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{{Short description|DC Comics character}}
{{About|DC comics supervillain|other uses|Dead Shot (disambiguation){{!}}Dead Shot}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Multiple issues|in-universe =November 2008|plot =November 2008|tone =November 2008}}
{{Infobox comics character
{{Superherobox
|image= Deadshot (Floyd Lawton circa 2020).png
|image= deadshot1.jpg
|caption=Deadshot as depicted in ''Detective Comics'' #1027 (September 2020).<br/>Art by Brad Walker.
|converted = y
|caption=''Deadshot'' (volume 2) #1 2004<br>Art by [[Mike Zeck]].
|comic_color= background: #8080ff
|character_name=Deadshot
|character_name=Deadshot
|real_name=Floyd Lawton
|real_name=Floyd Lawton
|noimage=yes
|noimage=yes
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|publisher=[[DC Comics]]
|debut= ''[[Batman]]'' #59 (June/July 1950)
|debut= ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #59 (June 1950)
|creators=[[Bob Kane]]<br>[[David Vern Reed]]<br>[[Lew Schwartz]]
|creators=[[David Vern Reed]] (writer)<br/>[[Lew Sayre Schwartz]] (artist)<br/>[[Bob Kane]] (concept)
|powers=
|alliance_color=background: #cccccc
*Master marksman
|alliances=[[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]]<br/>[[Suicide Squad]]<br/>Killer Elite<br/>[[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]<br/>[[Secret Society of Super Villains|Underground Society]]
*Expert hand-to-hand combatant
|aliases=
*Skilled gunsmith
|powers=Expert [[marksman]], Cybernetic eye grants increased accuracy and provides additional mission and target data}}
*Expert strategist and tactician
'''Deadshot''' is a [[Character (arts)|fictional character]], a [[supervillain]] who appears in [[comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. He is an [[List of Batman Family enemies|enemy of Batman]].<ref name="dc-ency">{{Cite book | last = Wallace | first = Dan | author-link = | contribution = Deadshot | editor-last = Dougall | editor-first = Alastair | title = The DC Comics Encyclopedia | page = 97 | publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]] | place = New York | year = 2008 | isbn = 0-7566-4119-5 | oclc = 213309017 | postscript = <!-- Bot inserted parameter. Either remove it; or change its value to "." for the cite to end in a ".", as necessary. -->{{inconsistent citations}}}}</ref> The character first appears in ''[[Batman]]'' #59 (June/July 1950) and was created by [[Bob Kane]], [[David Vern Reed]] and [[Lew Schwartz]]. He has since become a staple member of both the [[Suicide Squad]] and [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]].
*Demolitions expert
*Expert in stealth and escape artistry
*[[Bilingualism]]
*Customized wrist-mounted weapons
*Specialized bullet-resistant body armor
*Mask provides targeting assistance, infra-red vision, and other features
|affiliations=[[Suicide Squad]]<br/>[[Secret Society of Super Villains]]<br/>[[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]]
}}
'''Deadshot''' ('''Floyd Lawton''') is <!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; characters are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.--> a character appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. Created by [[David Vern Reed]] and [[Lew Schwartz]], based on a concept from Batman co-creator [[Bob Kane]], the character made his first appearance in ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #59 (June 1950). The introduction story features Deadshot using standard firearms while wearing a tuxedo, top hat, and simple domino mask.<ref name=":0">''Batman'' (vol.1) #59. "The Man Who Replaced Batman" - story by David Vern Reed and Lew Sayre Schwartz. Published by DC Comics (June 1950).</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url= http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/suicidesquad/|title= From Slipknot To Captain Boomering (And Back Again): Meet The Suicide Squad|first= James|last= White|date= October 28, 2015|magazine= [[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]]|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151030044830/http://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/suicidesquad/|archive-date= October 30, 2015|url-status= live|quote= [Deadshot] was originally created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Sayre Schwartz in 1950 as a prime villain for Batman.}}</ref> The character was not seen again until twenty-nine years later when writer [[Steve Englehart]] along with artists [[Marshall Rogers]] and [[Terry Austin (comics)|Terry Austin]] retooled him in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' (vol.1) #474 (1979), now presenting him with customized wrist-mounted guns and a unique mask featuring a multi-use lens over his right eye.<ref name=":1">''Detective Comics ''(vol.1) #474. Writing: Steve Englehart. Art: Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin. Published by DC Comics (1979).</ref> Since then, he has been a recurring character in Batman comics. Since 1986, Deadshot has also been frequently portrayed in comics books featuring the [[Suicide Squad]].<ref name=":2">''LEGENDS'' (vol.1) #2. Writing: John Ostrander, Len Wein. Art: John Byrne, Karl Kessel. Editor: Dick Giordiano. Published by DC Comics (1986).</ref>


Deadshot is an expert in firearms and an excellent sniper who regularly boasts of never missing a shot. He is often considered one of the deadliest assassins in the [[DC Universe]]. Lawton is eventually brought to justice by the [[superhero]] [[Batman]], who becomes Lawton's most recurring enemy over the years (though he also occasionally comes into conflict with other heroes). While typically portrayed as a [[supervillain]], he is also sometimes depicted as an [[antihero]] as a member of the Suicide Squad where he fights more dangerous villains and threats, his need to protect those he regards as family, and his occasional efforts to hold himself accountable to a personal code of ethics.
[[IGN]]'s list of the Top 100 Comic Book Villains Of All Time ranked Deadshot as #43.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://comics.ign.com/top-100-villains/43.html |title=Deadshot is Number 43 |publisher=Comics.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2010-12-29}}</ref>

The character has been substantially adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including television series, feature films and video games. Deadshot was portrayed by [[Bradley Stryker]] in the final season of ''[[Smallville]]'', by [[Michael Rowe (actor)|Michael Rowe]] in the live-action [[Arrowverse]] franchise, and by [[Will Smith]] in the [[DC Extended Universe]] film ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]'' (2016).


==Fictional character biography==
==Fictional character biography==
[[File:Original Deadshot.jpg|thumb|upright|Deadshot in his first appearance from ''Batman'' #59 (June 1950). Art by Lew Schwartz, Bob Kane, and Charles Paris]]
Within the [[DC Universe]], Deadshot is often a hired [[assassination|assassin]], regularly boasting to "never miss." He is capable of using a large variety of weapons, but is most frequently portrayed as using a pair of silenced, wrist-mounted guns. He initially appears in [[Gotham City]] as a new crimefighter, but is revealed to be an enemy of Batman when he attempts to replace the Dark Knight. He is sent to jail when Batman and [[James Gordon (comics)|Commissioner Gordon]] publicly expose his plot to become the king of Gotham's underworld.<ref name="dc-ency"/> After serving his term, Deadshot begins hiring his services out as an assassin, changing his costume from the top coat and tails he previously wore to a red jumpsuit and distinctive metal face plate with a targeting device on the right side. Deadshot's past is revealed in subsequent appearances. As a young boy named ''Floyd Lawton'', Deadshot lives with his mother, abusive father and beloved and idolised brother. On one occasion Lawton's father attacks his brother, prompting the young Deadshot to attempt to end his father's reign of terror on the family with his own rifle. However, the branch of the tree that he sits on breaks as he fires; causing the bullet to hit his brother instead, killing him. The psychological effects of this event are widely seen as the reasoning behind Deadshot's affiliation towards surrogate brothers, his now almost impeccable aim, his disregard for his own life and his inability to kill Batman.
In his debut story, Floyd Lawton is shown to be an independently wealthy man with a trusted staff member and valet named Stevens. Gotham's wealthier citizens, such as businessman [[Batman|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.<ref name=":3">''Deadshot'' (vol. 1) #1-4. Writers: John Ostrander and Kim Yale. Art: Luke McDonnell, Tim Harkins, Julianna Ferriter. Editor: Bob Greenberger.</ref>

As a child, Floyd Lawton and his older brother Edward "Eddie" Robert Lawton are raised in a wealthy family that has great influence over their community. Their father George Lawton owns interests in much of the local real estate and hold sway over the local police, while their mother Genevieve Pitt Lawton, a prize-winning sharp shooter, controls the Pitt banking businesses. The Lawton parents are seen as a [[Supercouple|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.<ref name=":3" />

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 dead just as the elder brother shoots at their father. Eddie's aim is also thrown off, leading his bullet to strike and shatter George Lawton's spine rather than killing him.<ref name=":3" />

Refusing to have his family name tarnished by the scandal that would occur, George Lawton arranges with the police to cover up details of the crime. The official report concludes that an unknown sniper opened fire twice on George Lawton and that his son Eddie heroically died while diving into the path of the second bullet. As punishment for her efforts, George Lawton refuses to divorce Genevieve and instead forces her to live on a limited allowance and in isolation in another, smaller house the Lawton's own on the outskirts of town.<ref name=":3" /> After high school, Floyd Lawton leaves 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."<ref name=":3" />

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.<ref name=":4">''Batman'' (vol. 1) #606-607. Writing: Ed Brubaker, Geoff Johns. Art: Andy Owens, Gregory Wright. Letterer: John Costanza. Published by DC Comics (2002).</ref> 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]], David 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."<ref name=":4" /> While the canon comic books do not give much further detail regarding if Floyd Lawton had other training under other teachers, media such as the ''[[Batman: Arkham Asylum|Arkham Asylum]]'' video games propose he served for a time in the US Army where he received sniper training.

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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rovin |first=Jeff |title=The Encyclopedia of Supervillains |date=1987 |publisher=Facts on File |isbn=0-8160-1356-X |location=New York |page=78}}</ref> At some point, Floyd Lawton marries a woman named '''Susan''' and they have a child together, a boy named '''Edward''' 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.<ref name=":3" />

=== Gotham City ===
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.<ref name=":0" />

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.<ref name=":0" />

Publicly exposed, Deadshot is taken to trial and imprisoned. 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.<ref name=":1" /> 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.<ref name=":1" /> 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.


===Suicide Squad===
===Suicide Squad===
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.
He has been a major figure in the [[Suicide Squad]] in its latest two incarnations, where his skills as a marksman and his disregard for human life serve to advance the group's objectives.<ref name="dc-ency"/>


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.<ref name=":2" /> 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).<ref name=":3" /> 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).
Probably his most defining trait is a desire to die in a spectacular fashion, this being his primary motivation for joining the Squad. He feels he has no reason to continue living, and, while he does not want to commit [[suicide]], he simply does not care if he dies. {{Citation needed|date=May 2012}} Various reasons have been cited for this, but the most common thread in them is his parents' peculiar hatred for one another.


