Deadshot

Latest revision as of 09:21, 10 April 2024

Deadshot in Justice League of America v3 #7.1.

Deadshot is a male comic supervillain who features in DC Comics.

Biography

Origin

Floyd Lawton

Lawton came to attend a prominent charity dinner party that was targeted by robbers with the thieves being stopped due to the intervention of Batman. The incident had a profound impact on Floyd who decided to adopt the hero persona for himself. (Deadshot v1 #1) The young rich playboy fashioned a suit that consisted of a white tie and tails with a black velvet mask as he set out to be a vigilante hero. Taking the name Deadshot, he shot at criminals but only to disarm and quickly gained a considerable following as a crime fighter thus becoming a competitor to Batman and Robin. However, he was using his new fame to take over the city's rackets and establish as its hidden crime lord. Deadshot came close to running Batman out of town and even tried to murder the Caped Crusader. Despite the attempt, Batman came to alter Lawton's guns causing a miss and leading to his eventual arrest. (Batman v1 #59) Taken to trial, the evidence rallied against Lawton was overwhelming and he was found guilty. (Deadshot v1 #1)

He went under the training of David Cain who he looked up to as the best teacher he had ever had with the man training him on how to be a killer. (Batman v1 #607)

Deadshot

He was once married to a redheaded woman named Susie with the two having a son together called Eddie. The marriage was not working and Floyd left the family though Susie kept on hoping that he would return. (Deadshot v1 #2)

Whilst in prison, he worked out everyday for his chance at revenge against Batman. He remained there for years until one day the Penguin was brought to a neighbouring cell in the Gotham Prison. From him, Lawton came to steal a device that allowed him to burn through the walls of the cell. Once freed, he adopted a new costume and went on a hunt for Batman. (Detective Comics v1 #474)

Mayor Rupert Thorne was noted to had arranged for the release of Deadshot from prison with the express purpose of hiring him to murder Bruce Wayne after it was believed the Gotham millionaire was Batman. (Detective Comics v1 #518)

Ra's al Ghul later came to release every super-villain in Gotham's prison and Arkham Asylum on Batman's first anniversary. Deadshot helped the Joker take over GCPD Headquarters, but Batman stopped them and Talia al Ghul took down Deadshot. (Batman v1 #400)

Suicide Squad

Sent to Ryker's Island, Lawton was Prisoner #23964 and was serving out his sentence when he was visited by Colonel Rick Flag. He offered Deadshot a choice to either stay in prison or serve out his sentence by performing missions for the government as part of Task Force X. (Legends v1 #2)

Deadshot decided to stay with the Suicide Squad for personal reasons, living out of Belle Reve prison in Louisiana. His psychologist Marnie Herrs suggested that he joined the team because of a personal death wish. (Suicide Squad v1 #1) Their next mission was to attack the Jihad in Qurac where Deadshot was supposed to neutralize Manticore but ended up killing his target by shooting him in the face point-blank. (Suicide Squad v1 #2) Afterwards, Belle Reve was attacked by the Female Furies with Deadshot refusing to help and stating that security was not part of his deal with Task Force X. (Suicide Squad v1 #3)

He was later given a new assignment which was the elimination of the crime lord El Jefe. Lawton this by connecting with a member of his old gang to arrange for a meeting. This led to him on a jet where he killed El Jefe and his men on the plane and was recovered by Task Force X following a successful mission. (Deadshot v1 #1) He then received a letter from his ex-wife Susie stating that their son Eddie had been kidnapped. Floyd then took a leave of absence from the Suicide Squad in order to settle the personal matter by saving his son. (Deadshot v1 #2)

After a job with some supervillains, he decided to visit his son's grave and learnt that his parents had died. From the lawyer, he learnt that he was not left anything with Floyd being content with that as he checked letters sent to them. Among them was prostitute he slept with sometime back who revealed that she had become pregnant with Floyd's child and that she had his daughter. Lawton decided to investigate and travelled to Star City where instantly he knew that the young girl named Zoe was indeed his child. The mother stated that after learning she was pregnant had left the life of a callgirl and completed her education in order to provide for a better life for her child. She had not wanted any money from the Lawton's and simply thought that they might had wanted to see their grandchild. Floyd attempted to pay to support her and Zoe but the mother refused as she did not want blood money from hitman jobs. Deadshot ultimately decided to stay in the neighbourhood for the time to make sure they were safe as the area was rife with gang violence and other criminal activity. (Deadshot v2 #1)

