Flashpoint Deathstroke Curse of the Ravager #3
Part of my interest in the Flashpoint minis from the outset was how the various storylines were going to conclude, especially considering they may portend major ramifications for the DCNU next month. Was the stratagem all along to utilize them as essential lead-ins for the relaunch or just ancillary stand-alones solely for the purpose of generating more revenue? If executed properly either approach can be gratifying, however without some glimpse into the future, should we ultimately care? That in a nutshell encapsulates the limitation of Elseworlds tales in general. Besides lacking import, most either just take a prominent character and place them in an uncommon setting without dramatically altering much else, or they add improbable aspects that detract from their inherent verisimilitude. In this case also include the additional onus of being featured in a comprehensive game changing event and everything can quickly collapse under the substantial strain. With this imaginary fable we find Deathstroke roaming the seven seas in search of his missing daughter, on the surface an apropos role for the rogue. Of course an engaging element of any Deathstroke tale is the unrelenting family feud between him and his no longer little girl Ravager. Regrettably none of that transpires here, with her bit part as damsel in distress indeed not befitting her fiery and combative personality. Taking her more deserving prominence is one Jenny Blitz, an unknown to this DC fan but possibly employed to play a love interest for Deathstroke while also leading into the story’s decisive but alas nondescript final showdown. A more suitable climax would have involved Aquaman, whose brief obligatory appearance earlier accomplished little, but his major presence was rightly required elsewhere. To somewhat pick up the slack throw in an assembled motley crew of pirates, a who’s who of D list DC villains, and there are far too many characters lacking sufficient screen time, which unfortunately has become a common complaint of the main Flashpoint series as well. Another vexing problem, and one not germane to just this title, is the use of multiple artists, a frustrating practice under any circumstance and simply unacceptable here considering the lead time and magnitude involved. So despite a decent start, this series doubly disappointed as an imaginative solo adventure while also bearing no consequence to what’s forthcoming. Let’s hope Deathstroke’s new book exhibits more clarity of vision.
