Joshua Williamson doesn't get Deathstroke

 Man, if you hate the character just don't write him. 

Writer Joshua Williamson, that most DC fans must know for this work on Flash, did take over Deathstroke a few months back, he already leaved the title but still writes the character, as one of the main antagonists of DC's current big event Dark Crisis(I refuse to call it the other way).As you can imagine Williamson has spoken about the character in some interviews and I do take issue if some of his statements.In other words, some of the things he said are incorrect. I really don't want to sound arrogant, I do respect Williamson and his work, that's his vision and he has the right to share it. But ok, let's go. 

1. No, Deathstroke does not hate "legacy" 

In an interview published in june 7, 2022 by NewsArama, Williamson stated that Slade hates legacy, that's why he battled the Teen Titans. This is false. The reason Slade hunted the Titans was simpler, he blamed them for the death of Grant Wilson, his older son. The character has said multiple times that kids should not use costumes, that's true, but not because he hates legacy, but because he thinks they are being irresponsible with it. And years later, in Geoff Johns Teen Titans run, you can see Slade realizing how the Titans are the only chance his kids have of having a good and caring family. So even if he hated legacy at some point that would already be resolved years ago. 

2. Is Slade irresponsible? 

In the same interview, Williamson talks about how slade never takes responsibility for his actions. This is also false. During Wolfman's time on Teen Titans and Deathstroke The Terminator the character grew and evolved, learning about his mistakes, even trying  to pay for it. Besides that, in 2016 Deathstroke solo series Slade can be seen being aware of his mistakes. 

Slade, using a disguise, admitting that he was to blame for Joseph's death and that he should die for it. Deathstroke The Terminator #5.

3. Deathstroke is one of the world's greatest tacticians

Yes, in terms of doing the right, moral choice, Slade isn't rational at all. However, in terms of making the most effective strategy to achieve his goals, Slade is a master. But according to Williamson, in a more recent interview with The Popverse(August 9, 2022), Deathstroke is inractional about his choices and that just makes zero sense when you look at the character's past. I don't want to sound disrespectful but this sounds like an excuse to write him in the most convenient way for the story to progress. Just think about something like Judas Contract or Deathstroke vs Batman, Slade always has a plan, he never makes a move without thinking. 

During Batman vs Deathstroke, Slade is shown to be the master strategist he is, by already having a contingency plan for Batman of all people. 

This last one is particularly a issue to me, since 90% of the character relies on him thinking before acting, if you break that, you break the character. 

In conclusion

Williamson's take on the character has issues, during Deathstroke Inc, Shadow War and now in Dark Crisis, Slade feels off, almost like a parody of himself. it's shame seeing a character with so much story potential being thrown around almost like a henchmen. In a way, he's just that to Pariah now, heh. 

That's it for now, take care and have a good one. And of course, do not be a jerk towards Williamson, after all, this is just fiction.