Following announcements at New York Comic Con 2023 and 2024’s ComicsPRO Comic Industry Conference, anticipation has been building for the launch of DC’s all-new Elseworlds line of comic books.
Last week the publisher confirmed that following the June 11 release of “Batman: Gotham by Gaslight – The Kryptonian Age,” “Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter” arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers Wednesday, July 17.
This six-issue series expands “Dark Knights of Steel,” Tom Taylor’s popular medieval-fantasy take on the super heroes of the DC Universe reminiscent of exciting sword-and-sorcery-style adventures, into fresh territory. In “Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter,” the snow falls thick, blood runs black, and color itself is only a distant memory. The legendary assassin Deathstroke stalks a frozen wasteland, killing for coin across a nation of ever-warring jarls. But when our murderer for hire finds himself cast in the role of reluctant guardian, will he fight to end the icy curse destroying his land or be consumed by the sins of his own dark past?
Writer Jay Kristoff is no stranger to these worlds; the Melbourne, Australia, native is an international and New York Times bestselling author of science fiction and fantasy novels, including his “Empire of the Vampire,” “The Aurora Cycle” (with Amie Kaufman), “The Nevernight Chronicle” and “Empire of the Damned,” among others.
Newly exclusive to DC, the distinctive art style of Tirso provides the perfect complement to portray the bone-chilling, action-packed, and sometimes terrifying visuals that will make this a can’t-miss series for comics and fantasy fans alike. Tirso has garnered an international following with his work on the French series Les Traqueurs.
“’Dark Knights of Steel’ was one of my favorite reads; it combines a super-attractive universe with an unbeatable team dynamic,” said Tirso. “Working as a team with Jay, in this universe, has been one of my best professional experiences so far.
“As a creator, it’s always both fun and challenging to play outside mainstream canon,” the artist added. “The freedom that DC has given me and my teammates has made this trip really special.”
Tom Taylor has built a prolific storytelling pedigree at DC, with fan-favorite series such as “Injustice,” “Nightwing,” “Adventures of Superman: Jon Kent,” “Titans” and the recent “Titans: Beast World series,” part of the Dawn of DC initiative. Taylor and artist Riccardo Federici will be creating the backup stories for “Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter,” further expanding this alternate fantasy universe.
Federici has also built up an impressive DC resumé, not only as an incredible cover artist, but a fantastic interior artist in his own right, collaborating with Ram V on his Detective Comics story arc, “Gotham Nocturne,” and as series artist for DC’s “The Last God: The Fellspyre Chronicles” with writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson.
These chapters spotlight a child, seeking sanctuary, who is adopted by a kindly couple who raise him as their own. But this isn’t the origin you know… Here, the Kents were soldiers, and the baby they found was the heir to a mysterious undersea kingdom. This Atlantean child’s birth and life are destined to forever change the world of “Dark Knights of Steel,” and the newly formed League of Nations may not survive what lurks in the deep.
“Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter” no.1 features a main cover by Tirso, with variant covers by Gerardo Zaffino, Homare, and Francesco Mattina. The issue is available for preorder at participating comic book shops Friday, April 19, and goes on sale at comic book shops and digital retailers Wednesday, July 17.
The original “Dark Knights of Steel” by Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri is available now as a two-volume collected edition while supplies last at participating comic book shops, booksellers, and mass
