Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #2 – Jay Kristoff, Tom Taylor, Writer; Tirso, Riccardo Federici, Artists; Arif Prianto, Colorist
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Tom Taylor’s high-fantasy reinvention of the DCU gave a fascinating coat of paint to some of the DCU’s most famous heroes – and now it’s doing the same to the villains, particularly the ruthless clan of assassins led by Slade. The aged sellsword has been deputized by Vandal Savage to track down a small child with a unique distinction – in a land besieged by a magical winter that has turned everything grey, the child named Alec is in full color. This is a great visual twist, as well as I assume revealing that this is a very different version of the man who would become Swamp Thing. There’s just one major wrinkle in this – the child is being guarded by someone who is all to familiar to Slade. His embittered ex-wife Adeline.
The toxic relationship between these two has been used to great effect in many other comics, and this issue reveals much of the bones are the same – Grant and Joey didn’t meet a good end, for one thing. What is different is that Rose is far from the family’s saving grace that that she usually is. She’s just as toxic and ruthless as her father, and when she pushes things too far, we get a glimpse of just how powerful Alex might be. This is an even darker take than the one Taylor gave us, showing us the lower criminal corners of the world – but with a hint at a cosmic plot that is just starting to be unfolded. It’s clear Kristoff is no stranger to the world of high fantasy from how well he writes it.
The backup, by Taylor and Federici, expands on the world of Atlantis in this universe, as we get to see a water-wielder in action for the first time. This story is using the smart tactic of focusing on some supporting characters in the past, including Commissioner Gordon and the Kents. The reveal of who their commanding officer is adds some interesting wrinkles as well, but there’s a much larger conspiracy surrounding the Atlanteans that we’re just starting to unravel – and destiny seems about to repeat itself with a big twist.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