The Suicide Squad was blackmailed by Derek Tolliver and Senator Cray, so Rick Flag decided to assassinate both of them. Flag was unaware that Amanda Waller had already dealt with this situation privately. (Suicide Squad v1 #21) Waller realized what he was planning, and sent the entire Suicide Squad to stop Rick Flag from killing Senator Cray "by whatever means necessary." Simon LaGrieve insisted that Deadshot was not mentally fit to go on this mission after the death of his son, but Waller ignored him. Deadshot found Rick Flag at the Lincoln Memorial, where Flag was holding Cray at gunpoint. He stopped Rick Flag by killing the senator himself, following his orders to the letter. Then he whispered to himself "Ed. I killed the old man this time. Did just like ma told me." The police arrived and Flag tried to take Deadshot away. Deadshot, with tears streaming down his face, said that he would take care of the police and threatened to shoot Flag if he did not run. There was a shootout on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and Deadshot was hit with many bullets, but he managed to survive. In the hospital later, Waller was furious that Deadshot killed Cray, and Deadshot replied that her orders should have been more clear. (Suicide Squad v1 #22) Waller later had stress hallucinations about sending Deadshot on a mission in his unstable condition. (Suicide Squad v1 #23)

The Kobra Cult came to hire Deadshot was paid one million dollars to assassinate Deathstroke and Peacemaker. (Showcase '93 v1 #7)

The demon Neron released every villain in Belle Reve, and took many including Deadshot to Hell. Deadshot was one of the villains to accept Neron's offer, making a literal deal with the devil. (Underworld Unleashed v1 #1) He began working with the assassins Bolt, Chiller, Deadline, and Merlyn as a group called the Killer Elite. They were promised the power to kill their enemies if they spread mayhem for Neron. Each member was told to commit their dream assassination, and Deadshot chose to blow up a classroom of kindergarten students. He viewed this as a poetic statement to demonstrate the meaninglessness of life. (Justice League America v1 #105) Obsidian blocked the bullets with his body, and pulled Deadshot into his shadow realm. Obsidian tried to tell Deadshot that they were not so different, and their inner pain came from the same place. Deadshot continued lashing out violently, so Obsidian knocked him out. (Justice League America v1 #106) The Killer Elite were later seen trying to eliminate the Body Doubles, who they viewed as competition. Deadshot betrayed his team and pretended to get knocked out because he was secretly involved with Carmen Leno. (Body Doubles v1 #1)

He came to be one of a number of people brought together by the mysterious Mockingbird who brought a team together known as the Secret Six. Among them also included Catman, Cheshire, Scandal Savage, Rag Doll Peter Merkel Jr. and a rogue Parademon where they were brought together to oppose the Secret Society of Super Villains. In exchange, Lawton was offered rule of North America but was warned that any betrayal would result in the destruction of the neighbourhood holding his daughter and wife. (Villains United v1 #1)

Deadshot and the Suicide Squad were assigned in rounding up supervillains for removal from Earth to a supposedly peaceful planet known as Cygnus 4019 (or Salvation) as part of Project Salvation. The group had encountered Pied Piper and Trickster several times, and each time failed to capture them. Deadshot made a solo effort to capture them, but the pair again eluded him. (Countdown to Final Crisis v1 #24) Much later, Deadshot disobeyed orders from Amanda Waller and Suicide Squad protocol by tracking and attacking Piper and Trickster on a train outside of the Rocky Mountains. Given that the supervillains were aware of Project Salvation, Deadshot apparently killed The Trickster leaving Pied Piper on his own. (Countdown to Final Crisis v1 #22) Deadshot and Bane were tricked and sent off to the prison planet along with the last batch of criminals. Before being sent to Salvation, Rick Flag Jr. stated to him as the Boom Tube closed that he could not have people like him on Earth. Deadshot vowed that if he ever returned to Earth, he would take his revenge on Rick. After helping fight off the Parademon invasion he managed to escape with the surviving villains in the teleporter. (Salvation Run v1 #7)

