Justice League Dark

For the 2017 animated film, see Justice League Dark (film).

"The Dark Universe (film)" redirects here. For other cinema topics, see Dark Universe (disambiguation).

"JLD" redirects here. For other uses, see JLD (disambiguation).

Justice League Dark, or JLD, is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team made their debut in Justice League Dark #1 (September 2011). The team features some of the more supernatural characters in the DC Universe, handling mystical threats and situations deemed outside the scope of the traditional Justice League. Similarly to the Justice League title, the team features well-known characters such as John Constantine, Zatanna, Doctor Fate, and Wonder Woman while also bringing exposure to lesser-known supernatural characters. Two animated films were produced based on the team: Justice League Dark (2017) and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020).

Justice League Dark
Textless cover of Justice League Dark #9 (July 2012), art by Ryan Sook
Group publication information
Publisher	DC Comics
First appearance	Justice League Dark #1 (September 2011)
Created by	Peter Milligan
In-story information
Base(s)	House of Mystery (2011–2015) Hall of Justice
Member(s)	See below
Justice League Dark
	Cover of Justice League Dark #1 (September 2011), art by Ryan Sook
Series publication information
Schedule	Monthly
Format	Ongoing series
Genre	Superhero, horror, fantasy
Publication date	(Volume 1) September 2011 – March 2015 (Volume 2) July 2018 – December 2020
Number of issues	Volume 1: 40 (plus a #0 issue, a Futures End one-shot, and two Annuals) Volume 2: 29 (plus one Annual)
Main character(s)	John Constantine Zatanna the Swamp Thing See below
Creative team
Writer(s)	Volume 1: Peter Milligan (#1–8), Jeff Lemire (#9–23, #0, Annual #1), Ray Fawkes (#15–21), J. M. DeMatteis (#24–40, Annual #2, Futures End #1) Dan DiDio (#23.1–23.2), Ann Nocenti (#23.1) Volume 2: James Tynion IV
Artist(s)	Volume 1: Mikel Janín
Penciller(s)	Volume 2: Alvaro Martinez
Inker(s)	Volume 2: Raul Fernandez
Colorist(s)	Volume 2: Brad Anderson
Creator(s)	Peter Milligan Mikel Janín

Publication history

The New 52

Justice League Dark was announced on May 31, 2011, as a First Wave title of The New 52.^[1] The title and team was created by Peter Milligan, with art by Mikel Janín. The title launched on September 28, 2011.^[2] The title brought several of DC Comics' occult and offbeat characters, something which had been a trait of sister imprint Vertigo, back into the main DC Universe following Vertigo's editorial change to publish purely new, creator-owned content.^[3][4]

The Search for Swamp Thing, a three part miniseries released between June and August 2011 which led up to The New 52 relaunch, and followed the events of the Brightest Day maxiseries, follows Constantine's search for the resurrected Alec Holland as the new Swamp Thing, involving the cooperation of Batman, Zatanna and Superman.^[5] In addition, the Flashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, written by Milligan as part of the "Flashpoint" crossover story line, included the Enchantress and Shade, the Changing Man and introduced the character Mindwarp in the lead-up to the start of the series.^[6]

Peter Milligan stated in an interview that he got the job for the book from his work on the 2011 Flashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, and that he hoped to write something "emotionally dark" set in the DC Universe, comparing his characters to detectives, who struggle to cope with the things they see and have to do.^[7] The initial anticipation for this title has been good, with critics celebrating the fact that DC are willing to bring back some of the darker elements which had moved over to Vertigo in the 1990s.^[8]

The opening story line involves the Enchantress' defeat of the Justice League, leading to the necessity of a more supernatural team to assist in these events, and detailing how they have come together.^[9] There is also a minor crossover story with I...Vampire.^[10] From issue #9, Sweet Tooth and Animal Man writer Jeff Lemire became the principal writer on the series.^[11] In his first story arc, Justice League Dark took residence in their new base, at the House of Mystery, and have started to show their links with the wider DC Universe, dealing with Steve Trevor and A.R.G.U.S.^[12][13]

In August 2013, it was announced that J. M. DeMatteis would take over as series writer from Lemire in November 2013, after a solo issue by Ray Fawkes in October.^[14] The series ended publication in March 2015.^[15][16]

