DC K.O. #2: Round 2 – DCU Items Of Power…Gotta Catch Them All!

The second issue of the main DC K.O. series is the setting for Round 2 or The First Elimination round. The heroes and villains are tasked with finding one of the ten of the iconic DCU items power in the arena, the graveyard of the Elder Gods that were slain by Darkseid. Once the contest begins all chaos erupts as everyone vies for one of the items ensuing they advance.

The issue centers around the lengths Superman would go to in order to win and prevent Luthor from succeeding. This theme of the story is also explored in the cut scenes of the Trinity at their game night prior to Darkseid’s attack that triggered the events last issue. Along with trying to decide what they would do for occupations sans being superheroes Bruce tells Clark that he, like Batman and Wonder Woman, as Superman is a strategic player who will do whatever it takes to not only win but do the most good and protect everyone.

The scenes of the heroes and villains scrambling to grab the artifacts is chaotic and provides some lighter moments (sometimes using dark humor) such as The Joker giant-sized form wearing the Atom Belt eating his fellow competitors, heroes and villains alike, or giving Barda a deadly headache as he stomps around inside her brain. Williams and Snyder make it clear that in this round it is every man for themselves as heroes battle heroes and villains.

The most exposition heavy parts are those between Superman and Lex as Luthor gets the upper hand on Superman as the two head to acquire the Lantern Power Rings. The story is brought full circle as Superman seemingly makes the ultimate sacrifice to acquire the final artifact and halt Luthor’s advance and win a spot in the next round.

Issue two is less about the result and which characters advance (as the Dan Mora Bracket Variant  and bracket challenge on the DC Comics website spoil the outcome of the issue) and more about what lengths Superman and the other heroes will go to prevent the Legion of Doom from ultimately coming out on top of the contest and deciding how the DCU is reshaped.

The final pages of the issue also is not much of a surprise either, as Darkseid reveals that he has been influencing the path of the heroes have decided to take to stop him.

Javier Fernández and Alejandro Sánchez bring their A-game to each page and panel throughout the issue as they deliver the blow-by-blow as the melee unfolds and packed with some Oh $!^*! moments that is more about the journey and establishing the story and less about the who moves forward in the contest to save or reshape the DCU.