View source for Deadshot

{{Short description|Supervillain appearing in DC Comics}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}} {{Use American English|date=February 2024}}
{{Infobox comics character
| character_name = Deadshot
| image          = DC_Deadshot.png 
| caption        = Textless cover of ''Secret Six'' (vol. 3) #15 (January 2010). Art by Daniel LuVisi.
| alt            = Deadshot stands in costume holding a rifle as bullets rain down from above
| publisher      = [[DC Comics]]
| debut          = ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #59 (June 1950)
| creators       = [[David Vern Reed]] (writer)<br />[[Lew Sayre Schwartz]] (artist)<br />[[Bob Kane]] (concept)
| real_name      = Floyd Lawton
| alliances      = [[Suicide Squad]]<br />[[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]]<br />[[Secret Society of Super Villains]]<br />[[Checkmate (comics)|Checkmate]]<br />Killer Elite
| powers         = 
* Master marksman
* Skilled hand-to-hand combatant
* Utilizes battlesuit equipped with wrist-mounted guns and a high-tech [[Telescopic sight|targeting sight]]
| cat           = super
| subcat        = DC Comics
| hero          =
| villain       = y
| sortkey       = Deadshot
}}

'''Deadshot''' is a<!--Do not add "fictional" as it is tautological; characters are by definition implied to be fictionalized to some extent.--> [[supervillain]]<!--Do not replace with "character" or "antihero"; just because a supervillain has had his own comic book title or temporarily allied with heroic characters, it does not make their motives just or morally right in any sense. Deadshot is primarily depicted as a supervillain, and his occasional role as an antihero is mentioned in the next paragraph.--> appearing in [[American comic book]]s published by [[DC Comics]]. Created by writer [[David Vern Reed]] and artist [[Lew Sayre Schwartz]] based on a concept from [[Bob Kane]], the character first appeared in ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #59 (1950). Introduced as a gun-toting criminal in a tuxedo, top hat, and domino mask, Deadshot was only intended to be a one-off villain for the superhero [[Batman]], but writer [[Steve Englehart]] and artist [[Marshall Rogers]] revived, redesigned, and popularized the character in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #474 (1977), which featured the debut of his wrist-mounted guns, [[reticle]] emblem, and mask with a built-in [[Telescopic sight|targeting sight]] that have since become Deadshot's visual motif. This revamped depiction of the character has endured as one of Batman's most recurring enemies belonging to the collective of adversaries that make up his [[List of Batman family enemies|rogues gallery]].

Deadshot is the alias of '''Floyd Lawton''', a [[mercenary]] with a death wish who possesses uncanny, near-superhuman accuracy and regularly boasts of never missing a shot. Regarded as the greatest marksman and one of the deadliest assassins in the [[DC Universe]], Deadshot has come into conflict with various heroes, including Batman, [[Green Arrow]], and the [[Justice League]]. The character has also been depicted as an [[antihero]] as a core member of the [[Suicide Squad]], a task force of supervillains coerced by the U.S. government into executing black ops missions and neutralizing more dangerous threats in exchange for reduced prison sentences and, in Deadshot's case, support for his estranged daughter [[Zoe Lawton|Zoe]].

The character has been adapted in various media incarnations, having been portrayed in television by [[Bradley Stryker]] in ''[[Smallville]]'' and [[Michael Rowe (actor)|Michael Rowe]] in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', and in film by [[Will Smith]] in ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]''. [[Michael Rosenbaum]], [[Jim Meskimen]], and [[Christian Slater]], among others, have provided Deadshot's voice in animation.

==Publication history==
Deadshot was created by writer [[David Vern Reed]] and artist [[Lew Sayre Schwartz]], based on a concept from Batman creator [[Bob Kane]], and first appeared in ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #59 (1950).<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 introduced as a wealthy crime lord posing as a gun-toting vigilante in a tuxedo, top hat, and domino mask. This debut marked Deadshot's only appearance in the [[Golden Age of Comic Books]], as he was intended to be a one-off villain for Batman.

Deadshot was revived 27 years later by writer [[Steve Englehart]] and artist [[Marshall Rogers]] in ''[[Detective Comics]]'' #474 (1977).<ref>{{cite web |last=Greenfield |first=Dan |date=August 2, 2020 |title=Detective Comics #474: How an Unplanned Issue Became a Batman Classic |url=https://13thdimension.com/detective-comics-474-how-an-unplanned-issue-became-a-batman-classic/ |access-date=June 12, 2025 |work=13th Dimension}}</ref> The character's design was completely changed, and his new costume included wrist-mounted guns, an emblem of a [[reticle]] on his chest, and a mask with a [[Telescopic sight|targeting sight]] over his right eye.<ref name=Detective474>''Detective Comics ''(vol.1) #474. Writing: Steve Englehart. Art: Marshall Rogers, Terry Austin. Published by DC Comics (1979).</ref> The core aspects of this redesign would remain throughout the [[Bronze Age of Comic Books|Bronze]] and [[Modern Age of Comic Books]], as Deadshot was recharacterized as an assassin-for-hire and member of Batman's central [[List of Batman family enemies|rogues gallery]] in his subsequent appearances.

