REVIEW: ‘D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom’ Issue 1

D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Joshua Williamson, art by Sean Izaakse, colors by Trish Mulvihill and Hi-Fi, and letters by Dave Sharpe.

This issue is part of the D.C K.O. event. The first battle begins as Captain Atom tries to encourage Superman to stop holding back.

This issue marks the start of All Fight Month, with December focused on the next stage of the tournament. The competitors have been pitted against each other in a bracket, creating individual battles. D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom Issue 1 begins in the embers of DC K.O. Issue 2. Captain Atom was responsible for Supergirl not making it to the next round of the tournament, and Superman is furious. Then they are placed against each other in the contest.

This is the first true example of what the tournament fights will look like, and it is fascinating. There are three rounds, and each subsequent round lets the heroes change their form, with the location changing also. It’s so mind-blowing that such an exhilarating concept is canon.

The book takes its time to warm up, as the characters try to understand what’s happening. But then they start fighting, and the pace really electrifies. Williamson has chosen two terrific fighters as the first entrants, setting an extremely high bar. They’re powerful, historic, and can send the other flying into space. Even with the expectation that those who die may still make it out alive at the end of the tournament, it’s not definitive. The action is dazzling and deafening, and each round bends unexpected attributes to the bout. 

The fight never become tedious because there’s always another level to go. For the entirety of D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom Issue 1, it’s always apparent who’s going to win. That’s been evident from the start of the event. So that’s not a surprise. But what is unexpected is the way in which it’s won.

The two characters show just what it means to be a true hero. Captain Atom is one, there’s no doubting that. He’s fought for his country and has the superpowers to back it up. But he’s come to terms with the tournament’s rules and is now very dangerous. He’s willing to kill, and it shows the capabilities of his powers that could actually end Superman. As for Clark, he’s still struggling to find the courage to fight. Even with Captain Atom pushing him, fighting back is difficult. He’s noble and respectful, not enjoying it at all, which Captain Atom leans into.

Williamson makes the explosive, atom-controlling hero even scarier. He understands the assignment almost too well and begins to cheat. His sneakiness, attempting to break the system to get the upper hand, shows what he’s willing to do to win. But in doing so, his humanity and grasp on reality are on the line. He begins to sound like a mad villain, and Superman has to treat him like one.

The art has a terrific sense of escalation. The art style by Sean Izaakse art gives D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom Issue 1 a ’90s quality, especially later in the book, when the forms change. The opening page is a nine-panel grid that quickly and beautifully sums up Captain Atom. The first round is incredible, putting arguably the two most powerful players in the tournament against each other.

The city of Metropolis is fragile as shockwaves tear through it. Both chargers look classic and instantly recognizable. Captain Atom is mighty, and, in a rare instance, we get to see him let loose. Angry and volatile, he’s able to batter Superman as few can.

The story also allows for the variety of Captain Atom’s powers to be explored. Then the scenes change, and the heroes alert their forms too. These are sensational references, and the designs are fantastic. The focus on the outfits means that the facial expressions disappear, but the physicality and the sheer spectacle are more than enough.

The story may start in Metropolis, but the setting becomes irrelevant given the sheer force and ferocity on display. The background is hard to see, considering how fast the characters are moving, and the desperation to win takes over. And by the end of the issue, reality starts to warp, and the comic pages themselves become a playground.

The colors are magnificent. In the early stages, the iconic colors stand out. Captain Atom‘s silver and red against Superman’s red, blue, and gold. They’re vibrant and bright, with Captain Atom able to fire energy beams of multiple colors. Then the competitors change uniforms, and the palettes change entirely. The fight moves into space, where a contrast of hot and cold takes over. The lettering contains a lot of SFX, big and loud, which conveys the noise as the hits get heavier.

D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom Issue 1 is evidence that Superman stands above everyone else. Captain Atom has the power, but he is corruptible. Superman is strong in both his mind and his soul. It’s not as easy for him to get behind the ethics of the tournament, because it would never cross his mind to do what Captain Atom does. Captain Atom’s actions aren’t wrong; it’s what the heroes have to do to try to win. But it may drive them mad in the process.

D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom Issue exemplifies what to expect from the next stage of the contest: breathtaking battles that have action at the forefront. It’s heavy metal and reality-shaking. It’s more than just fan fiction, querying who would win, because there is much more thought and intricacy amid the chaos. The style of the art and the callbacks to history turn this round into a blast from the past.

D.C. K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.