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What can drive a man to the point of having his own death wish? The answer is the brutal death of his son. This is the story of a hit man with a tortured soul named Deadshot. Floyd Lawton, who once was part of an elite team called the Suicide Squad, has now waged war on gangs and thugs in an urban area forgotten by law enforcement. Deadshot lost his son to a pedophile and is grieving and looking for solace. This character is another in the long line of superheroes that have lost a loved one, and will seek revenge in his or her name (e.g. Punisher and Batman).

This is the first book in a series of five, and it seems to be on the right path to tell a gritty, vividly violent story with strong, mature content. The story, written by Christos N. Gage, has Deadshot on a mission with Firebug, Frost, and a strongman in a suit (no name was given or mentioned in the story of this character’s name). They’re making a hit, fighting the guards protecting their target. Once the mission is completed Deadshot visits the grave of his son. While there, the family lawyer approaches Lawton and informs him some paperwork requires his attention. While reading through the paperwork Lawton discovers that he has another child, a daughter.

Upon visiting the child’s mother, Lawton is not impressed with the condition of the neighborhood. Three gangs rule there, and Lawton quickly realizes he does not want to lose another child. His solution: he moves into the neighborhood to clean up the riffraff himself.

An excellent cover by Mike Zeck and Jerry Ordway sets the mood of this book. The artwork by Steven Cummings (pencils) and Jimmy Palmiotti (inks) are clean and precise. The panels with the team are visually appealing, and some panels need no dialogue or explanation at all. The coloring by James Sinclair was superbly done, from the facial tones of Frost, to the coloring of the Firebug’s flames. The background scenes of the street battle with the gang members are stunning.

Deadshot #1 is an excellent introduction to the series, and is one of the most informative origins for a hero or villain I’ve read in a while. This team of Gage, Cummings, and Palmiotti are going to put this title over the top. Deadshot #1, like a boxing contender, deserves a shot.