Soon after Deadshot joins the Suicide Squad, Batman learns of the team's existence and confronts them, threatening to expose that the US government is employing super-villains for covert and possibly illegal missions. Amanda Waller counters that public exposure of Task Force X will force her to reveal Batman's true identity. Before Batman leaves, Deadshot threatens him but the Dark Knight remarks that Lawton always "pulls" his shots when they are in battle with each other. Therapist Dr. Marnie Herrs later agrees with this conclusion, remarking that Deadshot sometimes sabotages his own efforts as if inviting his opponents to take advantage of the situation and end his life.<ref name=":3" />
Deadshot almost gets his wish to die when he confronts a Senator who is threatening to expose the Suicide Squad to the world. Having been ordered to stop his immediate superior, [[Rick Flag]], from assassinating the senator, he kills the senator himself, citing his orders as "Stop Flag from killing the Senator. Exact words." After this Deadshot is gunned down by the police on the very steps of the [[Lincoln Memorial]]. He survives his wounds, to continue on with the Squad.


[[File:Deadshot 2017.png|thumb|left|upright|Deadshot as he appears without his mask in ''Suicide Squad'' vol. 5, #20 (August 2017). Art by [[Stjepan Šejić]]]]Deadshot's son Edward, now about eight years old, is kidnapped by a gang of criminals hoping to manipulate Floyd. One of the gang members, Wes Anselm, is a pedophile with documented incidents of assaults against children. When Deadshot hunts down the gang, Wes grabs young Eddie and knocks him out, then flees with the boy in a car. Later, Deadshot finds Wes in his apartment and Eddie lying dead. Wes implies the boy struggled against an assault, which resulted in Wes becoming enraged and killing him. Deadshot takes revenge by delivering several non-lethal gunshots to Wes before finally killing him.<ref name=":3" />
Lawton's uniform is stolen by an airport employee, who uses it to commit crimes and murders. Lawton is forced to kill the man with a bullet to the head. The shooting of his own 'image' affects him greatly; for a while, he does not even fix the hole in his own uniform. While the suit has been lost, Lawton has threatened to kill the man he thought had been responsible, his teammate [[Captain Boomerang]].


Having learned that Eddie's kidnapping was part of a complicated plot by Genevieve Lawton to inspire Floyd to finally kill his father, Deadshot returns to his home town. Confronting his mother in her home, Deadshot first intends to kill her but then reconsiders when his therapist Marnie Herrs points out that Genevieve also has her own desire for death and hopes to be killed as she does not wish to harm herself. Rather than possibly give her the outcome she desires, Deadshot chooses not to kill his mother and instead shoots her with a precision shot to the spine, causing her to be a paraplegic. Deadshot remarks that this is fitting since her efforts to kill George Lawton only resulted in his own paralysis, and now they are a "matched set."<ref name=":3" />
During his last mission for the Suicide Squad, [[Count Vertigo]] asks Deadshot if he would kill him if asked. Deadshot agrees and the two go off to a secluded area for the decision. Vertigo declines, a decision Deadshot accepts with no argument.


Later on, a US senator threatens to expose the Suicide Squad to the world. Task Force X field leader Rick Flag decides to assassinate the senator and Deadshot is ordered to stop Flag. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Deadshot publicly kills the senator himself, justifying that this is in compliance with his literal orders: "Stop Flag from killing the senator. Exact words." DC police then gun down Deadshot where he stands, but he survives his wounds and after a hospital stay and physical therapy he returns to active duty with the Suicide Squad.
After being affected by the [[supernatural]] entity [[Neron]] during the ''[[Underworld Unleashed]]'' storyline, Deadshot decides to kill a [[kindergarten]] class via a large explosion. An incarnation of the [[Justice League]] stops him. Around this time, Deadshot travels overseas to kill the [[Pope]]. [[Wonder Woman]] stops him at the last minute.


Lawton's uniform is stolen by a man who then uses the Deadshot name and equipment to commit crimes and murders. After Lawton kills the impostor while the man is still dressed in the Deadshot uniform and mask. Later, Floyd is haunted by the experience of having shot down his own "image" and for some time does not fix the fatal bullet hole that now occupies his uniform.
After dozens of villains are infected by the Joker venom, Deadshot, Merlyn and [[Deadline (DC Comics)| Deadline]] attack the Iron Heights metahuman prison. Deadline is killed and Deadshot rescues Captain Boomerang from medical confinement.<ref>"Flash" Vol.2 #179 (December 2001)</ref>


Eventually, the Suicide Squad operations are temporarily halted and Deadshot returns to his own life and agenda. At one point, he becomes a host body for the demon lord [[Neron (DC Comics)|Neron]] and nearly kills a kindergarten class. To Lawton's relief, he is stopped and then relieved of his demonic possession by the [[Justice League]]. Later on, Deadshot accepts a contract to kill the Pope, but is thwarted by [[Wonder Woman]].
===Daughter===
In a second mini-series released in 2005, Deadshot discovers he has a daughter, Zoe, who is being raised in a crime-filled area of [[Star City (comics)|Star City]]. Lawton decides to do right by this daughter, and embarks on a lethal war on the local gangs that plague the area. The series ends with Deadshot faking his death, having realized a normal life isn't for him, but also having mostly cleared up the area and convincing [[Green Arrow]] to patrol it more regularly.<ref name="dc-ency"/>


After both of his parents die, Deadshot inherits some of their documents and belongings. He find a letter from '''Michelle Torres''', a woman who claims Floyd Lawton is the father of her daughter '''[[Zoe Lawton|Zoe Torres]]'''. Deadshot visits Michelle Torres in the Triangle, a neighborhood of [[Star City (comics)|Star City]].<ref name=":5">''Deadshot'' (vol. 2) #1-5. Published by DC Comics (2005).</ref> Realizing Zoe is indeed his daughter, he recognizes Michelle as a sex worker he spent time with years before. Haunted by the memory of abandoning his son Eddie and later finding him dead, Floyd decides to take up temporary residence in the Triangle and look after Zoe and Michelle. He learns more about Michelle as a person, such as that she is proud of her Cuban and Italian heritage, and he comes to understand the different criminal gangs and slum lords that threaten the Triangle. Announcing his presence, Deadshot begins systematically fighting the corruption in the Triangle, hoping to make it a safer place for Zoe and Michelle. This results in the local population advocating to protect Deadshot from vigilantes such as local hero [[Green Arrow]], and also leads to a new romance between Michelle and Floyd.<ref name=":5" />
===Secret Six===
Deadshot is featured in the ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' storyline comic book ''[[Villains United]]''. The [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]] are banded together by a mysterious, shrouded character named [[Mockingbird (DC Comics)|Mockingbird]] (who is actually [[Lex Luthor]]) who offers a major reward for committing to the team and a severe punishment for not accepting membership. Deadshot is offered the reward of ruling [[North America]]; his punishment is to be the destruction of the neighborhood in which his daughter and his daughter's mother live. At the end of the mini-series, the conflict ends in stalemate and Deadshot's status remains roughly unchanged from the end of his second mini-series. He remains a part of The Secret Six and is shown having reached a grudging friendship with another member, [[Catman (comics)|Catman]]. His share of the payment for the Six' mercenary work is stated to be sent in its entirety to his daughter and her mother. After the Six disband, [[Knockout (DC Comics)|Knockout]] comments in passing that he has returned to the Suicide Squad.<ref name="dc-ency"/>


As supervillains with a grudge against Deadshot begin appearing in the Triangle, Lawton decides to put distance between himself and Michelle and Zoe. After setting up a school scholarship for Zoe, Deadshot kills several supervillains targeting him and then fakes his own death in an explosion. He decides to act more covertly for the time being. His efforts in the Triangle also inspire Green Arrow to take more interest in the area, ensuring the Zoe and Michelle's neighborhood remains protected.
===Countdown===
Deadshot and the Suicide Squad are featured in ''Countdown'', rounding up supervillains for [[Salvation Run|removal]]. The group encounters [[Pied Piper (comics)|Pied Piper]] and [[Trickster (comics)|Trickster]] several times, and each time fail to capture them. In ''Countdown To Final Crisis'' #24 Deadshot makes a solo effort to capture them, but the pair again elude him. In issue 22, Deadshot (breaking orders from [[Amanda Waller]] and Suicide Squad protocol) attacks Piper and Trickster on a train outside of the Rocky Mountains. Given that the supervillains are aware of Project Salvation (''[[Salvation Run]]''), Deadshot apparently kills The Trickster, leaving Pied Piper on his own. In ''Salvation Run'' #2, Deadshot is tricked and sent off to the prison planet along with the last batch of criminals. [[Rick Flag|Rick Flag, Jr.]] tells him as the [[Boom tube]] closes that he can't have people like him on Earth. Deadshot vows that if he ever returns to Earth, he would take his revenge on Flag. After helping fight off the [[Parademon]] invasion, he escapes with the surviving villains in the [[teleportation]] machine.


Lawton decides to do right by his daughter, and embarks on a lethal war on the local gangs that plague the area. The series ends with Deadshot faking his death, having realized a normal life is not for him, but also having mostly cleared up the area and convincing Green Arrow to patrol it more regularly.
Deadshot has since rejoined the [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]].


===Batman: Cacophony===
===Secret Six===
During the 2005–2006 '''''[[Infinite Crisis]]''''' storyline, Deadshot briefly operates with a short-lived incarnation of the [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]], joining other villains who are recruited by the mysterious Mockingbird (a temporary alias used by [[Lex Luthor]]). For accepting membership, Deadshot is offered the reward of ruling [[North America]]; if he declines, his punishment will be the destruction of the Triangle in Star City, where Michelle and Zoe still live. At the conclusion of their main objective, Deadshot is rewarded with significant money that he then sends to Michelle.
In ''[[Batman: Cacophony]]'', Deadshot is seen breaking in to [[Arkham Asylum]]. He goes to [[Joker (comics)|the Joker]]'s cell and explains that he has taken a contract on the Joker's life, due to his indirect responsibility for the death of a high school student. Just as he is about to kill the Joker, however, [[Onomatopoeia (comics)|Onomatopoeia]] arrives and engages Deadshot in a shoot out. Eventually, Onomatopoeia gains the upperhand and shoots Deadshot in the head.<ref>[http://www.myspace.com/comicbooks/blog/446546753 Kevin Smith Writes The Dark Knight in Batman: Cacophony!]</ref>


Despite no longer being employed by Lex Luthor, the Secret Six remain active for a time and Deadshot stays on as a member. He develops a grudging friendship with teammate [[Catman (DC Comics)|Catman]], another former enemy of Batman's. When this version of the Secret Six disbands, Deadshot is said to have returned to Amanda Waller's new Suicide Squad.
It is later revealed that Deadshot's armor saves him, and masks his vital signs to make it appear that he'd been killed. He explains what happened at Arkham to Batman, before being turned over to the [[Gotham City Police Department|Gotham Police]].


