DC Universe and The CW's Stargirl recently concluded its first season in August, wrapping up the 13-episode arc of Courtney Whitmore's development into the titular heroine. However, the season one finale also hinted at what's to come when the series returns by introducing the DC villains known as the Shade and Eclipso.
Based on the comic book of the same name by creator Geoff John, Stargirl season one followed high school girl Courtney Whitmore as she becomes the inspiration for a new generation of superheroes after discovering Starman's Cosmic Staff and learning that her stepfather Pat Dugan used to be the hero's sidekick during their time with The Justice Society of America. The first season of Stargirl debuted in May 2020 and released new episodes on DC Universe before airing them on The CW the following day. When the series returns for its second season in 2021, it will air exclusively on The CW as an original program.
Towards the end of the season one finale, the Shade was shown sitting alone in the Injustice Society of America's meeting room watching a news broadcast blaming the effects of Project New America on an earthquake. While the Shade's face is never shown, he can be seen creating a black shadow and heard uttering the line, "Oh, Jordan. I told you it was folly." In the following scene, Cindy is seen searching through the Wizard's storage room and finding a diamond-shaped crystal in an old box. When she holds up the crystal, a deep, male voice laughs back at her in response to her saying, "I see you in there, Eclipso."
In the comics, The Shade was initially introduced as an adversary to The Flash and a thief who used his cane to control shadows. Later incarnations of the character depicted him as a more morally complex immortal who received his powers from an unexplained mystical event that killed over one hundred people and erased his memory. Eclipso, on the other hand, is the incarnation of the Wrath of God and the Angel of Vengeance and is bound inside a black diamond until the person holding it becomes angry. Once released, Eclipso aims to possess powerful people or beings in his own pursuit of power, with notable victims including Superman and even the Shade.
Of course, how the writing team on Stargirl plans to adapt these two villains for the screen remains to be seen, though comic book writer James Robinson's involvement with the show might offer some hints. As the writer who depicted the Shade as a more heroic character in the comics, Robinson and the writing staff could potentially plot out a redemption arc for the shade in Stargirl season two.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait longer than usual to see how Stargirl season two and the rest of The CW's superhero shows unfold. The network recently pushed back the premieres of multiple shows due to the coronavirus pandemic's impact on production.
Stargirl season two will premiere in 2021 on The CW.
Source: Comic Book Resources