Warning: contains a preview of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7!The long-standing rivalry between Nightwing and Deathstroke has gone cosmic in a preview for Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7. As Dark Crisis has raged across the DC Universe, Earth’s villains, led by a possessed Deathstroke, have waged war against the heroes, led by Nightwing. The two have long been adversaries, and now with all existence hanging in the balance, their feud goes cosmic. The issue goes on sale in print and digital December 20.
In the early 1980s, writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez gave the Teen Titans franchise a shot in the arm, helping launch The New Teen Titans. The book was a smash success, becoming DC’s rival to Marvel’s X-Men. In addition to introducing new heroes such as Starfire, Raven and Cyborg into the mix, the duo created some truly compelling villains, such as Slade Wilson, AKA Deathstroke. A deadly mercenary with enhanced strength and reflexes, Deathstroke has a long and antagonistic relationship with the Titans, and Nightwing in particular. Recently, Deathstroke came under the influence of Pariah and the Great Darkness; under their control, he amassed an army of villains in a bid to lead an all-out assault on Earth’s heroes.
As the preview for Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 opens, Nightwing is in the Darkness, progressing backwards through previous looks and identities, before finding himself in his classic Robin outfit. He then finds himself facing Deathstroke, who tells him “it was always going to come down to you and me, kid.” Deathstroke goes on to say that Nightwing and his allies have no hope in defeating the Dark Army, and in time, there will only be darkness. Deathstroke attacks with his sword, telling Nightwing that he is going to give the universe a “mercy killing.” The issue is written by Joshua Williamson, drawn by Daniel Sampere, colored by Romulao Fajardo Jr and lettered by Tom Napolitano.
Nightwing Represents Everything Deathstroke Hates
Ever since Deathstroke first met the Teen Titans in 1980’s The New Teen Titans #2, he has had it in for them – especially Nightwing. As the de facto leader of the Titans, Nightwing has become a symbol of everything Deathstroke hates. Deathstroke’s first meeting with the Titans caused him to botch a mission, something that had never happened before. As a father who has failed his children again and again, seeing Nightwing become a beacon of light thanks to his mentor pushes Slade’s buttons like nothing else, and Dick embracing kindness and light shows that Deathstroke’s corruption isn’t actually a symptom of a broken world, but of his own failings. Slade lives in denial of how his villainy has broken his life and those of the people he loves, but Nightwing acts as a constant reminder of the truth, making this the perfect fight to decide if the DCU will live in the light or die in darkness.
Now, as Dark Crisis heads for its epic conclusion, Nightwing and Deathstroke’s rivalry has moved beyond Earth and beyond the multiverse. The two are now fighting on a completely different plane of existence, where Nightwing has become the avatar of light and good, and Deathstroke the embodiment of the darkness – taking their long-standing rivalry to a truly cosmic level.
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 is on sale December 20 from DC Comics!