New Justice (2018–2021)

In March 2018, a new volume of Justice League Dark was announced. Spinning out of the "Justice League: No Justice" story line, the title debuted in July 2018, written by James Tynion IV and drawn by Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez and Brad Anderson.^[17][18] The team features Zatanna, the Swamp Thing, the Man-Bat, and Detective Chimp, and is led by Wonder Woman.^[17] Additional magical characters from the DC Universe appeared in the series, like John Constantine and Doctor Fate, although initially not as members of the League.^[18][19]

Infinite Frontier (2021–2023)

The second volume ran regularly for 29 issues from July 2018 to February 2021.^[20][21] The team would continue to appear as a back-up feature in the mainline Justice League series from issue #59 in May 2021 to issue #71 in March 2022 with guest appearances throughout issues #72 to 74.^{[22][23][24][25]}

Dawn of DC (2023–2024)

In the Knight Terrors story arc of 2023, the team members find themselves falling victim to the spells of Insomnia, becoming trapped by him within his Knightmare Realm. Remaining awake through the chaos, Zatanna and Robotman team up to defend the unconscious Wonder Woman and Detective Chimp against Insomnia's Sleepless Knights, and the Sleeping Queen.^[26][27]

The third volume of the Justice Society of America included supporting appearances from the Justice League Dark, with Deadman and Madame Xanadu returning to the team. The series also introduces a predecessor to the Justice League Dark known as the 'Justice Society Dark', consisting of Zatara and the escape artist Thaddeus Brown.^[28]

Fictional overview

Members

Volume 1

Early in the run, Peter Milligan stated that he was, "ruling no-one out" for future appearances, amid speculation that both the Ragman and the Spectre may feature in future comics.^[29] However, writer Jeff Lemire did not include either during the series, having added Black Orchid and Frankenstein, among others, to the team.^[12][30]

All members joined in issue #1 unless otherwise noted.^[9]