The character gained further prominence after being featured in writer [[John Ostrander]]'s version of the [[Suicide Squad]], which debuted in ''[[Legends (comics)|Legends]]'' #3 (1987).<ref name=LEGENDSno2>''LEGENDS'' (vol.1) #2. Writing: John Ostrander, Len Wein. Art: John Byrne, Karl Kessel. Editor: Dick Giordiano. Published by DC Comics (1986).</ref> Deadshot became one of the squad's best-known and longest-serving members, and has appeared in almost all of its media adaptations.

Due to his popularity, Deadshot received his own self-titled limited series that ran from 1988 to 1989.<ref name="First Deadshot Mini">''Deadshot'' (vol. 1) #1-4. Writers: John Ostrander and Kim Yale. Art: Luke McDonnell, Tim Harkins, Julianna Ferriter. Editor: Bob Greenberger.</ref> Written by Ostrander and [[Kim Yale]] and illustrated by [[Luke McDonnell]], it expanded on Deadshot's past and established his "death wish"—a self-destructive desire to die in a spectacular fashion—suggesting why he decorated his second costume with a crosshair on his chest.<ref name="First Deadshot Mini" /> Deadshot received a second self-titled limited series in 2005, written by [[Christos N. Gage]] and illustrated by [[Steven Cummings]], which introduced his daughter [[Zoe Lawton|Zoe]].<ref name="Second Deadshot Mini">''Deadshot'' (vol. 2) #1-5. Published by DC Comics (2005).</ref>

==Fictional character biography==
===Origin===
[[File:Original Deadshot.jpg|thumb|upright|Deadshot in his debut in ''[[Batman (comic book)|Batman]]'' #59 (June 1950). Art by [[Lew Sayre Schwartz]], [[Bob Kane]], and [[Charles Paris]].]]
In his debut appearance, Floyd Lawton is introduced as an independently wealthy man with a trusted staff member and valet named Stevens. Gotham's wealthier citizens, including Batman's alter ego Bruce Wayne, refer to Lawton as someone "new" to [[Gotham City]].

Following his recruitment to Task Force X (the "Suicide Squad"), Lawton's past is further explained by therapist Dr. Marnie Herrs.<ref name="First Deadshot Mini" /> As a child, Floyd Lawton and his older brother Eddie are raised in a wealthy family that has great influence over their community. Their father George owns interests in much of the local real estate and hold sway over the local police, while their mother Genevieve, a prize-winning sharp shooter, controls the Pitt banking businesses. The Lawton parents are seen as a [[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="First Deadshot Mini" />

When Eddie is in his mid-teens and Floyd is around 12 years old, Genevieve tells her sons about her husband's infidelities and the many abuses she suffers under him, then asks the boys to kill George. Floyd attempts to warn George, but Eddie locks his younger brother in the nearby boathouse and then locks the doors of the family home so no one can enter or intrude on the killing. Floyd escapes, grabs a hunting rifle, and climbs a nearby tree to get a better view through all the windows of the family home. Seeing Eddie enter the house library to shoot their father, Floyd fires his rifle, hoping to disarm his brother. But the tree branch Floyd is on suddenly gives way and throws off his aim, causing him to shoot Eddie just as the elder brother shoots at their father. Eddie's aim is also thrown off, leading his bullet to shatter George's spine.<ref name="First Deadshot Mini" />

Refusing to have his family name tarnished by the scandal that would occur, George arranges with the police to cover up details of the crime. The official report concludes that an unknown sniper opened fire twice on George and that his son Eddie heroically died while diving into the path of the second bullet. As punishment for her efforts, George refuses to divorce Genevieve and instead forces her to live on a limited allowance and in isolation in another, smaller house the Lawton's own on the outskirts of town.<ref name="First Deadshot Mini" /> After high school, Floyd Lawton left his family home to travel. Despite his later claims that he felt nothing on seeing his brother die, he often shows anger when recalling the incident and Eddie's death inspires him to swear that in the future when he fires a gun, he will "never miss."<ref name="First Deadshot Mini" />

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 (character)|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="Batman 606-607">''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]], 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="Batman 606-607" />

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="First Deadshot Mini" />

===Golden Age===
{{See also|Golden Age of Comic Books}}
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="First Appearance">''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>

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="First Appearance" /> Publicly exposed, Deadshot is taken to trial and imprisoned.