While part of the Suicide Squad, Deadshot is sent against the villains [[Pied Piper (DC Comics)|Pied Piper]] and [[Trickster (DC Comics)|Trickster]] and then seemingly kills Trickster. These events occur during the year-long series ''[[Countdown to Final Crisis|Countdown]].'' Like many events depicted in that series, Trickster's death is later contradicted by other stories.
Batman uses the technology of Lawton's mask to later survive an encounter with the Joker and Onomatopoeia.


Amanda Waller decides to exile all criminals with superhuman abilities to another planet, without trial. The Suicide Squad works on rounding up as many villains as possible, sending them to another planet via the dimensional space-bridge known as a [[boom tube]] (a product of [[New Gods]] technology). After helping the effort, Deadshot is betrayed and exile to the planet as well, as he is still a supervillain as far as Amanda Waller and Rick Flag are concerned. Eventually, the exiled villains escape back to Earth.
===Secret Six volume 2===
Deadshot, along with [[Scandal (comics)|Scandal Savage]], [[Bane (comics)|Bane]], [[Rag Doll (comics)|Rag Doll]], and [[Catman (comics)|Cat-Man]] reunite the Secret Six, having been hired to retrieve [[Tarantula (DC Comics)|Tarantula]] from [[Alcatraz Island]], and find a card which she stole from Junior, a mysterious villain who supposedly runs the entire West Coast mob. Junior has practically the entire villain community at her beck and call, all afraid of her, even those in Arkham Asylum. The Six later learn that the card in question was made by [[Neron]], and says "Get Out Of Hell Free."


===''Secret Six'' volume 2===
Soon, the Six are attacked by a small army of super-villains, all wanting to recover the card and collect the reward of $20 million for each of the Six, under the orders of Junior, who captures and [[torture]]s Bane, whose strong principles and moral convictions, paired with his fatherly fondness of Scandal keep him from betraying his new team. It is later revealed that Junior is in fact Rag Doll's sister and daughter of the first Rag Doll. She has the ghastly appearance of an old clown, with sliced skin and eyes stitched wide open to give the appearance of a clown.
Deadshot, along with [[Scandal Savage]], [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]], [[Rag Doll (character)|Rag Doll]] and Catman reunite the Secret Six. The team is hired to retrieve [[Tarantula (DC Comics)|Tarantula]] from [[Alcatraz Island]], and find a card which she stole from Junior, a mysterious villain who supposedly runs the entire West Coast mob. Junior has practically the entire villain community at her beck and call, as many fear her methods and formidability. The Six later learn that the card in question was made by the demon lord Neron and serves a special function: "Get Out Of Hell Free."


Soon, the Six are attacked by a small army of super-villains, all wanting to recover the card and collect the reward of $20 million for each of the Six. It is later revealed that Junior is in fact Rag Doll's sister, as well as the daughter of the first Rag Doll.
The Six escape, and head for [[Gotham City]], with Deadshot seemingly betraying them and leaving with Tarantula. The Six manage to catch up to Deadshot, only to be attacked by Junior and the Supervillains, and the [[Mad Hatter (comics)|Mad Hatter]], who is revealed to be the one who hired them, simply so they would be killed. Tarantula sacrifices herself by pulling herself and Junior in front of the Supervillains' combined attack, seemingly destroying the card along with them. However, it is later shown that Scandal is now in possession of the card.


The Six escape and head for [[Gotham City]], only to be attacked by Junior and the Super villains. It is revealed that they were initially hired by the [[Mad Hatter (DC Comics)|Mad Hatter]], simply so they would be killed. Tarantula sacrifices herself and Junior, seemingly destroying the card as well in the process. It is later revealed that Scandal is now in possession of the card.
The Suicide Squad re-entered Deadshot's life when the title returned in January 2010 as a tie-in to [[Blackest Night]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Richard George |url=http://comics.ign.com/articles/103/1035721p1.html |title=Blackest Night's Future: January 2010 - Comics Feature at IGN |publisher=Comics.ign.com |date=2009-10-15 |accessdate=2010-12-29}}</ref>


While on a mission to Gotham City to kill several of Batman's allies, Rag Doll insinuates that Deadshot and Cat-Man 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 (Kimiyo Hoshi)|Doctor Light]] before being blasted and rendered unconscious by [[Green Lantern (John Stewart)|Green Lantern]]. The rest of the Six are similarly trounced and defeated soon after.<ref>''Secret Six'' (vol. 3) #36 (August 2011)</ref>
While on a mission to Gotham City to kill several of Batman's allies, the Six are ambushed by a group of superheroes who have come to assist Batman. Deadshot is rendered unconscious by [[John Stewart (comics)|Green Lantern]] and the rest of the Six are similarly defeated soon after.<ref>''Secret Six'' (vol. 3) #36 (August 2011). DC Comics</ref>


===The New 52===
===The New 52===
{{Update|date=August 2017}}
In [[The New 52]] (a reboot of the DC Comics universe), Deadshot was recruited to the Suicide Squad prior to the events of the first issue.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #1</ref> He still has a daughter and wears a costume similar to the one worn by him in the '00s mini-series, but his son has been erased from existence; also, Deadshot no long has his trademark mustache. He is portrayed as a Batman villain and a rival of The New 52 version of [[Wild Dog (comics)|Wild Dog]], a bounty hunter.<ref name="Suicide Squad #3">''Suicide Squad'' #3</ref> He also is bitter enemies with [[Captain Boomerang]], implying that the two men encountered each other as villains.<ref name="Suicide Squad #3"/>
In [[The New 52]] (a 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe), a new timeline is presented which features a Deadshot with a significantly different past. Rather than a child of wealth, he is a child born to poverty who then joins the military before becoming an assassin for hire. He has a daughter named Suchin Lawton who has Japanese heritage.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #1. DC Comics</ref> His children from the previous timeline, Edward and Zoe, are not mentioned.


Before joining the Suicide Squad, Lawton is described as a Batman villain and a rival of Mad Dog, a bounty hunter. He also is bitter enemies with [[Captain Boomerang]]. In the New 52 stories, he no longer sports his trademark mustache except at one point to grow one to cover a scar.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #3. DC Comics</ref> A mercenary protégé of Lawton named '''Will Evans''' tried to usurp his role as Deadshot but was killed by Lawton.<ref>''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana'' #6</ref>
Deadshot was arrested for a failed assassination of a US Senator by Batman and sentence to life in prison. However, he is recruited to be part of Suicide Squad in exchange for early release. Deadshot is made team leader due to his skill under pressure but quickly grows disillusioned with the group after a planned visit with his daughter, his first since his arrest, is withheld from him and ultimately aborted within minutes of him reuniting with his daughter in order to send him on a mission.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #5</ref>
During one mission, to hunt down renegade member [[Harley Quinn]], the villainess scars Deadshot's with a knife along his upper lip. While waiting for the wound to heal, Deadshot grows back his mustache to cover up the wound. However, once the wound heals and leaves no visible scarring, Deadshot shaves off the mustache.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #13</ref>


Deadshot ultimately sacrifices his life to kill the evil cult member Regulas, who had brainwashed most of the members of Suicide Squad and had recruited Black Spider into his group Bassilik in order to assassinate Amanda Waller. Deadshot is later revealed to have been resurrected, possibly through use of an arm from [[Resurrection Man]], obtained by the Squad for Waller during an earlier mission.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #14</ref>
Deadshot is arrested for a failed assassination of a U.S. Senator by Batman and is sentenced to life in prison. Later, he is recruited to be part of the Suicide Squad in exchange for early release. Deadshot is made team leader due to his skill under pressure. He develops a casual relationship with new teammate [[Harley Quinn]]. Deadshot later grows disillusioned with the group after a planned visit with his daughter, his first since his arrest, is withheld from him.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #5. DC Comics</ref>


Deadshot ultimately sacrifices his life to kill the evil cult member Regulas. Deadshot is later resurrected, possibly through genetic material taken from [[Resurrection Man (character)|Resurrection Man]] during an earlier mission.<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #14. DC Comics</ref>
During the ''[[Forever Evil]]'' storyline, Amanda Waller contacts Deadshot into helping her get the Suicide Squad back together after the three Justice League teams are "dead."<ref>''Justice League of America'' Vol. 3 #7.1</ref> After his money was wired, Deadshot heads out to get Harley Quinn back on the team.<ref>''Detective Comics'' Vol. 2 #23.2</ref>


During the 2013–2014 "[[Forever Evil]]" story line, the Justice League teams are seemingly killed. To ensure Earth is protected, Amanda Waller pays Deadshot to reunite the Suicide Squad.<ref>''Justice League of America'' (vol. 3) #7.1. DC Comics</ref> Deadshot's first visit is to Harley Quinn.<ref>''Detective Comics'' (vol. 2) #23.2. DC Comics</ref>
==Personality==
Deadshot is portrayed as having a twisted code of ethics; as long as he's been paid for an accepted hit-job, he will always carry it out - no exceptions. Batman was unable to get him to stop threatening a witness (who refused to testify as long as Deadshot was waiting to kill him if he did) by threatening Deadshot or his family (Deadshot rightly assumed that Batman was bluffing). However, Batman ultimately did get Deadshot to abort the hit - by "freezing" the bank accounts of the one who had hired Deadshot. Unable to get paid, Deadshot publicly cancelled the assassination, letting the witness go free.


===DC Rebirth===
In his run on ''Suicide Squad'', John Ostrander delved into Deadshot's past and twisted family background. The revelation of Deadshot having a brother, whom he idolized, seemed to resonate with Deadshot's gruff (and occasionally psychotic) attachment to Rick Flag, team leader. Ostrander implied that this relationship also colored Deadshot's rivalry with the Batman, whom Deadshot had always been unable - or subconsciously unwilling - to kill. His later friendship with Cat-Man in the Secret Six seems to continue Lawton's unwitting gravitation towards surrogate brothers.{{or|date=September 2011}}
{{Update|date=August 2017}}
Following the events of [[DC Rebirth]] in 2016, Deadshot's pre-New 52 history is restored. When a character mentions having heard that Deadshot grew up in poverty, Lawton now remarks that this was a lie he told.


