, Oliver Queen (whom Deathstroke knows is secretly Green Arrow), he spares the lackey and decides to take the job.<ref>''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3 #60) (May 2006). DC Comics.</ref>

However, things do not quite go according to plan, with Green Arrow using the resources of both his identities, trapping him within a ring of armed [[National Guard (United States)|National Guardsmen]].<ref>''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3) #62 (July 2006). DC Comics.</ref> The fight ends with Deathstroke's arrest<ref>''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3) #63 (August 2006). DC Comics.</ref> and subsequent conviction and incarceration;<ref>''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3) #64 (September 2006). DC Comics.</ref> however, this is revealed as a ploy to gain access to [[Constantine Drakon]], another jailed foe of Green Arrow who has information on the hero's activities in the lost year,<ref>''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3) #65 (October 2006). DC Comics.</ref> which include Green Arrow studying under [[Natas (comics)|Natas]], an assassin who once trained Deathstroke himself.<ref>''Green Arrow'' (vol. 3) #66 (November 2006). DC Comics.</ref>

Deathstroke is also active behind the scenes in ''Teen Titans'', currently in the process of organizing a counter-team of teen superhumans that will be known as [[Titans East]]. The current Titans team included Ravager, who now wanted nothing to do with her father. Deathstroke seemingly intended to "reclaim" Ravager and a recently resurrected Jericho from the Titans or, if that failed, to crush them along with the rest of the team. For these reasons, he specially selected each member of Titans East, believing that, overall, each member would successfully counteract every member of the current Teen Titans line-up.

As indicated over the course of the subsequent issues, Deathstroke was manipulating every member of his new team in one way or another. He had blackmailed former Titan [[Risk (character)|Risk]] while at the same time offering him an outlet for his rage, was drugging [[Cassandra Cain|Batgirl]] with the same serum he had used on Rose, and supplied [[Inertia (DC Comics)|Inertia]] with a formula that granted superhuman speed to compensate for the loss of the [[Speed Force]] following the initial battle with [[Superman-Prime|Superboy-Prime]]. His team, however, slowly fell apart over the course of the attack, as Robin managed to free Batgirl of his mind control serum and Raven convinced [[Duela Dent]] to switch sides. Slade and his remaining Titans subsequently faced off against both the current Titans and a group of old Titans led by Nightwing. Although he was defeated, he still managed to escape with the aid of Inertia. In the end, however, it was revealed to the readers that Slade's real mission was to provide his children with something he could never offer them: a real family, in the form of the Teen Titans. By attacking the Titans, he insured that Rose and Jericho would become more trusted by their associates, and thus grow closer to the team.

Recently, Deathstroke took credit for somehow twisting (through unknown means) the powers of [[Geo-Force]], the half-brother of the original Terra, into the same powers as his traitorous sister. Using this leverage, Deathstroke offered to reverse the process only if Geo-Force became his own personal spy within the Justice League. Unfortunately for Deathstroke, Geo-Force alerted Batman, [[Superman]] and [[Wonder Woman]] of Deathstroke's scheme, which culminated in Geo-Force alerting the League that Deathstroke (whose rivalry with Green Arrow had reached vendetta-level proportions) planned on using an army of supervillains to crash Green Arrow and Black Canary's wedding. Weeks later, Geo-Force was tortured by [[Gorilla Grodd]] after the League was kidnapped by the [[Injustice League]], and ultimately transferred to Batman's newest incarnation of the [[Outsiders (comics)|Outsiders]] afterward, robbing Deathstroke of his potential pawn.

Deathstroke can be seen as a member of [[Libra (DC Comics)|Libra]]'s Secret Society of Super Villains.

Deathstroke is gravely injured with his own sword by Geo-Force in ''DC Universe: Last Will and Testament''. Following his injury, he is recuperating at Belle Reve while doctors labor to save him. Deathstroke dreams of his family members and all of the people that he has let down. When he awakens, he vows that he will never again be haunted by the past.

Ravager comes to visit him, but in fact, wants to finish her father off. She tries to strangle him with a plastic wire, but Deathstroke is recuperated enough that he can fend off her attack. He escapes from the facility and steals a helicopter. Later, Deathstroke finds a young street urchin that he decides to take under his wing.<ref>''Faces of Evil: Deathstroke''. DC Comics.</ref>

===''Blackest Night''===
In the ''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) tie-in to the ''[[Blackest Night]]'' crossover event, Deathstroke is living in the deceased Wintergreen's house and reading his journal, when he is attacked by Rose again. During the fight, the two are attacked by their deceased relatives Grant, Wade, and Adeline, who, along with Wintergreen, have all been reanimated as [[Black Lantern Corps|Black Lanterns]]. Deathstroke and Rose are forced to work together and fight for their lives against the Black Lanterns.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #77 (November 2009). DC Comics.</ref>

The two hopelessly fight the regenerating Black Lanterns until Jericho, cured from his earlier insanity, arrives and turns the tide of the fight. During the course of the battle, Deathstroke confesses to his children that part of the reason why he menaced the Teen Titans for so many years was that he felt that by forcing his children to hate him, they would have a chance of escaping the sorrow and pain that a life with him would entail. Just as Slade is overwhelmed and about to be killed, Jericho somehow uses his abilities to sever the connection between the Black Lanterns and their [[Power ring (DC Comics)|power rings]], permanently sending them back to the grave. After realizing that her mother was not reborn as a member of the Black Lantern Corps, Rose comes to the conclusion that she must somehow still be alive, and leaves after threatening to kill Slade if he tries to stop her. Jericho chooses to stay with his father, reasoning that only Slade would have the courage to kill him if he were to ever return to madness.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 3) #78 (December 2009). DC Comics.</ref>

===''Batman and Robin''===
Recently, Deathstroke has been seen working with [[Talia al Ghul]], controlling the body and physical actions of the current [[Damian Wayne|Robin]] to kill the recent [[Dick Grayson|Batman]]. Deathstroke is able to control Robin's actions, thanks to a neural-implant inserted into Robin's spine by his mother while it was being surgically replaced. Batman defeats Deathstroke by taking advantage of the two-way connection between him and Robin by using a taser on Robin, the resulting electric shock overwhelming Deathstroke's enhanced senses. He then tracks Slade down and attacks him in his hospital bed for controlling Robin and for the Chemo attack, informing Slade that what happened then is just a 'trailer' for what he will do later.<ref>''Batman and Robin'' #9 (February 2010). DC Comics.</ref>

===''Titans: Villains for Hire''===
Following the encounter with the Black Lanterns, Deathstroke recruits a team of supervillains consisting of [[Tattooed Man]], [[Cheshire (comics)|Cheshire]], [[Osiris (DC Comics)|Osiris]], and the new character Cinder following the launch of ''[[Brightest Day]]''. The team ambushes [[Atom (Ryan Choi)|Ryan Choi]] in his home, and then battles him. This ends with Deathstroke driving his sword through Ryan's chest, killing him. He then gives the deceased hero's body to Dwarfstar.<ref>''Titans: Villains for Hire Special'' #1 (May 2010)</ref>

Following the assassination of the Atom, Deathstroke and the Titans are hired to kill Lex Luthor during his stay in Midway City. The attack is revealed to be a ruse crafted by Slade and Luthor to draw out a traitor on Luthor's security staff, who is revealed to be a shape-shifting assassin named Facade.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #24–25. DC Comics.</ref> After the Titans capture Facade and turn him over to the scientists at [[LexCorp]], Luthor rewards Slade by examining technology that he had earlier ordered Tattooed Man and Cheshire to steal. Slade claims that this will bring him one step closer to his true goal: the ability to somehow cheat death itself. He also succeeds in recruiting [[Roy Harper (character)|Arsenal]], a former member of the Teen Titans and Justice League, into the team.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #26. DC Comics.</ref> Shortly after inducting Arsenal into the team, Slade accepts a mission to rescue a child from a drug lord named Elijah. After discovering that Elijah is using the bodies of kidnapped children to create an addictive drug called Bliss, the Titans promptly kill the gangster and shut down his operation. As the Titans are preparing to return to the Labyrinth, Cheshire notices that Slade has tied up DJ Molecule, a powerful metahuman who was working for Elijah as a bodyguard. When asked what he is doing with the young man, Slade cryptically responds by saying that he only accepted the mission to capture Molecule for some unknown purpose.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #27. DC Comics.</ref>