===Bronze Age===
{{See also|Bronze Age of Comic Books}}
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=Detective474 /> 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=Detective474 /> Despite his efforts, Deadshot is once again defeated by Gotham City's hero. After escaping authorities again, Deadshot once again becomes an assassin for hire rather than focusing on revenge against the Dark Knight.

===Modern Age===
{{See also|Modern Age of Comic Books}}
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.<ref name="LEGENDSno2" /> 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="First Deadshot Mini" /> 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.<ref name="First Deadshot Mini" />

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="First Deadshot Mini" />

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="First Deadshot Mini" />

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 (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]].

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 in the Triangle, a neighborhood of [[Star City (comics)|Star City]].<ref name="Second Deadshot Mini" /> 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 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="Second Deadshot Mini" />

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.

In the 2005–2006 ''[[Infinite Crisis]]'' storyline, Deadshot briefly operates with the [[Secret Six (comics)|Secret Six]], joining other villains who are recruited 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 live. At the conclusion of their main objective, Deadshot is rewarded with significant money that he 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 (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.

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.

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 a Boom Tube. After helping the effort, Deadshot is betrayed and exile to the planet as well, as he is still a supervillain as far as Waller and Rick Flag are concerned. Eventually, the exiled villains escape back to Earth.

Deadshot, along with [[Scandal Savage]], [[Bane (DC Comics)|Bane]], [[Rag Doll (Peter Merkel Jr.)|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 Rag Doll's sister and the daughter of the first Rag Doll.

The Six escape and head for [[Gotham City]], only to be attacked by Junior and the 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.

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 (character)|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===
{{Update|date=August 2017}}
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 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 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>

===DC Rebirth===
{{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>

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>

==Powers and abilities==
Deadshot possesses no superhuman powers but is regarded as the greatest marksman in the DC Universe. His uncannily accurate aim has been described as near-superhuman, and he 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 is so proficient with firearms and projectiles that he can make his shots [[ricochet]] off of structures and around corners, and kill multiple targets at the same time. He once shot an apple off of [[Captain Boomerang]]'s head with his eyes closed. He was also able to graze the skull of a flying [[Enchantress (DC Comics)|Enchantress]] when asked to subdue her non-lethally.

Deadshot's mask is equipped with a [[telescopic sight]] over his right eye lens that enhances his aim. His primary weapons are two guns mounted on each wrist and a sniper rifle, although he possesses an expertise with all firearms and projectiles. Deadshot is [[Multilingualism|bilingual]], and learned to speak [[Russian language|Russian]]<ref>''Suicide Squad'' #57 (September 1991)</ref> in his youth.

Deadshot is also a skilled hand-to-hand combatant, having held his own against the likes of [[Batman]] and [[Green Arrow]] on several occasions. He has also fought the rival assassin [[Deathstroke]] to a standstill.

==Collected editions==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! 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==
* '''Deadeye''', a fusion of Deadshot and [[Marvel Comics]] character [[Bullseye (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. He is later killed while battling a clone of Deathstroke.

==In other media==
===Television===
====Live-action====
[[File:Arrow_Deadshot.png|thumb|right|[[Michael Rowe (actor)|Michael Rowe]] as Deadshot in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'']]
* 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]] attire.
* [[Floyd Lawton (Arrowverse)|Floyd Lawton / Deadshot]] appears in ''[[Arrow (TV series)|Arrow]]'', 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> This version is a military veteran with [[post-traumatic stress disorder]] who is estranged from his wife and daughter. Introduced in the [[Arrow season 1|first season]] as an assassin who laces his bullets with [[curare]], Deadshot attains a cybernetic monocle from [[China White (Arrowverse)|China White]] after [[Oliver Queen (Arrowverse)|Oliver Queen]] injures his right eye. Deadshot is recruited into [[A.R.G.U.S.]]'s Suicide Squad in the [[Arrow season 2|second season]], and he seemingly sacrifices himself to save them in the [[Arrow season 3|third season]], though [[John Diggle (Arrowverse)|John Diggle]] states that Deadshot's body was never recovered.<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>
** Lawton's [[Earth-2 (Arrowverse)|Earth-2]] counterpart appears in the spin-off series ''[[The Flash (2014 TV series)|The Flash]]'' episode "[[Welcome to Earth-2]]". This version is a detective for the Central City Police Department who is mockingly nicknamed "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>

