Deadshot is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer David Vern Reed and artist Lew Sayre Schwartz based on a concept from Bob Kane, the character first appeared in Batman #59 (1950). Introduced as a gun-toting criminal in a tuxedo, top hat, and domino mask, Deadshot was only intended to be a one-off villain for the superhero Batman, but writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers revived, redesigned, and popularized the character in Detective Comics #474 (1977), which featured the debut of his wrist-mounted guns, reticle emblem, and mask with a built-in targeting sight that have since become Deadshot's visual motif. This revamped depiction of the character has endured as one of Batman's most recurring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his central rogues gallery.
Deadshot is the alias of Floyd Lawton, a mercenary with a death wish who possesses uncanny, near-superhuman accuracy and regularly boasts of never missing a shot. Regarded as the greatest marksman and one of the deadliest assassins in the DC Universe, Deadshot has come into conflict with various heroes, including Batman, Green Arrow, and the Justice League. The character has also been depicted as an antihero as a core member of the Suicide Squad, a task force of supervillains coerced by the U.S. government into executing black ops missions and neutralizing more dangerous threats in exchange for reduced prison sentences and, in Deadshot's case, support for his estranged daughter Zoe.
The character has been adapted in various media incarnations, having been portrayed in television by Bradley Stryker in Smallville and Michael Rowe in Arrow, and in film by Will Smith in Suicide Squad. Michael Rosenbaum, Jim Meskimen, and Christian Slater, among others, have provided Deadshot's voice in animation.
Publication history Deadshot was created by writer David Vern Reed and artist Lew Sayre Schwartz, based on a concept from Batman creator Bob Kane, and first appeared in Batman #59 (1950). The character was introduced as a wealthy crime lord posing as a gun-toting vigilante in a tuxedo, top hat, and domino mask. This debut marked Deadshot's only appearance in the Golden Age of Comic Books, as he was intended to be a one-off villain for Batman.
Deadshot was revived 27 years later by writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers in Detective Comics #474 (1977). The character's design was completely changed, and his new costume included wrist-mounted guns, an emblem of a reticle on his chest, and a mask with a targeting sight over his right eye.Detective Comics (vol.1) #474. Writing: Steve Englehart. Art: Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin. Published by DC Comics (1979). The core aspects of this redesign would remain throughout the Bronze and Modern Age of Comic Books, as Deadshot was recharacterized as an assassin-for-hire and member of Batman's central rogues gallery in his subsequent appearances.
The character gained further prominence after being featured in writer John Ostrander's version of the Suicide Squad, which debuted in Legends #3 (1987).LEGENDS (vol.1) #2. Writing: John Ostrander, Len Wein. Art: John Byrne, Karl Kessel. Editor: Dick Giordiano. Published by DC Comics (1986). Deadshot became one of the squad's best-known and longest-serving members, and has appeared in almost all of its media adaptations.
Due to his popularity, Deadshot received his own self-titled limited series that ran from 1988 to 1989.Deadshot (vol. 1) #1-4. Writers: John Ostrander and Kim Yale. Art: Luke McDonnell, Tim Harkins, Julianna Ferriter. Editor: Bob Greenberger. Written by Ostrander and Kim Yale and illustrated by Luke McDonnell, it expanded on Deadshot's past and established his "death wish"—a self-destructive desire to die in a spectacular fashion—suggesting why he decorated his second costume with a crosshair on his chest. Deadshot received a second self-titled limited series in 2005, written by Christos N. Gage and illustrated by Steven Cummings, which introduced his daughter Zoe.Deadshot (vol. 2) #1-5. Published by DC Comics (2005).
Fictional character biography Origin
In his debut appearance, Floyd Lawton is introduced as an independently wealthy man with a trusted staff member and valet named Stevens. Gotham's wealthier citizens, including Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne, refer to Lawton as someone "new" to Gotham City.
Following his recruitment to Task Force X (the "Suicide Squad"), Lawton's past is further explained by therapist Dr. Marnie Herrs. As a child, Floyd Lawton and his older brother are raised in a wealthy family that has great influence over their community. Their father George owns interests in much of the local real estate and hold sway over the local police, while their mother Genevieve, a prize-winning sharp shooter, controls the Pitt banking businesses. The Lawton parents are seen as a power couple in their society circles, but in private they grow to hate each other. By various accounts, Floyd is repeatedly judged by his parents for not matching the achievements of his brother in academics and sports, leading the younger Lawton child to act out in various ways.