• Madame Xanadu – A mystic and fortune teller. Originally featured in Doorway to Nightmare. She was also featured in One Year Later and Flashpoint. She has previously dealt with John Constantine in the plot of Neil Gaiman's Books of Magic miniseries, where their relationship is fraught, as he has deceived her in the past. She brought the team together. She was captured as part of Project Thaumaton for the Crime Syndicate.
• John Constantine – A working class Liverpudlian magician. Originally from Swamp Thing and protagonist of long-running Vertigo title Hellblazer. John became the leader of the group in key issue #9.^[12] Ousted as team leader in issue #30, and replaced by Zatanna.
• Zatanna – A stage magician. First appeared in Hawkman #4 (November 1964), many other appearances, in 2010 had a solo series, was part of the Secret Seven during Flashpoint. She has previously been romantically involved with John Constantine.^[31] After assisting the Justice League during the "Throne of Atlantis" story line, she sides with the JL again in issue #22 for "Trinity War".^[32] She left Justice League Dark after issue #18.^[33][34] She was captured as part of Project Thaumaton for the Crime Syndicate. She became the leader of the team in issue #30.
• Deadman – The ghost of an assassinated acrobat who can possess the bodies of the living. Originally featured in Strange Adventures #205 and in Blackest Night and Brightest Day. Constantine found him soon after he was lost after the Crime Syndicate appeared, bound to the Sea King.
• Shade, the Changing Man – A hero with the power to warp reality. Originally featured in his own title, by Steve Ditko, and was later 'rebooted' in Peter Milligan's run on the series in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was featured in a crossover event in Hellblazer in 2010, also written by Peter Milligan, although it is unclear if this will affect events in this title. He was also a member of the Secret Seven during the Flashpoint storyline. He is tasked with bringing the team together at the behest of Madame Xanadu.^[9] Left the team in issue #8. after losing control of the M-Vest.^[10]
• Mindwarp – An original character created by Peter Milligan for Flashpoint.^[7] In the event, he was a member of the Secret Seven. Jay Young is a man who possesses the powers of telepathy and astral projection. He may be aware of the Fourth Wall as evidenced by his reading Peter Milligan's Secret Seven miniseries and the Flashpoint title Deadman and the Flying Graysons. Introduced in issue #3^[31] and left in issue #5.^[35] He is killed in Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #15 by Felix Faust and Nick Necro during testing of Project Thaumaton.^[36]
• Andrew Bennett – A centuries-old vampire from the title I... Vampire. Becomes a member of Justice League Dark as a favor to Constantine and is forcibly induced permanently by him.^[37] Left the team in issue #14,^[13] rejoined in issue #35.^[38]
• Black Orchid – A new shapeshifting version of Black Orchid. Revealed to be Alba Garcia, an A.R.G.U.S. agent who worked under Col. Steve Trevor.^[13] Joined in issue #9.^[12] She was captured as part of Project Thaumaton for the Crime Syndicate. Left the team in issue #30.
• Doctor Mist – The A.R.G.U.S. supernatural expert and consultant, he is tasked alongside Black Orchid to keep watch on Constantine. He is later revealed to be a spy working for Felix Faust.^[39] He tries to redeem himself by opening a portal to another dimension to save Tim Hunter and Zatanna. Joined in issue #9^[12] and left the team after it was revealed he was working for Faust in issue #11.^[39]
• Frankenstein – An erudite creature created by Viktor Frankenstein, Frankenstein first assists the team in Justice League Dark Annual #1.^[30] He chooses to stay with the team in issue #14, out of a sense of responsibility towards Zatanna and Tim Hunter.^[13] He was captured as part of Project Thaumaton for the Crime Syndicate. Left the team in issue #30.
• Princess Amaya of House Amethyst – A fantasy princess from the world of Nilaa, and the main character of the Sword of Sorcery series. She is summoned to Earth in an effort to reconnect Tim Hunter with magic in Justice League Dark Annual #1.^[30] Last seen with the team in issue #14.^[13] Afterwards, she returned to Nilaa.^[40]
• Timothy Hunter – First introduced in issue #11,^[39] Timothy is a boy destined to wield and open the Books of Magic. He gave up his magic to save his father, but it was brought back when he shook Amethyst's hand.^[30] Timothy decides to stays in the alternate dimension as a wizard-king with his father at the end of issue #18.^[33]
• Swamp Thing – First joined the team in the "Horror City" story line, issues #19–21,^[41] and continues to aid them in their fight against Blight and subsequent threats for the remainder of the run.
• Nightmare Nurse – Joined to help fight Blight during "Forever Evil". A mysterious woman capable of healing even the most grievous mystical or supernatural wounds. Tried to clone the Swamp Thing to help Justice League Dark but the clone died, leaving the real Swamp Thing in its place. Her name may be Asa.
• The Phantom Stranger – One of the Trinity of Sin, joined to help fight Blight during "Forever Evil".
• Pandora – One of the Trinity of Sin, joined to help fight Blight during "Forever Evil". She unleashed the Seven Sins on Earth and has been fighting them for thousands of years. Her Box was a gateway that let the Crime Syndicate come from Earth-3. She is the mysterious figure who appeared at the end of Flashpoint when then the DC, Vertigo, and Wildstorm universes merged into one. She later appeared throughout the DC Universe, seemingly observing all the characters. Left the team in issue #29.
• Zauriel – An angel who is a guardian of Heaven. He joined to help fight Blight during "Forever Evil".

Volume 2/back-up feature in Justice League (vol. 4)

A different line-up was announced for DC Rebirth and Infinite Frontier:^[17]

