Deathstroke #40

Overall Deathstroke #40 is a good read and can't wait for the next issue. It seems that Slade will have to deal with Robin and Kid Flash now in an attempt to recapture the mercenary. I'm personally looking forward to another Robin versus Slade fight! And also what kind of friction will this have between Robin and Kid Flash"especially since Kid Flash used to be on team Defiance with Deathstroke! So many possibilities! Hurry it up Priest! Read Full Review

Bursting at the seams with commentary regarding Arkham Asylum and mental healthcare, Priest's "Deathstroke: Arkham" will leave you blissfully clamoring for one of asylum's padded cells in the pursuit of what is real. Read Full Review

I can't even describe half of the twists in this issue, and you need to read it to believe it. It's easily one of the most inventive and unpredictable books in DC's stable. Read Full Review

The last thing of note was Death Masque trying to be a knock-off Deadpool, who's a knock-off Deathstroke. It was a fun, little idea by Priest. Death Masque's best line was, "it would be freaking ironic if they sued us." (He was referring to Marvel, of course.) It was a nice way to end the character from a wild arch in the story of Deathstroke. Read Full Review

Deathstroke #40 is not an easy read. The story is not straightforward and, in many ways, the resolution is not naturally satisfying. However, the convolution seems intentional in an attempt to create something profound. Priest's script has transcended the pulpy pages of traditional comics, passing into the realm of “Art” (with a capital “A”). He uses the trappings of Superhero fiction to tell an incredibly thought-provoking story about the nature of reality. While it may not be easy reading, Deathstroke“Arkham” is definitely worth your time. Read Full Review

The last page of the issue ends the storyline. And it's so perfectly realized, that I commend the creative team incredibly. This is some good stuff. I don't know where we will end up next, but it's always an adventure. This is some great storytelling indeed going on here. Read Full Review

Deathstroke #40ends the 'Arkham' arc leading into next month's crossover withTeen Titansbut leaves readers with more questions than answers. At leastthisreader. Read Full Review

The Arkham arc closes brilliantly with Deathstrokes trademark savage violence, ethical dilemma, and an added dose of reality bending. Read Full Review

You might get some satisfaction out of this conclusion, but I still think that this will probably be a better read once it's all collected in a trade because goddamn are there things that will throw you for a loop if you haven't been paying close enough attention, not to mention if a month between issues was enough to make you forget a couple of things.  The art was great though and the cliffhanger made me want to dive into next issue, while throwing some fun in throughout the middle. Read Full Review

Deathstroke's time in Arkham finally comes to a head, making Deathstroke #40 the most exciting book of the story arc. Read Full Review

In the end, this was a frustrating issue full of head scratching moments, but it seems the story isnt over yet. Its questionable if Priest has earned the readers patience with this arc, but given his legendary history as a comic book writer, its probably best if full judgement is withheld until all answers are on the table. Cross your fingers, and hope against hope for a genius conclusion that ties it all together, and makes it worth your while. Read Full Review

SnakeWilson

Feb 06, 2019

for each answer, 10 more questions are made Slade is crazy, but Devon isn't...? The zeta bean exists? When we think we might get some conclusion, things got more weird

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Darkseid24 - Feb 6, 2019

I‘m glad the other villains are alright& it wasn’t lethal. Didn’t think Strange wanted to die.

SnakeWilson - Feb 6, 2019

I think Strange's line of thought was "nobody respects me anymore, batman made me into a joke, maybe if i die at the hands of a crazy killer people will see me as a martyr and respect me a little" dunno, something like that, i'm kinda of confused by this issue

Darkseid24 - Feb 6, 2019

Me too actually lol But guess Hugo overcame this phase of depression quite fast since he’s in Detective Comics.

SnakeWilson - Feb 6, 2019

gotta love how cohesive dc characters are throughout the books

Nihilist - Feb 7, 2019

Yup. But Hugo has nothing on Poison Ivy. Darn, the girl has multiple personalities she juggles around constantly, like James McAvoy in Split.

Darkseid24 - Feb 7, 2019

But Ivy wasn’t in this issue

Nihilist - Feb 7, 2019

Yeah, she wasn't. But compare her portrayal in Batman, Heroes in Crisis, Damage, Dark Nights Metal and Harley Quinn. Her personality and motivations change 180 degrees in every book. Strange's shift seems like a similar problem.

Darkseid24 - Feb 7, 2019

That’s true, but I want villain Ivy back. She’s so lame these days.

Br'er Lapin AKA 20-Ish Ceiln

Feb 14, 2019

This was a very strange arc, but I dug it. Priest likes his Marvel allegories.

I Review Comics

May 15, 2020

I've read the last couple of Deathstroke arc's and I never really felt like I had a firm grasp on the series. I love the character but can't get into his supporting cast. I never walk away from the book with a bad experiment but I'm never excited by the next installment. This issue finishes the Arkham installment and I still don't know quite know what's going on. What I do know is that the arc is over and whatever was going on with Hugo Strange has been foiled, at least I think it is. Even the alien invasion plot with the Pulorian is unresolved. At this point, I don't even know if Devon, Deathstroke's unofficial sidekick is real. I guess I could keep going with the series but I'm not. I'm a fan of Christopher Priest. I also enjoy th e atmospheric art from Fernando and Carlo. I'm just not enjoying the comic enough to continue. There is a lack of energy and excitement in the series that prevents greatness. I can see the story being a great arc in some circles and will probably read better in trade. I didn't hate the story but I'm glad to be over it. more

Soul Assassin

Feb 08, 2019

This whole Arkham arc is nowhere near as good as I was hoping it’d be but the art saves it

Nihilist

Feb 06, 2019

Yikes, Deathstroke's run, one of the most consistent and tightest Rebirth series, seems to really lose its grip. I didn't enjoy the entire Arkham arc, which not only was super convoluted, but also changed the series' established tone, introducing odd Deadpool inspired comedy and surreal silliness. I sure hope Priest has a solid plan in his sleeve, because as of now, I don't understand a thing that's happening with Slade.

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SnakeWilson - Feb 6, 2019

i still like this series but this thing of "hey, we are toying with the reader" is getting waaay out of hand. I hope the next issue gets back on this series footing.

Nihilist - Feb 6, 2019

Oh, absolutely, I like the series as well. But this arc just... doesn't work for me. It really feels like it belongs to completely different series.

SnakeWilson - Feb 7, 2019

it feels like a moon knight comic sort of

Darkseid24 - Feb 7, 2019

The story seems a little weird, but I’m just glad nobody was killed.

Nihilist - Feb 7, 2019

Same. I was worryng that Rose may be killed off, for some reason, since she barely had anything to do recently, and her journey in this issue was somewhat flat. Hope to see more of her, preferably with a decent arc.

Darkseid24 - Feb 7, 2019

That’s true, I hope so too. So were the villains even real or were they just hit with that nonlethal weapon Deathstroke used? Don’t really know what was real& what not.

waltgator93

Feb 06, 2019

The issue started in a confusing way but then got interesting towards the tail end of the issue. The series seems to be fading a lot as each issue goes by! While the art is on point, the story seems to be missing the target. Unfortunately both the Rose and the Deathstroke stories are confusing and forced in some areas.

Psycamorean

Feb 07, 2019

This was okay. I kind of know what happened? I was entertained, at least. I hope this series gets back to being great though. These last two arcs have been rough. And going straight into a Teen Titans crossover doesn't bode well for me. Especially since The Lazarus Contract wasn't good.