Deathstroke #39

Writer: Christopher Priest Artist: Fernando Pasarin, Jason Paz, Carlo Pagulayan Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: January 9, 2019 Cover Price: $3.99 Critic Reviews: 11 User Reviews: 14
7.9Critic Rating
7.1User Rating

Slade is back in Arkham after his Zeta Beam jaunt to the planet Pulor...but did he ever actually leave? Is the alien invasion just a delusion? And who is this faux Deathstroke running around? A deep dive into Slade's psyche, just in time to watch him lose his mind!

  • 10
    DC Comics News - Steven Brown Jan 11, 2019

    Deathstroke #39 is a good book and entertaining read! The beginning is especially funny since we find out that Slade actually reached out to Earth's heroes for help while he was fighting his alien war against the Pulorians and the responses he got were interesting! I especially laughed when he reaches out to the Titans and Justice League! Our issue ends with Joseph breaking Slade out of Arkham, along with help from Hosun and Death Masque–however I don't believe that's all we've heard from Hugo Strange though! Can't wait to read the next issue! Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - Chris Showalter Jan 11, 2019

    Between outstanding art, entertaining humor, and engaging themes, there is a lot to love about Deathstroke #39 Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Jan 9, 2019

    With every passing issue, Priest's Deathstroke becomes more and more bizarre " and I mean that in the best way possible. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Dark Knight News - Bryant Lucas Jan 14, 2019

    Deathstroke #39 is fun in a different way from previous issues: itmaintains the sensibility of a thinking man's comic while leaning into the absurdity of the “Arkham” plotline. From alien invasions to questions about reality to dual identities, the “Arkham” story archas been a wild, mind-bending trip excellently executed by its artistic team.Deathstrokeis a title that consistently delivers a thought-provoking script with Class A art. This one's worth a read. Read Full Review

  • 8.6
    Comic Watch - Cody White Jan 23, 2019

    Only one issue to go in order to determine the level of complexity and the overall execution ofDeathstroke: Arkham.As it stands in this issue, the final verdict could go either way but I'll continue to put my faith in Priest as one of the industry's top talents. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Forces Of Geek - Lenny Schwartz Jan 9, 2019

    This is a transitional issue for this storyline. That's not to say it's bad. It just is leading to the finale. You could call it the calm before the storm. I'm interested enough to see where we end up. It could very well be a new status quo for this title. We shall see. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBook.com - Adam Barnhardt Jan 9, 2019

    For the first time in a few issues, Deathstroke #39 pumps the brakes a bit and allows the story tobreathe, giving extra time to the bits and pieces that need it. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    GWW - Nick Friar Jan 9, 2019

    The Deathstroke artwork continues to be among the best in DC. Hats off to Carlo Pagulauan & Fernando Pasarin. Also, another stunning cover from Tyler Kirkham. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    The Batman Universe - Ian Miller Jan 10, 2019

    All of the plotlines begin to collide in the penultimate issue of Arkham. Read Full Review

  • 6.3
    Weird Science - Eric Shea Jan 9, 2019

    While the art and supporting characters in this book remain strong, the main ordeal that our favorite assassin is facing is just becoming more and more confusing, leaving me more and more disappointed with what we're getting here.  Yeah, it could all come together by the end of the arc, but right now it's just a big bucket of crazy that I'm afraid will leave a lot of unanswered questions. Read Full Review

  • 5.0
    You Don't Read Comics - Christopher Landers Jan 16, 2019

    In the end, while the premise of this arc seemed great at the start, Priests pacing has made the story seem tedious. Maybe he didnt have enough story to fill the arc, or maybe he just thinks turning in circles over and over again makes for a good mystery. Either way, there feels like there is a missing ingredient that could have made this issue, and overall story, much more entertaining. It is, however, unfair to judge a mystery until its conclusion, so the readers will just have to see how it all turns out to determine whether this arc stands the test of time in coming years. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    I Review Comics Dec 15, 2019

    It's been so long since I reviewed a Deathstroke comic that I almost forgot that it was on my pull list at one point. Issue #39 continues the Arkham storyline. Slade is an inmate in the asylum and while that much is certain, everything else in the comic is questionable.

    The closest analog to Deathstroke in this arc is Jeff Lemire's Moon Knight (another excellent series). On the one hand, you have Deathstroke's unofficial sidekick Devon trying to get Slade out of the Asylum so that they can stop a potential alien invasion that only they know about.

    On the other hand, you all of that may be bullsh*t and Slade has just lost it. I think the truth is between those extremes.

    Carlo & Fernando put together a grea more

  • 8.5

    Bizarre in a good way.

  • 8.5
    Simon DelMonte Jan 9, 2019

    That was weird. But fun. And action packed. And a bit incoherent. I think, in others words, it's pure Priest.

  • 8.5
    SnakeWilson Jan 9, 2019

    really enjoyed the emotional impact this issue represents on Slade
    just a little bit disappointed that we didn't really get inside his mind
    yet, i hope
    at least it was a pretty funny issue, some cool fourth wall breaking jokes

  • 6.5
    waltgator93 Jan 9, 2019

    While I’m now understanding a few of what’s happening, still confused on more than what I know. The alien invasion I understand and thoroughly enjoy but the Rose and the Arkham part very confusing and makes me wonder how many more issues does Priest have in him with Deathstroke. Beautiful artwork by the way.

  • 6.0
    Nihilist Jan 9, 2019

    Seems like Deathstroke is going through midlife crisis. There's no other explanation for what's happening with his comics. he first half is a 4th wall breaking full blown Deadpool-esque comedy, and the second is a drug infested trip where no one knows what's happening and what's real. It hits you harder than listening to The Piper at the Gates of Dawn while being stoned so much you can barely move a finger. And to be honest, I can't say I like it. I mean, I love Pink Floyd, I love good comedy, and I love Deathstroke, but I don't love something that tries to be all at the same time, the same way I don't love Burton's Batman movies (come at me), despite Burton himself being one of my favourite directors of all time, and Batman being my #1 fav more

  • 5.5
    Psycamorean Jan 11, 2019

    I feel like the last thing we need with something like Priest's writing is an unreal drug trip where you can't trust what you read. Usually, when you read his work, it can be confusing but eventually it comes together and you figure out where all the pieces go and that can be a really fun and rewarding experience. But a good portion of this arc just isn't real so I don't think we'll get that same experience this time around, and we will just stay confused. A good portion of this issue is spent with Death Masque, which is clearly a parody of Deadpool. And that's fun, I guess. That's it. Just fun. Then we have the stuff with Two Face and Rose. I don't care about this at all. And I'm not sure why Two Face does. The whole subplot with Rose's mu more

  • 9.0

  • 8.5
    Radar Jan 10, 2019

  • 7.5
    ed1138 Feb 14, 2023

  • 7.5
    EDiakota Jan 13, 2019

  • 7.5
    WhistleBlower Jan 9, 2019

  • 7.0
    Andrew May 12, 2019

  • 1.0
    ffunS Feb 6, 2019

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