Dark knights of steel ii: taylor returns to fantasy, promises 'twisted' power plays
DC is unleashing a sequel to its wildly successful ‘Elseworlds’ project, Dark Knights of Steel, and the word on the street – or rather, in the pages – is that Tom Taylor is pulling no punches. This time around, prepare for a medieval fantasy reimagining of the DC Universe, complete with warring Houses, alien intrigue, and a hefty dose of betrayal.
A throne war forged in steel and sorcery
The initial Dark Knights of Steel, penned by Injustice’s Tom Taylor, established a compelling alternate reality where Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Aquaman were reimagined as feudal lords locked in a brutal conflict. Now, the sequel, Dark Knights of Steel II, promises to escalate that conflict to a terrifying new level. A twelve-issue limited series crafted by Taylor and illustrated by Otto Schmidt, it leans heavily into the Game of Thrones aesthetic, pitting the Houses of El, Wayne, Storms, and Amazonia against each other in a desperate struggle for dominance.
Taylor himself describes the series as “a twisted tale of power and betrayal, of war and love, of heroes fighting would-be tyrants, and of good people coming together to stand against evil, expansionist empires.” Frankly, it sounds gloriously messy – and that’s precisely the point. He’s not pulling any punches, and the preview art certainly reflects that.
Taylor’s passion fuels the forge
“I was raised on comic books and fantasy novels,” Taylor stated. “From as early as I can remember, my mind has been filled with universes of great heroes standing against corrupting evil and injustice.” It’s clear this project is a deeply personal endeavor. The influence of Tolkien, Waid, Simone, and Pratchett is palpable, a testament to Taylor’s encyclopedic knowledge of genre storytelling. He’s not just writing a comic; he’s resurrecting a dream.
“Forging two of my favorite things together with heat vision and an anvil is my absolute happy place,” Taylor added with a touch of self-deprecating humor. “I’m sorry in advance for all the terrible things that happen.” And considering the premise, that's a remarkably honest sentiment.
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 hits shelves on July 15, 2026, alongside the special issue, Dark Knights of Steel II Special: Heir to the Sea #1, which delves into Aquaman’s origins. Pre-orders are now open at your local comic shop. Meanwhile, Marvel is stirring up trouble with a revisiting of The Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and Avengers: Armageddon #1 will include a Magic: The Gathering card – a minor distraction amidst this grand spectacle. Jesse Schedeen, IGN Staff Writer.