====Animation====
[[File:DCAU_Deadshot.png|thumb|right|240px|Deadshot in ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'']]
* 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> Introduced as a recurring villain in ''[[Justice League (TV series)|Justice League]]'',<ref name="The Enemy Below, Part 1">{{cite episode|title=The Enemy Below, Part 1 |series=Justice League |network=Cartoon Network |season=1 |number=6 |airdate=December 3, 2001}}</ref><ref name="Hereafter, Part 1">{{cite episode|title=Hereafter, Part 1 |series=Justice League |network=Cartoon Network |season=2 |number=19 |airdate=November 29, 2003}}</ref><ref name="Hereafter, Part 2">{{cite episode|title=Hereafter, Part 2 |series=Justice League |network=Cartoon Network |season=2 |number=20 |airdate=November 29, 2003}}</ref> Deadshot returns in ''[[Justice League Unlimited]]'' as a member of [[Project Cadmus]]' Task Force X.<ref name="Task Force X">{{cite episode|title=Task Force X |series=Justice League Unlimited |network=Cartoon Network |season=2 |number=4 |airdate=May 21, 2005}}</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" />
* 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 makes a cameo appearance in the ''[[Batman: Caped Crusader]]'' episode "Moving Target", voiced by [[Roger Craig Smith]].<ref name="btva" />

===Film===
* Deadshot appears in a self-titled segment of ''[[Batman: Gotham Knight]]'', voiced by [[Jim Meskimen]].<ref name="btva" /> As in his comic book debut, 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]]''.<ref name="btva" />
* Deadshot appears in ''[[Batman: Assault on Arkham]]'', voiced by [[Neal McDonough]].<ref name="btva" />
* [[Characters of the DC Extended Universe#Floyd Lawton / Deadshot|Floyd Lawton / Deadshot]] appears in ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]'', portrayed by [[Will Smith]].<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 an African-American hitman who is apprehended by [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]], incarcerated in [[Belle Reve (DC Comics)|Belle Reve Penitentiary]], and blackmailed into joining [[Amanda Waller (DC Extended Universe)|Amanda Waller]]'s Suicide Squad.
* Deadshot makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in ''[[Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]''.<ref name="btva" />
* 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]]''.<ref name="btva" />

===Video games===
* 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 the [[Stryker's Island]] stage of ''[[Injustice: Gods Among Us]]''. Additionally, the DCEU and ''Arkham Origins'' incarnations of the character are [[Player character|playable]] 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>
* The DCEU incarnation of 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><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> This version is a member of [[Gorilla Grodd]]'s "[[Secret Society of Super Villains|Society]]".

====''Lego''====
* 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]].

====''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>
* The first incarnation of Deadshot is introduced as a [[Boss (video games)|boss]] in ''[[Batman: Arkham City]]'', voiced by [[Chris Cox (voice actor)|Chris Cox]].<ref name="btva" /> He makes subsequent appearances in ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins]]'', ''[[Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate]]'', and ''[[Batman: Arkham Shadow]]''.<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><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>
* 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 African-American and claims that the first Deadshot is an impostor. In-game dialogue implies that this Deadshot is the original, while the other is speculated to be a multiversal variant.

===Miscellaneous===
* 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]]''.
* The first incarnation of Deadshot from the ''Batman: Arkham'' franchise appears in the ''[[Batman: Arkham Knight]]'' prequel comic book.
* A character loosely based on Deadshot named "'''The Killer'''" 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 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031121947/http://www.newsarama.com/264-mark-millar-wanted-from-comic-to-film-1.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 31, 2013 | 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 as the main antagonist in the ''[[Batman: The Telltale Series]]'' tie-in comic "The Sins of the Father". This version is a wealthy socialite who killed his parents and inherited their fortune from real estate and moved into private security and military contracting. He and his brother Eddie were abused by their mentally unstable parents as children. Eddie was killed by their father after their parents were released early from Arkham Asylum in exchange for selling [[Thomas Wayne]] a building that would later become Wayne Tower. After Thomas's corrupt nature is exposed to the public, he attempts to enact revenge against the staff of Arkham and later close associates of Bruce Wayne.<ref>''Batman: Sins of the Father'' #1-6</ref>

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

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

==External links==
*[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 characters}}
{{Green Arrow}}
{{Justice League characters}}
{{Secret Six}}
{{Suicide Squad}}

[[Category:DC Comics supervillains]]
[[Category:Action film villains]]
[[Category:Batman characters]]
[[Category:Characters created by Bob Kane]]
[[Category:Comics characters introduced in 1950]]
[[Category:DC Comics film characters]]
[[Category:DC Comics male supervillains]]
[[Category:DC Comics military personnel]]
[[Category:DC Comics television characters]]
[[Category:Fictional American criminals]]
[[Category:Fictional assassins in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional bounty hunters]]
[[Category:Fictional crime bosses]]
[[Category:Fictional gunfighters in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional gunfighters]]
[[Category:Fictional mass murderers]]
[[Category:Fictional mercenaries in comics]]
[[Category:Fictional outlaws]]
[[Category:Fictional United States Army personnel]]
[[Category:Golden Age supervillains]]
[[Category:Suicide Squad members]]
[[Category:Supervillains with their own comic book titles]]
[[Category:Villains in animated television series]]