DC K.O.: Knightfight #2
Jamison Nilsson
Recap
Bruce has fallen before the tournament for the Heart of Apokolips even began. After finding himself transported to a strange future where Dick Grayson is the Batman of the future, Bruce has rebelled. Convinced that the Heart is testing him and that something with the prodigal son is “off,” Bruce begins one of the wildest journeys in Batman history.
Review
DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 picks up where last month’s issue left off, thrusting readers into a battle between father and son amidst the mystery of Bruce’s arrival in this shiny future state. Joshua Williamson makes it clear with this issue that his tenure on the Man of Steel (starting with his ongoing Superman run that began back in 2023) has not affected his ability to tell an effective Batman story. While his characterization of the dark knight last issue was more in reaction to the Dick Grayson of the future, this issue’s Bruce is Batman at his finest. Even without all of his gadgets, Bruce is able to deduce the lingering truth of Dick’s world and show off his infamous prep time, including the utility of his mother box batsuit.
As referenced in the cover art of this issue, DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 retreads old ground, thematically at least, with a new version of the Under the Red Hood storyline and new artwork. As Bruce was forced to face his first son, now he moves on to his second attempt at fatherhood and must face the truth of their relationship and his part in it. Their confrontation deepens Williamson’s portrayal of Bruce by adding texture to his past and the decisions that make this version of Batman different from past incarnations. The way Bruce appears to Jason is very similar to how Jason appeared to Bruce in the original “Batman: Under the Red Hood” from 2005, with Jason as the suspicious hero and Bruce as the insane wildcard.
Dan Mora is currently one of DC Comics’ most in-demand artists. By bringing his talents to Knightfight, he is building atop an already impressive portfolio and showing his range as a penciller with neat line work and shading that reflects the issue’s tone even as it shifts.
The one weak point of Knightfight’s second issue to me was its very short 20-page count, which is just slightly longer than October’s DC K.O.: Knightfight #1. While the story manages to keep pace with its smaller page count, one or two more pages could offer more depth in its character interactions.
Final Thoughts
DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 is a fast-paced adventure full of action through two very different but equally intense future worlds where Batman is forced to confront both his failures and his fears. Joshua Williamson is able to bring out Bruce’s personality and the personalities of his sons even with fewer pages than fans would want. The art nails not one but two worlds and makes the one constant between the two of them, Batman, pop out. My recommendation: If you read and enjoyed Knightfight #1 last month or are a fan of Red Hood, I recommend DC K.O.: Knightfight #2.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 – Under The Black Cowl
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
