As announced last year at the New York Comic Con, DC has several Elseworlds projects in the works for 2024. While June will bring Gotham by Gaslight: The Kryptonian Age #1 by Andy Diggle and Leandro Fernandez, DC has shared more details on July’s Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter this week.
The spinoff of Dark Knights of Steel will continue the story of a medieval world populated by versions of DC characters. It’s by fantasy novelist Jay Kristoff and Spanish artist Tirso, who recently signed an exclusive contract with the publisher.
The duo will continue the story from the first volume by Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri. Taylor returns to write a back-up story for the miniseries, with art by Riccardo Federici.
“Dark Knights of Steel was one of my favorite reads; it combines a super-attractive universe with an unbeatable team dynamic,” Tirso said. “Working as a team with Jay, in this universe, has been one of my best professional experiences so far.
Here’s how DC describes the series:
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?
“As a creator, it’s always both fun and challenging to play outside mainstream canon,” Tirso said. “The freedom that DC has given me and my teammates has made this trip really special.”
Here’s a look at some of Tirso’s work on the series:
And here’s a look at the first issue’s variant covers by Gerardo Zaffino, Homare, and Francesco Mattina:
The back-up story sounds like it will focus on this world’s version of Aquaman:
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…
Look for the first issue to arrive in stores on July 17.