Who Will Remain Standing And Who Will The Winners Face Next? ‘DC K.O.’ #3 Reviewed

DC K.O. #3 features Round Three of this knockdown, winner-takes-all event and we’re down to the last eight. Well, we would be if they didn’t all have the chance to pick a partner to fight by their side. And in their closing, we get a couple of surprising choices. But when one champion gets to choose anyone from across the multiverse, then there’s always the element of surprise. It makes up for the more obvious partners, like Superman teaming up with Shazam, or Wonder Woman choosing to go into battle with Big Barda. 

And then … the fight is on. In this case, it means some pretty dramatic action, courtesy of artist Javier Fernández, with an interlude scripted by Joshua Williamson and illustrated by Xermánico. The latter interlude being one of the highlights of this issue. After all, the whole concept of this contest of champions means that for a good deal of the issue, what we are witnessing is a drawn-out fight scene. And after three issues, that could be too much. Even the fan-serving moments — involving The Joker mostly — seem included for exactly that reason. To serve us fans up a tasty meal that rewards long-term DC fans with a nice surprise. Especially if that nice surprise means problems for the remaining heroes.

But what does save this whole issue from being nothing but a slugfest is writer Scott Snyder‘s ear for dialogue. Having written so many of DC’s big stars in other big event comics and on his run on The Justice League, he always finds the voices of his characters, particularly Superman, who is the standout star of this issue. His voice, and others in this book, allow the action to rise above the standard hero versus hero/villain fight fest with a script bristling with great dialogue and allusions. I particularly like his rather prosaic description of the remaining fighters near the beginning of this issue. Zatanna is introduced as “a dark wonder” while the Joker is referred to as a “black laughing void”. I do love a good metaphor, and these are but two Snyder utilises. You can see why DC are banking on Snyder. There aren’t too many creators who can take such a hokey, overused concept and make it sing. Bravo, sir. 

And with the biggest surprise guests only revealed at the very end of this issue, I guarantee you’ll be scrambling to pick up the next issue in a month’s time. 

DC K.O. #3 is out now from DC Comics.