WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Stargirl Season 2, Episode 2, “Summer School: Part Two,” which aired Tuesday on the CW.
By the end of Stargirl Season 1, the Injustice Society was practically disbanded, with most of its members imprisoned or dead. There were a few expectations, with The Gambler (Eric Goins) missing in action and Solomon Grundy set free by Rick (Cameron Gellman); however, the latter seems to have distanced himself from villainy as he was primarily a tool for the Injustice Society. Meanwhile, as Rick points out in Stargirl Season 2, Episode 1, The Gambler on his own is not much of a threat for the Justice Society of America; however, come Stargirl Season 2, Episode 2, he may no longer be working alone for long.
Toward the end of Stargirl Season 1, a strange man in a top hat, shades and a formal coat listens to the news report covering the failed Project New America. Her remarks how Icicle’s plan was flawed while smoke billows from his cane and covers the painting of the the Injustice Society members. The camera than focuses on a man in the background of the painting with similar sunglasses.
For those familiar with the Injustice Society of the comics, they may have realized this was alluding to The Shade’s debut in Stargirl. In DC Comics, The Shade is also a member of the Injustice Society, and his powers include darkness manipulation. This seems similar to what the mystery character’s power is in Season 1, and Stargirl Season 2 confirms this new villain is The Shade, aka Richard Swift.
Swift drives into town to talk to Barbara (Amy Smart) about getting his hands on William Zarrick’s occult and magical items, which he claims were used for stage magic. Barbara, who’s been cued in about the JSA and Injustice Society, instantly finds his request strange, especially when he hands her a business card with no contact information. While she claims she will look into this for him, she actually contacts Pat (Luke Wilson) about her suspicions.
The Shade may not have been present for most of the events of Stargirl Season 1, but he was a major villain for the original JSA, so it’s likely Pat would be able to pin if Swift truly is the old villain or not. He finds him at the local diner and strikes up a conversation, noting Swift’s vintage car and watch.
While the conversation is brief, it is enough to prompt Pat to look at the old Injustice Society files, noticing The Shade wearing the same watch in a photo. It’s enough for Pat to tell Courtney (Brec Bassinger) that a new villain is in town, and she eagerly gets her staff for her new mission as Stargirl.
The Shade was no longer part of the Injustice Society during the events of Season 1, but with the old team broken apart and Cindy likely forming her own version of this group, now is the perfect time for Swift to return. He could work alone, or he could bring The Gambler back into the fold, as The Shade could give him the advantage he needs, especially since he is no match for the JSA on his own.
Stargirl Season 2 will continue to air new episodes on Tuesdays at 8/7c on the CW, and in the upcoming episodes, The Shade will likely continue to make waves in the small town, catching the eye of the JSA and potentially his former ally.
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