After Suicide Squad: KtJL, Deathstroke Deserves to Return in a Big Way

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As a lifelong fan of the Arkhamverse and its intricate narrative, I must admit that the treatment of Deathstroke over the years has been nothing short of a crime against coolness. It’s like Batman kept him on a leash, not letting him showcase his true potential as the World’s Greatest Assassin.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League reaches its climactic Season 4, with Episode 7 now available for all to enjoy. This thrilling chapter introduces Deathstroke as the last playable recruit to our formidable Task Force X, joining forces with Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, King Shark, Joker, Mrs. Freeze, and Lawless. The game’s grand finale is just around the corner with Episode 8, due for release in January 2025, marking the end of content updates.

In the game series Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight, Deathstroke served as a Black Mask assassin and a militia second-in-command respectively. These roles were fitting since he’s essentially a hired gun in the Arkhamverse rather than a villain with an intricate plan. Despite his potential, he hasn’t been portrayed as imposingly cool as he deserves in previous appearances. It’s high time for Deathstroke to take on a main antagonist role where he can finally live up to his impressive and stylish character.

The Arkhamverse’s Deathstroke Has Only Ever Been a Side Antagonist Who Batman Bullies Around

As a devoted fan, I’ve always found Deathstroke from the Arkhamverse to be an enigmatic figure who manages to captivate audiences, even though he hasn’t quite earned the title of Batman’s most formidable adversary in their two encounters. Interestingly enough, the showdown with Deathstroke in Batman: Arkham Origins is often celebrated among fans, and yet it shares many similarities with the Ra’s al Ghul boss fight in Batman: Arkham City. What’s more, this battle tends to be relatively brief compared to others.

The dramatic ending of the battle shows Batman is smart enough to outwit Deathstroke. As Batman retrieves the Remote Claw from Slade’s unconscious body on the Boiler Deck, he appears untouchable and unthreatening. Slade is subsequently arrested and imprisoned in Blackgate Prison, a place that usually leads to Task Force X recruitment—a fate even Electrocutioner, an Electrocutioner, managed to avoid. However, the Electrocutioner doesn’t survive long in the Arkhamverse anyway.

In the game “Batman: Arkham Knight”, Deathstroke remains hidden until players advance sufficiently into the narrative and uncover that Jason Todd is the Arkham Knight. Regrettably, after completing all side missions related to the militia, Deathstroke’s confrontation turns out to be a tank battle in the Batmobile during combat with the militia.

From the wreckage of the tank, Deathstroke emerges, but is swiftly taken down mid-air, overpowered, and led to a holding cell at the GCPD station.

If anyone deserves a third rematch with the Caped Crusader it’s the alleged World’s Greatest Assassin. As a main villain or at least a more significant antagonist who isn’t simply rolled over, it would be great to have Deathstroke actually appear dangerous and intimidating in a future Arkham game.

Deathstroke Should’ve Been the Beating Heart of a Suicide Squad, Not Its Last Resort

Instead of Deathstroke being the more logical initial DLC character for “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” over an Elseworld Joker who was often compared to his Arkhamverse version, it’s understandable why Rocksteady delayed him until now. If there’s anything that could draw players back, it’s Slade Wilson, the only DLC character who originates from the Arkhamverse and whom many players already appreciate. It wouldn’t be surprising if some players had been anxiously waiting for his release, even if they don’t typically follow or play post-launch episodic content.

Despite the fact that “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League” was deemed a failure, it’s intriguing to contemplate a sequel centered around Deathstroke. This potential sequel could be structured as a prequel, taking place after the events of “Batman: Arkham Origins,” when ARGUS initially recruited him from Blackgate Prison.

In these games – Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, and Batman: Arkham Shadow – there could be a matching plot involving Task Force X, a team made up of Deathstroke, Deadshot, Bronze Tiger, and another criminal inmate from the prison. Regrettably, the prospect of another Suicide Squad game or even another DC team-up game has become extremely slim.

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2024-12-16 14:34