DC K.O. #2 Review- Ding Ding, Round 2!
A little over a month since the first issue, DC K.O. #2 has hit the shelves, and much like our heroes and villains, this issue is a heavy hitter. The wait between issues has only built anticipation for this tournament event, and issue #2 delivers on the promise of escalating chaos and brutal competition.
DC is now in full swing with DC K.O., with Knightfight earlier this month and multiple tie-ins across the DC lineup, plus a couple of one-shots releasing next month! DC is giving readers plenty of content to sink their teeth into. My bracket prediction was already wrong by the end of issue #1, and there were more surprises in this issue that I was not ready for. The unpredictability is part of what makes this series so compelling—no character feels safe, regardless of their popularity or power level.
Spoilers Ahead
The premise of the this round is really engaging: 32 champions currently, and 16 iconic weapons and relics of the DC Universe (examples: Speed Force Ring, Power Rings, Blue Beetle Scarab, Bane's Venom). When the last item has been found, the challenge ends and those unfortunate champions with no artifacts perish. No rules, just unhinged battles. This creates a frantic energy where every champion is desperately scrambling for these power-ups, knowing that being left without one means certain death. The variety of artifacts also adds an interesting dynamic as characters gain abilities they've never had before.
One thing that is perhaps my misunderstanding: I was expecting more focused battles with the champions if we're having a bracket. Often, it's multiple heroes battling it out simultaneously, and the bracket really only reflects the last person standing. While this creates spectacular action sequences, it does make it harder to track the traditional tournament structure that was initially presented, still, the chaos is entertaining.
Snyder nailed the dialogue for the Heart of Apokolips and the champions, with witty and entertaining conversations despite such intense, high-stakes championship battles. Even in the midst of life-or-death combat, characters maintain their distinctive voices and personalities, throwing quips and barbs that feel authentic to who they are. The moment with Luthor telling Superman that he doesn't do enough to save the world was probably the most impactful dialogue in the issue, and one that is understandable to a degree.
The issue is hectic—every page, every panel has some absolutely wild scene happening. While it's a visual feast, it can be a bit overwhelming. There's so much happening that sometimes you need to go back and re-read panels to catch everything. Some champions you don't even get to see perish on the pages (RIP Metamorpho), which feels like a missed opportunity to give every character their moment, even in defeat. The breakneck pace serves the chaotic nature of the tournament but occasionally sacrifices emotional impact for spectacle.
The art from Javi Fernandez and Alejandro Sanchez is genuinely fantastic. With some of the most insane panels I've seen (Joker with Captain Atom's belt, Superman getting his hand chopped off with a Kryptonite axe), we got true comic book madness. The color work particularly stands out, with each power and ability having its own distinct visual signature that helps differentiate the action even when things get crowded. Fernandez's dynamic layouts perfectly capture the frenetic energy of the battles, making every impact feel intense and every explosion earth-shaking.
Verdict
I had a really fun time with this issue. I think issue #1 had stronger and tighter storytelling, but this was entertaining nonetheless. The first issue had the advantage of setting up the premise and establishing stakes, while this issue had to juggle multiple ongoing battles and plot threads. With December being fight month, it will be really exciting to have something to look forward to weekly with this event. The weekly release schedule should help maintain momentum and keep readers engaged as we barrel toward what promises to be an explosive conclusion to this tournament.
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