DC Comics

Vigilante – Southland #2 (2016)

Comic Books Library
by Comic Books Library August 06, 2025
Vigilante – Southland #2 (2016)


🩾‍♂️ Vigilante – Southland #2 (2016) – Comic Review

📚 Genre

Action | Crime | Urban Vigilante | Mystery | Superhero Drama

đŸ‘€ Main Characters

  • Donny Fairchild – A former basketball star turned reluctant vigilante. After a personal tragedy, he finds a new purpose behind the mask.

  • The Eastsider – A once-feared vigilante of Los Angeles, now retired. He emerges from the shadows to train Donny.

  • Yolanda – Donny’s late girlfriend, whose death sparks the entire investigation.

  • Shadowy Conspirators – A network of corrupt individuals behind a powerful conspiracy that changed Donny’s life.

✍️ Writer

Gary Phillips – A veteran in crime fiction, Phillips brings grit, socio-political commentary, and real-world urgency to the superhero genre.

🎹 Artist

Elena Casagrande – Known for her sharp lines and dynamic action panels. She vividly captures both the physical and emotional weight of Donny’s journey.

🖋️ Editor Details

Joey Cavalieri – With extensive experience in DC’s urban titles, Cavalieri ensures the narrative remains grounded yet intense.

🏱 Publisher and Brand

DC Comics | Vertigo/Elseworlds-style tone – Though not officially under DC Black Label, the comic carries a mature, grounded edge that fits that mold.

📅 Release Year

2016

📖 Brief Plot Summary

In this second issue of Vigilante – Southland, Donny Fairchild is reeling from devastating losses. His girlfriend has been murdered, he’s been evicted from his home, and he barely escaped with his life. But amidst the rubble of his past life lies a burning desire for justice. đŸ•”️‍♂️đŸ”„

Enter the Eastsider, a grizzled, retired vigilante with a no-nonsense attitude and a deep understanding of how to fight back in a city rife with corruption. Under his tough mentorship, Donny begins training to take on a system that is bigger, darker, and more dangerous than he ever imagined. But vengeance won’t come easy—every move he makes digs him deeper into a conspiracy that threatens not only his life but the soul of South Los Angeles.

📚 Notable Arcs or Storylines

  • "Rise of a Reluctant Hero" – Donny’s transformation from a passive victim to an urban avenger begins.

  • "Echoes of the Eastsider" – Unraveling the mystery of a forgotten vigilante's past that mirrors Donny’s present.

  • "Southland Conspiracy" – A subplot that hints at systemic corruption involving corporations, politics, and law enforcement.

🌀 Fan Theories or Interpretations

🔍 Some fans speculate that The Eastsider may have once operated under the original Vigilante mantle, connecting him to DC’s broader universe of urban heroes like The Question or Wild Dog. Others believe that Donny’s character is symbolic of modern civil rights activism—fighting injustice from the ground up, without powers, just purpose.

📝 Review Summary

Vigilante – Southland #2 is a punch to the gut—in the best way possible. Gary Phillips crafts a story steeped in realism, where the streets of Los Angeles are as much a character as Donny himself. đŸ’„đŸ™️ Elena Casagrande’s art adds an expressive and raw edge to the action sequences, while quieter moments are soaked in emotion and grit. Donny’s evolution feels authentic, his rage and confusion channeled into something greater. If you like grounded, socially conscious superhero tales with a noir twist, this is a must-read.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5) – Gritty storytelling, memorable characters, and sleek visuals make this a compelling second chapter in a powerful urban saga.


Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)

Vigilante – Southland #2 (2016)
Language : English