Dark Knights of Steel – Allwinter #1:
Creative Team:
Writer: Jay Kristoff
Art: Tirso
Letters: Wes Abbott
Editor: Ben Abernathy and Andrea Shea
Cover: Tirso
Publisher: DC Comics
The Elseworlds tales continue as Deathstroke is front and center in this epic clash of strength and magic. Deathstroke is a sword for hire, killing for all who pay him. However, he finds himself in the role of protector giving him a choice, kill those who pay him or continue his mercenary ways.
The Art:
Tirso delivers a simplistic color array in this first issue, which is a black-and-white issue wrought with bloodshed and violence. This bold choice works in this story as the reader’s imagination is left to run wild as we meet various creatures and intense fighting sequences. Reimagining characters such as Killer Frost and Deathstroke sends us back into a dark Viking Age and allows for much freedom in showcasing these Elseworlds characters. There is an immense amount of detail within the lines and drawings of our setting and panels. Going from a battlefield to the sea there is a lot visually to take in and marvel at.
The Writing:
Kicking off this new run, Jay launches us into a turbulent time and decides to start with characters who may not be first picks for some works in this story. Deathstroke is a menacing and unstoppable tank, but beneath his exterior is a past filled with regret, which is told masterfully in this first issue. Ending this issue with a cliffhanger has me dying for issue 2 already.
Overall:
Dark Knights of Steel Allwinter #1: Deathstroke is our return to an Elseworlds story set in an ancient time where anything goes. We get anger, rage, blood, and complex emotions immediately. This issue gives us a taste of what is to come and is one to watch for going forward.
9/10 Cigars.
This has been a review by Matt of Hopsgeeknews, a podcast that discusses comicbooks, movies, and TV shows. If you enjoyed this review head to http://linktr.ee/hopsgeeknews to find his other reviews as well as links to the podcast.