In the story "The War of Jokes and Riddles," it is retroactively revealed that soon after his first defeat at Batman's hands, Deadshot sided with the Joker in a gang war against the [[Riddler]] and other criminals. During this time, he sustained head trauma and was hospitalized after a battle with Batman.<ref>''Batman'' (vol. 3) #28</ref>
==In other media==


Deadshot returns to service with the Suicide Squad. After several more missions, he is seemingly killed by [[Black Mask (character)|Black Mask]].<ref>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 6) #9 (2020)</ref>
===Television===
[[File:deadshot66.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Deadshot as depicted in ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]''.]]
* Deadshot has also made appearances in the ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'' and ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' animated series voiced by [[Michael Rosenbaum]] (using a vocal impression of [[Kevin Spacey]]). In "The Enemy Below" (Part I), he is hired to kill [[Aquaman]] by [[Ocean Master|Orm]]. Following a chase, he was apprehended by the [[Justice League]] and forced by Batman to reveal who hired him. Deadshot later appeared during the villainous rampage/celebration of Superman's supposed death in both parts of "Hereafter" along with [[Kalibak]], [[Copperhead (DC Comics)|Copperhead]], [[Star Sapphire (comics)|Star Sapphire]], [[Volcana (DC Comics)|Volcana]] and [[Livewire (DC Comics)|Livewire]]. His next appearance is in the episode "Task Force X" where Floyd Lawton is about to get the chair until the warden and guards discovered Colonel Rick Flag Jr. sitting on it. Flag gives the warden a note that Floyd has been chosen to participate in Task Force X (better known in comics as the [[Suicide Squad]]), a decision they force upon Lawton by revealing that his last meal was laced with explosive nanotech robots. He and Rick worked alongside [[Captain Boomerang]], [[Clock King]] (Temple Fugate) and [[Plastique (comics)|Plastique]] in a stealth mission to steal a magical automaton called the Annihilator from the Watchtower. After that mission (and the loss of Plastique), Rick tells the remaining members that they have to work for five years to earn suspended sentences. But when the dissolution of [[Project Cadmus]] led to the early release of various members (as revealed in the episode "Flash and Substance" where Captain Boomerang makes an appearance), Deadshot's status is unknown.


==Powers and abilities==
[[File:Deadshot smallville.jpg|left|175px|thumb|[[Bradley Stryker]] as Deadshot in ''[[Smallville]]''.]]
Deadshot has no superhuman powers but is the top marksman in the DC Universe. He possesses superhuman-like accuracy, and regularly boasts that he "never misses" his target.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dccomics.com/characters/deadshot|title=Deadshot|date=2014-03-06|website=DC|language=en|access-date=2019-04-12}}</ref> Deadshot once shot an apple off of [[Captain Boomerang]]'s head with his eyes closed. He also intentionally grazed the skull of [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]] while she was flying, since he was asked to take her down non-lethally. He is so skilled that he can make his shots [[ricochet]] from structures and kill multiple targets at the same time. He can even shoot around corners. Deadshot is also a tactical genius and master strategist and is also a highly skilled demolitions expert.
* Deadshot appears in the tenth and final season of ''[[Smallville]]'' played by [[Bradley Stryker]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Eric Goldman |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/111/1110262p1.html |title=Smallville Casts Hawkgirl and Deadshot – TV News at IGN |publisher=Uk.tv.ign.com |date=2010-08-03 |accessdate=2010-12-29}}</ref> In second episode "Shield", Deadshot targets [[Clark Kent (Smallville)|Clark Kent]] and [[Cat Grant]]. Clark manages to save Cat and knocks Deadshot unconscious. But unknown to him, Deadshot had implanted a tracking mark tattoo in his skin (the tattoo would be made of [[Kryptonite#Variations|Blue Kryptonite]]) using the bullet that 'scraped' him. While in prison, he was released by Rick Flag and Plastique to return to the [[Suicide Squad]]. In the 12th episode "Collateral", he is seen working for [[Chloe Sullivan]] after she blackmails Flag's Suicide Squad members into working for her against the Vigilante Registration Act. While Flag, Chloe and [[Green Arrow|Oliver Queen]] worked on getting the League out of a virtual reality prison in which they had been placed, Deadshot took watch outside. When Chloe was caught by the VRA and almost killed, Deadshot saved her by shooting the two VRA members tasked with the job of executing her.


Deadshot has access to a vast array of weaponry, most notably, his sniper rifle and twin machine guns mounted on each arm. Deadshot is allegedly [[Multilingualism|bilingual]], and learned to speak [[Russian language|Russian]]<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #57 (September 1991)</ref> as a youth.
* Deadshot appears in the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' episode "Night of the Batmen" voiced by [[Tom Kenny]]. In this episode, Batman is hurt after helping [[Aquaman]], [[Captain Marvel (DC Comics)|Captain Marvel]], [[Green Arrow]] and [[Martian Manhunter]] prevent [[Kanjar Ro]] from destroying a planet and is hospitalized. Aquaman, Captain Marvel, Green Arrow and [[Plastic Man]] wear Batman's costume and go to protect Gotham City from criminals like Deadshot, [[Cavalier (comics)|Cavalier]], Babyface, [[Killer Moth]], [[Sportsmaster]], Fun Haus, [[Penguin (comics)|Penguin]], [[Bane (comics)|Bane]], [[Blockbuster (DC Comics)|Blockbuster]], [[Solomon Grundy (comics)|Solomon Grundy]], [[Killer Croc]], and [[Catwoman]] after the villains are on a crime wave after hearing Batman is out. Deadshot is shown causing havoc in Gotham City and ends up being defeated by Green Arrow.


Deadshot has proven to be a formidable hand-to-hand combatant when needed due to his excellent physical condition and training as an assassin. He has gone toe-to-toe against [[Batman]] on several occasions and has also fought [[Deathstroke]] to a standstill. He is adept in [[Karate]], [[Jiu-Jitsu]], [[Judo]], [[Boxing]], [[Krav Maga]] and [[Muay Thai]]. He is also an expert in many different styles of [[knife fight]]ing. Lawton also possesses advanced knowledge of the [[human anatomy]] and knows all the weak spots and [[pressure points]] of the human body.
[[File:Deadshot in arrow.jpg|right|175px|thumb|Michael Rowe as Deadshot in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'']]
* Deadshot appears in the third episode of ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'''s first season, entitled "Lone Gunman", portrayed by Michael Rowe. He is identified as dosing his bullets with the neuro-toxin [[Curare]], and is shown tattooing his body with the names of the people he kills. He was defeated by [[Green Arrow|Oliver Queen]] when one of his arrows pierced his face-mounted targeting device, supposedly killing him. The producers stated that Deadshot was not actually killed, and he returned in the sixteenth episode of season one, "Dead to Rights".<ref>http://www.ksitetv.com/green-arrow/deadshot-confirmed-for-the-cws-arrow/15444</ref><ref>http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/GraphicCity/news/?a=72716</ref> In that episode, Lawton is seen at a [[Bludhaven]] Apartment complex when he was hired as an assassin and given a new, improved face-mounted targeting device by his new employer, China White, to assassinate [[Malcolm Merlyn]]. The two formed a plan to kill Malcolm by forcing him outside his office building, so Deadshot could kill him. However, Malcolm and his son, Tommy, head to a safe room in Merlyn's office. Deadshot manages to destroy the bullet-proof windows by firing an explosive bullet at them and was able to shoot Merlyn several times. Malcolm became poisoned by the Curare toxin in the bullets and Deadshot and White were able to escape. Merlyn survived, however, after Tommy gives his father a [[blood transfusion]]. In the episode "The Huntress Returns", Diggle is seen reading an article about Deadshot supposedly killing the [[Bialya]]n president. Deadshot reappears in the episode "Home Invasion".<ref>http://www.greenarrowtv.com/arrow-official-cw-description-for-episode-20-home-invasion/13853</ref> Lyla attempts to trick Lawton by getting him to go to a plaza to receive a new target where they can arrest him upon his arrival. Queen and Diggle discover the plan and decide to go there and kill him. Unfortunately, at the night of the plan, Queen doesn't show up and Deadshot notices Diggle. Tipped off by Diggle's appearance, Deadshot kills several undercover [[A.R.G.U.S.]] guards and flees the scene. Diggle follows him but is swiftly defeated by Lawton, who holds him at gunpoint. Deadshot promises that he will kill Diggle, but only when he is paid for it and Deadshot escapes, much to Diggle's chagrin.


==Collected editions==
===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
* Deadshot also appears at the beginning of [[Kevin Smith]]'s unused ''[[Superman Lives]]'' screenplay as the leader of a group of mercenaries who winds up having to take on Superman during an assassination attempt on a senator.
|-
! Title
! Material collected
! Published date
! ISBN
|-
| ''Deadshot: Beginnings''
| ''Deadshot'' (vol. 1) #1-4, ''Batman'' #369, ''Detective Comics'' #474, 518
| November 2013
| {{ISBNT| 978-1401242985}}
|-
| ''Deadshot: Bulletproof''
| ''Deadshot'' (vol. 2) #1-5, ''Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight'' #214
| April 2015
| {{ISBNT| 978-1401255190}}
|-
|''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot''
|Material from ''Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana'' #1-6
|August 2016
|{{ISBNT|978-1401263805}}
|}


==Other versions==
[[File:Gk-part6-deadshot.jpg|175px|thumb|Deadshot as he appears in ''[[Batman: Gotham Knight]]''.]]
* Deadshot appears as one of the villains in ''[[Batman: Gotham Knight]]'' voiced by [[Jim Meskimen]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://independentcomicssite.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=388&Itemid=1 |title=** |publisher=Independentcomicssite.net |date= |accessdate=2010-12-29}}{{dead link|date=September 2011}}</ref>{{dead link|date=September 2011}} According to the writers of ''Batman: Gotham Knight'', Deadshot was given a visual makeover for the movie. In the story, he is presented as an "anti-Batman" with a sophisticated [[socialite]] secret identity as his disguise. They also describe Deadshot and Batman's battles as very interesting because "it's battle of man using guns against one who isn't". Within one of the film's segments "Deadshot", Deadshot on a ferris wheel uses a long range sniper rifle to assassinate a local mayor and leaves behind a cartridge case with the initials "D.S." as his calling card. He is later contracted to assassinate Batman by the [[Russian Mafia]], using a contract on [[James Gordon (comics)|James Gordon]] as bait. Unlike the comic book version, this Deadshot seems not to have the same `deathwish' to die in a spectacular fashion (see above), pleading with Batman not to kill him during their fight.


* '''Deadeye''', a fusion of Deadshot and [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Bullseye (character)|Bullseye]], appears in the ''[[Amalgam Comics]]'' universe.
* Deadshot makes a non-speaking appearance in ''[[Superman/Batman: Public Enemies]]''. He is among the villains that try to capture [[Superman]] and Batman.
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Tiny Titans]]''.
* An alternate timeline variant of Deadshot appears in ''[[The New 52: Futures End]]''. This version is an inmate of Belle Reve Penitentiary who lost an arm under unspecified circumstances before being freed by Amanda Waller and sacrificing himself to fight a clone of Deathstroke.


