The first big mega event for the DC All In era is here in the form of DC K.O. This event finally brings the plans that Darkseid has been putting into place onto the forefront. Given all that we know Darkseid has done in the background from crafting the Absolute Universe in his image and creating his own Dark Legion there is so much that DC K.O. can be. Let’s find out with the first issue of this event.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Javi Fernandez and Xermanico
Colorist: Alejandro Sanchez
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
DC K.O. #1 SOLICITATION
“The Heart of Apokolips has transformed Earth into a hellscape in preparation for the return of Darkseid! The end of the DC Universe is here!
The Justice League’s only chance to defeat Darkseid is to enter a deadly tournament, an epic and over-the-top battle royale that will surprise you! The World’s Greatest Heroes fight to become the champion to enter the ring against Darkseid, but there’s a catch… the closer you get to the Heart of Apokolips, the more it corrupts you, changes you into something dangerous.
Which DC character has what it takes to make it to the end? Who is willing to do what it takes to win it all, even if it means taking down their friends and family? You want to get nuts? Let’s get nuts!” – DC Comics
HIGHLIGHTS OF DC K.O. #1
Darkseid Presence is Immediately Crisis-Level
When it comes to presenting the big threat of an event the opening of DC K.O. #1 does an excellent job at that. Darkseid’s current power level is put over as being completely unstoppable. There is no hope to have when the superheroes are shown on screen. Darkseid is put over that much. Which is only elevated even more by what we learn about his new God-level powers through The Quantum Quorum. It all sets the stakes to be as high as they’ve been for any DC Comics event.
Lengths Superheroes go to Crown DCU Champion
With the power shown by Darkseid it drove home the fact that the DCU superheroes can’t just hope to punch harder. No matter how strong the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman can be they simply can’t reach Darkseid’s level. That makes the discussion about the heroes having to do things they wouldn’t normally to crown a Champion who can take on Darkseid incredibly important. Superman stands out as representing the weight of the decisions the heroes have to make. They aren’t choices you expect them to make, giving even greater credibility to what Darkseid represents.
New 52 Given a Whole New Perspective
One of the attention catching moments of this first issue is how the New 52 DC Universe is brought into play. Snyder does the best job thus far in explaining what the New 52 ultimately represents for the company. The New 52 being explained as how just restarting the universe as a solution to reset Darkseid’s threat was done well. It feed into the Doctor Strange-esque explanation by The Quantum Quorum that Darkseid’s threat is to large to be reset.
Absolute Universe Trinity Redefined
The New 52 wasn’t the only one that got some spotlight. The other universe that got even more importance was the Absolute Universe. Specifically, when it comes to the possible definition of what the Absolute Universe’s Trinity truly represents. The appearance of Absolute Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman tease that they are agents of Darkseid. If that is truly the case then it gives greater depth to the way the Absolute Universe has challenged the Trinity and all the current heroes. The challenges they have faced could all be part of Darkseid’s plan to transform the Absolute Universe’s heroes into his Horsemen of Apokolips.
Booster Gold Darkseid Secret Agent
It isn’t just Absolute Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. At the end of DC K.O. #1 we see that Booster Gold is likely working as Darkseid’s double agent. This would make sense as Darkseid would know that The Quantum Quorum would side with the heroes against him. The best way to counter a possible any threat to his power would be having someone working on the inside. It would play into how Booster Gold was able to “escape” Darkseid’s grasp. This twist all further shows how Darkseid has become an immeasurable threat.
Artwork Hits Highs When Action Kicks Into Gear
When DC K.O. #1 goes all in with the action it is at its most impressive. Javi Fernandez and Xermanico drive home how epic of a scale this new Crisis-level event is. You get that the heroes are in an endgame scenario with how the heroes are fighting. They all still have their own style but with an added sense of desperation because of the threat that Darkseid poses.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN DC K.O. #1
Continuity Heavy Presentation
There was no going around how much DC K.O. is built off a lot of what has been built during the DC All In era. There are a lot of concepts that could fly over the head of fans not familiar with certain aspects of the DCU. Who The Quantum Quorum are stands out on this front as there is a lot of background to buy into them being able to buy into them being able to buy the heroes time against Darkseid. The same goes for understanding how Darkseid got as powerful as is. This is where if you are planning to read DC K.O. just know if you don’t understand everything to go with the flow as Snyder and others explain things as the story moves forward.
Massive Investment to get Full Experience
The biggest problem facing DC K.O. is the fact that the commitment DC Comics is asking from readers. This isn’t an event where you can enjoy by just reading the monthly main event. After DC K.O. #2 you’ll have to add 9 comics to your pull list for at least December and January (18 total). That is a big commitment to ask for readers. Because of this latest event may be better having to read through DC Universe Unlimited if you can’t add that many new titles to your pull list.
Batman Protected with Side Dark Knight Tournament
One of the surprises with how DC K.O. #1 ends is that Joker takes out Batman before the tournament begins. For the main event this does give Star Sapphire a bye week on her side of the bracket. Though it is hard to not see this as a way to protect Batman’s rep so he isn’t defeated by another hero or villain. Instead he can now go off in his own Dark Knight tournament facing off against Batmen from across the Multiverse. The way it was done does give the feeling we will see Batman return to compete in the finals of the DC K.O. tournament, while avoiding the actual tournament.
Artwork Inconsistencies During Info Dump Scenes
As good as the artwork looks when all hell is breaking lose with the action the same can’t be said for the talking heavy scenes. There are a lot of panels that feel rushed with the lack of detail. This lack of detail is more apparent when looking at how much is put into the action sequences. You can tell what was more of the emphasis when it comes to the art side of things.
FINAL THOUGHTS
DC K.O. #1 does its job in getting over Darkseid as the endgame boss of the DC Universe. This issue drives home that all the heroes can do is participating in a tournament to crown a champion who may have a chance to defeat Darkseid. That sign of hope may not be big because of other revelations made in this issue. All that success makes the things that don’t fully work, such as how Batman is removed from the equation, frustrating. There is so much to like about this event but there are also things that hold it back from selling the big commitment this event will be for readers pull list.
Story Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10
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