REVIEW: DC K.O. #2

DC K.O. #2: “Objects in Motion”, picks up where the first book left off and the action doesn’t let up in the second challenge as the Heart of Apokolips urges the remaining champions to start thinking and becoming more like the opponent (Darkseid) they are seeking to defeat in order to claim it and reshape the universe.

Writers Scott Synder and Joshua Williamson, along with artists Javi Fernández and Xermánico, and colorist Alejandro Sánchez,  continue to amp up the stakes in the second chapter of this DC Comics Event, which has several tie-ins, across DC Comics. Synder and Williamson are good at making you feel the action as well as the thought-provoking conversations from the past that shape what is going on in the current competition.

There were several cool moments in this issue, one very shocking moment and again, not enough pages, because as usual, I wanted this issue to keep going. Much like a boxing round, after a certain amount of time, the bell was rung and the round (issue) was over. I’ll get into more of that below but first, let’s talk about some of the awesome covers that came with this issue.

In Fernández and Sánchez’s main cover, some of the remaining battle-weary champions like Wonder Woman with Thor’s Hammer and battle armor, Superman with a Nth metal mace, Harley with a Speed Force ring, and Lobo juiced up with Bane’s venom, stand among broken stone statues of those who didn’t make it to the second challenge. The champions look ready to take on the next challenge with their new weapons. This is one of those covers that capture the inside story well.

Wonder Woman slams her knee into The Joker’s face with enough force to shatter a mountain to dust in the variant cover by artist Daniel Warren Johnson and colorist Mike Spicer. The artwork looks serious, especially with the forceful look on Wonder Woman’s face and her body movement, and cartoony in the fact that Joker’s head is still attached to his body, the look of pain and terror on the left side of his face and the giant “THWOKK” letters that appear behind him that are reminiscent of the classic Batman TV show of the 1960s.

There is always at least one variant cover that perfectly sums up the story of an issue and this time that variant cover belongs to Mike Del Mundo. Featuring only the hands or gloved hands of superheroes as they grasp or reach for some of the most powerful items in the DC Universe: The Atom’s Belt, Batman’s utility belt, the Lasso of Truth, Power Rings, a Mother Box, a Batarang and the Trident of Neptune.

Each covers shows the reader that these champions are ALL IN and everything is on the line as they fight not just for their world, but for the universe as they prepare to face the ultimate evil: Darkseid. There are also variants available by Simone Bianchi, Tyler Kirkham & Arif Prianto, Ben Oliver, Dan Mora, Ariel Colon and Vasco Georgiev:

I must admit I was still reeling from the shockers in the first issue, and I was thrilled that and had no doubt that Synder and Williamson had more surprises and cool moments planned for us in DC K.O. #2. Superman remains the focus of this event, which makes sense because Darkseid and Superman have been battling for decades and are two of DC’s powerhouses.

Superman did his best to get as many heroes as possible on to the second challenge of the Heart of Apokolips, but many didn’t make it, especially one superhero in particular who we all probably felt would be among the champions who made it based on his popularity. Undeterred by the first round of loss, Superman charges ahead, determined to stop the remaining villains, especially Lex Luthor, from preceding in this competition. Superman is willing to do whatever he has to do, and he proves it in this issue.

Fernández and Xermánico, along with colors by Sánchez, continue to capture the moments of battle perfectly and with intensity that leap s off the pages. There are several panels in this issue that would make great posters, especially when Superman captures his special item.

(10/10) DC K.O. #2 was another great issue, no punches pulled and a lot of great moments, including one between Wonder Woman and Etrigan the Demon (hilarious and full of rhymes) and two between Luthor and Superman. I want more, and that’s what DC Comics has promised us. There are 10 DC K.O. tie-ins next month, including the following battles: Superman vs. Captain Atom, Wonder Woman vs. Lobo, Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna and Red Hood vs. Joker, before we get back to the fray.