Afterward, Slade and his team arrive at South Pacific Island to kill cult leader Drago over the arena production of blind warriors; however, his team, Arsenal, and Cheshire betray him, revealing that they had been working with Drago. While Slade is held captive, Drago arrives and reveals to him that he is actually Slade's old friend, Corporal Daniel Rogers, who abandoned him during the civil war in Afghanistan. Drago then gouges out Slade's left eye making him blind.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #33 (March 2011). DC Comics.</ref> Slade is then imprisoned along with Arsenal and begins to tell him about his past with Drago.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #34 (April 2011). DC Comics.</ref> Later, Drago takes a trip down memory lane with Slade, explaining how he lost his sight, and basically re-telling his origin and how it involved Jeremiah, right before he throws Slade beneath the complex to fend for his life against a crazed subhuman.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #35 (May 2011). DC Comics.</ref> During the fights, Slade's left eye was restored due to his metahuman healing factor, and the Titans arrive to rescue him. Slade and the Titans break into Drago's mansion and attack. Slade drugs Drago so that he cannot focus his telepathic powers. When Drago is defeated, Slade allows him to live and the Titans then leave his island. While returning to the labyrinth, Slade and the Titans are approached by the [[Atom (Ray Palmer)|Atom]] and the Justice League, who attempt to arrest them for the murder of Ryan Choi.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #36 (June 2011). DC Comics.</ref>

During the battle of Slade's Titans against the Justice League in [[Khandaq]], the battle was stopped by [[Isis (DC Comics)|Isis]], who forces them to choose between leaving or continuing the fight and starting ''[[World War III (DC Comics)|World War III]]''. The Justice League chose to retreat and Slade retrieves a sample of [[Supergirl (Kara Zor-El)|Supergirl]]'s Kryptonian blood. Upon returning to the labyrinth, with his workers, [[Doctor Sivana]] and [[Doctor Impossible (DC Comics)|Doctor Impossible]], Slade reveals to the Titans that their efforts support creation of a diabolical invention called the "Methuselah Device" for his dying son [[Jericho (DC Comics)|Jericho]].<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) Annual 2011 (July 2011). DC Comics.</ref>

The machine successfully heals Jericho, and Slade offers its abilities to all the Titans, offering to restore their deceased loved ones as payment for their services. All agree but Cinder, who does not want her brothers to live forever, as she claims to be doing. She attacks Cheshire and Osiris, and is then joined by Tattooed Man and Arsenal. As the Titans come to blows, Deathstroke attempts to take Jericho and leave, but Jericho, disgusted at what his father did to achieve his restoration, takes over his body, intending to destroy first the Methuselah Device, then himself and Deathstroke.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #37 (July 2011). DC Comics.</ref> While the Titans fight over the Methuselah Device, its power source, a metahuman named DJ Molecule, is released. DJ Molecule blasts Slade, knocking Jericho out of his body. Arsenal then attacks him for stealing the Titans' legacy. Slade escapes and the Methuselah Device is destroyed by Cinder. Afterwards, Slade berates himself and becomes Deathstroke once more.<ref>''Titans'' (vol. 2) #38 (August 2011). DC Comics.</ref>

===The New 52===
In 2011, "[[The New 52]]" rebooted the DC universe. Deathstroke is known as a top mercenary around the world.<ref>''Deathstroke'' (vol. 2) #1. DC Comics.</ref> Deathstroke is hired by a man named Cristoph for a mission that forces him to work with a team of younger mercenaries known as the Alpha Dogs. Their target is Jeffrey Bode, an arms dealer traveling on a plane. After discovering that the weapons Bode is trafficking are clones of the villain [[Clayface]], Deathstroke and the other mercenaries are able to dispatch them, killing Bode in the process and retrieving a suitcase he had in his possession. Deathstroke subsequently betrays and kills the Alpha Dogs, enraged by the notion that his employers feel that he is unable to accomplish his tasks alone. Deathstroke then begins to take on increasingly dangerous missions in an effort to prove his worth, but is also spurred on by the contents of the suitcase he retrieved from Bode – namely the mask and knife belonging to his son [[Ravager (comics)|Grant]], both of which were stained with fresh blood, indicating that he may be still alive.<ref>''Deathstroke'' (vol. 2) #2. DC Comics.</ref> During this time, Deathstroke is pursued by a new villain known as Legacy.<ref>''Deathstroke'' (vol. 2) #5. DC Comics.</ref> Deathstroke kills Legacy, but another Legacy, donning the same colors as the last one, appears again and again. It turns out the parents of one of the Alpha Dog members have hired multiple mercenaries to kill Deathstroke, all donning the green and purple color, to get revenge on him. Deathstroke tracks them down, but is confronted by his son Grant. It is revealed that all of this has been a plot to lure Deathstroke to him. Although Deathstroke manages to kill both the parents, Grant defeats him, claiming superiority over Deathstroke. Grant is about to finish Slade, but he hesitates, and leaves. Recovering from his injuries, Grant takes another contract, Slade is happy that his son has become a better warrior than him, and then visits his father's hospital bed to mention that he has grown up to be a greater man than him.

Slade takes a contract from Harvest, to bring the [[Ravager (comics)|Ravagers]] back to the colony. He does this in exchange for his daughter [[Rose Wilson|Rose]] and [[Terra (comics)|Terra]]. It turns out that Lynch, the leader of [[Team 7 (comics)|Team 7]] had needed Terra to stop a rampaging [[Mr. Majestic|Majestic]], who was thought to be killed by Dinah Drake's sonic scream. For a plan B, to Slade's dismay, he calls in [[Jericho (DC Comics)|Joseph Wilson]], now going by the name Jericho, with Adeline and Grant, to stop Majestic. Instead of stopping Majestic, Jericho takes control of Majestic, Adeline, Grant, and Terra to kill his father. Adeline dies, buried in the rubble caused by Majestic's stampede. Jericho momentarily loses control by this time, and Slade, Rose, and Terra manage to restrain Majestic, with the help of Rose's Gen-factor. However, Jericho retains control over Grant and Terra. When Slade knocks Terra unconscious, a cornered Jericho threatens to stab himself and Grant with a sword. Deathstroke, without hesitation, drives the sword into both of them, killing them instantly. But a later scene suggests Jericho has escaped, since there is shown a worker with glowing green eyes walking out of the clean-up scene, strongly implying Jericho has possessed the man to flee.

====Origins====
Deathstroke's altered origin is introduced in ''Deathstroke'' (vol. 2) #0. The fact that he participated in the military at 16 and met Adeline has not changed. Already a legend in the army, Slade was drafted into Team 7 and went on many missions. In one mission, Slade was gravely injured and had to undergo an operation that enhanced his abilities, making him virtually a superhuman. After this, he married Adeline and had two sons, Grant and Joseph. Around this time, Slade received intel that his best friend, Wintergreen, was caught in Somalia. He donned a mask and flew to Somalia to rescue Wintergreen, slaughtering all the captors. Deathstroke the Terminator was born. As his fame grew, his enemies did too. An attack targeting his house seemingly killed Joseph and Adeline. With evidence that the attack was from North Korea, Slade killed a group of North Korean soldiers, but lost his right eye in the process. It is later shown that Joseph and Adeline are still alive.

