Dark Crisis writer Joshua Williamson teases a long, epic fight in the event's second issue for DC Comics fans.
Artwork previously released by Williamson on social media shows Nightwing/Dick Grayson trading brutal blow after blow with Deathstroke/Slade Wilson on a two-page spread illustrated by artist Daniel Sampere with colors by Alejandro Sánchez. In an exclusive interview with CBR, Williamson revealed that this fight scene between the hero and villain will stretch across the majority of the issue. "[Dark Crisis #2 is] mostly one long fight scene and features a big fight between Nightwing and Deathstroke," the writer said.
To Williamson, Deathstroke is a villain, as was the case for the character's first appearance in The New Teen Titans #2 from creators Marv Wolfman and George Pérez. In recent years, Slade skirted the line between hero and villain, but Williamson reaffirmed his villain status by penning the character in Deathstroke Inc. The title gave Deathstroke leadership over the Secret Society, with Slade labeling himself as the "King of the Super-Villains."
Being a member of the Titans, Nightwing already has history facing Deathstroke. Like Slade though, Dick has also been placed into a new role, with many looking to him for guidance after the Justice League's death. In a sneak peek at Dark Crisis #1 from Dark Crisis #0 FCBD Special Edition 2022, Nightwing eulogizes the fallen League with all the heroes of the world gathered together. From a nearby building, Deathstroke watches with his allies.
What exactly will prompt the battle between Nightwing and Deathstroke remains to be seen, though Williamson hinted that it will stem from a major death in Dark Crisis #1. When asked about the hero who will die, Williamson responded, "My answer to that is going to be just as vague as the question: read Dark Crisis #2. I think that issue will answer most of your questions." The writer also mentioned that while Nightwing and Deathstroke fight, Superman Jon Kent will be busy with Cyborg Superman, an enemy of his father.
The main Dark Crisis series will run for seven issues from June through Dec. 2022, though there will be much more from the event for readers to dig into. Tie-ins to Dark Crisis will explore the world without the Justice League, as well as the Young Justice team, and the Flash/Wally West's search for Barry Allen, who has been lost in a dreamworld since being blasted away by Pariah in Infinite Frontier #6 from 2021, also written by Williamson.
From Willamson with artwork by Sampere and Sánchez, Dark Crisis #2 goes on sale July 5 from DC Comics.
Source: CBR