One of DC’s Most Twisted Heroes Returns in Preview

Potential spoilers for Action Comics #1029 ahead!

Midnighter is one of DC’s most twisted heroes but has been missing in action for several years. However, he’s now making his triumphant return to the DC Universe just in time for Infinite Frontier, appearing in a special preview for Action Comics #1029, on sale March 23.

Midnighter was created by writer Warren Ellis and artist Bryan Hitch and first appeared in 1998’s Stormwatch #4. He is the product of genetic engineering that gave him super strength, speed, and senses, as well as an advanced healing factor. The character was designed to be a commentary on Batman, and the two share some similarities, except for Midnighter actually kills people. Midnighter joined Stormwatch and stayed with the team when it was reorganized as the Authority a few years later. Originally part of the Wildstorm imprint at Image Comics, Midnighter and the rest of the Authority were purchased by DC Comics in the early 2000s and incorporated into the DC Universe proper during the New 52 event. Midnighter received his own title towards the end of that era, and after another mini-series pairing him with his husband Apollo, Midnighter faded into the background during the Rebirth era.  But it looks like he’s making his return at the dawn of Infinite Frontier.

In a preview for Action Comics #1029, readers see Midnighter as he’s about to attack some soldiers. As he swiftly, and brutally, ambushes them, he marvels at the “operational supercomputer” now functioning in his brain—and how good it is to have one again. Midnighter fights his way through the soldiers, and he is just as twisted as ever, outright calling himself a “bad guy” and an “artist.” To reinforce his point, he sticks a soldier’s head underwater, while counting just how many seconds it will take the guy to drown – “for science,” as he puts it.

The Wildstorm characters, such as Midnighter, Apollo and Grifter, have been missing from the mainstream DC Universe for the past few years. However, between Grifter currently appearing in the Batman family of titles and now Midnighter making his return, it would appear these characters are coming back in a big way. Infinite Frontier has seen some surprising character returns, and the former Wildstorm characters are among them. Midnighter is one of the more intriguing characters in the Wildstorm stable, considering he’s basically a more violent and psychopathic Batman stand-in. His return is a win for representation as well, as Midnighter is an openly gay character.

Midnighter is one of the most twisted characters in the DC Universe, an unstable Batman that does not hesitate to kill his victims and he makes his grand return in Action Comics #1029 in a story written by Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad with art by Michael Avon Oeming; it will be available in stores and on all digital comics platforms March 23.

About The Author

Shaun Corley
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Shaun Corley is a pop culture enthusiast living in the Pacific Northwest. After stints in both customer service and academia, he’s turned his attention to writing about comic books–his lifelong passion. He is a graduate of Radford University, with a degree in English. When not reading comics, he enjoys spending time with his fiance and their dog.

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