Ravager (DC Comics)

Ravager is the name of five fictional comic book characters in the DC Universe, four villains and one hero. Four have appeared in series featuring the Teen Titans and have a connection to the villain Deathstroke, Slade Wilson.

Fictional character biography

Grant Wilson

The first Ravager is Deathstroke's older son Grant Wilson, who dies attempting to assassinate the Teen Titans under a contract from the H.I.V.E., causing Deathstroke to hold the Titans responsible for his death. Because of a procedure the H.I.V.E. undertook to imitate his father's abilities, he gains enhanced strength and reflexes.

In Teen Titans, vol.3, #31 (February 2006), Grant was temporarily resurrected by Brother Blood to guard Kid Eternity. In the Teen Titans tie-in to the Blackest Night crossover, Grant Wilson was reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps, attacking his father and half-sister.

The New 52

After the events of Flashpoint, Grant's history was changed. He appears to have been beaten and killed in an explosion by Midnighter, but returned after a few years trying to kill his father. Grant surreptitiously manipulates Deathstroke, by allying himself with the fathers of one of Slade's victims and sending a number of villains called Legacy to weaken the mercenary before really facing him. In the aftermath, even having a chance to kill Deathstroke, Grant hesitated and simply walked away.

Ravager (Batman)

This Ravager first appeared in Batman #440 (October 1989) during the first part of the story arc which introduced Tim Drake; he kills several people, including two policemen, in order to catch Batman's attention. This Ravager is hired by Two-Face to kill Batman, but fails. This is his only appearance.

Bill Walsh

Bill Walsh battling Deathstroke, in Deathstroke the Terminator #4. Art by Mike Zeck

The third Ravager is Bill Walsh, a former rival of Deathstroke's who takes up the title to lure Deathstroke into battle. Years before assuming the name Ravager, Walsh was involved in the kidnapping of Slade's younger son, Joseph (who became the hero Jericho), which ultimately resulted in Joseph's throat being slit and his becoming mute. As Ravager, Walsh attempts to kill Slade with a bomb. Slade instead kills Walsh and defuses the bomb.

Wade DeFarge

The fourth Ravager is Slade's half brother, Wade DeFarge, a small-time hitman who uses the name in mockery of Slade. This leads to more than he bargained for, as Deathstroke orchestrates a series of events that lead to him being killed and supplanted by Rose Wilson, Deathstroke's daughter, who Deathstroke then manipulates into becoming the new Ravager.

In the Teen Titans tie-in to the Blackest Night crossover, Wade DeFarge was reanimated as a member of the Black Lantern Corps, attacking Rose and Slade. He fights Rose, who attempts to incinerate him, but then finds out that Wade was possessed by her brother Jericho.

Rose Wilson

Main article: Rose Wilson

The fifth Ravager is Rose Wilson, Slade's illegitimate daughter. At one period, Deathstroke manipulates and brainwashes her into becoming his apprentice. After a brief stint training with Nightwing in an attempt to make the Secret Society of Super Villains leave Blüdhaven alone, Rose realizes that Deathstroke does not have her best interests at heart and leaves him. One year after the events of Infinite Crisis, she has joined the Teen Titans, as seen in Teen Titans vol. 3 #34 (May 2006).

The Ravagers

In The New 52, the Ravagers are a group of super-powered teens who have escaped the plans of Harvest in The Culling. The Ravagers title first appeared as part of The New 52's Second Wave in 2012. The team was formed after the Teen Titans and the Legionnaires stuck in the present day were abducted by Harvest, and then later stopped the villain and escaped. The team includes Beast Boy, Terra, Thunder and Lightning, Ridge and Fairchild.

In other media

• Summer Glau portrays Isabel Rochev on The CW's Arrow, who dons the moniker of Ravager. In the second season episode, "The Man Under the Hood" Rochev is mortally wounded by John Diggle in an altercation to save Roy Harper. Later, she is saved by a blood transfusion from Deathstroke, who is coursing with the serum Mirakuru. In "City of Blood", Rochev is seen, as Ravager, attempting to exact revenge on Diggle. Later, in "Streets of Fire", Felicity Smoak arrives and plows into an unsuspecting Ravager with her vehicle, allowing for Diggle's getaway. Seemingly unfazed, Ravager is next seen assassinating city employees by order of Deathstroke, the last of which is Star City's mayor Sebastian Blood, who betrayed them. In "Unthinkable", Ravager is among those captured by the Arrow, Canary, Arsenal, Nyssa al Ghul and her League of Assassins. She later proves uncooperative and Nyssa breaks her neck, apparently killing her.
• Jamie Andrew Cutler portrays Grant Wilson in The CW's Arrow spinoff Legends of Tomorrow episode "Star City 2046". In a potential future, this version takes up the name Deathstroke in tribute to his father, and starts an uprising that drives Star City to ruin.