“Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons” explores Slade Wilson’s Origin Story

Out on digital since on August 4th and coming to DVD and Blu-Ray on the 18th, Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons, tells the backstory of one of DC’s most interesting anti-heroes. Slade Wilson’s origin story is explored in this R-rated feature-length animated film.

General Spoiler Warning Applies

Slade Wilson didn’t start off as a stone-cold killer, but he was definitely leading a life that was going to lead him into a career as a ruthless mercenary. His career began in the military where he dedicated himself to being a good soldier, like his father and grandfather before him. It was almost instilled in his life that you fight for justice. However, a failed army experiment leaves him discarded by the military and with superhuman strength and healing abilities.

Where it all starts

The film explores how Slade’s time after the military affected the way he saw and viewed the world. Lost and struggling to find meaning or purpose, he is recruited into life as a mercenary and now known as Deathstroke. This is a life that he later hides from his wife and child. He lives in two worlds, one in which his family believes he is a businessman who travels a lot and loves his family and another where he sells his violent skills to the highest bidder.

Slade justifies his actions by seeing himself as a Knight in shining armor who slays dangerous dragons. He considers himself a mercenary with a conscience by only taking  jobs that he feels liberate and help people. He is a complex character that knows what he is doing is wrong, but perhaps he enjoys it or thinks he needs to work in this clandestine way. Life is rarely simple, and his family pays the price for his secret life.

Living with consequence

His wife, Adeline Wilson, is a former military commander who helped train Wilson when they worked together. She is attacked by a H.I.V.E. operative named The Jackall. Their son, Joseph, is kidnapped by H.I.V.E. to be used as a bargaining chip in an attempt to recruit Deathstroke into the H.I.V.E. Deathstroke has turned down H.I.V.E.’s offer before. He sees them as an evil organization, so The Jackall uses his son to force his recruitment.

The film covers the subsequent consequences of all of Slade’s life choices. The way they affect both him and the people he cares about. It’s a glimpse into the psyche of a man who is trying desperately to live up to the ideals of heroism while doing things that effectively make him the villain of his own story.

Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons, is a new entry in the popular series of DC Animated Movies. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Blue Ribbon Content, and DC, the
the feature-length animated film will be released by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on Digital starting August 4, 2020, and on Blu-ray Combo Pack on August 18, 2020.
Deathstroke: Knights & Dragons will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack which features a Blu-ray disc with the film.

The film stars Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Michael Chiklis (The Shield, The Commish, American Horror Story: Freak Show) as Slade Wilson/Deathstroke, alongside Sasha Alexander (Rizzoli & Isles, Shameless, NCIS) as Wilson’s wife, Adeline “Addie” Kane Wilson. The cast also includes Chris Jai Alex (ThunderCats Roar, Extraction) as The Jackal, Faye Mata (League of Legends) as Jade/H.I.V.E Queen, Griffin Puatu (Beastars) as Joseph/Jericho.

For more DC Coverage check out:

Fun.com gives fans the subtle DC Comic fashion we crave

HBO Max new DC Series from ‘The Batman’ Filmmakers

Let’s Chat About Those New McFarlane Toys DC Multiverse Figures

You can help support our site by shopping at our Teepublic or Redbubble shops.