When Eddie is in his mid-teens and Floyd is around 12 years old, Genevieve tells her sons about her husband's infidelities and the many abuses she suffers under him, then asks the boys to kill George. Floyd attempts to warn George, but Eddie locks his younger brother in the nearby boathouse and then locks the doors of the family home so no one can enter or intrude on the killing. Floyd escapes, grabs a hunting rifle, and climbs a nearby tree to get a better view through all the windows of the family home. Seeing Eddie enter the house library to shoot their father, Floyd fires his rifle, hoping to disarm his brother. But the tree branch Floyd is on suddenly gives way and throws off his aim, causing him to shoot Eddie just as the elder brother shoots at their father. Eddie's aim is also thrown off, leading his bullet to shatter George's spine.
Refusing to have his family name tarnished by the scandal that would occur, George arranges with the police to cover up details of the crime. The official report concludes that an unknown sniper opened fire twice on George and that his son Eddie heroically died while diving into the path of the second bullet. As punishment for her efforts, George refuses to divorce Genevieve and instead forces her to live on a limited allowance and in isolation in another, smaller house the Lawtons own on the outskirts of town. After high school, Floyd Lawton left his family home to travel. Despite his later claims that he felt nothing on seeing his brother die, he often shows anger when recalling the incident and Eddie's death inspires him to swear that in the future when he fires a gun, he will "never miss."
The next several years of Floyd Lawton's life before his arrival in Gotham City are not fully explained in the comics, though it is eventually revealed that as a young man he did meet David Cain, a highly skilled assassin who years earlier had been one of the teachers of Batman during the hero's many years of preparation for crime-fighting.Batman (vol. 1) #606-607. Writing: Ed Brubaker, Geoff Johns. Art: Andy Owens, Gregory Wright. Letterer: John Costanza. Published by DC Comics (2002). As a member of the League of Assassins, who sometimes take private contracts but are also available as operatives of the terrorist Ra's al Ghul, Cain is an expert in marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat techniques, martial arts, and military tactics, and he trains Floyd Lawton in all these areas. Floyd later remarks that Cain was his "best teacher".
Lawton becomes a hired assassin in Europe and South America, staying largely unknown to authorities but gaining a reputation among certain gangs and cartels as a killer who never misses. At some point, Floyd Lawton marries a woman named Susan and they have a child together, a boy named after Floyd's deceased brother. Floyd later divorces Susan and removes himself from her and Edward's life. He later claims he did this because Susan saw him not as who he is but who she thought he could be, and that his presence endangered the lives of happiness of her and Edward.
Golden Age
Eventually, Floyd takes residence in Gotham City and hires an assistant and trusted valet named Steven. He decides to become an influential figure and crime lord, similar to how his parents operated in his home town. While attending a charity ball, Floyd witnesses Gotham City's hero Batman apprehend a group of thieves. Seeing Batman as a rival, Floyd decides to reduce the hero's influence on Gotham before fully embarking on a criminal career. Donning a tuxedo, top hat, gun belt, and domino mask, Lawton operates publicly in Gotham City as a vigilante called Deadshot and uses his marksmanship abilities to disarm criminals without killing them.Batman (vol. 1) #59. "The Man Who Replaced Batman" - story by David Vern Reed and Lew Sayre Schwartz. Published by DC Comics (June 1950).
Batman becomes suspicious of Deadshot and eventually learns his true motives and identity. Later, Deadshot reveals himself and attempts to kill Batman but is shocked when each of his shots miss. Batman taunts that Deadshot has no nerve to properly face and kill an opponent. In truth, Batman had gotten to Deadshot's weapons ahead of time and altered their sights to throw off his aim, hoping to shake the villain psychologically. Publicly exposed, Deadshot is taken to trial and imprisoned.
Bronze Age
After some time, he becomes resentful that he is considered a forgotten enemy of Batman's while others such as the Penguin and Riddler gain greater renown. At his first opportunity, he escapes imprisonment and decides to prove himself in combat against Batman with new, wrist-mounted guns, customized body armor, and a mask that helps his already impressive aim. Despite his efforts, Deadshot is once again defeated by Gotham City's hero. After escaping authorities again, Deadshot once again becomes an assassin for hire rather than focusing on revenge against the Dark Knight.
Modern Age
Government operative Amanda Waller gets permission to revive Task Force X, a special operations group that in the past was also known as the Suicide Squad. Under Waller's leadership, Task Force X is no longer a group of government and military operatives but now is primarily made up of incarcerated super-villains who are considered expendable if lost on dangerous missions and are promised reduced prison time in exchange for their services.
After being defeated by the Flash, Floyd Lawton is imprisoned again and transferred to Belle Reve, a prison in Louisiana that also serves as the secret hub for the new Suicide Squad. There, Deadshot is recruited by Amanda Waller. It is later said Deadshot is selected not only due to his skills but also because mandated therapy sessions have revealed he sometimes is prone to a "death wish", internally hoping a proper enemy will end his life in a dramatic battle (it is also suggested this is why he initially decorates his second costume with a target on his chest). During his time with the team, Deadshot frequently clashes with teammate Captain Boomerang and field leader Rick Flag (for whom Floyd develops a grudging respect).