===Video games===
==In other media==
===Television===
* An enemy named Deadshot appears in stages 1 and 2 in the ''[[Batman (Nintendo Entertainment System)|Batman]]'' [[Nintendo Entertainment System]] video game and is mentioned by name in the instruction manual.
====Animation====
* Deadshot appears in series set in the [[DC Animated Universe]] (DCAU), voiced by [[Michael Rosenbaum]].<ref name="btva">{{cite web |title=Deadshot Voices (Batman) |url=https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Batman/Deadshot/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.</ref>
** After making minor appearances in ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'', he returns in the sequel series ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' episode "Task Force X", in which he is recruited by [[Project Cadmus]] to join the [[Suicide Squad|eponymous team]] in stealing the Annihilator automaton from the [[Justice League]]'s Watchtower.
** Additionally, Deadshot was considered to appear in preceding series ''[[The New Batman Adventures]]'', but was ultimately cut.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The World's Finest - Backstage - Unused Villians Database - Deadshot |url=http://www.worldsfinestonline.com/WF/sections/backstage/unused/batman/deadshot.php}}</ref>
* Deadshot appears in the ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' episode "Night of the Batmen!", voiced by [[Tom Kenny]].<ref name="btva" />
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Justice League Action]]'', voiced by [[Christian Slater]].<ref name="btva" /> This version wields futuristic weaponry.
* Deadshot makes non-speaking cameo appearances in ''[[Harley Quinn (TV series)|Harley Quinn]]''.
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Suicide Squad Isekai]]'', voiced by Reigo Yamaguchi.<ref name="Cast">{{Cite web |last=Hodgkins |first=Crystalyn |date=December 1, 2023 |title=Suicide Squad Isekai Anime Reveals Main Cast in New Trailer |url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/news/2023-12-01/suicide-squad-isekai-anime-reveals-main-cast-in-new-trailer/.205004 |access-date=December 1, 2023 |website=[[Anime News Network]]}}</ref>
* Floyd Lawton appears in the ''[[Batman: Caped Crusader]]'' episode "Moving Target", voiced by [[Roger Craig Smith]].<ref name="btva" />


====Live-action====
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'' voiced by [[Chris Cox (actor)|Chris Cox]]. Floyd Lawton, aka Deadshot, is reputed to be the world's most efficient sniper/assassin, and is mentioned as wishing to die in a spectacular fashion. The only target he has ever missed is Batman, an error he intends to correct to maintain his perfect record. In Arkham City, he was hired by [[Hugo Strange]] to assassinate political prisoners with sensitive information about Hugo Strange or Arkham City itself. After encountering Lawton as Bruce Wayne while entering Arkham City, Batman later uses Deadshot's evidence- traces left at the locations where he stood while committing his assassinations- to track down the assassin and prevents him from killing [[Creeper (comics)|Jack Ryder]], subsequently capturing him and leaving him in an abandoned monorail car.
* Deadshot appears in the [[Smallville season 10|tenth season]] of ''[[Smallville]]'', portrayed by [[Bradley Stryker]].<ref>{{cite web|author=Goldman, Eric |url=http://uk.tv.ign.com/articles/111/1110262p1.html |title=Smallville Casts Hawkgirl and Deadshot|website=IGN|date=2010-08-03 |access-date=2010-12-29}}</ref> This version is a member of the [[Suicide Squad]] who sports long hair and western/[[steampunk]]-inspired attire.
* [[Floyd Lawton (Arrowverse)|Floyd Lawton / Deadshot]] appears in TV series set in the [[Arrowverse]], portrayed by [[Michael Rowe (actor)|Michael Rowe]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wigler |first=Josh |date=July 31, 2012 |title=Michael Rowe Takes On 'Arrow' As Deadshot |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/ylkozl/michael-rowe-takes-on-arrow-as-deadshot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231016021054/https://www.mtv.com/news/ylkozl/michael-rowe-takes-on-arrow-as-deadshot |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 16, 2023 |access-date=October 25, 2013 |website=MTV |language=en}}</ref>
** Primarily appearing in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', this version is a former soldier who became estranged from his wife and daughter, Susan and Zoe, due to suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Introduced in the [[Arrow season 1|first season]], he is hired to kill various targets in [[Star City (comics)|Starling City]], but encounters [[John Diggle (character)|John Diggle]], who holds a grudge against him for killing the former's brother Andy, [[A.R.G.U.S.]], and the "[[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Hood]]", who takes out one of Lawton's eyes, which Lawton replaces with a cybernetic prosthetic he received from [[China White (Arrowverse)|China White]]. In the [[Arrow season 2|second season]], Diggle and A.R.G.U.S. agent [[Lyla Michaels (Arrowverse)|Lyla Michaels]] break Lawton out of a Russian prison so A.R.G.U.S. can recruit him into their Suicide Squad. In the [[Arrow season 3|third season]] episode "Suicidal Tendencies", the squad is sent to [[Kasnia]] to rescue hostages and U.S. senator Joseph Cray from terrorists. After the mission is revealed to be a ruse orchestrated by Cray, Lawton seemingly sacrifices himself to help the rest of the group escape and is presumed dead, though Diggle later states that his body was never recovered. Series co-developer [[Marc Guggenheim]] confirmed that Lawton had been pulled from the series after news broke that the character would appear in the [[DC Extended Universe]] film ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=Davis, Brandon |url=https://comicbook.com/2015/04/01/deadshot-is-officially-off-the-table-for-arrow/ |title=Deadshot Is Officially Off The Table For Arrow|work=Comicbook.com|date=2015-04-01 |access-date=2019-05-03}}</ref> Despite this, Diggle suffers a hallucination of Lawton in the [[Arrow season 5|fifth season]] episode "A Matter of Trust".
** An [[Earth-2 (Arrowverse)|Earth-2]] incarnation of Lawton appears in ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'' episode "[[Welcome to Earth-2]]". This version is a heroic officer of the Central City Police Department who ironically gained the nickname "Deadshot" for his poor marksmanship.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cecchini |first=Mike |date=February 10, 2016 |title=The Flash: Welcome to Earth-2 review |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/comics/the-flash-welcome-to-earth-2-review/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref>


===Film===
* Deadshot appears in the [[3DS]] and [[PlayStation Vita]] version of ''[[Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes]]'' as an unlockable character. He can be found in the level ''Brawl at City Hall''.
====Animation====
* Deadshot appears in a self-titled segment of ''[[Batman: Gotham Knight]]'', voiced by [[Jim Meskimen]].<ref name="btva" /> Similar to his original comic book appearances, this version dresses in an elegant fashion and displays a fear of death.
* Deadshot makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Superman/Batman: Public Enemies]]''.
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Batman: Assault on Arkham]]'', voiced by [[Neal McDonough]].<ref name="btva" /> This version is a veteran member and leader of [[Amanda Waller]]'s Suicide Squad who had a one-night stand with teammate [[Harley Quinn]] and displays a rivalry with [[Captain Boomerang]].
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'', voiced again by Christian Slater.<ref name="btva" />
* Deadshot makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Injustice (2021 film)|Injustice]]''.


====Live-action====
* Deadshot appears as a cameo character in ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]''. He is in the background of [[Stryker's Island]].
* [[Characters of the DC Extended Universe#Floyd Lawton / Deadshot|Floyd Lawton / Deadshot]] appears in the [[DC Extended Universe]] (DCEU) film ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]'', portrayed by [[Will Smith]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Chavez |first=Kellvin |date=December 10, 2015 |title=LR Hot Rumor: Will Smith Might Just Join Ben Affleck's 'The Batman' Movie |url=http://www.latino-review.com/news/will-smith-in-negotiations-to-join-ben-afflecks-batman-movie |publisher=Latino Review|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212194132/http://www.latino-review.com/news/will-smith-in-negotiations-to-join-ben-afflecks-batman-movie |archive-date=December 12, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/gotham-city-sirens-movie-david-ayer-margot-robbie-reteam-all-female-dc-villains-project-|title=David Ayer, Margot Robbie Reteam for All-Female DC Villains Movie 'Gotham City Sirens' (Exclusive)|magazine=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=December 13, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=December 2, 2014 |title='Suicide Squad' Cast Revealed: Jared Leto to Play the Joker, Will Smith is Deadshot |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/suicide-squad-cast-revealed-jared-leto-to-play-the-joker-will-smith-is-deadshot-1201368867/ |access-date=December 6, 2014 |work=Variety}}</ref> This version is race swapped and reputed to be the "most wanted hitman in the world". After being apprehended by [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]] prior to the film and incarcerated in [[Belle Reve (DC Comics)|Belle Reve]] Penitentiary, Lawton is blackmailed by [[Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)|Amanda Waller]] into joining Task Force X, which he derisively refers to as a "Suicide Squad". After helping the squad defeat the [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]], Lawton is allowed supervised visits with his daughter Zoe in addition to having ten years removed from his sentence.
* While it was reported that [[Idris Elba]] would replace Smith as Lawton in the DCEU film ''[[The Suicide Squad (film)|The Suicide Squad]]'' due to scheduling conflicts, it was later decided that Elba would portray [[Robert DuBois (DC Extended Universe)|Robert DuBois / Bloodsport]] instead, leaving the door open for Smith to return.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/will-smith-the-suicide-squad-sequel-exits-1203151442/|title=Will Smith Exits 'Suicide Squad' Sequel (Exclusive)|last=Kroll|first=Justin|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=February 27, 2019|access-date=February 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190301041117/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/will-smith-the-suicide-squad-sequel-exits-1203151442/|archive-date=March 1, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Idris Elba Replaces Will Smith as Deadshot in 'Suicide Squad' Sequel |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/idris-elba-will-smith-deadshot-suicide-squad-sequel-1203154025/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=March 6, 2019 |date=March 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Kit|first=Borys|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/idris-elba-replacing-will-smith-suicide-squad-sequel-1191349|title=Idris Elba in Talks to Replace Will Smith in ''Suicide Squad'' Sequel (Exclusive)|date=March 6, 2019|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=March 6, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://collider.com/suicide-squad-2-idris-elba-new-character/|title='The Suicide Squad': Idris Elba to Play New Character Instead of Deadshot|last=Goldberg|first=Matt|date=2019-04-05|website=Collider|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-06}}</ref>


