Shadow War Reading Guide

Overview:

DC’s Shadow War arc, published in 2022, is a crossover event that primarily features characters from the Batman and Green Lantern mythos. Written by Joshua Williamson, with art by artists like Giandomenico Bellavia and others, this storyline dives into the intense conflict between Deathstroke and a coalition of heroes, including Batman and Nightwing. The narrative starts with a mysterious death that ignites a battle for vengeance and justice, placing the heroes in direct opposition to Deathstroke and his allies.

Fans and critics generally receive Shadow War positively, praising its blend of action and emotional depth. The arc explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and the moral complexities of justice, which resonate with readers. The main protagonists, including Batman, Nightwing, and Green Lantern, find themselves tangled in a web of intrigue, while Deathstroke emerges as the central antagonist, driven by his own ruthless agenda.

Overall, Shadow War serves as a significant chapter in the DC Universe, showcasing the intricate relationships and conflicts that define these characters while pushing the narrative into darker territory.

Best Way To Read:

• Batman: Shadow War
  • Collects: Batman #122-123, Robin #13-14, Deathstroke Inc. #8-9, Shadow War: Alpha #1, Shadow War: Omega #1, Shadow War Zone #1

For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.

For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.

Reading Order:

References:

• Wikipedia
• Comic Book Herald
• Comic Book Reading Orders

Feature image from Shadow War: Alpha #1 cover art by Jonboy Meyers