For the heroes of the DC Universe, the threat of Leviathan looms just on the horizon. DC writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev will re-team for the upcoming mini-series Event Leviathan: Checkmate and the one-shot mega issue Leviathan Dawn that will set up the event. Now, fans are getting a special preview straight from DC Comics.
Leviathan has already shaken things up by taking out many of the world’s secret organizations, and it doesn’t look like the terrorist organization or its leader has any plans of slowing down. For those who missed the previous mystery, Leviathan is DC’s biggest new villain, leading a shadowy organization of the same name. The goal of this organization is to replace the world’s governments with itself as the new world order. After following a tip from Damian Wayne, Superman confronted Leviathan himself and learned his true identity was that of former superhero Mark Shaw, AKA Manhunter. After trying and failing to rally Superman to his cause, a struggle ensued, and Shaw was forced to retreat.
Although the terror group wasn’t quite defeated, it might have felt that way when Lois Lane exposed Shaw’s identity to the world as well as Leviathan’s grand plans. Now, Shaw and the rest of Leviathan has only one goal, to expose every government’s secrets and tear down the old world. Readers can find DC’s description of the one-shot issue below, along with the early preview pages:
The one-shot follow up to Event Leviathan sets up the upcoming mini-series. The preview gives readers a glimpse of not only Damian Wayne, but also Kate Spencer, a former Manhunter herself who now looks like she’ll be forced to go up against her namesake. And with Lois Lane the person who exposed Leviathan’s true name to the world, you can bet she’ll be in the organization’s crosshairs as well. If that weren’t enough, Superman already has his hands full in his own series.
Exploding out of the pages of Event Leviathan, this all-new special, Leviathan Dawn #1, blasts the DC Universe into a dangerous and brave new future! With Leviathan arrived, its leader’s identity revealed, and its plans known, what happens next? The heroes fight back! Leviathan changed the rules of the game, so now’s the time for the biggest players to get together and figure out a new strategy in this brave new world. Leviathan Dawn is an extra-sized super-spy yarn from the Eisner Award-winning team of writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev! It all sets the stage for the next chapter of Bendis and Maleev’s deadly saga, Event Leviathan: Checkmate!
Action Comics #1018 features a showdown between Superman (joined by other DC heroes) fighting against Leviathan, Lex Luthor, AND the Legion of Doom. Basically, no matter what, Leviathan is going to be a problem for Superman and the other heroes. Bendis has done a lot to make sure readers know that this new villain isn’t just another bad guy of the week. Leviathan is here to stay and with the likes of The Guardian standing by his side, it’s fare to say that this fight is going to be more complicated than the heroes of the DCU might have hoped.
Leviathan Dawn will hit store shelves on February 26th, 2020. If you’d like to get caught up on the full story, Event Leviathan is available now.
More: Brian Michael Bendis Interview: Event Leviathan
