WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers forDark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #6!Despite being one of the DC Universe’s most accomplished mercenaries,Deathstrokehas consistently failed as a father, arguably rivaling evenBatmanfor the title of ‘Worst Father’ within the DCU. However, anElseworldsstory offers Slade Wilson a second chance at fatherhood, providing him with the happy ending that mainstream continuity has consistently denied him.
…the revival of his sons allows Deathstroke to approach his relationship with Rose with greater emotional stability…
Fans of Deathstroke know that his relationship with his family—especially his children, Grant, Joey, and Rose Wilson—is deeply complicated. Each child represents one of Slade’s greatest failures: Grant died attempting to emulate his father, Joey was left mute after being injured by kidnappers seeking revenge on Deathstroke, andRose grew up largely without him, as Slade shut her out to protect her from her brothers’ fates.
However, inDark Knights of Steel: Allwinter#6, Jay Kristoff, Tirso Cons, and Wes Abbott presentthe Slade of Earth-118 with the chance to right the wrongs with his children—an opportunity the Deathstroke of Earth-Prime never had.
Deathstroke Gets the Happy-Ending With His Sons That He Never Got in Mainstream Continuity
Dark Knights of SteelDrastically Changes the Fates of Grant and Joey Wilson
While theDark Knights of Steeluniverseinfuses Deathstroke’s lore with high fantasy elements, one constant remains: his profound failures as a father. However, the nature of these failures diverges significantly from mainstream continuity, particularly concerning Grant and Joey. Both sons tragically become collateral damage due to Deathstroke’s mercenary lifestyle. However, their fates differ drastically from typical canon:instead of Grant’s death and Joey’s muteness, both boys are transformed into undead thralls,along with a majority of the Kingdom. This transformation occurs after Slade mortally wounds Nora Fries, the wife of sorcerer Victor"Mr. Freeze"Fries, who then curses the Kingdom with an internal winter to keep Nora in a stasis.
This outcome is undeniably more devastating and heartbreaking for Slade, forcing him to endure the agonizing knowledge that his actions directly led to his sons' suffering. However, during the climactic confrontation between Slade and Victor, Alec"Swamp Thing"Holland awakens Nora from her stasis,breaking the curse and restoring Slade’s sons and the other undead thralls to their human forms.This represents an uncharacteristically happy ending for Deathstroke, a stark contrast to his experiences in mainstream continuity where Grant remains deceased and Joey’s relationship with his father remains strained.
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Dark Knights of SteelGives Deathstroke an Unprecedented Relationship With His Sons
Slade Wilson’s Story Ends on a Heroic Note
This ending forDark Knights of Steelpresents fans with a Deathstroke who gets a second chance to correct his two greatest failures—the loss of his sons. This is unprecedented for the character, as there is no recent storyline where he gets to have both of his sons alive. Furthermore, inDKoS, Slade’s sons return to him with love, calling him"papa"and reaching out, removing the common obstacle of his children resenting him—a recurring theme in his canon narratives. While unconfirmed,this happy reunion also likely marks a new era for him, one where he strives to make amends by embracing a more heroic path in life.
Deathstroke & Ravager Get Their Most Promising Reconciliation Yet
The Revival of Grant & Joey Adds Stability to Slade’s Relationship with Rose
Furthermore, Slade experiences a significant positive shift inhis relationship with RoseinDKoS. Initially, Rose, operating under the alias Ravager, presented herself as an adversary, her hatred for her father masking the deep-seated hurt caused by his estrangement. This mirrored their tumultuous relationship in mainstream continuity, where Slade similarly distanced himself from her. However, throughout the series, a gradual healing process unfolds as they fight side-by-side, forging a stronger bond. Their ultimate victory over Victor and the subsequent breaking of the curse culminates in a full reconciliation.
While Slade and Rose have experienced periods of reconciliation in mainstream continuity, these reconciliations often proved fleeting, with recurring roadblocks reigniting animosity between them. However, the reconciliation achieved inDark Knights of Steelfeels more enduring and profound. Slade proves to Rose his unwavering love for her by offering his own life in exchange for hers. Moreover, the emotional trauma stemming from the loss of his sons significantly diminishes with their revival, allowingDeathstroketo approach his relationship with Rose with greater emotional stability and a lighter heart.
Deathstroke’s Daughter Fully Rejects Slade, Finally Becoming a True Hero
As Ravager fights to survive the Nightmare Realm and its horrifying Deathstroke, she discovers her only way out is to overcome her own past mistakes.
Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #6is available now from DC Comics!
