DC Officially Releases Deathstroke’s New Design for Its Post–Zack Snyder Era

Joe Manganiello’s Deathstroke was one of the most legendary takes on the villain and ultimately became one of the Snyderverse’s greatest disappointments when the character’s planned movie was scrapped. Appearing in the post-credits scene of Justice League (2017) and later in Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021), Manganiello’s brief yet memorable portrayal still stands as one of the best interpretations of the character to date.

While Manganiello’s Deathstroke era may have come to an end, the mercenary’s next chapter at DC is only just beginning. Tony Fleecs, Carmine Di Giandomenico, and Ivan Plascencia’s upcoming March 18 release, Deathstroke: The Terminator #1, introduces a new era for Slade Wilson and delivers one of the character’s strongest redesigns since Manganiello’s live-action version.

The series not only marks a fresh start for Deathstroke in the DC Universe but also spearheads Act II of DC’s All In initiative, titled Next Level, which is bringing a wave of new titles, including Deathstroke: The Terminator, to the forefront of DC’s storytelling.

Deathstroke’s New Terminator Design Turns Slade Wilson Into a Walking Arsenal

Comic Pages Come from Tony Fleecs’s Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 (2026) – Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico & Ivan Plascencia

Ahead of the full release of Deathstroke: The Terminator #1, DC has provided a four-page preview of the issue, giving fans their first in-narrative look at Slade’s new redesign, which had previously only been teased through the series’ cover art. The redesign keeps Slade recognizable by retaining the signature elements of his costume while also offering a fresh take on the character.

The costume blends military tactical gear with comic-accurate elements, keeping Deathstroke’s iconic orange-and-black mask while emphasizing his role as an elite mercenary. While Slade has always boasted an impressive arsenal, Di Giandomenico takes his weaponry to the next level, with nearly every available space on Slade decked out with a weapon.

A full back view of Slade reveals four knives, a handgun, a sniper rifle with a scope and suppressor, a secondary rifle, what appears to be a rocket launcher, and a massive utility belt that is sure to be full of other lethal goodies. This is a massive amount of weaponry, even for Slade, and doesn’t even take into account the additional spread of weapons revealed in a separate panel.

While a full-frontal, in-narrative view of Slade’s costume has yet to be revealed in the comic, it is already clear that this is shaping up to be one of Slade’s most badass redesigns to date. Beyond the weaponry, the suit is clearly exceptionally armored yet still sleek, with the back of his mask featuring two exceptionally long orange ribbons that help the design stand out as a tribute to his classic look.

Deathstroke’s Redesign Echoes Zack Snyder’s Darker Vision for the Character

Main Cover by Carmine Di Giandomenico for Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 (2026)

One of the biggest differences between Di Giandomenico’s Deathstroke and previous versions of the character, including Joe Manganiello’s look from the Snyder movies, is that Slade is noticeably missing his character-defining twin katanas. These blades are a staple of his designs and are often seen strapped to his back when not in use.

However, fans should not fret just yet. The main cover for the issue does depict Slade wearing his signature blades, suggesting that the mercenary may have only temporarily swapped them out for more mission-appropriate long-range weapons. Still, fans will have to wait for the full release of the issue for confirmation.

All that said, this is undoubtedly shaping up to be one of the most exciting chapters for Deathstroke since the Zack Snyder era. Not only does the redesign look incredible, but the tone of the preview also suggests that Deathstroke may be returning to his roots as a full-on villain after several attempts by DC to portray him in a light that toed anti-hero territory.

Because of this, the new villain-centric era for the mercenary feels reminiscent of the direction Zack Snyder once had planned for the character. In many ways, it almost feels like a homecoming for Snyderverse fans who loved the tone and vibe Snyder established with Manganiello’s portrayal of Deathstroke.

Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 from DC Comics is available March 18, 2026!