Batman and Deathstroke’s newly retconned first duel over Robin serves as a good reminder of what makes Deathstroke a great foil to the Dark Knight.
WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Batman #122, now on sale from DC Comics.
Batman has plenty of “opposites” in the DC Universe, ranging from the deeply personal contrast between him and the Joker to the more overt differences between his mission to protect Gotham and the Court of Owls’ intent to control it. One of the more consistent foils Batman has gained over the years has proven to be Deathstroke — something DC even highlights in their latest (and secretly earliest) confrontation.
Batman and Deathstroke’s retconned first duel in the story “Secret Meetings” from Batman #122 (by Joshua Williamson, Trevor Hairsine, Rain Beredo, and Willie Schubert) showcases what makes Slade Wilson such a strong foil to the Dark Knight.
The backup story for Batman #122 takes place years before the present-day DC Universe. Dick Grayson has only recently started his tenure as Robin, and there’s already a massive bounty on the young hero’s head. Deathstroke arrives in Gotham to kill Robin and claim the cash, but he is instead confronted by the Caped Crusader. The story establishes that this is their first meeting, as the Dark Knight doesn’t recognize the esteemed mercenary. Notably, the villain is quickly able to get under Batman’s skin, noting that he’s impressed by the vigilante’s decision to use the brightly costumed Robin as “bait” for his enemies.
It’s a fun retcon that further highlights what makes Deathstroke a solid foil and contrast to Batman. Their combat skills are equally matched, but the Dark Knight’s non-lethal tactics draw attention to how deadly the mercenary is as well as his reliance on firearms. While the hero uses gadgets, the villain simply produces gun after gun to use against his opponent. Deathstroke’s inability to see Robin as anything other than a distraction clearly infuriates Batman, who’s been working to discover the person behind the targeting of his ward. Even Slade’s blunt assessment of the Boy Wonder as a distraction could be seen as a foreshadowing of his cavalier attitude towards “pawns” like Terra in the future.
Batman and Deathstroke — as two nominally human fighters in a world of unpredictable superhumans, magic gods, and dangerous aliens — have often been pitted against one another. The mercenary’s long-standing grudge against Robin and the Teen Titans may be a more personal rivalry, but Deathstroke has often gone up against the Caped Crusader and attempted to kill him. Even when the mercenary discovered some shreds of humanity and took young sidekicks under his wing, their harsh and often brutal roles as tools contrast heavily against Batman’s more well-intentioned attempts to help young people become better.
That connection between Batman and Deathstroke has never been more prevalent than it is now, where Bruce and Slade are effectively in-laws thanks to their “sons” Damian and Respawn being genetic half-brothers. Additionally, while the Dark Knight has further embraced the idea of working with other heroes, Deathstroke has positioned himself as “King of the Villains” and killed many of his more prolific rivals. The pair have now officially been positioned as rivals in the DC Universe, with the two on opposing sides of the Shadow War that’s currently enveloping the DC Universe, and this retcon of their first battle serves as a good reminder of what makes them such great contrasts.
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