Deathstroke is coming for the DC Universe, and no one is safe as he wages a Shadow War against the Batman family and their closest allies. When the dust settles, the worlds of the Dark Knight and Deathstroke will be forever changed, and readers can thank Joshua Williamson for the wild and action-packed storyline. Here is a glimpse of what readers can expect as Shadow War books hit shelves throughout April with amazing covers and extremely limited variants, including a connecting cover that fans will want to get their hands on.
We kick things off with Batman #122, part two of the Shadow War arc and has stellar artwork by Howard Porter, who does the cover for this issue. Batman #122 also features a main variant cover by Gabriele Dell’Otto, a linking 1:25 ratio variant cover by Roger Cruz and Victor Olazaba, and a 1:50 ratio variant cover by JOCK which you can preview below. Batman #122 goes on sale on April 5, 2022
Batman #122 Synopsis: Ra’s al Ghul is dead, and Talia is out for revenge! Batman is on the case, in a race against time to find Deathstroke before Talia’s elite assassins do! But as the World’s Greatest Detective starts piecing together clues, he realizes that not all is what it seems when it comes to the death of “The Demon’s Head,” and the questions lead back to Talia herself! What added strain will this place on the relationship of these two former lovers? In the backup story, artist Trevor Hairsine joins Williamson revealing for the first time the secret first fight between Batman and Deathstroke!
Shadow War’s third chapter continues in Deathstroke Inc. #8, and artist Paolo Pantalena brings Williamson’s story to life. Deathstroke Inc.#8 features a main cover by Jonboy Meyers, a variant cover by Chris Burnham, plus the second of three linking 1:25 ratio variant covers by Roger Cruz and Victor Olazaba. I love that JonBoy Meyers cover! Deathstroke Inc. #8 goes on sale on April 26, 2022.
1 in 25 Variant Cover
Deathstroke Inc #8 Synopsis: Following the death of Ra’s al Ghul, Deathstroke Inc. has been destroyed, the Demon’s Shadow has killed his villain associates, and Slade and Respawn are on the run! If they can survive this deadly gauntlet of skilled and bloodthirsty assassins, maybe Deathstroke will be able to explain to Batman why he killed Ra’s!
Chapter four of Shadow War brings artists Roger Cruz and Norm Rapmund into the mix and unravels more details regarding the death of Ra’s al Ghul. Roger Cruz provides the main cover, with Crystal Kung providing the variant cover for this issue. Cruz and Victor Olazaba also provide art for the 1:25 ratio variant that completes the three linked images.
1 in 25 Variant Cover
Robin #13 Synopsis: Robin and Ravager finally catch up with Deathstroke and Respawn, but will they convince Slade to turn himself in, or does this become a fight to the death? And what startling revelation does Robin learns that is sure to rock Shadow War to its very foundation? Plus, Batman goes deeper into the conspiracy behind Ra’s al Ghul’s death and discovers that it’s bigger than he thought. He’s calling in backup, just not the backup that readers will expect!
Which of the Shadow War chapters has the best covers? Let us know in the comments.