Midnighter and Apollo is a six-issue American comic book limited series published by DC Comics. It is written by Steve Orlando and illustrated by Fernando Blanco, with covers by ACO. The series debuted in October 2016 and finished in March 2017. The story takes some time after the end of Midnighter, with Midnighter and Apollo having gotten back together. Following a battle with demons, Apollo's soul is dragged to Hell and Midnighter attempts to bring him back.
The series was announced shortly after the cancellation of Midnighter, which came with the end of The New 52 continuity and the DC Rebirth relaunch. With this series, Orlando wanted to explore the romantic relationship between Midnighter and Apollo, as they had only recently gotten back together when Midnighter was cancelled. Orlando believed a comic focusing on the same-sex relationship of two superheroes was necessary. Due to the violent content and profanity within the comic, the series was rated T+ (+16). Reception towards the series has been overwhelmingly positive, being referred to as one of the best comics of 2016.
Praise has been especially directed towards Midnighter's characterization, his relationship with Apollo, the storyline, and the artwork. However, Apollo's secondary role in comparison to Midnighter has been somewhat criticized.
Development
The title was first announced as a six-issue series in June 2016, with the first issue released on October 5. On writing the series, Orlando stated that "Midnighter and Apollo is the book we need right now. Queer couple face down a new enemy and show us that we can never give in to fear, hatred, and evil—and they do it with their own brand of action-movie wit and punching". One of the things Orlando wanted to explore when writing the series is examining the beginnings of Midnighter and Apollo's relationship, due to they fact they had broken up and gotten back together.
Plot
Midnighter and Apollo takes place sometime after the previous Midnighter solo series. The story begins with Midnighter and Apollo stopping a train that has children on board that have been abducted by a man named Captain Half-Beard and his crew. Following their victory, the two of them have dinner with their friends Tony and Marina. Once their friends leave, the two of them have sex, and Apollo questions Midnighter's method of killing his enemies. On the same night, Henry Bendix - the man who created Midnighter - sells the Ace of Winchesters, a magical rifle, to the Lords of the Gun, on the condition that they make Midnighter and Apollo suffer.
After searching for him for days, Midnighter manages to track Bendix to his hideout. Bendix, however, informs Midnighter that he has been expecting him and has sent a demon named Mawzir to fight Apollo, which manages to kill him and send his soul to Hell. Bendix gives Midnighter the option of either letting him go and save Midnighter by teleporting or killing him and being forced to fight his way out which will cost him time away from Apollo. Midnighter quickly kills him and fights his way out before he manages to use his teleportation door where he reaches Apollo and manages to fight off Mawzir.
Three days later, Midnighter goes to the magician Extraño for help. Extraño informs him that Apollo is being held in Hell by demons. Back in Hell, Apollo is being tormented with illusions by the demon-lord Neron.