This origin was again changed in ''Teen Titans: Deathstroke'' #1. After a mission that involved destroying a children's hospital which Slade was unaware of, he quit the army. After Team 7's termination, Slade started to operate under the Deathstroke identity. He took Grant on his mission, considering him as not only his son, but as a business partner, and the only person he could trust. But during a mission in North Korea, their refuge was infiltrated and North Korean soldiers barged in, firing into the house. Grant was shot, and as Slade looked back at his son, a bullet penetrated his right eye, blinding it. Enraged, Slade went on a massacre and slew the soldiers. However, Grant was presumed dead. Now, Slade works for the sake of his daughter Rose, as he knows the only thing that will keep Rose safe after he is gone is money. It is unclear if Rose's mother is Adeline or not.

====Team 7====
Five years before taking the contract from Harvest, before taking the name Deathstroke, Slade once operated with ''Team 7''. With metahuman threats rising, ''The Majestic Project'', a plan to control future metahuman threats, was devised by John Lynch. And to secure the project, Team 7 was created and Slade was recruited. The first mission was retrieving the [[Eclipso]] Gem, where Slade was possessed by Eclipso and Alex Fairchild had to drive a sword through his chest to save him. Their next mission site is the Advanced Prosthetic Research Center. [[Hank Henshaw]] is tasked into reactivating the android Spartan. But the Spartan Subject is activated, infecting everyone in the center to be turned into mindless cyborgs, including Caitlin Fairchild. Team 7 is sent to the spot. Pilot Summer Ramos is killed by a cyborg. The team breaks into the facility, intending to bottleneck them. Caitlin appears out from a door. Relieved to see his daughter, Alex Fairchild rushes to her and hugs her, but actually infected, Caitlin stabs her father to death. In a fit of rage, Slade chases after her and dispatches her. Then from behind, Henshaw, temporarily free of the Spartan virus, explained that this was a distraction by the Spartan Subject to target agent James Bronson, currently at his home. A Spartan cyborg breaks into his apartment, and attacks, activating Majestic. Majestic actually turns out to be agent Bronson's Gen-factor, which was activated when the Kaizen, the dictator of the island nation of Gamorra, sent the cyborg to trigger the Majestic Persona. It is later explained by Lynch that another purpose of Team 7 was to activate potential metagenes in the agents to create powerful human weapons, which would make America invincible to other nations. Agents like Slade, [[Black Canary (Dinah Drake)|Dinah Drake]], and [[Cole Cash]] had gained their metahuman abilities by Lynch. Bronson was planned to be Majestic, but the activation of the gene just then had been unexpected.

Team 7's last mission was to salvage Pandora's Box. The Team, with new pilot [[Steve Trevor]] is sent to Gamorra. The Kaizen, who possessed Pandora's Box, prepared to unleash its power. When they reach the Kaizen's palace, the child precogs show the Team a future where Kaizen Gamorra has opened the Box and the whole world is going off the rails. Hearing the precogs say the Kaizen had to be stopped to prevent this fate, Majestic flies up into space, and impacts the coast of Gamorra with the force of a comet, creating a massive tidal wave, annihilating five million residents. But the Kaizen's palace stood however, and the team couldn't defeat him, until Majestic burst in. The Kaizen explains that Majestic is the key to opening the box, which also explains why he targeted Bronson in the first place. Majestic kills the Kaizen with a single blow. But he subdues to the Box's power, and starts attacking the team. Dinah lets out a canary cry that destroys the entire palace. In the chaos, Lynch is possessed by the box, but [[Amanda Waller]] knocks the box from his hands and tells Dinah to take the box away as far as possible. Lynch tries to take down the helicopter containing Dinah and the remaining team agents, but Waller shoots him from behind, seemingly killing Lynch and leading to Team 7's dissolution.

====Forever Evil====
During the "[[Forever Evil]]" storyline, Steve Trevor encounters Deathstroke, [[Copperhead (DC Comics)|Copperhead]], and [[Shadow Thief]] at the White House when he is looking for the President.<ref>''Forever Evil: A.R.G.U.S.'' #1. DC Comics.</ref> Later, the party turns up in [[Wayne Industries]] with [[Power Ring (DC Comics)|Power Ring]] to fight [[Batman]], [[Lex Luthor]], and other heroes and villains who are against the Crime Syndicate. Deathstroke has Lex Luthor's life in his hands, but Lex Luthor persuades him that it will do him no good if the Syndicate takes over the Earth. Slade has a change of mind and shoots Copperhead in the head, killing him. After they defeat the rest of the gang, Deathstroke remarks that Lex Luthor ought to pay him a big fat check after this is over.<ref>''Forever Evil'' #5. DC Comics.</ref> Deathstroke then joins Batman and Luthor in the battle against the syndicate he is seen battling Deathstorm when the Syndicate attacks the fallen watchtower. The syndicate later retreats when they find out that Alexander Luthor has been freed. Deathstroke witnesses the only "hero" from Earth-Three kill Deathstorm and steal his abilities. Alexander Luthor then attacks Deathstroke, shattering his helmet while he lets out a string of obscenities directed at Luthor.

===DC Rebirth===
"[[DC Rebirth]]" is a comic book publishing initiative launched by [[DC Comics]] in May 2016. It was designed to be a relaunch of the entire DC Comics line, following the conclusion of the "[[The New 52|New 52]]" era that began in 2011. DC Rebirth aimed to bring back many of the classic elements and characters that had been missing or altered during the New 52 era, while also introducing new storylines and characters. The initiative featured a mix of ongoing series and limited series, with some series continuing from the New 52 era and others starting fresh with new creative teams.

Deathstroke, along with [[Lady Shiva]], is mentioned as one of the enemies that Batman thinks may be attacking him on [[Two-Face (comics)|Two-Face]]'s orders.<ref>''All-Star Batman'' #4</ref> He also stars in an ongoing series about his exploits as a mercenary and his tumultuous relationship with his ex-wife and children as well introducing '''Hosun Park''', Slade's son-in-law and hacker.<ref name="Deathstroke: Rebirth #1">''Deathstroke: Rebirth'' #1. DC Comics.</ref> During one such operation, he comes into contract with the Red Lion/Matthew Bland, the President/Dictator of the African nation of Buredunia.<ref name="Deathstroke: Rebirth #1"/> Bland offers him a high sum for making sure his competition does not bring in US forces, and later takes one of Slade's [[Promethium]] suits for himself.<ref>''Deathstroke: Rebirth'' #4. DC Comics.</ref> Later, Slade attempts to save his son Grant from dying in battle with the Teen Titans by using [[Speed Force]] energy drained from [[Wally West II|Kid Flash]] to time travel. He becomes trapped in the Speed Force in the process, but is rescued the Titans and Teen Titans. The experience moves him to give up being Deathstroke, so he builds a team of heroes called Defiance, with both his children, Wintergreen, Adeline Kane, and Wallace as his teammates.<ref>''Deathstroke'' (vol. 3) #18. DC Comics.</ref> It was later disbanded after [[Power Girl]] took her own life, and Slade's attempts have grown worse to himself.<ref>''Deathstroke'' (vol. 3) #20. DC Comics.</ref>

Deathstroke was later imprisoned in [[Arkham Asylum]], though he escapes and is later captured by the new [[Damian Wayne]]'s new roster of Teen Titans.<ref>''Teen Titans'' (vol. 6) #28 (2019). DC Comics.</ref> In a bid to fulfill his death-wish, he releases all the inmates that [[Robin (comics)|Robin]] had been locking up illegally to attack the group. He tried to goad Damian into killing him, but he was instead killed by [[Emiko Queen|Red Arrow]].<ref>''Deathstroke'' (vol. 3) #43. DC Comics.</ref> Shortly afterwards, a funeral was held by all the villains. At his funeral, Raptor gave Slade's body leprosy, which sent his healing ability into overdrive and resurrected him. He took his resurrection as a second chance in life and went into hiding as a doctor. <ref>{{Cite web |last=Nolan |first=Liam |date=2019-09-14 |title=Deathstroke #50 Is the DC Universe's Main Merc's Final Issue |url=https://www.cbr.com/deathstroke-50-dc-universe-final-issue/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Showalter |first=Chris |date=2019-10-06 |title=Deathstroke #48 Review • AIPT |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2019/10/06/deathstroke-48-review/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=aiptcomics.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

