Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #1 – Jay Kristoff, Tom Taylor, Writers; Tirso, Riccardo Federici, Artists; Arif Prianto, Colorist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: Dark Knights of Steel was a fantastic series, but it left a lot of storytelling options on the table after its 12 epic issues. Thankfully, there is a sequel coming – but before that, we get this unique side story telling the tale of this world’s version of Deathstroke. Illustrated in stark black and white, it takes us to a kingdom up north, far away from the battles of the three armies, not long after the war ended. There, a ruthless king known as Vandal Savage, along with his companion Lady Caitlin (who commands the snow), hire the skills of a sell-sword known as Deathstroke, who was once a legendary assassin but is now a sad drunk who rarely shows off his talents – unless he receives an offer worth his time.
After winning a battle near single-handedly, Slade is detailed by Savage to hunt a strange monster up north. With Caitlin by his side, they go on a perilous journey that includes a massive kraken that at one point swallows Slade (he cuts his way out in graphic fashion). But when they arrive at their destination, it becomes a much more personal story – one that calls back to Slade’s past and how he became the broken-down man who we saw at the beginning. There are a lot of unanswered questions here, especially with the unique visual twist that the creative team uses in the last page, but this is a fascinating story that seems to just be starting to peel back its secrets.
And as if that wasn’t enough, we actually do get an original tale from Tom Taylor this issue! Paired with Riccardo Federici, this short story peels back the curtain on events 25 years before the original mini, focusing on a pair of soldiers named Jonathan and Martha Kent who are recruited by Amanda Waller for a unique mission – just as a mysterious king clad in black below the sea launches an invasion of the surface world. It seems like this series is going to do a great job of expanding the world Taylor built.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