Justice League Dark (2018–2022) series
Character	Real name	Joined in	Notes
Wonder Woman	Diana of Themyscira	Justice League Dark (2018) #1	Founded a new iteration of the Justice League Dark in issue #1 of Justice League Dark (2018). Designated team leader until her supposed death during the Dark Nights: Death Metal event.
Zatanna	Zatanna Zatara	Justice League Dark (2018) #2	Founding member of the first iteration of the team. Joins in issue #2. Promoted to team leader after the events of Justice League (2018) #60
Detective Chimp	Bobo T. Chimpanzee	Justice League Dark (2018) #1	Recruited by Wonder Woman to join the team at the Oblivion Bar in issue #1.[20] While he was not a member of the original Justice League Dark team, Bobo was a founding member of its spiritual predecessor, the Shadowpact.[42]
Man-Bat	Kirk Langstrom	Justice League Dark (2018) #1	Recruited by Wonder Woman to join the team prior to the events of issue #1.
Swamp Thing	Alec Holland	Justice League Dark (2018) #2	The Swamp Thing joined the team after joining Zatanna in locating the team and battling the Otherkind in issue #2.[43] The Swamp Thing's body was seemly destroyed at the hands of the Floronic Man in issue #15.[44] The Swamp Thing rejoined the team after having his body restored thanks to a plan hatched by Constantine in issue #23. This resulted in the Swamp Thing possessing the memories and knowledge of the prior Swamp Things.[45]
Doctor Fate	Kent Nelson	Justice League Dark (2018) #13	Joins the team in issue #13 in an advisory capacity, but does not operate within the team as Doctor Fate due to the events of the Justice League Dark: Lords of Order story line. Nelson later leaves the team in issue #24.[46]
	Khalid Nassour	Justice League Dark (2018) #13	Joins the team in issue #13 in as an adviser and initially does not operate under the Doctor Fate moniker.[47] Eventually acts as a full-time member and Doctor Fate in issue #18.[48]
Constantine	John Constantine	Justice League Dark (2018) #2	Original founding member and team leader. On-and-off member of the team as a consultant, acting when the need arises.[49]
Animal Man	Buddy Baker	Justice League Dark (2018) #20	Buddy Baker has the ability to temporarily use the abilities of animals (such as a bird's flight or the proportionate strength of an ant). Buddy is also the guardian of the Red, which is the life force of all living animals. First appeared in Strange Adventures #180 (September 1965). Buddy joins the team in a battle against plant-human zombies in Los Angeles in Issue #20. Buddy helps the team defeat Anton Arcane of the Rot and restore the balance of the life forces through a gathering of the Parliament of Life in issue #23. Buddy also seemingly leaves the team after this issue.
Justice League Dark back-up feature
Ragman	Rory Regan	Justice League #61 (2018)	Joins the team in issue #61 of Justice League.
Eternal Knight	Elnara Roshtu	Justice League #69 (2018)	Recruited by Doctor Fate to help the team in issue #69 of Justice League to help stop Merlin. New character created from the series. Debuted in issue #59.
Randhir Singh		Justice League Dark 2021 Annual #1 (2021)	Joins the team to help keep magic safe.
Dark Crisis event
Swamp Thing	Levi Kamei	Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 (2022)	Joins the team to fight against the Great Darkness.
Dawn of DC
Deadman	Boston Brand	Justice Society of America #2 (2023)	Rejoined the League sometime prior to their team up with the JSA to battle Per Degaton.
Madame Xanadu	Nimue Induwu	Justice Society of America #4 (2023)	Recruited by Deadman and Detective Chimp to fight Per Degaton.

Villains

Characters
Character	Real name	Notes	Notable storylines
Nick Necro	Nicholas Edgar Nolan	Evil sorcerer who is obsessed with obtaining the Books of Magic at all costs. Former love interest of John Consantine and Zatanna.	Justice League Dark: The Books of Magic and The Death of Magic
Faust	Felix Faust	Evil sorcerer whose plans involve increasing his own magical power.	Justice League Dark: The Books of Magic and The Death of Magic
Upside-Down Man	None	Leader of the Otherkind that preys on magical creatures and dark counterpart of Hecate. Considered one of the most powerful magical beings in existence.	Justice League Dark: A Costly Trick of Magic
Eclipso	Kaala	Previous Spirit of Vengeance and predecessor of the Spectre. Considered one of the most powerful entities in existence.	The Flash: Eclipsed
Merlin	Myrdin Wyld	One of history's renowned wizards in the Arthurian legends. Turned evil due to the machinations of the spirit of Yuga Khan, Darkseid's father.	Justice League Dark: The Great Wickedness
Mister E	Unknown	Blind, mentally unstable magical vigilante and serial killer who targets what he considers evil.	Justice League Dark: The Great Wickedness
Sapphire Knight	Ahri'ahn	Atlantean demigod and Lord of Order who is considered one of Atlantis's most benevolent rulers and mages. Considered an enemy of Doctor Fate and the Justice League Dark due to insanity or mind control. While Merlin employed him under mind control, he called him the Sapphire Knight.	Justice League Dark: The Great Wickedness
Teams
Team name	Brief description	Notable storylines
Injustice League Dark	A villainous group that antagonizes the Justice League Dark, acting as their evil counterpart similarly to the Legion of Doom and Injustice League group for the Justice League.	Justice League Dark: The Witching War
Lords of Order	A group of magical beings that represent order in the universe. While traditionally portrayed as a force of good or neutral, a group of Lords of Order were pitted against the team.	Justice League Dark: Lords of Order
Otherkind	A race of magical beings from the Other Place, a dimension in which claims to be the source of all dark magic. The dimension is considered a piece of the Great Darkness alongside others (i.e., Darkworld). The Otherkind prey on magical beings, absorbing their magic for nourishment. They are led by the Upside-Down Man.	Justice League Dark: The Last Age of Magic

