DC Villain Shockingly Dies To Kickoff Deathstroke Series

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Slade Wilson, also known as Deathstroke, is a legendary and dangerous mercenary in the DC Comics universe. His latest solo comic series, launched as part of DC’s Next Level initiative, starts with a surprising death that dramatically impacts his life.

In the first issue of Deathstroke: The Terminator, written by Tony Fleecs and illustrated by Carmine Di Giandomenico, Slade Wilson is unusually thoughtful. He’s pondering how to reconnect with his daughter, Rose, and while carrying out a new assignment, he mentally drafts a letter to her.

Slade doesn’t know who hired him for this job, only that his target is a 46-year-old white man testifying in a case against Veronica Cale. While the lack of information bothers him enough to charge more, the entire assignment turns out to be a setup.

Who dies in Deathstroke: The Terminator #1

Deathstroke arrives at the location where he was told to find his target, but instead discovers a shocking scene: his close friend, William Wintergreen, has been murdered. A note left with the body reads, “Slade – I’m taking everything,” and a laptop reveals that all of Slade’s bank accounts have been emptied. Before he can fully process what’s happened, a SWAT team arrives and arrests him for Wintergreen’s murder.

Wintergreen and Deathstroke (Slade Wilson) share a relationship similar to the one between Batman and Alfred Pennyworth. They first became close while serving in the armies of both the US and the UK, working together on a combined operation. When a resentful officer ordered Slade on a likely fatal mission, Wintergreen deliberately went against orders to ensure Slade survived.

Wilson later disobeyed direct orders to save Wintergreen from an enemy prisoner-of-war camp, which led to his discharge. After Slade became the assassin Deathstroke, Wintergreen served as his valet and handled his affairs. Despite appearing as a simple servant, Wintergreen remained a friend to Slade Wilson and often provided a much-needed human connection for the man known as “The Terminator.”

The first issue of Deathstroke: The Terminator concludes with Slade Wilson battling the remaining police officers after a bomb explodes under Wintergreen’s chair. While the identity of Wintergreen’s killer remains a mystery, they clearly possess significant power and funding. What’s most apparent is that the death of his closest friend has extinguished any remaining compassion within Slade Wilson.

Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.

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2026-03-18 20:27