REVIEW: ‘DC K.O.’ Issue 4

DC KO Issue 4 is published by DC Comics and written by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, art by Javi Fernández and Xermánico, colors by Alejandro Sánchez, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

The next round of the cosmic tournament brings in the heroes from the Absolute Universe, with the competitors having to go through them to get to Darkseid.

The competitors have already faced dangerous foes, going up against heroes and villains they know well – even care about. But now they’re facing alternative versions of themselves who arrive from a hardcore universe. On top of that, there’s a Darkseid in disguise as Booster Gold. Snyder infuses that hardcore universe into the plotline of DC KO Issue 4 with a rapid and ferocious start. The fighters charge at each other, tussling with extreme force.

Some switch sides to avoid annihilation, obliterating the fair odds. That’s before backup arrives, with a reenergized Batman returning to the fray and making the respective Trinities even. The fight is absolutely brutal, with a pace that is bursting with breathtaking energy. It takes both mind and strength to try and get a foothold, using both excessive force and the kind hearts of our Earth’s heroes. But there’s more, with battles and chaos even after this ridiculous havoc.

DC KO Issue 4 features an utterly jaw-dropping boss fight and an ending that feels like a gut punch. It’s safe to say there were expectations about how the final moments would look when facing Darkseid. Those expectations arise, only to be shattered by a stunning surprise. And there’s an epilogue too, one that shows just how intricate Darkseid’s planning had been, with his machinations affecting the entire tournament.

Snyder offers a new look for the Absolute heroes that hasn’t really been seen since their first appearances. In their respective books, we have seen how heroic they are. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have all been selfless, compassionate, and kind. But here, in DC KO Issue 4, we’re reminded of how terrifying they are. They’re ruthless and dangerous, and they can do things the regular Trinity can’t. The narration is cold and detailed, heightening the violence.

To both offset and deepen the dark tone, a little bit of lightness is needed. That’s what Batman’s return brings. It’s merged with the game, which might include an interlude interspersed throughout the event. It shows the closeness between the trio, built over the years. It also demonstrates Batman’s immaculate planning skills, able to hack the system and plan for any event. He’s also pretty funny, considering he’s Batman.

The other inclusion worth noting is the villains, given their enormous impact. The Joker and Lex Luthor are still in the contest, and Snyder shows the very different personalities of the iconic enemies. Joker is a cowardly cockroach, trying to find ways to survive. He’s sniveling and out of his depth within a battle of this magnitude.

Meanwhile, Luthor can strategize and think his way out, biding his time for the right moment to strike. One rushes into a decision, the other waits. DC KO Issue 4 even makes time for an exclusive instance where both Batman and Superman are on the same team as Luthor and the Joker.

The art is glorious, letting the madness reach cataclysmic levels. The design features of the Absolute heroes meet the classic concepts that inspired them. Batman with his battle axe and immense size. Superman with his explosive gauntlets and cape that can create constructs. And Wonder Woman’s anime-scale sword and undead Pegasus.

These are just a few of the aspects that Fernández superbly recreates into the same world, sending them against the base models. It’s incredible to see the two Trinities all drawn by the same artist on the same page for the first time.

The battle is ludicrously chaotic yet easy to follow. The battlefield is being destroyed, and the scale is bewildering. But it also moves in closer, revealing precise, powerful attacks and clashes. The new heroes look frightening, turning furious and monstrous under Darkseid’s influence, which corrupts their cells. Even Joker gets transformed into something new. Then comes another battle that shifts the layout and scaling. It circles back to the event’s very first issue. Things have changed, and it’s just as traumatic.

The colors are both haunting and vibrant. There is a cosmic pink-and-purple glow covering the battlefield, either a haze or a bright light. The explosions, Kryptonite, and other dangers are captured in full. The colors of costumes fight to be prominent, but are sometimes toned down as the ferocity of the world around them takes over. And when a competitor is killed, they turn into dark, cold stone. The lettering continues to be creative and terrific, able to wring every last drop of pain, fury, and menace out of the words on the page.

DC KO Issue 4 is a meeting with the force of a megaton. The level of chaos and magnitude is close to indescribable. It’s a battle that really feels like it is for the fate of the universe. And yet, the comic finds time to be profound and personal. The DC heroes are already extreme, and they face counterparts that escalate it further. The tiniest details are all placed into a ferocious furnace that can’t stop turning up the heat.

DC KO Issue 4 is available where comics are sold.