Comic Review: Deathstroke Inc. #8

Publisher: DC Comics

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artists: Paolo Pentalena & Romulo Fajardo Jr

Letterer: Steve Wands

After a couple of weeks off, Shadow War continues with not one, but two issues this week. Deathstroke Inc. #8 is the first of these two chapters, this time focusing on Deathstroke and Respawn.

While the previous two issues of Shadow War were genuinely entertaining, Deathstroke Inc. #8 is a significant step back for the event. The narrative is hardly pushed forward, leaving this issue with tons of meaningless filler and villains showing off how villainous they are. Most of it is cheesy, though the moments between Deathstroke and Respawn are genuinely funny. Unfortunately, Williamson’s script isn’t just fun between these two. The moments with Batman and Talia are a bore, retreading moments that we have seen nonstop for decades. It’s all exhausting.

What’s more exhausting is the art by Paolo Pentalena, which is genuinely solid throughout the issue. The action moves along naturally, and the character expressions are clear and easy to understand. Everything feels animated, especially when Deathstroke and Respawn are messing around. Unfortunately, the mere presence of Angel Breaker is annoying, and Pentalena’s art focuses on the fanservice and how ridiculous her costume is. Romulo Fajardo Jr’s colors and Steve Wands’ letters are all solid, though they aren’t too remarkable or offensive.

Deathstroke Inc. #8 is a disappointing chapter after such a long wait. It feels like an issue stuck in a lost time, with a cheesy script and art that belongs in the past. Almost nothing significant happens on the way to the conclusion, which sets things up for Robin #13. If Robin #13 is unable to give the event some direction, Shadow War will be nothing but wasted potential.