Collected issues

New 52 (2011–2016)

Title	Page count	Material collected	Publication date	ISBN	Ref
Justice League Dark Vol. 1: In the Dark	144	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #1–6	October 10th, 2012	978-1401237042	[50]
Justice League Dark Vol. 2: The Books of Magic	224	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #0, 7–13	July 10th, 2013	978-1401240240	[51]
Justice League Dark Vol. 3: The Death of Magic	192	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #14–21	January 29th, 2014	978-1401242459	[52]
Justice League Dark Vol. 4: The Rebirth of Evil	208	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #22–29	August 20th, 2014	978-1401247256	[53]
Forever Evil: Blight	400	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #24–29; Constantine #9–12; Trinity of Sin: Pandora #6–9; Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger #14–17	September 24, 2014	978-1401250065	[54]
Justice League Dark Vol. 5: Paradise Lost	160	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #30–34; Justice League Dark: Futures End #1	February 25th, 2015	978-1401250072	[55]
Justice League Dark Vol. 6: Lost in Forever	176	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #35–40; Justice League Dark Annual #2	August 26th, 2015	978-1401254810	[56]
Justice League Dark: The New 52 Omnibus	1624	Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #0–40; Justice League Dark Annual #1–2; Justice League Dark: Futures End #1; Constantine #5, #9–12; I, Vampire #7–8; Justice League #22–23; Justice League of America #6–7; The New 52: Free Comic Book Day Special Edition #1; Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1–3, #6–9; Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger #11, #14–17;	November 9, 2021	978-1779513137

DC Rebirth (2016–2017)

Title	Page count	Material collected	Publication date	ISBN	Ref
Wonder Woman and Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour	160	Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #56–57; Wonder Woman/Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour #1; Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #4; Justice League Dark/Wonder Woman: The Witching Hour #1	May 1st, 2019	978-1401290733	[57]

New Justice (2018–2021)

Title	Page count	Material collected	Publication date	ISBN	Ref
Justice League Dark Vol. 1: The Last Age of Magic	160	Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #1–3, 5–6	March 6th, 2019	978-1401288112	[58]
Justice League Dark Vol. 2: Lords of Order	184	Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #8–12; Justice League Dark Annual #1	October 16th, 2019	978-1401294601	[59]
Justice League Dark Vol. 3: The Witching War	144	Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #14–19	May 12th, 2020	978-1779500342	[60]
Justice League Dark Vol. 4: A Costly Trick of Magic	216	Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #20–28	January 26th, 2021	978-1779507143	[61]
Future State: Justice League	296	Future State: Justice League #1–2; Future State: Justice League Dark #1–2; Future State: Aquaman #1–2; Future State: Green Lantern #1–2; Future State: The Flash #1–2	June 22nd, 2021	978-1779510655	[62]
Justice League: Endless Winter	232	Justice League: Endless Winter #1–2; The Flash #767; Superman: Endless Winter Special #1; Aquaman #66; Justice League #58; Teen Titans: Endless Winter Special #1; Justice League Dark #29; Black Adam: Endless Winter Special #1	November 16th, 2021	978-1779511539	[63]
Justice League Dark: The Great Wickedness	184	Justice League Dark 2021 Annual #1; material from Justice League (vol. 4) #59–71	July 19th, 2022	978-1779515513	[64]