=== Infinite Frontier ===
Deathstroke teamed up with [[Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance)|Black Canary]] to work with an organization called T.R.U.S.T. They both realized that the organization was led by [[Secret Society of Super Villains]] and Deathstroke kicks Black Canary out to take control of it, naming it Deathstroke Inc. <ref>{{Cite web |last=dispatchdcu |date=2021-09-28 |title=Deathstroke Inc. #1 Review |url=https://comicbookdispatch.com/deathstroke-inc-1-review/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=The Comic Book Dispatch |language=en-US}}</ref> He meets Rose Wilson and Respawn, a boy made from his and Talia's DNA who resembled Damian Wayne. He was framed for [[Ra's al Ghul]]'s [[Shadow War (DC Comics)|murder]] by [[Geo-Force]] who wanted revenge on Talia and Deathstroke. During the conflict, Deathstroke is killed by Talia Al Ghul but is resurrected by his followers using a Lazarus Pit.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jr |first=Aaron Ray |date=2022-05-31 |title=Shadow War Omega #1 review |url=https://batman-news.com/2022/05/31/shadow-war-omega-1-review/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Batman News |language=en-US}}</ref> 

In ''[[Dark Crisis]]'', Deathstroke is possessed by the Great Darkness and attempts to destroy the multiverse.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gribbin |first=Sean |date=2022-12-17 |title=Dark Crisis' Finale Reveals Why Deathstroke Wants to Destroy the Entire Multiverse |url=https://www.cbr.com/dark-crisis-finale-reveals-deathstroke-destroy-dc-multiverse/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref> He is eventually defeated and has the Darkness exorcised from his body, losing his powers in the process. Deathstroke is hospitalized in the Hall of Justice, but a mysterious figure deactivates his life support and leaves him to die.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franey |first=Christopher |date=2022-12-20 |title=Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 review |url=https://aiptcomics.com/2022/12/20/dark-crisis-on-infinite-earths-7-review/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=aiptcomics.com |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DC Just Made a Major Change to Deathstroke |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/dark-crisis-on-infinite-earths-deathstroke-depowered/ |access-date=2024-07-30 |website=Comics |date=December 20, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> However, he is later revealed to be alive.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Harth |first=David |date=2024-12-22 |title=DC: Deathstroke Is Returning, But Is That Wise? |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/deathstroke-return-comeback-explained-history-future/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Characterization ==
[[Christopher Priest (comic book writer)|Christopher Priest]], the writer of Deathstroke's self-titled solo series in ''[[DC Rebirth]]'', has said:
{{blockquote|[N]ot only was Marv's Deathstroke a villain, he was also kind of an asshole, which I thought was unique. He wasn't some misunderstood anarchist; he deliberately did skeevy things – most notably sleeping with Terra, a presumably underage girl – in his quest to exact revenge against his enemies. I read that and went, "Whoa". This was beyond The Joker, well beyond Lex Luthor. Marv created the first modern supervillain. He broke every rule by making Deathstroke three-dimensional and giving him internal conflicts while maintaining a level of skeeve we weren't used to seeing from a typical 2-dimensional bad guy.<ref name="priest20161110">{{Cite web |url=https://www.supermanhomepage.com/november-10-2016-exclusive-interview-christopher-priest-talks-superman-vs-deathstroke/ |title=Exclusive Interview – Christopher Priest Talks Superman vs. Deathstroke |last=Priest |first=Christopher |author-link=Christopher J. Priest |date=2016-11-10 |publisher=Superman Homepage |language=en-US |type=interview |access-date=2018-03-11}}</ref>}}
Deathstroke is widely regarded as one of the most feared and deadly professional assassins in the world with a considerable seven figure fee and a six figure deposit.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":32" /><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |title=ChristopherPriest.Com: Deathstroke |url=https://lamerciepark.com/comics/deathstroke/#section2 |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=lamerciepark.com}}</ref> He is infamous for completing nearly all of his contracts, having only failed his contract with H.I.V.E. to kill the Teen Titans. He uses his resources to hire lawyers to prevent law enforcement from proving that Slade Wilson and Deathstroke are the same person. Deathstroke has been described as being emotionally crippled, believing everyone else to be "idiots" and struggling to commit despite desperately loving his children and desiring closeness with them. He is a poor father and often suffers from past choices made between his children and wife, Adeline.<ref name=":12" />

=== Powers and abilities ===
Slade Wilson was given an experimental super-soldier serum that increased his physical and mental abilities to superhuman levels, granting him enhanced strength, speed, stamina, agility, durability, reflexes, and senses. Deathstroke also possesses a healing factor that allows him to recover from injuries at an accelerated rate. Despite stating that he can only heal non-fatal injuries, he has shown to heal from severe organ trauma such as impalement and bullet wounds to the brain. These regenerative abilities have given him a slowed aging process and extended longevity, in addition to a resistance to toxins.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=ChristopherPriest.Com: Deathstroke |url=https://lamerciepark.com/comics/deathstroke/#section2 |access-date=2022-04-12 |website=lamerciepark.com}}</ref><ref name=":2"/><ref name=":3"/><ref>''Batman (Volume 3)'' #86 (March 2020). DC Comics.</ref> While Deathstroke was originally stated to be able to use up to [[Ten percent of the brain myth|90% of his brain's capacity]], it was [[Retroactive continuity|later clarified]] that his brain processes information nine times more efficiently than an ordinary human's.<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Scott |first=Melanie |title=DC ultimate character guide |date=2019 |isbn=978-1-4654-7975-4 |edition=New |location=New York |oclc=1089398386}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite book |title=The DC comics encyclopedia: the definitive guide to the characters of the DC universe |date=2021 |author=Matthew K. Manning |author2=Stephen Wiacek |author3=Melanie Scott |author4=Nick Jones |author5=Landry Q. Walker |author6=Alan Cowsill |isbn=978-0-7440-2056-4 |edition=New |location=New York |oclc=1253363543}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> Deathstroke also has an [[eidetic memory]] and has been described as a tactical genius with a strategic mind rivaling that of [[Batman]].<ref>''Deathstroke (Volume 4)'' #37 (January 2019). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Deathstroke'' (Volume 2) #9</ref>

Even prior to acquiring his powers, Deathstroke mastered numerous hand-to-hand combat and martial art forms as well as swordsmanship and marksmanship as part of his elite training in the military. His arsenal of weapons include various swords, firearms, knives, and a ballistic staff capable of firing bolts of energy from each end.

==Other versions==

* An alternate universe variant of Deathstroke appears in ''[[Just Imagine...]]''. This version is '''Deke Durgan''', a member of the [[Doom Patrol]] who possesses a fatal touch.<ref>''Just Imagine...'' JLA #1. DC Comics.</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of Deathstroke appears in ''[[Teen Titans: Earth One]]''. This version is an employee at S.T.A.R. Labs.<ref>''Teen Titans: Earth One'' #1. DC Comics.</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of Deathstroke appears in 1994's ''Deathstroke Annual''. This version is the guardian of a post-apocalyptic Earth.<ref>''Deathstroke'' Annual #3 (1994). DC Comics.</ref>
* Deathstroke appears in the [[Crossover (fiction)|crossover]] comic ''[[The Uncanny X-Men and The New Teen Titans]]''.
* Two characters based on Deathstroke appear in the [[Amalgam Comics]] universe: '''Slade Murdock / Dare the Terminator''', a fusion of him and [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|Daredevil]], and '''X-Stroke the Eliminator''', a fusion of him and [[X-Cutioner]].<ref>''Assassins'' #1 (April 1996). Amalgam Comics.</ref><ref>''The Exciting X-Patrol'' #1 (June 1997). Amalgam Comics.</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of Deathstroke from Earth-97 appears in ''[[Tangent Comics]]''. This version is a member of the [[Fatal Five]].
* '''Doomstroke''', an amalgamation of Deathstroke and [[Doomsday (DC Comics)|Doomsday]], appears in the ''[[Superman/Batman]]'' storyline "Mash-Up".<ref>''Superman/Batman'' #60. DC Comics.</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of Deathstroke appears in the ''[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]'' event. This version is a pirate whose crew includes his daughter Rose, [[Sonar (comics)|Sonar]], [[Icicle (comics)|Icicle]], [[Fisherman (comics)|Fisherman]], [[Clayface]], [[Machiste]], and Eel.<ref name="fdcr">''Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager'' #1 (June 2011). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Flashpoint'' #2 (June 2011). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager'' #2 (July 2011). DC Comics.</ref><ref>''Flashpoint: Deathstroke and the Curse of the Ravager'' #3 (August 2011). DC Comics.</ref>
* An alternate universe variant of Deathstroke appears in ''[[Superman: American Alien]]''.<ref>''Superman: American Alien'' #3. DC Comics.</ref>

