Identity Crisis #3 - Deathstroke's Last Stand

DC Comics
Identity Crisis #3 - Deathstroke's Last Stand
By Hervé St-Louis
August 21, 2004 - 06:07

DC Comics
Writer(s): Brad Meltzer
Penciller(s): Rags Morales
Inker(s): Michael Bair
Cover Artist(s): Michael Turner

Brad Meltzer follows the standard mystery formula of letting the reader know the killer isn’t who they thought it was. Although they only thought it was the killer because he implied it himself in chapter one. The issue begins with a major fight scene between Deathstroke and the satellite era League, who proceed to charge at Deathstroke one at a time, as if they’re in an old Kung-Fu movie. Deathstroke beats the stuffing out of the heroes, until they all dog-pile him, which is apparently more effective than trying to use their individual powers against him. Doctor Light is reminded of a similar instance (spoiler) in which the same people dog-piled him, only Batman may or may not have been involved, depending on whom you believe. (Dog-piling. Yeah. That sounds like Batman. Deathstroke has pre-planned methods of taking everyone down, and Batman hugs rapists around their middles. Maybe they mind-wiped Batman, and then Deathstroke picked his brains out of their garbage.) We then find out some dirt on the league, and Sue Dibny dies again, or something to that effect.

Brad shows an exceptional writing ability, choosing to have Green Arrow narrate the fight scene, and then, later, have Green Arrow spill the beans to Flash about what was going on until then. This provides a sort of perspective, as GA has the least to do with mind-wiping the villains, and the most to do with actually taking action and bringing down Deathstroke. As opposed to someone like Zatanna, who’s all talk. Literally. There is also something to be said about flaunting characters who obviously have no place in the story asking themselves who else will be killed, and it’s not something good. Nevertheless, an entertaining read, if only for the fight scene, and the subtle fact, not noticed by many, that the Atom can not come to the rescue at the beginning of the next issue, as the phone has been disconnected.

As for the art, Morales is great. I was never confused as to what was happening, unless I was meant to be. After all, it is supposed to be a mystery story.