Part six of the “Shadow War” crossover event continues this week in Deathstroke Inc. #9. Be sure to read this issue before Robin #14, the next installment. In this sixth chapter, Ghost-Maker gets much more focus, Deathstroke reacts to the loss of his son, and new hints are revealed as far as who the imposter Deathstroke is that killed Ra’s al Ghul!
This issue opens with Deathstroke recounting moments with his son, Respawn. This kid was genetically made from his DNA and only recently revealed himself to his dad, but they definitely bonded. It’s clear Josh Williamson is using this early scene to set up his motivation for wanting to kill Talia al Ghul. It’s effective and also a bit kooky how it plays out with a doctor who is way too blunt and wearing star glasses. Weird look, dude.
Meanwhile, the mysterious man who killed Ra’s and is wearing Deathstroke’s costume encounters Batman and Robin. This scene plays more like a mystery with both detectives trying to figure him out. There are clues here for sure.
The strongest moment from the issue.
Credit: DC Comics
Ghost-Maker ends up playing a big part as well with a confrontation with Deathstroke. I can’t say it’s all that important to the bigger plot but there’s definitely action and explosions! Once you reach the end of the issue, though, it’s fairly obvious much of this chapter is skippable.
Art by Paolo Pantalena gets the job done, but can look a bit awkward. Costumes and the flow of clothing looks dramatic as hell, but Batman’s face can look a bit odd and inconsistent. Pantalena tends to draw with a lot of linework which is appealing but also can feel too stylized for its own good.
Deathstroke Inc. #9 is an okay at best experience. It sets up the fallout of Deathstroke losing his son well, but a lot of the action ends up being more flash than anything else.
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