REVIEW: ‘DC K.O.’ Issue 3

DC KO Issue 3 is published by DC Comics. Written by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, art by Xermánico and Javi Fernández, colors by Alejandro Sánchez, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

It’s round three of the tournament, and this time, the competitors get a partner.

This issue condenses four vicious battles into one chapter. DC KO Issue 3 immediately begins the next round and concisely explains the rules. Each living fighter gets to resurrect a fallen friend and fight alongside them in the next round. Some of these combinations are expected, such as Guy Gardner selecting Hal Jordan. But others, particularly the remaining villains, are extremely surprising. Lex Luthor selects Supergirl, which instantly raises eyebrows. From there, a fascinating structure begins.

The quartet of battles happens at the same time, in arenas that are visible to each other. Scott Snyder switches between the battles brilliantly, letting them flow whilst keeping control of the full picture. The plot has to rotate, as each battle has its own storyline on both sides of the field. There are fusions and plans and combinations, tensions and rivalries. The pace is exhilarating and intoxicating. It never rushes, with a huge size to the book that ensures there isn’t a desperation to finish or skip.

There are effectively four finishes to DC K.O. Issue 3. The victors are pretty easy to predict, but the method by which they win is staggering. And that’s not the most important moment of the ending, as there is a sneak peek at the next round. This is a momentous, enormous reveal that leaves jaws on the floor.

The characters are superbly written. All of those involved are now fully aware of what they need to do. The cobwebs and nerves are shaken off, and they now just need to kill their opponent. They may be friends, such as Hal and Superman, but the competitiveness steps forward from all of them. Each character thinks they are the one destined to win, which helps their confidence shine through.

Each interaction between the competitors and their partners is unique. Superman, Shazam, Hal, and Guy are friends, whilst Supergirl instantly turns on the man who resurrected her. The dialogue between old friends is touching and heartwarming in such a hostile place.

The narration is also brilliant in DC KO Issue 3, and it becomes clear that the Heart of Apokolips is providing it. It’s that which grants it with such awareness of everything that’s happening, because the Heart can see all of it, knows all of it. A scary side is revealed about many of the heroes and villains in this chapter as the shackles are removed.

Many have chosen their partner for a specific weapon or power, thereby enhancing their own. It’s selfish and opportunistic, but it’s what they need to do to gain an advantage. Both Luthor and the Joker are very scary, because they are able to access tech and powers at will, ascending to a level never seen before. And the Heart admires them for doing it.

The art is spectacular, unleashing an incredible spectacle. Even before the battles kick off, DC KO Issue 3 is beautiful. The eight survivors of All Fight Month stand beneath the enormous creatures that guard the Heart. The designs are all stunning. There’s a great page that shows the competitors and their chosen partners, like the start screen in a fighting game. And then Fernández, who illustrates the main story whilst Xermánico works on the interlude, unleashes true chaos.

Each page of DC KO Issue 3 is filled with some sort of combat or violence. And each battle has something different. There’s magic, lanterns, lightning, and everything possible. Each page adds something slightly different to the fights, escalating the intensity.

The competitors can change their appearance and bring a weapon in. And with the likes of Joker and Luthor involved, these can be grotesque and unnerving. The ends of the battle are ruthless and brutal, definitively deciding a winner. And a fascinating feature of the art, and the nature of this round, is that the arenas are in view of each other. So occasionally, you’ll see the fights on the other battlefields, far away.

The colors are extraordinary. Early in DC KO Issue 3, a heavy black is prominent on the page. It highlights how much of this world is completely crafted by the Heart of Apokolips, and that is usually a void of nothingness. The battle itself shifts from a blue hue in the opening to a mix of gold, yellow, and orange, created by a burning lava pot beneath.

It’s vibrant and intense, but the competitors’ colors can fight back against that brightness. The green of the Lanterns and the energy/magic from the likes of Cyborg, Zatanna and Shazam do much of the heavy lifting when breaching through those shades. The lettering is fantastic, always creative and invoking the voice and volume of the characters.

DC KO Issue 3 is a constant escalation of awesomeness. Every round of the tournament is something new, making sure the concept never gets dull. Adding more bodies to the mix by making this round a doubles event increases the chaos. The fights in these issues have been some of the most breathtaking battles ever.

You might be able to predict the outcome, but before the comic reaches that destination, you’ll be taken on an outstanding journey. It’s volatile and violent, but with sophistication and remarkable storytelling. It’s a sign of extreme professionalism from the finest creators, turning the event into something beyond a mindless fight.

DC K.O. Issue 3 is available where comics are sold.