Priest continues to deliver the densest, suspenseful comic in the Rebirth stable, as Deathstroke's past sins come back to haunt him (and there are a lot of those) and he faces off against his most powerful enemy yet. Read Full Review

Deathstroke #26 is another stellar issue in Priest and Nevess series. Despite some slow parts, in manages to hold my attention and keep me firmly engaged in the goings-on of the plot. The conflict between Isherwood and Slade should be an interesting drama, and Im left excited for the next issue. I definitely recommend this one. Check it out. Read Full Review

Diogenes Neves and Jason Paz keep thing at a fever pitch in this issue, whether in the more dialogue heavy scenes, or the more action-intense scenes that play out in this issue. Jeremy Coxs darker colors also work here as a suitable inversion to the more stark black and white morality of the earlier issues of the Defiance storyline. But that return to the darker colors of the earlier issues helps to herald what may be an inescapable fate for Slade Wilson. If youre looking to jump in, now is as good a time as any. As far as examinations of moral ambiguity and the cost of waging violence go, as well as its blowback upon the self and family: this is pretty much the gold standard. Read Full Review

All in all this was a very good issue I'm happy to say; full of great dialogue coupled with superb art. This issue really wets my appetite for the next one. Read Full Review

This is one of my favorite books and this issue doesn't change that fact.  Priest builds on everything he setup earlier while making that a continuing process for future issues.  The art is great and the story is confusing in a good way.  Recommended if you've been reading from the beginning.  If not, go and fix that! Read Full Review

Slade and Ikon attempt to duke it out as the Defiance team attempts to search for their missing leader, but really they all just talk a lot. Read Full Review

Priest's Deathstroke remains one of the best-written comic books from any publisher. But unfortunately, Priest's love affair with complex narrative and non-linear storytelling hurt the flow of this issue's plot. It felt like he threw everything but the kitchen sink into this script. The heavier-than-normal (for Deathstroke) amounts of exposition and flashbacks made the script a real chore to plow through. Read Full Review

This is a rare Christopher Priest script that doesn't quite come together, mostly because Deathstroke's Defiance team spend a little too much time navel-gazing in the early part of the issue. Read Full Review

If you didn't like the previous issue it’d probably be best to skip this one too. Slade continues to be a passive agent in his own story; between Slade, the Batmen, and (if you cross the boarder) Deadpool, “The Fall of _______” issues are becoming passé. More so this helplessness does not fit Slade; Dr. Isherwood puts it best when he says, “The best informed and most prepared assassin on the planet … has no clue” about anything going on. But if you were ready to believe that Slade “forgot” that he is wanted by a jury of super-villains, then you’ll have no problem believing this issue.
In the absence of Deathstroke Defiance finally peaks out of their burrows and begin to really feel like a team. I don’t want to spoil anything but you really get to see the team come together, and Hosun fits right in. You really get to see the side characters that make Deathstroke such a great title. As a comic, Deathstroke can skip the classic villains because Slade's past mistakes are all the antagonists this series needs.
Despite being depictions of Terra as the token antihero of Defiance -- she is a step ahead of the gang, has a hidden agenda, and smokes -- she comes across as a douche and is a bit of a riddle. The unanswered question of whether she hooked up with Slade is just emphasizing the weird continuity gap that we’ve had since Rebirth began, made even more puzzling by Dr. Ikon and Jericho’s relationship.
My favourite thing about this issue was how many seeds it planted while remaining action-oriented; you could spot a lie here, a grudge there, even without the weird Hmong homeless princess story-arc. If you’re ready to see Deathstroke’s world crumble, or if you want to see Defiance gain some independence, this is your comic. Otherwise, you may want to check back in a few. more

Dr. Ikon vs Slade? Not quite. As ever, Priest goes in the strangest directions.