==Collected editions==
{| class="wikitable" width="100%"
! style="width:30%;" | Title
! style="width:30%;" | Material collected
! style="width:5%;" | Pages
! style="width:12%;" | Publication date
! ISBN
|-
! colspan="5" |''Deathstroke, The Terminator''
|-
| '''''Deathstroke, The Terminator Vol. 1: Assassins'''''
| ''Deathstroke, the Terminator'' #1–9, ''New Titans'' #70
| 264
| {{DTS|2014–11}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401254285}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke, The Terminator Vol. 2: Sympathy For The Devil'''''
| ''Deathstroke, the Terminator'' #10–13, ''Annual'' #1, ''Superman'' Vol. 2 #68
| 272
| {{DTS|2015–11}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401258429}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke, The Terminator Vol. 3: Nuclear Winter'''''
| ''Deathstroke, the Terminator'' #14–20, ''Showcase '93'' #6–11
| 312
| {{DTS|2016–08}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401260767}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke, The Terminator Vol. 4: Crash or Burn'''''
| ''Deathstroke, the Terminator'' #21–25, ''Annual'' #2
| 312
| {{DTS|2017–04}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401270834}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke, The Terminator Vol. 5: World Tour'''''
| ''Deathstroke, the Terminator'' #26–34
| 336
| {{DTS|2018–07}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401285753}}
|-
! colspan="5" |''[[The New 52]]''
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 1: Legacy'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 2 #1–8
| 192
| {{DTS|2012–08}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1-401234-81-2}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 2: Lobo Hunt'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 2 #0, #9–20
| 240
| {{DTS|2013–08}}
|
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 1: Gods of War'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 3 #1–6
| 144
| {{DTS|2015–07}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401254711}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 2: God Killer'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 3 #7–10, ''Annual'' #1, ''Sneak Preview from Convergence: Batman: Shadow of the Bat'' #2
| 144
| {{DTS|2016–04}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401261207}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 3: Suicide Run'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 3 #11–16
| 144
| {{DTS|2016–10}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401264550}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 4: Family Business'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 3 #17–20, ''Annual'' #2
| 144
| {{DTS|2017–08}}
| {{ISBNT|978-1401267940}}
|-
! colspan="5" |''[[DC Rebirth]]''
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 1: The Professional'''''
| ''Deathstroke: Rebirth'' #1, ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #1–5
| 144
| {{DTS|2017–01}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401268237}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 2: The Gospel of Slade'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #6–11
| 144
| {{DTS|2017–05}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401270988}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 3: Twilight'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #12–18
| 168
| {{DTS|2017–10}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401274061}}
|-
| '''''Titans: The Lazarus Contract'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #19-20, ''Titans'' Vol. 3 #11, ''Teen Titans'' Vol. 6 #8, ''Teen Titans: The Lazarus Contract Special'' #1
| 128
| {{DTS|2017–10}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401276508}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 4: Defiance'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #21–25
| 128
| {{DTS|2018–04}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401275471}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 5: Fall of Slade'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #26–29 and ''Annual'' #1
| 144
| {{DTS|2018–08}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401278335}}
|-
| '''''Batman vs. Deathstroke'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #30–35
| 160
| {{DTS|2018–11}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401285890}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Vol. 6: Arkham'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #36-40
| 144
| {{DTS|2019–05}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401294311}}
|-
| '''''Teen Titans/Deathstroke: The Terminus Agenda'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #41–43, ''Teen Titans'' Vol. 6 #28-30
| 144
| {{DTS|2019–09}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401299651}}
|-
| '''''Deathstroke: R.I.P.'''''
| ''Deathstroke'' Vol. 4 #44–50
| 288
| {{DTS|2020–02}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1779502759}}
|-
|'''''Deathstroke by Christopher Priest Omnibus'''''
|''Deathstroke: Rebirth'' #1, ''Deathstroke'' #1-50, ''Deathstroke Annual'' #1, ''DC Holiday Special'' 2017 #1, ''Titans'' #11, ''Teen Titans'' #8, 28-30, and ''Titans: The Lazarus Contract Special'' #1''.''
|1392
|{{DTS|2021–10}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1779512604}}
|-
! colspan="5" |''[[Infinite Frontier]]''
|-
| '''''Deathstroke Inc. Vol. 1: King of the Supervillains'''''
| ''Deathstroke Inc.'' #1-7 and a story from ''Batman: Urban Legends'' #6
| 208
| {{DTS|2022–05}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1779516572}}
|-
|'''''Deathstroke Inc. Vol. 2: Year One'''''
|''Deathstroke Inc. #10-15''
|206
|{{DTS|2023–03}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1779519825}}
|-
| '''''Batman: Shadow War'''''
| ''Shadow War: Alpha'' #1, ''Batman'' #122-123, ''Deathstroke Inc.'' #8-9, ''Robin'' #13-14, ''Shadow War Zone'' #1, and ''Shadow War: Omega'' #1
| 256
| {{DTS|2022–11}}
|{{ISBNT|978-1401254285}}
|}