Other versions

• An alternate universe incarnation of Justice League Dark appears in The New 52: Futures End, consisting of Zatanna, Etrigan, Cassandra Craft, Black Orchid, the Nightmare Nurse, Madame Xanadu, Frankenstein, John Constantine, Amethyst, Blue Devil, Deadman, and Andrew Bennett.
• The Secret Seven, a team inspired by Justice League Dark, appears in Flashpoint, consisting of Shade the Changing Man, Abra Kadabra, Amethyst, the Enchantress, Mindwarp, Raven, Zatanna, Black Orchid, Klarion the Witch Boy, Miss X, Simon Magus, Stiletto, and Trigon.
• An alternate universe incarnation of Justice League Dark appears in DC Comics Bombshells, consisting of Zatanna, John Constantine, Raven, the Enchantress, Killer Croc, and Ravager.
• An alternate universe incarnation of Justice League Dark appears in Superman/Batman, consisting of Batman, the Scream Queen, Traci Thirteen, Klarion, Stanley and His Monster; Aquaman, and Etrigan.
• The League of Shadows, a group from Earth-13 inspired by Justice League Dark, appears in The Multiversity, consisting of Etrigan, Annataz, Deadman, the Enchantress, Fate, the Hellblazer, the Ragman, the Swamp-Man, and the Witchboy.
• The League of Shamans, a group from Earth-33, appears in Countdown to Adventure, consisting of Bat-Mage, Super-Mage, Green Lantern, the Black Bird, Terra, Lady Flash, the Shade, and Kara Zor-El.
• An alternate timeline incarnation of Justice League Dark appears in Future State, consisting of John Constantine, Zatanna, Madame Xanadu, Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour), and Detective Chimp, the last becoming Etrigan's host after Merlin separated him from Jason Blood.^[65]

In other media

Television

• Justice League Dark was scheduled to appear in an episode of Constantine prior to its cancellation.^[66][67]
• Justice League Dark was planned to appear in Swamp Thing and star in a spin-off series prior to the former's cancellation.^[68]
• In January 2020, Warner Media and Bad Robot were working to create a Justice League Dark universe in film and television.^[69] In April 2020, a television series centered on the Justice League Dark characters was moving forward for HBO Max, with J. J. Abrams and Ben Stephenson serving as executive producers.^[70] It was no longer moving forward by February 2023.^[71]

Film

Animated

Main articles: Justice League Dark (film) and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War

Justice League Dark appear in films set in the DC Animated Movie Universe, consisting of Zatanna, Deadman, Etrigan the Demon, and Black Orchid.^{[72][73][74][75][76]}

Live action

Rumors in November 2012 suggested that Guillermo del Toro was working on a Justice League Dark film titled Heaven Sent. It would feature Deadman, the Spectre, the Swamp Thing, John Constantine, the Phantom Stranger, Zatanna, Zatara, Sargon the Sorcerer, and Etrigan.^[77] Del Toro later confirmed in January 2013 that he was working on such a film, with the working title, Dark Universe, and was hiring a screenwriter. Del Toro revealed the Swamp Thing, Constantine, the Spectre, Deadman, Zatanna and Zatara were characters in the story.^[78]

In March 2013, del Toro gave an update on the film at WonderCon 2013, while talking about his film Pacific Rim. He revealed that the story bible was complete and he hoped to start the screenplay soon. Production would begin after his next project, Crimson Peak. The film's story would center around John Constantine recruiting the Swamp Thing, Etrigan, Deadman, the Spectre, and Zatanna. The film would not be an origin story, with each character already established and elements of their backstory coming into play throughout the film.^[79] Del Toro also revealed that the Floronic Man would be in the film.^[80] In May 2013, del Toro revealed that his script featured Constantine, the Swamp Thing, Madame Xanadu, Deadman and Zatanna as the team, with others "in the mix". He also revealed that he was still waiting for the go-ahead from Warner Bros. Pictures.^[81] Del Toro revealed in July 2013 that he hoped that the DC Extended Universe, which started with Man of Steel, would become as cohesive as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he added that if there was any correlation to that universe and this film, he would honor it.^[82]

