The world is in crisis (again), but this time, the heavy hitters are busy. In DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special, writer Jeremy Adams and Travis Mercer pivot away from the cosmic punch-ups of the “Omega Tournament” to look at the collateral damage: the kids left behind. It’s a fast-paced, emotionally resonant read that proves the next generation of DC heroes is more than ready for their turn in the spotlight.
The Story: Left at the Kids’ Table
With the big guns fighting Darkseid and the Titans busy in deep space, Earth is wide open. Jon Kent is benched at the Watchtower, tasked by Donna Troy and Arsenal with babysitting a handful of super-kids. He wants the front lines, but instead, he’s managing a motley crew: geniuses Fairplay and Quiz Kid, speedster Judy Garrick (The Boom), and the rebellious Lian Harper (Cheshire Cat), who is in recent trouble because she helped her mom, Cheshire, and Cheetah, rob the Justice League.
The conflict kicks off when Fairplay detects an energy signature from Granny Goodness, the sadistic general who tortured him as a baby. While Jon tries to keep the peace with ice cream and “tips and tricks,” the kids steal a League ID and Boom Tube to Earth to take Granny down themselves.
The Visuals
The art by Travis Mercer is exactly what this kind of book needs: clean, expressive, and kinetic. Mercer handles the large cast with ease, giving each character a distinct silhouette and body language. Whether it’s Jon Kent’s earnest but slightly out-of-his-depth facial expressions or the high-speed blur of Judy Garrick and Irey West, the visuals remain crystal clear.
Andrew Dalhouse’s colors bring a vibrant, modern pop to the issue. There’s the blue-hued Lunar Watchtower, and then you’ve got the hellish, red-sky terraforming happening on Earth, which creates a palpable sense of stakes. The energy effects, from the crackle of Speed Force lightning to the glow of Fairplay’s motherbox cubes makes the action glow in the right places. Finally, letterer Dave Sharpe’s placement helps guide the eye through the kids’ rapid-fire banter and the sound effects.
Pay at least $16 for these 10 items
Why It Works: Heart and History
What makes this special stand out is how it leans into DC’s rich history of mentorship. You’ve got characters from the Justice Society, the Justice League, and even the Titans all sharing the stage. While it might feel like a mismatch of pieces at first, it actually showcases a small but powerful slice of the incredible legacy DC has in its library. There’s a touching moment where Cassandra Cain, Jon Kent, and Fairplay bond over their non-traditional childhoods, and it’s honestly sad to realize how many young heroes have such shitty pasts. I mean, The Boom and Quizkid were held captive on an island by a villain for years, Lian grew up in foster homes and on the streets, and even Donna and Roy had less-than-ideal upbringings. It just goes to show that everyone carries their own trauma: even kids.
The climax is a blast, featuring a surprise appearance by someone who sure knows how to hype us up. It’s a reminder that even when the big guns are away, the DC Universe is teeming with heroes capable of stepping up.
Final Verdict
DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special is a fun read for fans of young hero teams and anyone following the broader KO Tournament and Titans storyline. It balances humor with genuine peril and a lot of heart.
Read More from KPB Comics:
‘DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special’ | Earth’s Last Line of Defense
DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special is a fun read for fans of young hero teams and anyone following the broader KO Tournament and Titans storyline. It balances humor with genuine peril and a lot of heart.