==In other media==
===Television===
==== Live-action ====
{{multiple image
| align             = right
| direction         = horizontal
| header            = 
| total_width       = 360
| image1            = Deathstroke Arrow.png
| alt1              = 
| image2            = TitansDeathstroke.jpg
| alt2              = 
| footer            = [[Manu Bennett]] (left) and [[Esai Morales]] (right) as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'' and ''[[Titans (2018 TV series)|Titans]]'', respectively
}}
* An original incarnation of Deathstroke named '''Earl Gregg''' appears in the ''[[Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]'' episode "Bob and Carol and Lois and Clark", portrayed by [[Antonio Sabàto Jr.]] This version, also known as '''Bob Stanford''', is an assassin with unstable magnetic powers.
* Slade Wilson appears in the [[Smallville season 10|tenth season]] of ''[[Smallville]]'', portrayed by [[Michael Hogan (Canadian actor)|Michael Hogan]]. This version is a corrupt [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] general responsible for the [[Discrimination against superheroes#Smallville|Vigilante Registration Act]]. He loses his right eye and acquires a healing factor that puts him "beyond death's stroke" after being saved by [[Darkseid]], but is imprisoned in the [[Phantom Zone]] by [[Clark Kent (Smallville)|Clark Kent]].
* Various characters adopt the Deathstroke persona in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]''.
** '''[[Billy Wintergreen (Arrowverse)|Bill "Billy" Wintergreen]]''' (portrayed by Jeffrey C. Robinson)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goldman |first=Eric |date=2012-10-12 |title=Arrow: Exclusive First Look at Deathstroke |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/10/12/arrow-exclusive-first-look-at-deathstroke |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> is Slade Wilson's former friend and [[Australian Secret Intelligence Service|ASIS]] partner. He betrays Slade to join [[Edward Fyers (Arrowverse)|Edward Fyers]]' mercenaries, after which Slade kills him.
** '''[[Slade Wilson (Arrowverse)|Slade Wilson]]''' (portrayed by [[Manu Bennett]])<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 20, 2013 |title=Arrow EP Andrew Kreisberg Talks Deathstroke; Slade Wilson & Oliver Queen's Blossoming Bromance |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/arrow-ep-andrew-kreisberg-talks-deathstroke-slade-wilson-and-oliver-queens-blossoming-bromance_article_76249 |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Access Hollywood|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725112406/http://www.accesshollywood.com/arrow-ep-andrew-kreisberg-talks-deathstroke-slade-wilson-and-oliver-queens-blossoming-bromance_article_76249 |archive-date=July 25, 2014 }}</ref> is a former ASIS agent who trains [[Oliver Queen (Arrow)|Oliver Queen]] while they are stranded on the island [[Lian Yu (Arrowverse location)|Lian Yu]]. After being injected with the "Mirakuru" super-soldier serum, Slade is driven insane and blames Oliver for the death of [[Shado (Arrowverse)|Shado]], the woman whom he loved, forcing Oliver to drive an arrow through his right eye. In the [[Arrow season 2|second season]], Slade resurfaces as the mercenary "Deathstroke" and attempts to destroy Oliver's life by killing [[Moira Queen (Arrowverse)|Moira Queen]] and using a Mirakuru-enhanced army to besiege [[Starling City]]. Though he is defeated and incarcerated in an [[A.R.G.U.S. (Arrowverse)|A.R.G.U.S.]] prison on Lian Yu, Slade makes minor appearances in subsequent seasons.
** '''[[Grant Wilson (Arrowverse)|Grant Wilson]]''' (portrayed by Jamie Andrew Cutler), Slade's youngest son, continues his father's legacy by forming the '''Deathstroke Gang'''. A possible future version of Grant from the year 2046 also appears in the spin-off series ''[[Legends of Tomorrow]]''.
** '''[[Joe Wilson (Arrowverse)|Joe Wilson]]''' (portrayed by Liam Hall), Slade's eldest son, dons his father's armor during the "[[Elseworlds (Arrowverse)|Elseworlds]]" event.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Jenna |date=December 6, 2018 |title=John Barrowman Returns to the Arrowverse in "Elseworlds" Crossover Photo |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/arrowverse-crossover-2018-john-barrowman-return-malcolm-merlyn/ |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=DC |language=en}}</ref>
** '''[[John Diggle Jr.]]''' (portrayed by [[Charlie Barnett (actor)|Charlie Barnett]]) becomes the new leader of the Deathstroke Gang in the year 2040.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/dc/2019/07/20/arrow-casts-russian-dolls-charlie-barnett-as-john-diggle-jr-/|title=Arrow Casts Russian Doll's Charlie Barnett as John Diggle, Jr.|last=Burlingame|first=Russ|website=Comicbook.com|date=July 20, 2019|access-date=July 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/arrow-flash-forward-jj-diggle-deathstroke/|title=Arrow Flash-Forward Reveals Legacy Character's Connection to Deathstroke|last=Damore|first=Meagan|website=[[Comic Book Resources]]|date=April 22, 2019|access-date=May 10, 2019}}</ref>
* [[List of Titans (2018 TV series) characters#Slade Wilson / Deathstroke|Slade Wilson / Deathstroke]] appears in the [[Titans season 2|second season]] of ''[[Titans (2018 TV series)|Titans]]'', portrayed by [[Esai Morales]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Staley|first=Brandon|title=A New Deathstroke Is Coming to Titans, Along with Jericho|url=https://www.cbr.com/titans-dc-universe-deathstroke-jericho/|website=Comic Book Resource|access-date=October 4, 2018|date=October 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/03/titans-esai-morales-joins-dc-universe-as-deathstroke-1202575173/|title='Titans': Esai Morales Joins DC Universe As Deathstroke|last=Boucher|first=Geoff|date=March 13, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=March 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Trigon |url=https://www.dcuniverse.com/videos/watch/trigon/e20bfeb3-e426-4b7b-9cab-aa3ee5ccda73 |access-date=September 7, 2019 |series=Titans |series-link=Titans (2018 TV series) |first1=Carol |last1=Banker |first2=Akiva |last2=Goldsman |author-link2=Akiva Goldsman |first3=Geoff |last3=Johns |author-link3=Geoff Johns |first4=Greg |last4=Walker |network=[[DC Universe]] |date=September 6, 2019 |season=2 |number=1 }}</ref> This version is a [[Delta Force]] veteran who underwent experimental bio-enhancements at [[H.I.V.E.]] Slade's feud with the Titans began when he killed [[Garth (comics)|Garth]], causing their leader [[Dick Grayson (Titans character)|Dick Grayson]] to expose Slade's true nature to his son [[Jericho (DC Comics)|Jericho]]. Blaming the Titans for tearing his family apart, Slade attempts to seek revenge by planting his illegitimate daughter [[Rose Wilson|Rose]] into their ranks, though Rose ultimately betrays and stabs him after joining the Titans. A zombified version of Deathstroke briefly appears in the [[Titans season 4|fourth season]].

====Animation====
[[File:Teen_Titans_Slade.jpg|190px|thumb|right|Slade as depicted in ''[[Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans]]'']]
* Deathstroke, referred to simply as Slade, appears in ''[[Teen Titans (TV series)|Teen Titans]]'', voiced by [[Ron Perlman]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Deathstroke Voices (Teen Titans) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Teen-Titans/Deathstroke/ |access-date=May 1, 2024 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref> This version is an enigmatic criminal mastermind who seeks to eliminate the [[Teen Titans]], take over Jump City, and turn [[Dick Grayson|Robin]] and later [[Terra (character)|Terra]] into his apprentice, though Terra sacrifices herself to kill Slade and save the Titans. Slade is later resurrected as an [[undead]], [[pyrokinesis|pyrokinetic]] being by [[Trigon (comics)|Trigon]] to aid in his conquest of Earth. After being betrayed, Slade temporarily joins forces with the Titans to defeat Trigon and regain his mortality.
* Deathstroke appears in the ''[[Robot Chicken DC Comics Special]]'' as a member of the [[Legion of Doom]].
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'', voiced initially by [[Wentworth Miller]] in the episode "The Fix" and subsequently by [[Fred Tatasciore]].<ref name="btva" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Webb |first=Charles |date=July 16, 2012 |title=MTV Geek – SDCC 2012: Kevin Smith Presents 'Beware the Batman' and 'Teen Titans Go!' Reveals at the DC Nation Panel |url=http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/07/16/sdcc-2012-kevin-smith-beware-the-batman-teen-titans-go-reveals-dc-nation-panel/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217115055/http://geek-news.mtv.com/2012/07/16/sdcc-2012-kevin-smith-beware-the-batman-teen-titans-go-reveals-dc-nation-panel/ |archive-date=February 17, 2013 |access-date=October 18, 2012 |publisher=Geek-news.mtv.com}}</ref> Introduced in the second season, this version initially serves as an enforcer for the [[List of Young Justice characters#The Light|Light]], before replacing [[Ra's al Ghul]] as one of its council members and the leader of the [[League of Assassins|League of Shadows]] in the [[Young Justice: Outsiders|third season]].
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Beware the Batman]]'', voiced by [[Robin Atkin Downes]].<ref name="btva" /> This version was originally a [[CIA]] agent who was terminated by his mentor [[Alfred Pennyworth]]. Deathstroke poses as "'''Dane Lisslow'''" to seek revenge against Pennyworth and his new protégé [[Batman]], but loses his right eye during their final battle.
* Deathstroke, referred to simply as Slade, makes [[cameo appearance]]s in ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'', voiced by [[Khary Payton]] in the episode "The Cape".
* Deathstroke appears in the ''[[DC Super Hero Girls (TV series)|DC Super Hero Girls]]'' episode "#DinnerForFive", voiced by [[D. C. Douglas]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Voiceover: Cartoons & Videogames - DC Douglas |url=https://www.dcdouglas.com/voiceover-male-talent/cartoon-videogames-anime/ |website=dcdouglas.com |access-date=January 5, 2021}}</ref>
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons]]'', voiced by [[Michael Chiklis]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title='Deathstroke' Animated Series, 'The Pledge' Horror Series In Works At CW Seed |url=https://deadline.com/2019/05/deathstroke-animated-series-the-pledge-series-cw-seed-1202616395/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=May 16, 2019 |language=en |date=May 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.newsarama.com/47269-michael-chiklis-to-voice-deathstroke-in-cw-seed-series.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200409085229/https://www.newsarama.com/47269-michael-chiklis-to-voice-deathstroke-in-cw-seed-series.html |archive-date=2020-04-09 |title=MICHAEL CHIKLIS to Voice DEATHSTROKE in CW Seed Series, Trailer Released |first=George |last=Marston |work=Newsarama |date=2019-10-04 |access-date=2021-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbr.com/deathstroke-cw-seed-animated-series-voice-cast-teaser-trailer/|title=Deathstroke Animated Series Announces Voice Cast with Bloody Teaser Trailer|author=Tim Adams|website=[[Comic Book Resources|CBR]]|date=October 4, 2019|access-date=October 8, 2019}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> The series was later released [[direct-to-video]] as ''[[Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons: The Movie]]''.
* Slade Wilson appears in ''[[My Adventures with Superman]]'', voiced by [[Chris Parnell]].<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Samantha |date=June 26, 2023 |title=My Adventures With Superman Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/my-adventures-with-superman-review-adult-swim-jack-quaid |access-date=July 7, 2023 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of [[Task Force X]] who wields powered armor and swords, and eventually loses his right eye to [[Livewire (DC Comics)|Livewire]]. In the end of season 2 he stops working for Task Force X and he joins [[LexCorp]].

