Deathstroke Vol. 4 (2016–2020): Christopher Priest's Rebirth Run
Deathstroke Vol. 4 (2016–2020): Christopher Priest's Rebirth Run
Fifty issues of Slade Wilson as an unapologetic, very human assassin. Here's what makes Christopher Priest's Rebirth run stand out.
Slade Wilson has been one of DC's best-known villains since the 1980s, and in 2016 DC gave him a new ongoing series written by Christopher Priest. Deathstroke Vol. 4 ran for 50 issues and sets out to show the man behind the mask.
We stock a large part of this run at Siomic Comics, and we enjoyed going back through it. Here is a guide to what the series is about, who made it and the covers collectors talk about.
Deathstroke Vol. 4 at a glance
- Publisher: DC Comics
- Run: Issues #1 to #50, cover-dated October 2016 to February 2020
- Writer: Christopher Priest
- Star: Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke
- Cover artists: ACO, Bill Sienkiewicz, Ryan Sook, Tyler Kirkham, Ed Benes, Carlo Pagulayan
- Key debut: Doctor Ikon (David Isherwood), first appearing in #2
- Part of: DC Rebirth
- Tone: Dark, character-driven, with a sharp sense of humour
A new take on Slade Wilson
Christopher Priest came back to ongoing comics to write Deathstroke as part of DC's Rebirth initiative. Priest is a veteran writer known for his work on Black Panther, and his aim here was to show Slade Wilson “behind the mask”: an unapologetic assassin who is a human professional first, rather than an over-the-top superhuman. He has said he wanted to scale back the gear and the power level to make Deathstroke feel more grounded.
The series revisits Slade's family too, including his children Grant, Joey (Jericho) and Rose, as well as Adeline Kane, who trained him, and his partner Wintergreen.
How the run is organised
Issue #1 is cover-dated October 2016. The early storyline runs through #7, and #2 introduces Doctor Ikon (David Isherwood). From #9, Cary Nord takes over as both interior and cover artist for a short stretch. #32 is titled The Seven Waynes, and Christopher Priest co-writes #42 and #43 with Adam Glass.
| Issue | Cover date | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | October 2016 | Part One: Among Thieves |
| #2 | November 2016 | First appearance of Doctor Ikon |
| #9 | February 2017 | Cary Nord on art and cover |
| #12 | April 2017 | The start of Bill Sienkiewicz's cover run |
| #21 | September 2017 | The start of Ryan Sook's cover run |
| #23 | November 2017 | Like Father, Like Daughter |
| #36 | December 2018 | The start of Tyler Kirkham's cover run |
| #41 | May 2019 | Presumed Innocent |
| #44 | August 2019 | Elegy |
| #50 | February 2020 | Terminator, the final issue |
The covers
One of the best things about this run is its cover artists. ACO drew the covers from #2 to #8, Bill Sienkiewicz from #12 to #18, Ryan Sook from #21 to #29 and Tyler Kirkham from #36 to #41. The last stretch features covers by Ed Benes, Carlo Pagulayan and others.
The creators behind the comic
Christopher Priest
Wrote almost the entire run and shaped the series' voice.
Joe Bennett
Interior artist on several issues, including #3.
Cary Nord
Interior and cover artist on #9 and #10.
Bill Sienkiewicz and Ryan Sook
Cover artists with distinct styles.
Larry Hama
Credited as co-writer on #2 and on art for #15.
Curiosities collectors should know
A single-voice run
Christopher Priest writes almost every issue, so the tone stays consistent across all 50.
Short title lines
Some issues are titled only by part number, so it is worth checking the cover when collecting.
Variant covers
Some issues exist in more than one edition, so check the cover details when you collect.
Deathstroke beyond the page
- Live-action and animation: Slade Wilson has appeared in animated and live-action DC shows, and the comics are the source of his history.
- Deadpool: Priest has pointed out that Deadpool was influenced by Deathstroke, which is one reason the series works to make Slade feel distinct.
Why this run matters
Deathstroke Vol. 4 treats a familiar villain as a lead character without softening him. It offers a good example of what a single writer can do with a long run on one book.
Where to start reading Deathstroke Vol. 4
Start at #1. The first storyline runs through #7, and it gives a good sense of the tone.
Deathstroke Vol. 4 covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see our copy if it's in stock.
#3
#16
#23
#28
#41
#45
#50Browse our Deathstroke Vol. 4 back issues
These are some of the issues we currently have on the shelf. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#1
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#2
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#9
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#12
Deathstroke #12: Bill Sienkiewicz cover
One of the covers by an artist with a distinctive style.
View our copy -
#21
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#36
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#44
We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Deathstroke comics.
Frequently asked questions about Deathstroke Vol. 4
When did Deathstroke Vol. 4 start?
Deathstroke #1 is cover-dated October 2016, as part of DC Rebirth.
Who writes Deathstroke Vol. 4?
Christopher Priest wrote nearly every issue.
How many issues does Deathstroke Vol. 4 have?
It ran for 50 issues, to a February 2020 cover date.
Which issue introduces Doctor Ikon?
Doctor Ikon (David Isherwood) first appears in Deathstroke #2.
Who drew the covers?
ACO, Bill Sienkiewicz, Ryan Sook, Tyler Kirkham, Ed Benes and Carlo Pagulayan, among others.
Where should I start reading Deathstroke Vol. 4?
Start at #1.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Deathstroke comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Deathstroke and all related characters are trademarks of DC Comics. Cover images are shown for reference.