Tom Taylor’s award-nominated Elseworlds series, Dark Knights of Steel, returns this summer with a sequel promising an epic battle between Batman and Deathstroke. Bruce Wayne and Slade Wilson are no strangers to duking it out, but this fight will be unlike any other. Given the fantastical setting of the series, it’s unlikely that Slade will have his usual science-based enhancements, meaning Batman might actually have a chance of beating Deathstroke in a FAIR fight.
Set for release on September 18, 2024, Tom Taylor, Jay Kristoff, Tirso Cons, and Riccardo Federici’s Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #3 promises an exceptionally memorable Deathstroke vs. Batman fight, according to the synopsis and main cover by Tirso Cons.
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER #3 (2024) | |
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Release Date: | September 18, 2024 |
Writers: | Tom Taylor & Jay Kristoff |
Artists: | Tirso Cons & Riccardo Federici |
Cover Artist: | Tirso Cons |
Variant Covers: | Skylar Patridge & Riccardo Federici |
The harsh winter journey takes a surprising turn when a familiar face from the Kingdom of El crashes into Slade and his young yet powerful charge, Alec Holland…but will Prince Bruce reveal himself to be friend or foe in their pursuit to end the Allwinter? And in the backup feature written by Tom Taylor, mastermind behind Dark Knights of Steel, and drawn by Riccardo Federici–the king of Atlantis will stop at nothing to ensure his legacy, even if it means tearing the surface world apart to find the child who escaped his clutches! | |
The synopsis—viewable in its entirety above—teases that “a familiar face from the Kingdom of El” will be “crashing into Slade.” While this could refer to several characters, it is almost certain to be Bruce, as the synopsis questions whether Prince Bruce will be a friend or foe. Additionally, Tirso Cons’ variant cover literally depicts Batman crashing into Deathstroke as the two clash.
Deathstroke and Batman Face Off in DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL: ALLWINTER (Place Your Bets Now)
Although the synopsis hints at the possibility of Slade and Bruce eventually allying, it is almost certain that the two will have an epic clash before any talks of alliance, considering Batman’s ‘punch first, ask questions later’ approach. Cons’ variant cover serves as a superb teaser of this anticipated battle, depicting Bruce in his classic bat-themed knight armor and Slade with a hardcore Viking aesthetic. Interestingly, Bruce appears to have the advantage, fighting offensively with a longsword, while Slade is on the defensive, bracing against Batman’s attacks with a shield that is beginning to splinter from the brutal impacts.
Slade being on the defensive makes this one of Batman and Deathstroke’s most unique fights, given that Slade typically holds the advantage thanks to his metahuman capabilities and has defeated Bruce multiple times. Notable instances of Deathstroke besting Batman include Deathstroke #7 (1991), Detective Comics #710 (1997), and Deathstroke #5 (2014). Slade barely blocking Bruce’s blows suggests that he doesn’t possess the same meta abilities he has in the main continuity, which usually give him an edge. This makes sense, as Slade’s meta abilities originated from a military experiment involving science, a concept that doesn’t fit well in a fantastical setting.
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Will Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter Bring Back Fan-Favorite Characters Like Wonder Woman and Superman?
It’s worth noting that the solicitation for Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #3 is the first to mention a character from the original series returning in the sequel. With Bruce’s return now confirmed, it raises the question of whether other characters will also make a comeback. Wonder Woman and Superman both played significant roles in Dark Knights of Steel. Hence, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them return alongside Bruce in Allwinter. It’s exciting to speculate who may return to the series, but for now, fans can rest easy knowing that at least Batman will be joining Deathstroke in this epic tale.
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Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter #3 will be released on September 18, 2024, from DC Comics!
Deathstroke
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