===Film===
====Live-action====
[[File:JusticeLeagueDeathstroke.png|200px|thumb|right|[[Joe Manganiello]] as Slade Wilson / Deathstroke in ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'' (2017)]]
Slade Wilson / Deathstroke appears in the [[DC Extended Universe]] (DCEU), portrayed by [[Joe Manganiello]]. In the [[post-credits scene]] of ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'' (2017), [[Lex Luthor (DC Extended Universe)|Lex Luthor]] recruits him to form their own team in response to the [[Justice League]]'s formation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cosmicbooknews.com/justice-league-post-credits-scene-leaks-online |title=Justice League Post Credits Scene Leaks Online |work=CosmicBookNews |date=November 13, 2017 |access-date=November 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114093759/https://www.cosmicbooknews.com/justice-league-post-credits-scene-leaks-online |archive-date=November 14, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[director's cut]] of the film, ''[[Zack Snyder's Justice League]]'' (2021), Deathstroke learns of [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]]'s secret identity from Luthor, and a possible future version of the character also appears in an apocalyptic dream.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Chichizola |first1=Corey |title=Will Justice League's Snyder Cut Include More Deathstroke? Here's What Joe Manganiello Said |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/news/2546642/will-justice-leagues-snyder-cut-include-more-deathstroke-heres-what-joe-manganiello-said |website=CinemaBlend |access-date=May 21, 2020 |date=May 21, 2020}}</ref> Manganiello was originally slated to reprise the role in ''[[The Batman (film)|The Batman]]'' and a Deathstroke origin film, but these projects were removed from the DCEU's continuity and canceled, respectively.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Batman Solo Movie: Everything We Know |first=Mike |last=Cecchini |date=2018-03-18 |work=Den of Geek |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/batman/242914/the-batman-solo-movie-everything-we-know |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013182709/http://www.denofgeek.com/us/movies/batman/242914/the-batman-solo-movie-everything-we-know |archive-date=2018-10-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=DC Villain 'Deathstroke' Movie in the Works from 'The Raid' Director |first1=Borys |last1=Kit |first2=Aaron |last2=Couch |date=2017-10-25 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/deathstroke-movie-works-raid-director-1051872}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2018-04-05 |title=Joe Manganiello Confirms That a DEATHSTROKE Solo Film is Still in the Works |first=Joey |last=Paur |work=Geek Tyrant |url=https://geektyrant.com/news/joe-manganiello-confirms-that-a-deathstroke-solo-film-is-still-in-the-works}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Gareth Evans reveals pitch for his 'lean, visceral' Deathstroke movie that never happened (exclusive)|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/gareth-evans-deathstroke-movie-details-131617458.html|access-date=2021-01-24|website=sports.yahoo.com|date=April 29, 2020 |language=en-US}}</ref>

A new film co-starring Deathstroke and [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]] was reported to be in development from a screenplay by [[Matthew Orton]] in September 2024. It will be produced by [[DC Studios]] and set in the [[DC Universe (franchise)|DC Universe]] (DCU) franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=2024-09-27 |title=Batman Villains Bane, Deathstroke Getting Movie Treatment at DC Studios (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/batman-villain-bane-movie-dc-studios-1236000421/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=2024-09-27 |title=DC Studios Developing Movie Involving Bane And Deathstroke From Writer Matthew Orton |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/dc-studios-bane-deathstroke-matthew-orton-1236102174/ |access-date=2025-01-03 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

====Animation====
* An alternate universe variant of Slade Wilson appears in ''[[Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths]]'', voiced by [[Bruce Davison]].<ref name="btva" /> This version is the [[President of the United States]] from [[Earth-Three|Earth-3]] who is missing his left eye.
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League]]'', voiced by [[John DiMaggio]].<ref name="btva" />
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League - Attack of the Legion of Doom]]''.
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Gotham City Breakout]]'', voiced again by John DiMaggio.<ref name="btva" />
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash]]'' (2018).<ref name="btva" />
* A [[Feudal Japan]]-inspired incarnation of Deathstroke appears in ''[[Batman Ninja]]'',<ref name="comicbook.com">{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/anime/2017/10/05/nycc-2017-batman-ninja-live-recap-/|title='Batman Ninja' Anime: First Details & Poster Revealed|website=Anime|date=October 6, 2017 }}</ref> voiced by [[Junichi Suwabe]] in the Japanese version and again by [[Fred Tatasciore]] in the English dub.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/batman-ninja | title=ニンジャバットマン BATMAN NINJA公式サイト【2018年6月15日(金) 劇場公開】 | website=warnerbros.co.jp | language=ja | access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Batman Ninja Anime's English Trailer Reveals Dub Cast, Home Video Release|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2018-02-13/batman-ninja-anime-english-trailer-reveals-dub-cast-home-video-release/.127749|website=[[Anime News Network]]|access-date=July 3, 2018|date=February 13, 2018|first=Karen|last=Ressler}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
* Deathstroke, referred to simply as Slade, appears in ''[[Teen Titans Go! To the Movies]]'', voiced by [[Will Arnett]].<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Truitt |first=Brian |date=January 10, 2018 |title=Here's your exclusive first look at 'Teen Titans GO! to the Movies' |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2018/01/10/heres-your-exclusive-first-look-teen-titans-go-movies/1014527001/ |access-date=2018-01-10 |work=USA TODAY |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> Throughout the film, he masquerades as filmmaker '''Jade Wilson''' (voiced by [[Kristen Bell]]).<ref name=":4" />

