Chad Burdette
Yesterday, DC Comics announced its next comic book event by co-architects Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder: DC K.O.!
This fall, the gloves come off as the greatest superheroes in the universe enter the arena in a thunderous tournament where the stakes are sky-high!
Which 36 fighters will enter the tournament of champions?
Heroes will rise. Legends will fall. It’s time for a cosmic throwdown! DC today announced its next comic book event by co-architects Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder: DC K.O.! This fall, the gloves come off as the greatest superheroes in the universe enter the arena in a thunderous tournament where the stakes are sky-high, and the cost of victory may be too steep to bear. Starting in October, this publishing event puts heroes to the ultimate test of strength, loyalty, and knock-down, drag-out brawls. Which 36 fighters will enter the tournament of champions? Who will rise through the brackets and rival Darkseid against his ever-growing Omega powers? And what sinister secret lies at the absolute heart of Apokolips? Get ready for the most fun you’ll have all year (at a death tournament)!
Last year, Absolute Batman writer Scott Snyder and Superman writer Joshua Williamson reshaped the future of DC storytelling with DC All In Special #1, the start of the DC All In era and the birth of the Absolute Universe.
Now, the duo returns as co-architects of a new bracket-style comic book event to continue the DC All In saga they developed: Snyder helms the main DC K.O. event series with artist Javi Fernández, while Williamson orchestrates the tie-ins that ripple across the DC universe.
In a press release from DC Comics, scribe Scott Snyder said about the project:
“DC K.O. is a knock-down, drag-out fight between all your favorite DC Super Heroes in a cosmic tournament to save the universe from Darkseid. Darkseid has evolved into something bigger and stronger than ever.”
“You have to be merciless to win, and when you’re out, you’re out.” “Each level is a new challenge.”
“I wanted to tell a story about Superman looking into his own heart of darkness. It’s a very personal story wrapped in nine layers of candy exploding in your face.”
“Big events like this capture who we are as creators and characters, and what’s coming after? It’s huge.”
Williamson added
“He’s destroyed the future, There’s no future for the DC Universe because of what he’s done—the heroes’ only shot is to stop him in the present.”
“And the tournament will reveal unexpected heroes—some you won’t believe will go really far in the fights…”
“Metal was a Batman story, Death Metal was a Wonder Woman story—and DC K.O. is a Superman story,”
“DC K.O. is our thank you to the fans. It’s not just spectacle—it touches every corner of the DCU.
A universe-shaking five-level gladiatorial arena emerges from the Earth itself, each descending level testing the heroes in brutal and symbolic ways. The goal? Generate enough Omega Energy to rival Darkseid—and crown a new King Omega, a celestial being toward whom the universe bends.
While the battles are epic, the emotional center lies with Superman.
With art by Javi Fernández, whose storytelling and action are described by both creators as “incredible” and “epic,” the event promises thrills, tension, and transformation.
DC K.O. #1
Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Javi Fernández, DC K.O. is a five-issue limited series publishing through early 2026. The first issue features a main cover by Fernández with a dramatic DC K.O. acetate overlay. The full cover art behind the acetate will be revealed during the DC All In: What’s Next panel at San Diego Comic-Con (Thursday, 7/24, 11:30am PT, Room 6DE), and limited-edition ashcans of DC K.O. (comic trim with a foil cover) will be on sale during SDCC in the DC Booth, while supplies last.
DC K.O. #1 variant covers include artists Jim Lee, Daniel Warren Johnson, Frank Cho, Scott Koblish, Jae Lee, and Mike Del Mundo, plus specialty variant covers by Ben Oliver (Face-off variant), NOOBOVICH (1:25 ratio variant), Dan Mora (Bracket variant; AEW Cameo variant), Mark Spears (Darkseid variant), and a foil variant by main cover artist Fernández. DC K.O. #1 is available from participating retailers on October 8, 2025. All versions of the 48-page kick-off issue will retail for $5.99 US.
Jim Lee Variant Cover:
Daniel Warren Johnson Variant Cover:
Frank Cho Variant Cover:
Scott Koblish Wraparound Variant Cover:
Mike Del Mundo Variant Cover:
Jae Lee Variant Cover:
Ben Oliver Face-Off Variant Cover:
NOOBOVICH 1:25 Incentive Variant Cover
Dan Mora (Bracket variant; AEW Cameo variant),
Mark Spears (Darkseid variant)
Stay Connected. Follow the Fights!
Who Will Win Each Bracket??
From bracket reveals and SDCC panel exclusives to creator commentary and schedule updates, follow dc.com and @DCOfficial for everything fans need to stay on top of DC’s biggest event of the year! The bell may ring in October, but the bout has only begun. DC K.O. unfolds across five explosive monthly issues, each descending deeper into the cosmic tournament and the moral reckoning at its core. As the Heart of Apokolips pulses stronger, secrets will unravel, heroes will clash in shocking pairings, and the true cost of becoming King Omega will be revealed. With each round, the DC Universe gets closer to its breaking point—and victory may come at a price no hero is willing to pay.
More punches, reveals, and surprises await at San Diego Comic-Con, where fans will get an exclusive first look at the DC K.O. event during the DC All In: What’s Next panel, held Friday from 11:30AM to 12:30PM in room 6DE. Join Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Mark Waid, and other top DC storytellers as they unveil behind-the-scenes insights into DC K.O., explore the future of Absolute Universe publishing, and set the stage for what’s coming next across DC’s core titles. Moderated by DC Executive Editor Chris Conroy and DC Group Editor Paul Kaminski, this is the ultimate briefing for anyone ready to go all in.
