Spoilers ahead for Deathstroke Inc. #13!
Fans finally know just how far Deathstroke's healing factor can go, and it certainly makes him over-powered. DC Comics' iconic mercenary has been steadily growing in power for years, and the latest update to his origin story makes him practically immortal. Deathstroke can apparently heal from death itself, which raises the question of how he could ever truly be defeated.
Introduced as a Teen Titans villain in 1980, Slade Wilson is one of the DC Universe's deadliest mercenaries and assassins. Known as Deathstroke, his power set is impressive: enhanced strength, endurance, intelligence, healing, and more, he is essentially DC's version of a super-soldier. In fact, Slade Wilson was once an accomplished solider in the United States Army, thereby chosen by his country to participate in the experiments that would eventually give him his powers. That army training is part of what makes him such a threat: not only is Deathstroke one of the Titans' primary villains, he's also considered an enemy to Nightwing in particular, as well as Green Arrow and Batman himself. Currently, Deathstroke is leading an army of villains and taking on the entire world of heroes in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, reaching the absolute peak of his potential as a villain.
Meanwhile, Deathstroke's ongoing series is exploring and updating his origin story—which includes the limits and extent of his abilities. Slade Wilson has taken on his first contract since gaining his new powers, but the previous issue sees Slade apparently falling to his death. Deathstroke Inc. #13 by Ed Brisson, Dexter Soy, Veronica Gandini, and Steve Wands opens with Slade waking up literally mid-autopsy, the coroner hovering over his body. "If I had any question of how far I can push my healing factor..." Slade narrates, "...it's been answered."
Can Deathstroke Heal From Death?
Deathstroke's healing factor has always been remarkable, especially compared to other characters with the same ability, but this puts him on another level. As of this updated origin story, Deathstroke can officially heal from death itself, which has major ramifications for his story—and the entire DC Universe—moving forward. Deathstroke has been a major threat for many heroes for decades, and now, between his enhanced senses and advanced healing, he has become practically unbeatable. Deathstroke has always been overly-powered for a mercenary character. Now he has too much power.
Deathstroke's Upgraded Healing Factor Changes Everything
The reveal of Deathstroke's new ability to literally heal from death coincides with his major role in DC's Dark Crisis event, which puts into question how the heroes will defeat a practically immortal version of Deathstroke. With this new upgrade, Slade's threat level has increased, but his over-powered status cheapens the actual drama of his conflicts. What are the stakes of a Deathstroke fight if he can't die? Hopefully future stories will continue to explore—and complicate—this new problem.
Deathstroke Inc. #13 is available now from DC Comics!
