DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna #1
Chad Burdette
Recap
The gloves come off as the greatest superheroes in the universe enter the arena in a thunderous tournament where the stakes are sky-high!
DC Comics News:
- DC K.O. Is Here And It’s Going To Be A KNOCKOUT And Readers Can Get In On The Action
- Sound The Ringside Bell As The DCU Prepares For DC K.O. This Fall
- This December is Fight Month In The DC Universe As The DC K.O. Event Explodes
Heroes will rise. Legends will fall. It’s time for a cosmic throwdown as the Heart of Apokolips has transformed Earth into a hellscape in preparation for the return of Darkseid!
Comic Watch K.O. Reviews:
- DC K.O. #1: The Scene Is Set For A Real Slobber-Knocker Of An Event
- DC K.O. #2: Round 2 – DCU Items Of Power…Gotta Catch Them All!
Fight Month
- DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1: Fight Month Begins With A Predictable Winner And Outcome – Winner: Superman
- DC K.O. ALL FIGHT MONTH: ROUND 2 OF 8 – Aquaman Vs. Hawkman: When Friends become Foes in Aquaman #12 – Winner: Aquaman
- DC K.O. ALL FIGHT MONTH: ROUND 3 OF 8: Wonder Woman vs. Lobo #1: Bracelets & Bastiches!!! – Winner: Wonder Woman
- DC K.O. ALL FIGHT MONTH - Round 4: The Green Vs The Man And Machine in Titans #30 - Winner: Cyborg
Tie-In Issues
- DC K.O.: Knightfight #1 – The Curse of the Cowl
- DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 – Under The Black Cowl
- The Flash #26: Some Say He’s Impulsive…
- The Flash #27: Caught in the Omega Force
- Superman #31: The Return of Superwoman
- Superman #32: Ready? Fight!
DC K.O. ALL FIGHT MONTH: ROUND 5 OF 8! It’s all-out chaos as Harley Quinn faces off against a surprise opponent!
Review
DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna #1 is the fifth round of Fight Month and the first one where the combatants are two of the most unlikely competitors, but are handled by the creative team on the book well and in a believable manner. Williams, no stranger to writing Harley, captures not only the insane, wacky, and off the wall characteristics, but also able to bring out her rational side at the same time. Although on the surface it seems like a lopsided match Harley definitely holds her own and pushes Zatanna to embrace her magic and win the tournement.
The characterization of Zatanna seems a bit off from the beginning as she initially thinks that she will be fighting along side Harley, not against her. Harley uses this to her advantage as she strikes first by jabbing Zee in the larynx so that she can’t speak her magic. Aside from Zatanna not wanting to fight, it seems odd that she has forgotten how to fight (having been around and in a relationship Batman) and cast her spells using backwards sign language or writing it. Like Captain Atom, it is clear that Zatanna is putting herself at risk as the Omega energy threatens to corrupt her.
The main narrative is controlled by Harley, who is the only one of the two who is shown choosing her preferred variation for round two and three. Zatanna correctly points out the costume changes are merely to enhance the stakes, but in this case give Harley a chance to be and make quips and break the 4th wall with observations.
Like the round between Cyborg and Swamp Thing, the outcome is a Pyrrhic victory for Zatanna, making sense for the next rounds, as Harley comments, how far could she make against the other heroes who possess superpowers. It will be interesting to see how far Zatanna is pushed by the Omega energy and if it has any lasting effects.
Mirka Andolfo’s art is solid and sets the mood for the confrontation between the two, and allows her to play with Harley’s character and look as the rounds progress.
Final Thoughts
DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna #1 is the most interesting round so far not only because of the characters used, but also speaks to the heart of who Zatanna and Harley ultimately are their places in the DCU.
DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna #1
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
