David Drayson, alias Slingshot, is a psychotic assassin and a cop-killer. He is one of Green Arrow's most dangerous opponents.
History
Origin
He was a poor young man fixed with slings, who grew up in the area known as Swamp in Star City. Over the years, Drayson grew to hate the police whom he saw as symbol of persecution. After he killed a police officer, he was sentenced to life imprisonment but he escaped and took the name of Slingshot.
When pole-vaulter George Taylor III's vaulting pole snapped, Black Canary saved him and questioned the attendant who was paid to saw through the pole. But the attendant was killed by an arrow that threw a rainbow of colors before he could reveal who employed him. When Dinah brought the arrow to Oliver Queen, he deduced the murder was the work of the Rainbow Archer. In turn, the Rainbow Archer was being employed by the mysterious villain Slingshot to strike at Daily Star editor George Taylor Jr.. through his son, in revenge for backing a political candidate Slingshot wanted defeated. In disguise, Black Canary staved off another murder attempt on young Taylor and brought down the Rainbow Archer. But Slingshot knocked her down with a metal ball thrown at her forehead, and Oliver Queen switched to his Green Arrow identity and seeked vengeance.[1]
He took a job with Boss Barney Breed a Star City crimelord that Green Arrow was trying to bring to justice for years. Green Arrow defeated the two and they were arrested. Green Arrow trailed Slingshot to the office of Boss Breed, and captured Breed but failed to nab Slingshot. However, fingerprints left by Slingshot on a doorknob proved him to be David Drayson, a cop-killing psychotic. Green Arrow followed up on Slingshot, again failing to catch him in their next encounter, but finally bringing him down in their next meeting.[2]
Star City Assassin
Later, Oliver Queen was sentenced to prison for refusing to reveal who the judge's informant was. When Oliver Queen and other prisoners were transferred for a time to another jail, Slingshot caused a power failure that freed the cons from their cells. Queen donned a handkerchief mask and improvised a bow and arrows, saving the guards from the prisoners. Slingshot had gone after ex-gang boss Barney Breed, but Green Arrow had a showdown with his old foe and defeated him. Gratefully, Breed told Green Arrow that Morgan Thorpe put out the contract on his life.[3]
Slingshot was later hired, Mrs. Hollinger, to kidnap Black Canary to get Green Arrow's attention. Oliver was captured and Mrs. Hollinger revealed that she is the mother of Richard Hollinger, a sniper Green Arrow had killed. He managed to get free and shoot an arrow at Slingshot, not knowing that Mrs. Hollinger had changed his arrows in the hope that he would kill Slingshot. Green Arrow took off Black Canary's gag, and she uses her Canary Cry to take down Slingshot. They were both then sent to jail.
Slingshot was later killed by Cupid. Cupid was an assassin killing off all Green Arrow's enemies as a way of sending a message to the hero of Star City.[4]
Powers and Abilities
Abilities
Notes
- Although this character was originally introduced during DC's Earth-One era of publication, their existence following the events of the 1985–86 limited series Crisis on Infinite Earths remains intact. However, some elements of the character's Pre-Crisis history may have been altered or removed for Post-Crisis New Earth continuity, and should be considered apocryphal.
Related
- 6 Appearances of David Drayson (New Earth)
- 4 Images featuring David Drayson (New Earth)
- Quotations by or about David Drayson (New Earth)
- Character Gallery: David Drayson (New Earth)
Footnotes
  This character has been primarily an enemy of Green Arrow, or his supporting cast including Black Canary and Team Arrow. This template will categorize articles that include it into the category "Green Arrow Villains." |