Since we're heading to Shadow War, the next big Batman crossover, i decided to make somewhat of an guide to every time Batman has fought Deathstroke. I feel that the debate involving who should beat who is genuinely interesting. We're talking about two masters in strategy and martial arts, with tons of resources and the guts to do almost anything. However, when we look at the history of Batman(Bruce Wayne) and Deathstroke it can be underwhelming. Still, it's a fun topic. Today we'll be talking only about Bruce Wayne Batman, other Bat people, such as Dick Grayson when he wore the mantle will have to wait another day.
Deathstroke The Terminator: City of Assassins
One of the best Deathstroke storylines ever made, and in my opinion one of DC's most obscure classics. A bunch of criminals try to hire Slade for a job, not liking how the group treated him, Slade goes after them and that leads him to Batman's city, Gotham. This takes place after Jericho's death, so Slade is more of an anti-hero here. If you have not read this, do yourself a favor and go after this comic, trust me on this one. This storyline marks the first time Slade and Bruce Wayne ever meet, so its a must read. City of Assassins gives the reader everything he might want for this moment, we get to see how similar yet different Batman and Deathstroke are, they fight, they work together, etc.
So, the fighting. Slade beats Batman here, no contest. But the devil is in the details. After the fight Slade is cleary very tired and in pain. Batman also absolutely does not go down easily. Slade claims to have fought the best and that Batman is better, as in, the best hand to hand fighter he has ever faced. He also claims that he would hate to fight Batman without his enhancements.
Detective Comics: The Death Lottery
Time for a rematch! After the end of his solo comic book series, Slade retires and stays in Africa. Growing tired of hunting only animals, he decides to go back into being a mercenary. This leads him to Gotham once again. Some people claim that Slade and Batman fight 3 times here, but i disagree. I think it's just one fight, Slade knocks Batman, he gets up, and so on. Think of it as a boxing match, one of the fighters goes down, they start counting but he gets up before the time runs out. That being said, Batman beats Slade here. Not much to talk about, this story is pretty short and simple. Let's move on.
Infinite Crisis
This event is a spiritual sequel to Crisis on Infinite Earths, it pretty much evolves every player in the DC universe. At the end there is a big fight, as you can expect. We see Batman, Nightwing and Robin(Tim Drake) faceing off Deathstroke. Infinite Crisis had some problems during its first release. Later, one extra page was added, and some other corrections, this extra page shows more of the Bat family going up against Slade. But that does not change the final result. Batman, with help, beats Slade again.
Superman/Batman: Stop me if you've heard this one...
This short story tells Superman and Batman's first ever meeting. With some changes. And Deathstroke is there. This takes place in Slade early years as Deathstroke and features Wade. Wade is Deathstroke's counterpart from Crime Syndicate's earth. And yeah, he's a commentary on Deadpool. And this comic is written by Joe Kelly, who is the father to what we know and love about Deadpool. Oh boy this is a fun one. However, is kinda debentable if this events are canon. Anyway, while fighting Wade, Slade is distracted so Batman swoops in and knocks Slade out.
So, even tho this is a fun mention I find hard to count this as a win for Batman. Due to circumstance and high possibility of not being canon(DC's current rule about what's canon and whats not is a nightmare to me).
Batman: The Dark Knight: Knight Terrors
Slade makes a quick cameo here, he attacks Batman and leaves. Definitely not counting this one.
Deathstroke: Gods of War
Ok, this one is unnecessarily complicated. Slade is going after his son, Joseph A.K.A Jericho who has been kidnaped. He ends up in Gotham, again, and teams up with Harley Quinn of all people. During this time, Slade had undergone a process that made him young again and restored his right eye. However since Slade has grown so used to only having one eye he's having perception and depth problems now. In other words, he sucks at fighting. Anyways, Harley sets up for him and Batman to fight.
Slade starts the fight getting his ass kicked by Batman, but as the confrontation goes on the tables turn and he gets the upper hand. But that's not what Harley had planed. So she intervenes by helping Batman at first and after that she tries to blow up the building they are in. The fight ends with no clear winner. Even tho it's fair to assume Slade was going to win this one,
Deathstroke: The Professional
During this storyline, Slade, in what he deems to be Father and Daughter time, goes to Gotham just to mess with Batman a little. Slade outsmarts Batman and kidnaps Damian. Not a typical battle, but this shows that Slade is capable of outsmarting Batman with ease.
Batman: The War of Jokes and Riddles
Taking place during Batman's second year, this storyline sees Gotham during a war where Joker and Riddler's troops control the city. Deathstroke fights Deadshot and Batman tries stopping the two. After five days of trying and failing. Batman beats them.
I have my problems with this, continuity wise, makes no sense. Also, Slade should destroy Floyd in a hand to hand fight. But a victory is a victory. Points for Batman.
A DNA test is found, saying that Damian Wayne is actually Slade's kid. Batman goes after him and a war between the two starts. It feels like Spy vs Spy, both having plans to deal with each others plan. This comic is more about how Slade and Bruce are similar yet different, like in City of Assassins, but with a plus. Damian Wayne. How Damian affects the two? How being a father affects Slade and Bruce? It's pretty great, this storyline got some crap on the internet but it definitely does not deserve it.
The final fight between the two ends in a draw, after that they have to work together. Somewhat similar to City of Assassins again. Some people have problems with this, but i don't see the issue. Batman had prep time all the time here, it's totally plausible for him to keep up with Slade. Makes perfect sense for the two to end in a draw.
Justice League: Justice Lost
At the end of this storyline, the Justice League pretends to fight Deathstroke, as part of Cyborg's plan. So, Batman and Slade have a brief encounter but since they are just pretending to fight I'm not considering this one. However, still worth the mention.
Batman: Their Dark Designs
Batman finds himself as the target of a scheme that aims to distract him for a whole night. To do so, some of the world's deadliest assassins, lead by Deathstroke, are after several targets in Gotham. At first Batman beats Slade, but they fight somore as the story progresses.
I'm going to take some risk by claiming this, but, Slade won at the end. He was hired to distract Batman. He did so. At the end he also surprises the Dark Knight and pierces through his leg with a sword. After that Batman is pretty much out of the equation.
And in the end, Slade leaves Gotham with his payment. A successful job for the mercenary. I think is 100% fair to claim Slade as the winner here.
Shadow War - Secret Meetings
This is a quick update, Shadow is out and completed, and with that, a new piece of text for this post. During the event, a retcon is made about Deathstroke and Batman, apparently, the two had a secret encounter before Dick became a Titan. Joker hires Slade to kill Robin, Batman stops him. That's it, really. A very unnecessary retcon by the way. They fight, Slade runs away. No winner or looser.
In Conclusion
Deathstroke has beaten/outsmarted Batman 3 times. Batman bested Slade 4 times.
If i had to pick a "champion" that would have to be Batman. However I feel like the history between the two proves they are pretty much on the same level. As pointed out by writer Christopher Priest when he wrote Batman vs Deathstroke. And that only makes sense to me. Slade might be a metahuman but Batman deals with super powered beings almost on a daily basis.
That's it for today. I hope you find this post useful. Have a good one.
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