The magical world of DC Comics is in chaos, with only the heroes of Justice League Dark holding back armageddon. Now, Doctor Fate isn’t just failing to back them up - he may be an enemy they will have to defeat, as well.
This twist will be unwelcome news to fans of Doctor Fate, his iconic golden Helmet of Fate, and the magical powers he wields. But as our exclusive preview of Justice League Dark #9 shows, the magical being named Nabu has his own plan for setting the DC Universe right again. But instead of aiding the League in their mission, Nabu has taken control of his human vessel to create a new version of The Lords of Order. And as far as they’re concerned, the universe doesn’t need to be saved… it needs to be replaced.
To this point, the Justice League Dark has spent the past several issues driving back the terrible Otherkind (magical monsters that have worked their way up into the DC Universe at large). But as Wonder Woman and Zatanna tried to find answers in the previous issue, the rest of the League was met with Doctor Faye, and his new (brutal) Lords of Order. As Issue #9 begins, the nephew of Kent Nelson - the man who communes with Nabu to become Doctor Fate - is here to confirm that Nabu is done sharing his powers.
Take a look at the pages embedded below:
The golden flames surrounding Khalid’s hands in the final panel are going to have fans considering the addition of a new magical player in DC’s Universe, but Nabu’s actions are the real concern. On the one hand, writer James Tynion makes a compelling case by tying Nabu’s actions to the total disarray and panic of DC’s Metal event, which rewrote the rules of DC’s magic. For now we haven’t learned just what the cost of establishing Nabu’s new “binding order” will actually be. But if Kent Nelson reacted so strongly to the mere suggestion, it can’t be good for anyone. Which makes it even more tragic that Kent Nelson may simply be along for the ride, forced to watch as Nabu and the Helmet of Fate get to their terrible work.
With Otherkind pouring into every open door, and the League currently divided against multiple fronts, can they manage to stand against Nabu and his Lords of Order at all? The rest of the issue will hopefully settle that question, but until then, read on for the full synopsis and details below:
- JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK (2019) #9 Published: March 13th, 2019 Writer: James Tynion IV Art: Raúl Fernández, Alvaro Martinez Cover: Raúl Fernández, Alvaro Martinez Variant Cover: Kelley Jones Doctor Fate has assembled his Lords of Order, and it means certain destruction for the Justice League Dark! As Doctor Fate traps the magical community on Earth, the team fights against the Otherkind. The walls are closing in on them, and they’ll need to find a way to stop Fate if there’s any hope for magic’s survival!
Justice League Dark #9 will be available on March 13th, from DC Comics.