===Video games===
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]''. He is voiced, once again, by [[Chris Cox (actor)|Chris Cox]].<ref>http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45585</ref> He appears as one of the eight assassins hired by Black Mask. After shooting down a midair SWAT helicopter in an effort to get Batman's attention, he contacts Batman and demands that he come to the Gotham Merchants Bank for a showdown, using a hostage as leverage. After silently infiltrating the Bank and taking down several of his henchmen, Batman manages to incapacitate Deadshot before he can harm the hostage, and leaves him to be taken in by the police.
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Batman: The Video Game]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reynolds |first=Johnny |date=August 30, 2020 |title=Every Deadshot Appearance in Video Games |url=https://www.cbr.com/deadshot-every-video-game-apperance/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>
* Deadshot appears as a background [[non-player character]] (NPC) in ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]'' via the [[Stryker's Island]] stage. Additionally, the DCEU incarnation and the Arkham Origins incarnation appear as playable characters in the mobile version.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 9, 2016 |title=SUICIDE SQUAD DEADSHOT {{!}} Injustice Gods Among Us (iOS/Android) Gameplay |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM7F8zWgmm0 |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=YouTube}}</ref>
* Deadshot appears as a playable character in ''Suicide Squad: Special Ops''.
* Deadshot appears as a character summon in ''[[Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eisen |first=Andrew |date=November 2, 2013 |title=DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/scribblenauts-unmasked/DC_Characters_and_Objects |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref>
* Deadshot appears as a playable character in ''[[Injustice 2]]'', voiced by [[Matthew Mercer]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Copeland|first1=Wesley|title=Gamescom 2016: Harley Quinn And Deadshot Join Injustice 2 Roster|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/08/17/gamescom-2016-harley-quinn-and-deadshot-join-injustice-2-roster|website=IGN|date=17 August 2016|access-date=17 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet | number= 834552520919834624 | title=Just got the go ahead that I can proudly announce I am voicing Deadshot in the upcoming #injustice2 video game! 'Tis an honor to be a part. | user=matthewmercer| date=February 22, 2017 | access-date=February 23, 2017 }}</ref> This version is a reluctant member of [[Gorilla Grodd]]'s [[Secret Society of Super Villains|Society]] who was forced to join after Grodd implanted a nano-bomb in his head.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Stone |first=Sam |date=September 7, 2019 |title=Deadshot: How Injustice 2 Refined the Suicide Squad Villain |url=https://www.cbr.com/deadshot-injustice-2-changes/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>


====''Lego''====
*Deadshot is set to appear in ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate]]''.<ref>{{cite av media|url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FbuARRH4fI|title=Blackgate Handheld Trailer "Under New Management"|author=BatmanArkhamCity|publisher=YouTube|date=August 30, 2013|accessdate=August 30, 2013|archiveurl= |archivedate= |deadurl=no}}</ref>
* Deadshot appears as an unlockable character in the [[Nintendo 3DS]] and [[PlayStation Vita]] versions of ''[[Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes]]''.
* Deadshot appears as a playable character in ''[[Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham]]'', voiced by [[Robin Atkin Downes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/LEGOBatmanGame/status/516410654161240064|title=LEGO Batman on Twitter|work=Twitter|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref>
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Lego DC Super-Villains]]'', voiced again by Matthew Mercer.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Michael |first1=Jon |last2=Veness |first2=John |date=November 2, 2018 |title=Characters - LEGO DC Super-Villains Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-dc-super-villains/Characters |access-date=July 16, 2024 |website=IGN |language=en}}</ref> This version is a member of the [[Legion of Doom]].


===Miscellaneous===
====''Batman: Arkham''====
Two incarnations of Deadshot appear in the ''[[Batman: Arkham]]'' franchise.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Byrd |first=Matthew |date=October 18, 2021 |title=Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League: Does Deadshot Retcon the Arkhamverse? |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/games/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-deadshot-character-swap-arkhamverse-retcon-controversy/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Curran |first=Robert |date=December 9, 2020 |title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Implies Arkham City's Deadshot Was a Fake |url=https://www.cbr.com/suicide-squad-kill-justice-league-deadshot-fake/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=CBR |language=en}}</ref>
* Deadshot appeared in ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold (comics)|Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' #13.
* The first incarnation of Deadshot appears as a boss in ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'', voiced by [[Chris Cox (voice actor)|Chris Cox]].
** A young Deadshot appears as a boss in ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]''.''<ref>{{Cite web |last=McAllister |first=Jeff |date=October 30, 2013 |title=How to beat Deadshot in Batman Arkham Origins |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/how-to-beat-deadshot-batman-arkham-origins/ |access-date=October 25, 2023 |website=gamesradar |language=en}}</ref>''
** Deadshot appears in ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate]]''.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FbuARRH4fI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/5FbuARRH4fI |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Blackgate Handheld Trailer "Under New Management"|author=BatmanArkhamCity|publisher=YouTube|date=August 30, 2013|access-date=August 30, 2013}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
** Deadshot appears in ''[[Batman: Arkham Shadow]]''.<ref name="btva" />
* The second incarnation of Deadshot appears as a playable character in ''[[Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League]]'',<ref>{{cite web|last=Durnbush|first=Jonathon|date=August 23, 2020|title=Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Set in Batman: Arkham Universe|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/suicide-squad-kill-the-justice-league-in-batman-arkham-universe|access-date=August 23, 2020|work=[[IGN]]}}</ref> voiced by [[Bumper Robinson]]. This version is an African-American who claims that the original Deadshot is an impostor. Through in-game audio logs and conversations, this Deadshot is established as the original version, while the other Deadshot is speculated to be a multiversal variant.


===Miscellaneous===
* Deadshot appeared in ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' #23.
* Deadshot appears in the ''[[Young Justice (TV series)|Young Justice]]'' tie-in comic book.
* The Arrowverse incarnation of Deadshot appears in the ''Arrow'' tie-in comic book of the same name, the non-canonical tie-in comic ''[[Arrow: Season 2.5]]'', and ''[[The Flash: Season Zero]]'', with the last two seeing him continuing to work for A.R.G.U.S.'s Suicide Squad.
* Deadshot appears in the ''[[Batman: Arkham Knight]]'' prequel comic book as a member of Harley Quinn's Suicide Squad. While on a mission for Amanda Waller, Deadshot saves Batman from [[Killer Croc]] and temporarily joins forces with him to investigate [[Simon Stagg]]'s "Project: Meta" before attempting to betray him, only to be foiled and arrested by Commissioner [[Jim Gordon (character)|Jim Gordon]], though Waller helps Deadshot escape GCPD custody.
* Deadshot serves as partial inspiration for '''The Killer''', who appears in [[Mark Millar]]'s ''[[Wanted (comics)|Wanted]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.newsarama.com/264-mark-millar-wanted-from-comic-to-film-1.html | title=Newsarama &#124; GamesRadar+ | date=22 November 2023 }}</ref>
** A character based on the Killer called "'''Cross'''" appears in the [[Wanted (2008 film)|film adaptation]], portrayed by [[Thomas Kretschmann]], and ''[[Wanted: Weapons of Fate]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.giantbomb.com/cross/3005-17968/ | title=Cross (Character) }}</ref>
* Deadshot appears in the ''[[Batman: The Telltale Series]]'' tie-in comic "The Sins of the Father". This version killed his parents as a child after they killed his older brother Eddie who subsequently became a military contractor and member of the Suicide Squad.<ref>''Batman: Sins of the Father'' #2-3</ref><ref>''Batman: Sins of the Father'' #4</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
* [[List of Batman Family adversaries]]
*[[List of Batman family enemies]]
*[[Bullseye (character)|Bullseye]], a similar assassin from [[Marvel Comics]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=deadshot Deadshot on the DCUniverse Guide]
*[https://www.dccomics.com/characters/deadshot Deadshot] at DC Comics' official website
*[http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=deadshot Deadshot on the DCUniverse Guide]


{{Batman}}
{{Batman characters}}
{{Suicide Squad}}
{{Green Arrow}}
{{Secret Six}}
{{Secret Six}}


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Latest revision as of 22:32, 16 December 2024

Deadshot
Deadshot as depicted in Detective Comics #1027 (September 2020).
Art by Brad Walker.
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceBatman #59 (June 1950)
Created byDavid Vern Reed (writer)
Lew Sayre Schwartz (artist)
Bob Kane (concept)
In-story information
Alter egoFloyd Lawton
Team affiliationsSuicide Squad
Secret Society of Super Villains
Secret Six
Abilities
  • Master marksman
  • Expert hand-to-hand combatant
  • Skilled gunsmith
  • Expert strategist and tactician
  • Demolitions expert
  • Expert in stealth and escape artistry
  • Bilingualism
  • Customized wrist-mounted weapons
  • Specialized bullet-resistant body armor
  • Mask provides targeting assistance, infra-red vision, and other features

Deadshot (Floyd Lawton) is a character appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by David Vern Reed and Lew Schwartz, based on a concept from Batman co-creator Bob Kane, the character made his first appearance in Batman #59 (June 1950). The introduction story features Deadshot using standard firearms while wearing a tuxedo, top hat, and simple domino mask.[1][2] The character was not seen again until twenty-nine years later when writer Steve Englehart along with artists Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin retooled him in Detective Comics (vol.1) #474 (1979), now presenting him with customized wrist-mounted guns and a unique mask featuring a multi-use lens over his right eye.[3] Since then, he has been a recurring character in Batman comics. Since 1986, Deadshot has also been frequently portrayed in comics books featuring the Suicide Squad.[4]

Deadshot is an expert in firearms and an excellent sniper who regularly boasts of never missing a shot. He is often considered one of the deadliest assassins in the DC Universe. Lawton is eventually brought to justice by the superhero Batman, who becomes Lawton's most recurring enemy over the years (though he also occasionally comes into conflict with other heroes). While typically portrayed as a supervillain, he is also sometimes depicted as an antihero as a member of the Suicide Squad where he fights more dangerous villains and threats, his need to protect those he regards as family, and his occasional efforts to hold himself accountable to a personal code of ethics.

The character has been substantially adapted from the comics into various forms of media, including television series, feature films and video games. Deadshot was portrayed by Bradley Stryker in the final season of Smallville, by Michael Rowe in the live-action Arrowverse franchise, and by Will Smith in the DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad (2016).

Fictional character biography

[edit]
Deadshot in his first appearance from Batman #59 (June 1950). Art by Lew Schwartz, Bob Kane, and Charles Paris

In his debut story, Floyd Lawton is shown to be an independently wealthy man with a trusted staff member and valet named Stevens. Gotham's wealthier citizens, such as businessman 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.[5]

As a child, Floyd Lawton and his older brother Edward "Eddie" Robert Lawton are raised in a wealthy family that has great influence over their community. Their father George Lawton owns interests in much of the local real estate and hold sway over the local police, while their mother Genevieve Pitt Lawton, 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.[5]

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 dead just as the elder brother shoots at their father. Eddie's aim is also thrown off, leading his bullet to strike and shatter George Lawton's spine rather than killing him.[5]

Refusing to have his family name tarnished by the scandal that would occur, George Lawton arranges with the police to cover up details of the crime. The official report concludes that an unknown sniper opened fire twice on George Lawton and that his son Eddie heroically died while diving into the path of the second bullet. As punishment for her efforts, George Lawton refuses to divorce Genevieve and instead forces her to live on a limited allowance and in isolation in another, smaller house the Lawton's own on the outskirts of town.[5] After high school, Floyd Lawton leaves 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."[5]

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.[6] 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, David 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."[6] While the canon comic books do not give much further detail regarding if Floyd Lawton had other training under other teachers, media such as the Arkham Asylum video games propose he served for a time in the US Army where he received sniper training.