In October 2013, del Toro stated he felt his film would be able to coexist with the television series Constantine and reiterated that the film was still active and in the writing process.^[83] In July 2014, del Toro once again stated he was working on the film, and stated it would be independent from the universe established with Man of Steel, saying, "DC and Warners have been very clear that they are trying to keep [this film and Sandman] separate so when the time comes they can unite them, once they know they’re quantifiable." Del Toro also added that his Constantine would not adhere to the continuity established in the television series, but he would consider incorporating elements from it, and even think about casting the same actor (Matt Ryan).^[84][85] In November 2014, del Toro confirmed that the script was complete and handed it in to Warner Bros. to be reviewed.^[86] In December 2014, he hinted that the film would be part of the DC Extended Universe.^[87]

In April 2015, del Toro said the script revision has been handed in and if there was availability in his schedule, he would direct it; if not, "somebody else will do it... [The film] needs to fall into the plan of the shared universe."^[88] In June 2015, the film was confirmed to still be in development at Warner Bros., with some of their other Vertigo Comics film adaptions moving to New Line Cinema. The Hollywood Reporter stated that del Toro was no longer attached to the project.^[89] In July 2016, Swamp Thing test footage was released directed by Joseph Kahn.^[90] In August 2016, it was announced that Doug Liman would direct the film with del Toro and Scott Rudin producing and Michael Gilio writing, with the film being titled Dark Universe.^[91][92] By May 2017, Liman left the film to focus on directing Chaos Walking.^[93] At San Diego Comic-Con in July 2017, the film's title was announced to be Justice League Dark.^[94] In January 2020, Deadline reported that WarnerMedia and Bad Robot are working to create a Justice League Dark universe in film and TV. The initiative has stalled by 2023.

Video games

• Justice League Dark appears in Raiden's ending for Injustice 2, consisting of Raiden, the Swamp Thing, Zatanna, John Constantine, Etrigan the Demon, and Deadman.
• Justice League Dark appears in a self-titled DLC pack for Lego DC Super-Villains, consisting of John Constantine, Zatanna, Etrigan, Deadman, the Swamp Thing, and the Spectre. Additionally, the Enchantress and Frankenstein are stated to be members as well.

See also

• Comics portal

• Justice League of Apostles
• Sentinels of Magic
• Shadowpact
• The Trenchcoat Brigade
• Injustice League Dark

References

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2. Langshaw, Mark (June 7, 2011). "DC unveils supernatural titles". Digital Spy. Retrieved June 20, 2011.
3. "Karen Berger Confirms DC Characters To Leave Vertigo". Bleedingcool.com. 2010-07-23. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
4. "HELLBLAZER Canceled at Vertigo, Industry Reacts Strongly". Newsarama.com. 2012-11-08. Retrieved 2013-10-09.
5. The Search for Swamp Thing, vol. 1, no. 1–3 (June- August 2011). DC Comics.
6. Peter Milligan (w), George Perez, Fernando Blanco (p), Scott Koblish (i), Tom Smith (col), Rob Leigh (let). "Part One: Hunter's Moone" Flashpoint: Secret Seven, vol. 1, no. 1 (August 2011). DC Comics.
7. Rogers, Vaneta (June 9, 2011). "Justice League Dark interview with Peter Milligan". Newsarama. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
8. Johnston, Rich (June 13, 2011). "The 12 DC Relauch Books We're Most Excited About". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
9. Peter Milligan (w), Mikel Janin (a). "In the Dark Part 1: Imaginary Women" Justice League Dark, vol. 1, no. 1 (November 2012). DC Comics.
10. Peter Milligan (w), Daniel Sampere (a). "The Leaving Part 3 of Rise of the Vampires" Justice League Dark, vol. 1, no. 8 (June 2012). DC Comics.
11. Esposito, Joey (January 31, 2013). "More New 52 Change-Ups". IGN. Retrieved July 3, 2013.
12. Jeff Lemire (w), Mikel Janin (a). "The Black Room" Justice League Dark, vol. 1, no. 9 (July 2012). DC Comics.
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External links

• DC page: JLD2011 Archived 2012-10-29 at the Wayback Machine, JLD2018
• Justice League Dark at Comic Vine
• DC Comics The New 52 – Justice League Dark, DC Comics.com