With Valentine’s Day on the way, it’s time for the lovers of the DC Comics universe to embrace the romance of the season, in the special one-shot DC’s Crimes of Passion. And when it comes to the most passionate love affairs DC has to offer, none can ever compare to the one shared by Green Arrow and Black Canary.

Like last year’s Mysteries of Love in Space the Valentine’s special is offering fans a collection of short stories, mixing romance, drama, scandal, and even some superheroics, judging by our exclusive preview of Oliver and Dinah’s rendezvous. The story, entitled “The Crimson Bomber” is the product of writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (The Last God), and artists Paul Fry, Mark Farmer, and Jeromy Cox. So who better to give fans an introduction to the short tale than Johnson himself? But fair warning: even for a couple as tried and true as Green Arrow and Canary, no Valentine’s Day celebration is without a good life-or-death scenario.

DC’s Crimes of Passion will be arriving in your local comic book shop on February 5th, delivering 10 tales told across 80 pages. The anthology will be calling upon current DC writers like Batman’s James Tynion IV, Wonder Woman’s Steve Orlando, The Infected: King Shazam’s Sina Grace, as well as Stephanie Phillips (Butcher of Paris), and more. But it’s Ollie and Dinah in our spotlight preview, so head below for the sneak peek below, and let Phillip Kennedy Johnson explain what makes these vigilante Valentines something special.

Screen Rant: Getting to write one of these Valentine’s Day stories has to be a treat, but what did you want to explore in a love story between Green Arrow and Black Canary?

To me, Oliver and Dinah represent two people who know how lucky they are to have found each other, and not just when things are going perfectly. No matter what happens, they know how much richer, fuller, and more exciting both their lives are for having found the other. That’s something I relate to, and it being a Valentine’s Day anthology, I wanted it to be the focus of this story.

Fans of Ollie and Dinah know the heroes back to front. How did you do approach ‘doing justice’ to the long history between these characters in this romantic tale?

In an 8-page story, you can’t pay homage to every era or iteration of their long relationship. I chose to take a snapshot of how I like them best: a kick-ass superhero couple, not so fairytale, doe-eyed happy that they can’t take the occasional jab at each other, but still very obviously in love for all that, and always grateful for each other.

How did artists Paul Fry, Mark Farmer, and Jeromy Cox bring this love story to life?

This was my first time working with all three of them, and each of them elevated the work they were given. Paul’s pencils and Mark’s inks did everything I asked and more while adding a ton of character and dynamic action; Jeromy’s colors fit seamlessly with what Paul and Mark had done, and added a ton of nuance to the lighting. All consummate pros, I’d jump at the chance to tell another story with any of them.

  • DC’s CRIMES OF PASSION #1 Written by: James Tynion IV, Steve Orlando, Sina Grace, Jay Baruchel, Stephanie Phillips, and More Art by: Greg Smallwood, Riley Rossmo, Andi Tong, Mike Norton, Anthony Spay, and More Cover by: Yasmine Putri Passion. Betrayal. Murder. When you’re a private investigator, these are things you experience daily. But when you add capes to the mix—like Batman, Catwoman and Harley Quinn? Things get even messier. The name’s Slam Bradley and I’m telling you that this year’s Valentine’s Day special has more intrigue than you can shake a stick at. Ten tales of love—the kind of love that can push people over the edge. Don’t miss it…or I’ll make you pay.

DC’s Crimes of Passion will arrive at your local comic book shop on February 5th, 2020. The 80-page prestige one-shot will retail for #9.99 USD.

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