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.[7] At some point, Floyd Lawton marries a woman named Susan and they have a child together, a boy named Edward 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.[5]

Gotham City

[edit]

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.[1]

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.[1]

Publicly exposed, Deadshot is taken to trial and imprisoned. 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.[3] 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.[3] 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.

Suicide Squad

[edit]

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.[4] 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).[5] 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).

Soon after Deadshot joins the Suicide Squad, Batman learns of the team's existence and confronts them, threatening to expose that the US government is employing super-villains for covert and possibly illegal missions. Amanda Waller counters that public exposure of Task Force X will force her to reveal Batman's true identity. Before Batman leaves, Deadshot threatens him but the Dark Knight remarks that Lawton always "pulls" his shots when they are in battle with each other. Therapist Dr. Marnie Herrs later agrees with this conclusion, remarking that Deadshot sometimes sabotages his own efforts as if inviting his opponents to take advantage of the situation and end his life.[5]

Deadshot as he appears without his mask in Suicide Squad vol. 5, #20 (August 2017). Art by Stjepan Šejić

Deadshot's son Edward, now about eight years old, is kidnapped by a gang of criminals hoping to manipulate Floyd. One of the gang members, Wes Anselm, is a pedophile with documented incidents of assaults against children. When Deadshot hunts down the gang, Wes grabs young Eddie and knocks him out, then flees with the boy in a car. Later, Deadshot finds Wes in his apartment and Eddie lying dead. Wes implies the boy struggled against an assault, which resulted in Wes becoming enraged and killing him. Deadshot takes revenge by delivering several non-lethal gunshots to Wes before finally killing him.[5]

Having learned that Eddie's kidnapping was part of a complicated plot by Genevieve Lawton to inspire Floyd to finally kill his father, Deadshot returns to his home town. Confronting his mother in her home, Deadshot first intends to kill her but then reconsiders when his therapist Marnie Herrs points out that Genevieve also has her own desire for death and hopes to be killed as she does not wish to harm herself. Rather than possibly give her the outcome she desires, Deadshot chooses not to kill his mother and instead shoots her with a precision shot to the spine, causing her to be a paraplegic. Deadshot remarks that this is fitting since her efforts to kill George Lawton only resulted in his own paralysis, and now they are a "matched set."[5]

Later on, a US senator threatens to expose the Suicide Squad to the world. Task Force X field leader Rick Flag decides to assassinate the senator and Deadshot is ordered to stop Flag. On the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Deadshot publicly kills the senator himself, justifying that this is in compliance with his literal orders: "Stop Flag from killing the senator. Exact words." DC police then gun down Deadshot where he stands, but he survives his wounds and after a hospital stay and physical therapy he returns to active duty with the Suicide Squad.

Lawton's uniform is stolen by a man who then uses the Deadshot name and equipment to commit crimes and murders. After Lawton kills the impostor while the man is still dressed in the Deadshot uniform and mask. Later, Floyd is haunted by the experience of having shot down his own "image" and for some time does not fix the fatal bullet hole that now occupies his uniform.

Eventually, the Suicide Squad operations are temporarily halted and Deadshot returns to his own life and agenda. At one point, he becomes a host body for the demon lord Neron and nearly kills a kindergarten class. To Lawton's relief, he is stopped and then relieved of his demonic possession by the Justice League. Later on, Deadshot accepts a contract to kill the Pope, but is thwarted by Wonder Woman.

After both of his parents die, Deadshot inherits some of their documents and belongings. He find a letter from Michelle Torres, a woman who claims Floyd Lawton is the father of her daughter Zoe Torres. Deadshot visits Michelle Torres in the Triangle, a neighborhood of Star City.[8] Realizing Zoe is indeed his daughter, he recognizes Michelle as a sex worker he spent time with years before. Haunted by the memory of abandoning his son Eddie and later finding him dead, Floyd decides to take up temporary residence in the Triangle and look after Zoe and Michelle. He learns more about Michelle as a person, such as that she is proud of her Cuban and Italian heritage, and he comes to understand the different criminal gangs and slum lords that threaten the Triangle. Announcing his presence, Deadshot begins systematically fighting the corruption in the Triangle, hoping to make it a safer place for Zoe and Michelle. This results in the local population advocating to protect Deadshot from vigilantes such as local hero Green Arrow, and also leads to a new romance between Michelle and Floyd.[8]

As supervillains with a grudge against Deadshot begin appearing in the Triangle, Lawton decides to put distance between himself and Michelle and Zoe. After setting up a school scholarship for Zoe, Deadshot kills several supervillains targeting him and then fakes his own death in an explosion. He decides to act more covertly for the time being. His efforts in the Triangle also inspire Green Arrow to take more interest in the area, ensuring the Zoe and Michelle's neighborhood remains protected.

Lawton decides to do right by his daughter, and embarks on a lethal war on the local gangs that plague the area. The series ends with Deadshot faking his death, having realized a normal life is not for him, but also having mostly cleared up the area and convincing Green Arrow to patrol it more regularly.

Secret Six

[edit]

During the 2005–2006 Infinite Crisis storyline, Deadshot briefly operates with a short-lived incarnation of the Secret Six, joining other villains who are recruited by the mysterious Mockingbird (a temporary alias used by Lex Luthor). For accepting membership, Deadshot is offered the reward of ruling North America; if he declines, his punishment will be the destruction of the Triangle in Star City, where Michelle and Zoe still live. At the conclusion of their main objective, Deadshot is rewarded with significant money that he then sends to Michelle.

Despite no longer being employed by Lex Luthor, the Secret Six remain active for a time and Deadshot stays on as a member. He develops a grudging friendship with teammate Catman, another former enemy of Batman's. When this version of the Secret Six disbands, Deadshot is said to have returned to Amanda Waller's new Suicide Squad.

While part of the Suicide Squad, Deadshot is sent against the villains Pied Piper and Trickster and then seemingly kills Trickster. These events occur during the year-long series Countdown. Like many events depicted in that series, Trickster's death is later contradicted by other stories.

Amanda Waller decides to exile all criminals with superhuman abilities to another planet, without trial. The Suicide Squad works on rounding up as many villains as possible, sending them to another planet via the dimensional space-bridge known as a boom tube (a product of New Gods technology). After helping the effort, Deadshot is betrayed and exile to the planet as well, as he is still a supervillain as far as Amanda Waller and Rick Flag are concerned. Eventually, the exiled villains escape back to Earth.

Secret Six volume 2

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Deadshot, along with Scandal Savage, Bane, Rag Doll and Catman reunite the Secret Six. The team is hired to retrieve Tarantula from Alcatraz Island, and find a card which she stole from Junior, a mysterious villain who supposedly runs the entire West Coast mob. Junior has practically the entire villain community at her beck and call, as many fear her methods and formidability. The Six later learn that the card in question was made by the demon lord Neron and serves a special function: "Get Out Of Hell Free."

Soon, the Six are attacked by a small army of super-villains, all wanting to recover the card and collect the reward of $20 million for each of the Six. It is later revealed that Junior is in fact Rag Doll's sister, as well as the daughter of the first Rag Doll.

The Six escape and head for Gotham City, only to be attacked by Junior and the Super villains. It is revealed that they were initially hired by the Mad Hatter, simply so they would be killed. Tarantula sacrifices herself and Junior, seemingly destroying the card as well in the process. It is later revealed that Scandal is now in possession of the card.

While on a mission to Gotham City to kill several of Batman's allies, the Six are ambushed by a group of superheroes who have come to assist Batman. Deadshot is rendered unconscious by Green Lantern and the rest of the Six are similarly defeated soon after.[9]

The New 52

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In The New 52 (a 2011 reboot of the DC Comics universe), a new timeline is presented which features a Deadshot with a significantly different past. Rather than a child of wealth, he is a child born to poverty who then joins the military before becoming an assassin for hire. He has a daughter named Suchin Lawton who has Japanese heritage.[10] His children from the previous timeline, Edward and Zoe, are not mentioned.

Before joining the Suicide Squad, Lawton is described as a Batman villain and a rival of Mad Dog, a bounty hunter. He also is bitter enemies with Captain Boomerang. In the New 52 stories, he no longer sports his trademark mustache except at one point to grow one to cover a scar.[11] A mercenary protégé of Lawton named Will Evans tried to usurp his role as Deadshot but was killed by Lawton.[12]

Deadshot is arrested for a failed assassination of a U.S. Senator by Batman and is sentenced to life in prison. Later, he is recruited to be part of the Suicide Squad in exchange for early release. Deadshot is made team leader due to his skill under pressure. He develops a casual relationship with new teammate Harley Quinn. Deadshot later grows disillusioned with the group after a planned visit with his daughter, his first since his arrest, is withheld from him.[13]

Deadshot ultimately sacrifices his life to kill the evil cult member Regulas. Deadshot is later resurrected, possibly through genetic material taken from Resurrection Man during an earlier mission.[14]

During the 2013–2014 "Forever Evil" story line, the Justice League teams are seemingly killed. To ensure Earth is protected, Amanda Waller pays Deadshot to reunite the Suicide Squad.[15] Deadshot's first visit is to Harley Quinn.[16]

DC Rebirth

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Following the events of DC Rebirth in 2016, Deadshot's pre-New 52 history is restored. When a character mentions having heard that Deadshot grew up in poverty, Lawton now remarks that this was a lie he told.

In the story "The War of Jokes and Riddles," it is retroactively revealed that soon after his first defeat at Batman's hands, Deadshot sided with the Joker in a gang war against the Riddler and other criminals. During this time, he sustained head trauma and was hospitalized after a battle with Batman.[17]

Deadshot returns to service with the Suicide Squad. After several more missions, he is seemingly killed by Black Mask.[18]

Powers and abilities

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Deadshot has no superhuman powers but is the top marksman in the DC Universe. He possesses superhuman-like accuracy, and regularly boasts that he "never misses" his target.[19] Deadshot once shot an apple off of Captain Boomerang's head with his eyes closed. He also intentionally grazed the skull of Enchantress while she was flying, since he was asked to take her down non-lethally. He is so skilled that he can make his shots ricochet from structures and kill multiple targets at the same time. He can even shoot around corners. Deadshot is also a tactical genius and master strategist and is also a highly skilled demolitions expert.