While on a mission to Gotham City to kill several of Batman's allies, Rag Doll insinuates that Deadshot and Catman are friends despite their protestations, something they grudgingly acknowledge. Before this plot thread can be pursued further, the Six are ambushed by an army of superheroes who had come to assist Batman. Deadshot and the rest of the team choose to fight the heroes despite the overwhelming odds, and Deadshot manages to take down Doctor Light before being blasted and rendered unconscious by Green Lantern. The rest of the Six are similarly trounced and defeated soon after. (Secret Six v3 #36)

Post-Flashpoint

Following the Flashpoint, a new version of reality was created with a different history of events. Floyd Lawton

According to one account, Floyd had claimed that he lived with his poor mother and father along with his sister in the Narrows of Gotham. The family constantly struggled being able to manage for themselves until one day his father had gotten a job at ACE Chemical. It was then that his father, mother and sister were gunned down from stray bullet fire from the next room. Only Floyd turned out to be the only survivor where he found a gun and began teaching himself to use it. He ultimately sought revenge for the death of his family were over the years he became a skilled marksman and a noted gun for hire. (Justice League of America v3 #7.1) In reality, this was actually a story that Lawton had stolen from another man named Will Evans when the two shared a cell at a county lockup around 10 years ago. (Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana v1 #3)

He came to wake up in the infirmary at Belle Reve where he was revealed the truth that he had died on the two previous occasions as well but that they had used the Samsara Serum to revive him. (Suicide Squad v4 #20)

Given his pardon from the service, he decided to return home and abandon his old life of crime behind in order to be with his family. Whilst there, a public announcement was made for the arrest of Task Force X members with the FBI arriving at his ex-wife's home. Floyd ultimately decided to surrender himself to the authorities rather than endanger his family though Zoe came out in her Liveshot costume and fired at one of the arresting officers in order to free her father. To save his daughter, Lawton had to take a gun and fire at the authorities as he could tell that they were prepared to shoot his child. Zoe was nearly killed by weapon fire but the Revolutionaries arrived at the scene where they saved her and took Deadshot with them as they intended to dismantle Task Force X. (Suicide Squad v6 #7)

The remains of Floyd Lawton were later gathered by the Kobra Cult who looked to revive him with the Lazarus Resin. However, they were stopped by Task Force Z who reached Lawton first and after being reanimated in an undead state he came to join the team. (Task Force Z v1 #3)

Overview

Personality and attributes

Floyd wit his daughter Zoe in Suicide Squad v6 #7.

Initially, he sought to use his masked persona to be a crimefighter where he took the name Deadshot. (Batman v1 #59)

It was said that Floyd had difficulties relating to women with his antipathy rooted in his past. He said that he had seen women marry rich men only to divorce them and take their money. (Deadshot v1 #1)

After being sent to prison, he said that he had learnt to rely on power rather than brains and not to use any fancy games against his opponent. He said that he no longer played by rules where in the past he would not have hurt bystanders. (Detective Comics v1 #474)

Floyd had seemingly claimed that he believed every bullet should have a purpose and that there should not be a stray shot. (Justice League of America v3 #7.1) Lawton was known to use a fabricated story of his own past that he mad by stealing the stories of other convicts as he was ashamed of his real history. (Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana v1 #3) According to one account, he actually pulled his shots during his encounters with Batman. (Deadshot v1 #1)

He was noted for being the scion of a wealthy family with his father's money based on real estate whilst his mother came from the Pitt bankers. The family was noted to be well connected socially and were noticed by high society. (Deadshot v1 #1) Floyd had noted that his father loved guns though fancied himself more as a collector but was never actually talented in using one. (Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana v1 #3)

Once, he was married to a redhead named Susie with the two having a child together with this being a son named Eddie. (Deadshot v1 #2) He came to say that he was not good for his family and they were not good for him which was why he left them. (Deadshot v1 #1) Despite that, his ex-wife never changed her name or old life as she had hoped that Floyd would return to her. (Deadshot v1 #2)

He later slept with a half-Cuban and half-Italian call girl where she became pregnant with his child. Unknown to Floyd, she gave birth a daughter named Zoe where the girl's mother quit her old life and finished school in order to provide a better life for her child. (Deadshot v2 #1)

Zoe wanted to become a masked vigilante somewhat inspired by her dad where she wanted to take the name Liveshot with her saying that she did not want to kill anyone. To prepare herself, she made a costume based on her fathers and learnt archery. (Suicide Squad v6 #7)

Around 10 years ago, he met a fellow convict named Will Evans who was enamoured with Lawton and wanted to be just like him by being the greatest contract killer ever known. The man idolised Deadshot and wanted to replace him in the role. (Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana v1 #3)

Powers and abilities

Lawton in his armor in Suicide Squad v5 #14.

