The end is here, folks, and it looks wild. DC K.O. #1 just landed, kicking off an event that promises to reshape the DC Multiverse with a cosmic throwdown so over-the-top, it’ll make your head spin. If you’ve been looking for an epic battle royale with ridiculously high stakes and a classic DC Crisis feel, then writer Scott Snyder has made his grand return to the main DC stage just for you.
The premise is simple, brutal, and totally unhinged: The Heart of Apokolips has turned Earth into a desolate hellscape, prepping it for the triumphant return of Darkseid. He’s leveled way up since we last saw him in DC All In Special, and now he’s become King Omega (K.O., get it? Snyder, you absolute nerd!), thanks to being fed near-infinite power from Snyder’s successful Absolute Universe imprint.
Luckily, the League gets a rewind. Enter the Quantum Quorum (Time Trapper, World Forger, Gorilla Grodd, who hilariously calls the heroes “soft as hell”, and a freshly rescued Booster Gold), who pull the classic time-travel trick, giving the heroes seven days to prepare. Their only option? A deadly tournament.
Superman’s initial response to a superhero tournament is the perfect, hilarious blend of “Wait, what?”, but it’s quickly established that this absurd idea is their only shot. The tournament is their ticket to a final fight against Darkseid, but there’s a killer catch: the closer a hero gets to the Heart, the more it corrupts and transforms them. This immediately raises the stakes: Who has what it takes to win it all, even if it means taking down their friends and family?
Things get wild as the tournament officially kicks off. The initial drop into the chaos is a bit messy and confusing: we’re not given much explanation on the players or the rules, and it reads as a pure, chaotic spectacle. But maybe that’s the point. It’s a riot of costumed violence, perfectly punctured by a hilarious, fourth-wall-breaking line from Ambush Bug. Of course, the villains show up, unsurprisingly joining the tournament: Lex Luthor, King Shark, Cheetah, Giganta, Starro, and Joker, leading to a big, surprising end involving Batman, though we already know he’s off on his own side adventure in Knightfight.
The art by Javier Fernandez is certainly serviceable, though maybe not my preferred style for a huge cosmic event. However, colorist Alejandro Sanchez nails the crucial moments, especially the deep reds of Darkseid’s Omega Beams and the vibrant pinks used for the essential backstory elements, making the quiet moments pop with energy. The lettering is clean, and when you finally figure out who the narrator is, the choice of a black speech bubble with white text suddenly feels powerful and commanding.
Ultimately, DC K.O. #1 delivers on all its promises: a chilling new take on an old foe, a ridiculous but necessary tournament, and a chaotic, high-stakes spectacle. The issue closes out with a major reveal that will floor you and a promise of even more chaos to come. I’m hyped. This is the kind of bold, high-octane event comics need, and it’s a slam-dunk start.
‘DC K.O.’ #1 Review: The DC Universe Just Got Knocked Out
DC K.O. #1 delivers on all its promises: a chilling new take on an old foe, a ridiculous but necessary tournament, and a chaotic, high-stakes spectacle. The issue closes out with a major reveal that will floor you and a promise of even more chaos to come. I’m hyped. This is the kind of bold, high-octane event comics need, and it’s a slam-dunk start.