Deadshot has access to a vast array of weaponry, most notably, his sniper rifle and twin machine guns mounted on each arm. Deadshot is allegedly bilingual, and learned to speak Russian[20] as a youth.

Deadshot has proven to be a formidable hand-to-hand combatant when needed due to his excellent physical condition and training as an assassin. He has gone toe-to-toe against Batman on several occasions and has also fought Deathstroke to a standstill. He is adept in Karate, Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Boxing, Krav Maga and Muay Thai. He is also an expert in many different styles of knife fighting. Lawton also possesses advanced knowledge of the human anatomy and knows all the weak spots and pressure points of the human body.

Collected editions

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Title Material collected Published date ISBN
Deadshot: Beginnings Deadshot (vol. 1) #1-4, Batman #369, Detective Comics #474, 518 November 2013 978-1401242985
Deadshot: Bulletproof Deadshot (vol. 2) #1-5, Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #214 April 2015 978-1401255190
Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot Material from Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana #1-6 August 2016 978-1401263805

Other versions

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  • Deadeye, a fusion of Deadshot and Marvel Comics character Bullseye, appears in the Amalgam Comics universe.
  • Deadshot appears in Tiny Titans.
  • An alternate timeline variant of Deadshot appears in The New 52: Futures End. This version is an inmate of Belle Reve Penitentiary who lost an arm under unspecified circumstances before being freed by Amanda Waller and sacrificing himself to fight a clone of Deathstroke.

In other media

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Television

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Animation

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Live-action

[edit]
  • Deadshot appears in the tenth season of Smallville, portrayed by Bradley Stryker.[24] This version is a member of the Suicide Squad who sports long hair and western/steampunk-inspired attire.
  • Floyd Lawton / Deadshot appears in TV series set in the Arrowverse, portrayed by Michael Rowe.[25]
    • Primarily appearing in Arrow, this version is a former soldier who became estranged from his wife and daughter, Susan and Zoe, due to suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Introduced in the first season, he is hired to kill various targets in Starling City, but encounters John Diggle, who holds a grudge against him for killing the former's brother Andy, A.R.G.U.S., and the "Hood", who takes out one of Lawton's eyes, which Lawton replaces with a cybernetic prosthetic he received from China White. In the second season, Diggle and A.R.G.U.S. agent Lyla Michaels break Lawton out of a Russian prison so A.R.G.U.S. can recruit him into their Suicide Squad. In the third season episode "Suicidal Tendencies", the squad is sent to Kasnia to rescue hostages and U.S. senator Joseph Cray from terrorists. After the mission is revealed to be a ruse orchestrated by Cray, Lawton seemingly sacrifices himself to help the rest of the group escape and is presumed dead, though Diggle later states that his body was never recovered. Series co-developer Marc Guggenheim confirmed that Lawton had been pulled from the series after news broke that the character would appear in the DC Extended Universe film Suicide Squad.[26] Despite this, Diggle suffers a hallucination of Lawton in the fifth season episode "A Matter of Trust".
    • An Earth-2 incarnation of Lawton appears in The Flash episode "Welcome to Earth-2". This version is a heroic officer of the Central City Police Department who ironically gained the nickname "Deadshot" for his poor marksmanship.[27]

Film

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Animation

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Live-action

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Video games

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Lego

[edit]

Batman: Arkham

[edit]

Two incarnations of Deadshot appear in the Batman: Arkham franchise.[43][44]

Miscellaneous

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  • Deadshot appears in the Young Justice tie-in comic book.
  • The Arrowverse incarnation of Deadshot appears in the Arrow tie-in comic book of the same name, the non-canonical tie-in comic Arrow: Season 2.5, and The Flash: Season Zero, with the last two seeing him continuing to work for A.R.G.U.S.'s Suicide Squad.
  • Deadshot appears in the Batman: Arkham Knight prequel comic book as a member of Harley Quinn's Suicide Squad. While on a mission for Amanda Waller, Deadshot saves Batman from Killer Croc and temporarily joins forces with him to investigate Simon Stagg's "Project: Meta" before attempting to betray him, only to be foiled and arrested by Commissioner Jim Gordon, though Waller helps Deadshot escape GCPD custody.
  • Deadshot serves as partial inspiration for The Killer, who appears in Mark Millar's Wanted.[48]
  • Deadshot appears in the Batman: The Telltale Series tie-in comic "The Sins of the Father". This version killed his parents as a child after they killed his older brother Eddie who subsequently became a military contractor and member of the Suicide Squad.[50][51]

See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Batman (vol.1) #59. "The Man Who Replaced Batman" - story by David Vern Reed and Lew Sayre Schwartz. Published by DC Comics (June 1950).
  2. ^ White, James (October 28, 2015). "From Slipknot To Captain Boomering (And Back Again): Meet The Suicide Squad". Empire. Archived from the original on October 30, 2015. [Deadshot] was originally created by Bob Kane, David Vern Reed and Lew Sayre Schwartz in 1950 as a prime villain for Batman.
  3. ^ a b c Detective Comics (vol.1) #474. Writing: Steve Englehart. Art: Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin. Published by DC Comics (1979).
  4. ^ a b LEGENDS (vol.1) #2. Writing: John Ostrander, Len Wein. Art: John Byrne, Karl Kessel. Editor: Dick Giordiano. Published by DC Comics (1986).
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Deadshot (vol. 1) #1-4. Writers: John Ostrander and Kim Yale. Art: Luke McDonnell, Tim Harkins, Julianna Ferriter. Editor: Bob Greenberger.
  6. ^ a b Batman (vol. 1) #606-607. Writing: Ed Brubaker, Geoff Johns. Art: Andy Owens, Gregory Wright. Letterer: John Costanza. Published by DC Comics (2002).
  7. ^ Rovin, Jeff (1987). The Encyclopedia of Supervillains. New York: Facts on File. p. 78. ISBN 0-8160-1356-X.
  8. ^ a b Deadshot (vol. 2) #1-5. Published by DC Comics (2005).
  9. ^ Secret Six (vol. 3) #36 (August 2011). DC Comics
  10. ^ Suicide Squad (vol. 4) #1. DC Comics
  11. ^ Suicide Squad (vol. 4) #3. DC Comics
  12. ^ Suicide Squad Most Wanted: Deadshot and Katana #6
  13. ^ Suicide Squad (vol. 4) #5. DC Comics
  14. ^ Suicide Squad (vol. 4) #14. DC Comics
  15. ^ Justice League of America (vol. 3) #7.1. DC Comics
  16. ^ Detective Comics (vol. 2) #23.2. DC Comics
  17. ^ Batman (vol. 3) #28
  18. ^ Suicide Squad (vol. 6) #9 (2020)
  19. ^ "Deadshot". DC. March 6, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
  20. ^ Suicide Squad #57 (September 1991)
  21. ^ a b c d e f g h "Deadshot Voices (Batman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved October 25, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  22. ^ "The World's Finest - Backstage - Unused Villians Database - Deadshot".
  23. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 1, 2023). "Suicide Squad Isekai Anime Reveals Main Cast in New Trailer". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
  24. ^ Goldman, Eric (August 3, 2010). "Smallville Casts Hawkgirl and Deadshot". IGN. Retrieved December 29, 2010.
  25. ^ Wigler, Josh (July 31, 2012). "Michael Rowe Takes On 'Arrow' As Deadshot". MTV. Archived from the original on October 16, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  26. ^ Davis, Brandon (April 1, 2015). "Deadshot Is Officially Off The Table For Arrow". Comicbook.com. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  27. ^ Cecchini, Mike (February 10, 2016). "The Flash: Welcome to Earth-2 review". Den of Geek. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  28. ^ Chavez, Kellvin (December 10, 2015). "LR Hot Rumor: Will Smith Might Just Join Ben Affleck's 'The Batman' Movie". Latino Review. Archived from the original on December 12, 2015.
  29. ^ Kit, Borys (December 13, 2016). "David Ayer, Margot Robbie Reteam for All-Female DC Villains Movie 'Gotham City Sirens' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  30. ^ Kroll, Justin (December 2, 2014). "'Suicide Squad' Cast Revealed: Jared Leto to Play the Joker, Will Smith is Deadshot". Variety. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  31. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 27, 2019). "Will Smith Exits 'Suicide Squad' Sequel (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 1, 2019. Retrieved February 27, 2019.
  32. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 6, 2019). "Idris Elba Replaces Will Smith as Deadshot in 'Suicide Squad' Sequel". Variety. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  33. ^ Kit, Borys (March 6, 2019). "Idris Elba in Talks to Replace Will Smith in Suicide Squad Sequel (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 6, 2019.
  34. ^ Goldberg, Matt (April 5, 2019). "'The Suicide Squad': Idris Elba to Play New Character Instead of Deadshot". Collider. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  35. ^ Reynolds, Johnny (August 30, 2020). "Every Deadshot Appearance in Video Games". CBR. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  36. ^ "SUICIDE SQUAD DEADSHOT | Injustice Gods Among Us (iOS/Android) Gameplay". YouTube. August 9, 2016. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  37. ^ Eisen, Andrew (November 2, 2013). "DC Characters and Objects - Scribblenauts Unmasked Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  38. ^ Copeland, Wesley (August 17, 2016). "Gamescom 2016: Harley Quinn And Deadshot Join Injustice 2 Roster". IGN. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  39. ^ @matthewmercer (February 22, 2017). "Just got the go ahead that I can proudly announce I am voicing Deadshot in the upcoming #injustice2 video game! 'Tis an honor to be a part" (Tweet). Retrieved February 23, 2017 – via Twitter.
  40. ^ Stone, Sam (September 7, 2019). "Deadshot: How Injustice 2 Refined the Suicide Squad Villain". CBR. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  41. ^ "LEGO Batman on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  42. ^ Michael, Jon; Veness, John (November 2, 2018). "Characters - LEGO DC Super-Villains Guide". IGN. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  43. ^ Byrd, Matthew (October 18, 2021). "Suicide Squad Kill the Justice League: Does Deadshot Retcon the Arkhamverse?". Den of Geek. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  44. ^ Curran, Robert (December 9, 2020). "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Implies Arkham City's Deadshot Was a Fake". CBR. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  45. ^ McAllister, Jeff (October 30, 2013). "How to beat Deadshot in Batman Arkham Origins". gamesradar. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  46. ^ BatmanArkhamCity (August 30, 2013). Blackgate Handheld Trailer "Under New Management". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 22, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2013.
  47. ^ Durnbush, Jonathon (August 23, 2020). "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Set in Batman: Arkham Universe". IGN. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
  48. ^ "Newsarama | GamesRadar+". November 22, 2023.
  49. ^ "Cross (Character)".
  50. ^ Batman: Sins of the Father #2-3
  51. ^ Batman: Sins of the Father #4
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