To me it appeared it was the fall but on second view his fading words (smaller getting font) might imply that you're right.
I don't really want to start an argument if it was the fall or the stab and the blows that ultimately made them pass out because it would be really nitpicking on minor shit. It just appears awkward if Batman takes a stab without even feeling it and being KOed from it right after.
I can actually see both being the reason and it doesn't really change much in the end.
Fight was good 👆
Originally posted by cdtmYeah, as we can see on this page, where Batman clearly says to Deathstroke "You won't kill me...though you would if not for whatever it is holding you back":
Slade was clearly holding back, taunting Batman. Even while taking that beating, Slade casually stabs him in a non vital area.We all know if he wanted to kill Batman, he would have killled him.
http://tinypic.com/r/2vrv1w8/9
Oh....wait.
Batman Deathstroke clearly says to Deathstroke Batman
But, let's keep this for other threads. Or better reading of the comics themselves 👆
that's the thing, I don't think Johns can write cosmic story as grand and epic as Morrison
Morrison's stories are thick, there would be multiple characters on one panel, sometimes characters you never know about that look super interesting, it always make you feel the world is bigger and more mysterious than what is shown on panel. leaving space for imagination. there are science magic and subtexts everywhere. even implication beyond story itself
Johns likes to simplify things, let's dissect the cosmic forces into different colors and give hollywood big budget style grand battle. the universe johns wrote thus seem smaller. what you see is what there is.
Classic example would be comparin final crisis to blackest night