===== DC Animated Movie Universe =====
{{main|DC Animated Movie Universe}}
* The "[[Flashpoint (comics)|Flashpoint]]" incarnation of Deathstroke appears in ''[[Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox]]'', voiced again by [[Ron Perlman]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Siegel |first=Lucas |date=April 4, 2013 |title=UPDATE: FLASHPOINT PARADOX Reveals Reverse Flash, Director |url=http://www.newsarama.com/film/dc-animated-flashpoint-paradox-news.html |publisher=Newsarama|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130406185945/http://www.newsarama.com/film/dc-animated-flashpoint-paradox-news.html |archive-date=April 6, 2013 }}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version is the captain of a ship called the ''Ravager''. He and [[Lex Luthor]] attempt to locate [[Aquaman]]'s doomsday device, but are ambushed and killed by [[Atlantis (Aquaman)#Atlanteans|Atlantean]] forces.
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Son of Batman]]'', as the main antagonist, voiced by [[Thomas Gibson]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Sands |first=Rich |date=January 20, 2014 |title=First Look: It's Father's Day for the Dark Knight in Son of Batman |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Son-of-Batman-First-Look-1076369.aspx |work=TV Guide}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> This version is a former member of the [[League of Assassins]]. While staging a [[coup d'état]] to kill [[Ra's al Ghul]], his right eye is gouged out by [[Damian Wayne|Robin]]. Deathstroke later attempts to genetically transform the League's members into an army of [[Man-Bat#Man-Bat Commandos|Man-Bat]] ninja warriors, but is foiled by [[Batman]] and Robin.
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Teen Titans: The Judas Contract]]'', voiced by [[Miguel Ferrer]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/teen-titans-judas-contract-movie-sets-voice-cast-965621|title=Christina Ricci, Miguel Ferrer Join Voice Cast of 'Teen Titans' Animated Movie (Exclusive)|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=January 19, 2017}}</ref><ref name="btva" /> After rejuvenating himself in a Lazarus Pit, he is hired by [[Brother Blood]] to capture the Teen Titans and manipulates his juvenile lover [[Terra (character)|Terra]] into joining their ranks as a double-agent. Deathstroke fights [[Nightwing]] and Robin until an enraged Terra traps him in Blood's collapsing lair.
* Deathstroke makes a cameo appearance in a flashback in ''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]''.

===Video games===
* Deathstroke, referred to simply as Slade, appears as the final [[Boss (video games)|boss]] of and a playable character in ''[[Teen Titans (2006 video game)|Teen Titans]]'' (2006), voiced again by [[Ron Perlman]].<ref name="btva" />
* Deathstroke appears as a playable character in ''[[Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5039348/wonder-woman-raiden-two-of-four-new-kombatants |title=Wonder Woman, Raiden Two of Four New Kombatants |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |work=[[Kotaku]] |date=August 20, 2008 }}</ref> voiced by [[Patrick Seitz]] and motion-captured by Chris Matthews.<ref name="btva" />
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[DC Universe Online]]'', voiced by Tracy Bush.<ref name="btva" /> This version is a member of the [[Secret Society of Super Villains|Secret Society]].
* Deathstroke appears as a playable character in ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'', voiced by [[J. G. Hertzler]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://voicechasers.com/database/showprod.php?prodid=5152|title=The Voices of Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013, Video Game) – Voice Cast Listing at Voice Chasers|work=Voice Chasers|access-date=April 23, 2013|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311164941/http://voicechasers.com/database/showprod.php?prodid=5152|url-status=dead}}</ref> Additionally, an alternate universe version of Deathstroke is featured as a member of the Insurgency.
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=October 4, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=May 1, 2024 |website=IGN}}</ref>
* Deathstroke appears as a playable [[Skin (video games)|outfit]] in ''[[Fortnite Battle Royale]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2021/05/24/heres-fortnites-new-deathstroke-skin-and-when-and-how-you-can-get-him/?sh=22b2e2db7473 |title=Here's Fortnite's New Deathstroke Skin, And When And How You Can Get Him |last=Tassi |first=Paul |work=[[Forbes]] |date=May 24, 2021 }}</ref>
* Deathstroke appears in ''DC Battle Arena'', voiced by P.M. Seymour.<ref name="btva" />

====''Batman: Arkham''====
{{main|Batman: Arkham}}
[[File:ArkhamOriginsDeathstroke.jpg|thumb|right|Deathstroke as depicted in ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]''.]]
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Batman: Arkham City Lockdown]]'', voiced by Larry Grimm.
* Deathstroke appears as a boss in ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'', voiced by [[Mark Rolston]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Crecente |first=Brian |date=December 7, 2011 |title=Take on Deathstroke in This Surprise Batman: Arkham City Game |url=https://kotaku.com/take-on-deathstroke-in-this-surprise-batman-arkham-cit-5866016 |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/610994/batman-arkham-origins-what-deathstroke-and-the-silver-age-could-mean|title='Batman: Arkham Origins' What Deathstroke And The Silver Age Could Mean|work=The Inquisitr News|date=August 4, 2014}}</ref>
* Deathstroke appears as a boss in ''[[Batman: Arkham Knight]]'', voiced again by Mark Rolston.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tassi |first=Paul |date=June 26, 2016 |title=Arkham Knight's First Ending Is Great, Its Second Is Bad, And Its Third Is Insane |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/insertcoin/2015/06/26/arkham-knights-first-ending-is-great-its-second-is-bad-and-its-third-is-insane/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref name="btva" />
* Deathstroke appears as a downloadable playable character in ''[[Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://gamerant.com/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-season-4-deathstroke/|title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Adding Deathstroke|website=[[Game Rant]] |last1=Cyre |first1=Clayton |access-date=December 6, 2024 |date=December 6, 2024 }}</ref>
* Deathstroke appears in ''[[Batman: Arkham Shadow]]'', voiced again by Mark Rolston.<ref name="btva" />

====Lego====
{{main|Lego Batman}}
* Deathstroke appears as a playable character in the [[Nintendo 3DS]] version of ''[[Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes]]''.
* Deathstroke appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]'', voiced by [[Liam O'Brien]].<ref>{{cite tweet|number=516405524930129921 |author=LEGO DC Super-Villains|user=LEGODCGame |title=Deathstroke. Music Meister. Kalibak. CONFIRMED. #LEGOBatmanGame |date=2014-09-29|access-date=2021-07-03}}</ref>
* Deathstroke appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'', voiced again by Mark Rolston.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/5/30/17408628/lego-dc-super-villains-announcement-release-date|title=New Lego game lets you team up with Joker, Harley Quinn and other DC bad guys|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|date=May 30, 2018|access-date=June 1, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite tweet |author=LEGO DC Super-Villains |user=LEGODCGame |number=1043168891671912448 |date=2018-09-21 |title=Deathstroke underwent experiments that turned him into a super-soldier, a skilled martial artist and an expert marksman. ☠️ #LEGODCGame |access-date=2021-07-03 }}</ref><ref name="btva" />

===Miscellaneous===
* Deathstroke, referred to simply as Slade, appears in ''[[Teen Titans Go! (2004 comic series)|Teen Titans Go!]]'' (2004).<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Teen Titans Go!'' #22 - The Book/Listen (Issue) |url=https://comicvine.gamespot.com/teen-titans-go-22-the-booklisten/4000-119295/ |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Comic Vine |language=en}}</ref>
* The ''Injustice'' incarnation of Deathstroke appears in the ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us (comics)|Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' prequel comic.
* A [[DC Animated Universe]] (DCAU)-inspired incarnation of Deathstroke appears in ''[[Batman: The Adventures Continue]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goslin |first=Austen |date=2020-02-13 |title=''Batman: The Animated Series'' creator will continue the show — with Jason Todd |url=https://www.polygon.com/comics/2020/2/13/21136687/batman-animated-series-comic-paul-dini-dc-comics-jason-todd |access-date=2024-07-16 |website=Polygon |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Portal|1980s|Comics}}
* [https://www.dccomics.com/characters/deathstroke Deathstroke] at DC Comics' official website
* [[DCDatabase:Slade Wilson (New Earth)|Deathstroke]] at the DC Database Project
* {{comicbookdb|type=character|id=263|title=Deathstroke}}

{{Batman characters}}
{{Birds of Prey}}
{{Cyborg (DC Comics)}}
{{Green Arrow}}
{{Justice League characters}}
{{Robin}}
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{{Teen Titans}}
{{The New 52}}
{{Authority control}}

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