First Strike (DC Comics)

First Strike was a DC Comics crossover event published in 2017. It served as a loose follow-up to the Wildstorm Universe merger into the DC Universe during the New 52 era and focused on the remnants of covert organizations from the Wildstorm Universe, namely the Directorate, seeking to manipulate and ultimately take over the DC Universe.

The main series of First Strike was a six-issue limited series, accompanied by tie-in issues across various DC titles. The core plot revolved around Amanda Waller and her Suicide Squad attempting to prevent the Directorate from achieving its goals. The Directorate, led by characters like Tao, used strategic disinformation and infiltration tactics to sow chaos and distrust within the established superhero community, exploiting pre-existing tensions and vulnerabilities.

Key characters involved in the crossover included members of the Suicide Squad, such as Harley Quinn, Deadshot, and Rick Flag, as well as characters with ties to the Wildstorm Universe, like Grifter, Deathblow, and members of the Authority (though their involvement was more limited). The story explored themes of trust, manipulation, and the dangers of unchecked power, particularly within intelligence agencies.

The event concluded with the Directorate's plans being thwarted, though the organization's influence was not entirely eradicated, leaving the door open for future storylines. The lasting impact of First Strike primarily involved further integration of Wildstorm characters and concepts into the DC Universe.