Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Deathstroke #22

By Hervé St-Louis
August 8, 2017 - 11:42

Deathstroke’s Defiance goes to the Chetland United Atlantic Islands to rescue American tourists captured by the villain Doctor Light and his new light-based minions. But the team doesn’t fare too well. Can they succeed in their mission without the assistance and leadership of Deathstroke?

While the kids and the light creatures fight, Deathstroke and Doctor Light chat like old friends about the past and giving up villainy for some new good. The subplot with the Chinese and Hmong gangs continues although it has been very confusing since day one. Obviously, Christopher Priest has something big in mind with them but he isn’t sharing. Seeing Deathstroke and Doctor Light together was fun as it reminded me of the great Identity Crisis series which is obviously out of continuity now.



This story also reminded me of Doctor Light’s fear of kids. I don’t know if any of this is still in continuity but I like that Priest draws on these themes subtly. It feels like he’s taking as much from the past as possible while forging new stories for Deathstroke.

I did not enjoy the part of the story involving the big fight with the light creatures. So many clichés, like the size-changing teammate falling after being hit. The art was good yet the way the story was told visually was disappointing.

Rating: 7.5 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12