Schlattmann was inspired to set the homicide case in a comic book store when he realized that an Aquaman snow globe on his desk " could easily be a murder weapon " . When he visited comic book artist Tone Rodriguez to draw and render the poster of The Dark Defender , comic book writer Dan Wickline was also at Rodriguez 's studio , and so Schlattmann arranged for the two to have cameo appearances in the episode . The episode was filmed in Los Angeles , California though set in Miami , Florida . " The Dark Defender " was praised by critics and Schlattmann was nominated for Writers Guild of America Award for his script . The episode was also submitted as '' Dexter '' s sample episode to determine the nominees for Outstanding Drama Series at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards ; though nominated , the series did n't win
60th Primetime Emmy Awards
60th Primetime Emmy Awards
The Dark Defender