He was allegedly bilingual and had learnt to speak Russian. (Suicide Squad v1 #57)

One of his mentors was David Cain who taught him how to be a killer. (Batman v1 #607)

It was shown that he was capable of recovering from encountering something suddenly with the same speed as Batman. (Detective Comics v1 #474)

He showed an incredible level of marksmanship where he was able to use a gun and shoot with amazing accuracy. (Batman v1 #59)

After his initial defeat, he came to redesign his costume which now included wrist magnums. (Deadshot v1 #1) The new blasters were like parts of his arm with them being fed by magnum charges which he fired from a firing button in his palm that he shot by using his middle finger. (Detective Comics v1 #474)

He had a grappling launcher that could fire from his wrist allowing him to latch onto buildings. (Detective Comics v1 #474)

Whilst with the Suicide Squad, he actually died on several occasions but was brought back to life using the Samsara Serum. (Suicide Squad v4 #20)

Notes

• Deadshot was created by David Vern Reed, Lew Sayre Schwartz and Bob Kane where he made his first appearance in Batman v1 #59 (June, 1950).

Alternate Versions

In other media

Television

• In the DC Animated Universe, Deadshot made multiple appearances in the shared continuity setting:
  • In Justice League, the character made his first animated appearance in the DCAU television series starting in the episode "The Enemy Below" (Part 1) where he was voiced by actor Michael Rosenbaum.
  • In Justice League Unlimited, the character returned in the animated television series episode "Task Force X" where he was once again voiced by actor Michael Rosenbaum.
• In Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Deadshot appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Tom Kenny.
• In the Arrowverse, Deadshot made multiple appearances in the shared continuity setting:
  • In Arrow, Floyd Lawton made his first appearance in the live-action television series where he was portrayed by actor Michael Rowe.
• In Justice League Action, Deadshot appeared in the animated television series where he was voiced by actor Christian Slater.
• In Harley Quinn, Deadshot made a cameo appearance in the setting of the animated television series starting in episode "Til Death Do Us Part". His name also appeared in Doctor Psycho's phone in "A Fight Worth Fighting For".

Films

• In Batman: Gotham Knight, Deadshot appeared in the animated film where he was voiced by actor Jim Meskimen.
• In Batman: Assault on Arkham, Deadshot appeared in the animated film linked to the Arkham games where he was voiced by actor Neal McDonough.
• In Suicide Squad, Floyd Lawton appeared in the live-action film set in the DC Extended Universe where he was portrayed by actor Will Smith. This version was an African-American who was noted for being the most wanted hitman in the world.
• In Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay, Deadshot appeared in the animated film where he was voiced by actor Christian Slater.

Video games

• In the Batman: Arkham series, Deadshot made a number of appearances in the shared continuity setting:
  • In Batman: Arkham City, Deadshot appeared in the setting of the video game where he was voiced by actor Chris Cox.
  • In Batman: Arkham Origins, Deadshot appeared in the setting of the prequel video game where he was voiced again by actor Chris Cox.
• In Injustice: Gods Among Us, Deadshot appeared as a non-playable background character on the stage of Stryker's Island in the setting of the fighting video game.
• In Injustice 2, Deadshot appeared as a playable character in the fighting video game where he was voiced by actor Matthew Mercer.

Appearances

• Batman v1: (1950)
• Legends v1:
• Suicide Squad v2:
• Deadshot v1: (1998)
• Deadshot v2: (2005)
• Villains United v1:
• Secret Six v2:
• Suicide Squad v4:
• Justice League of America v3:
• Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana v1:
• Suicide Squad v5:
• Suicide Squad v6:
• Task Force Z v1: (2021)

External Links

• DC Database Entry
• Comicvine Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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