Deathstroke Inc. #7 is a character-driven tale that serves as Respawn’s origin story and builds a base for the upcoming crossover event.
One of the most popular DC Comics characters, Deathstroke is a ruthless mercenary with regenerative abilities from previous scientific experimentation. In his illustrious career, he has taken down the Justice League and even killed a Titan from the Greek pantheon. However, he has been unable to be a caring, loving family man. Ever since the death of his son, Grant, Slade Wilson has put up a wall of anger and hatred around him, never letting go of the festering rage inside. In the previous issue of Deathstroke Inc., the Terminator takes over the mysterious T.R.U.S.T. organization after learning about their plans. He now lives like a king, preparing his foot soldiers for the upcoming multiversal battle. What he is least expecting is the deadly family reunion in the latest issue Deathstroke Inc. #7.
Deathstroke Inc. #7, written by Joshua Williamson with artwork from Stephen Segovia and Hi-Fi, finally answers one of the series’ most interesting questions. Deathstroke has shifted the operations of T.R.U.S.T. to Zandia, where he monitors their daily actions from his throne room. Wade’s daughter Rose Wilson, the Ravager, infiltrates the secret organization with the help of Respawn. Before leaving the Lazarus tournament, Respawn opens up about his identity to Ravager, which prompts her to make the dangerous trek into enemy territory. Before they can find Deathstroke, the grey-haired mercenary finds them first. Deathstroke is livid that someone else is masquerading in the colors of his departed son, but Respawn unmasks himself just in time and reveals his true face.
Unlike the ridiculous pace of the previous issues, Deathstroke Inc. #7 takes a small breather from the swashbuckling action and lets the characters come to terms with the new stream of information coming their way. The story is entirely character-driven, with introspective monologues and dramatic dialogue exchanges driving the story. In addition to revealing the identity of Respawn, the issue delves deep into the origin story of the character, presenting a macabre tale that eventually broadens into a journey of self-discovery. Respawn’s truth opens up a flood of emotions in the hardened Slade Wilson as he confesses his innermost feelings to his daughter. The story progressively becomes more dramatic, giving catharsis to some and more heartbreak to others.
The collective teamwork of artist Stephen Segovia and colorist Hi-Fi brings the story’s powerful emotions to the surface. The stylized art presents the three central characters in variations of the original Deathstroke design with splashes of orange and blue accompanying Respawn’s bright red in the foreground. To contrast this, Hi-Fi uses soft lighting in dark, blue-toned backgrounds, leaving a nightly appearance that blends well with the moody narrations. The wide-angle, close-up shots focus on the emotive expressions of the characters between moments of calm self-reflection and heated exchanges. As the artwork provides a quick recount of past events in a montage style, Segovia’s clean lines and framing of the scenes spill the madness from the script onto the pages.
Deathstroke Inc. #7 is an exposition-heavy, tragic tale with steadfast pacing connecting the past with the present. Even though the narrative becomes a victim of the overused tropes that mar modern-day comic book storytelling, the reveal acts as a catalyst for the Wilson family to have the open conversation that Slade has been avoiding. Deathstroke connects with Respawn on an emotional level since they were both previously treated like lab rats. For Respawn, who has never experienced a healthy relationship, the issue is more about leaving the dark past behind and looking forward to new beginnings. That, however, does not stop him from making bad choices as Deathstroke Inc. #7 concludes with damning consequences.
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