DC K.O.: KNIGHTFIGHT #3 (DC COMICS)
Even in defeat, Batman finds a way to win.
During the “DC K.O.” tourney, The Dark Knight was eliminated by The Joker. His saga should have ended there. Implementing a failsafe, Batman wound up in a future imperfect. Dick Grayson became Batman. Robins were a unit more than any sidekick. Bruce Wayne was insane. After defeating Grayson, Bruce Wayne was moved to a Gotham ran by Jason Todd, otherwise known as Batman.
Their encounter was anything but friendly. Todd isn’t hearing anything this Batman is saying. Is he even Batman at all? Todd is convinced Wayne is Clayface. Batman has now had enough time to assess the situation. He has found a way to cheat the rules of the Heart Of Apokolips. Now, it is time to fight back!
DC K.O.: KNIGHTFIGHT #3 by Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora, Tríona Farrell & Tom Napolitano leads Bruce Wayne into the darkness of a powerful heart.
Let’s take a deeper dive into what is happening now.
DC K.O.: KNIGHTFIGHT #3 by Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora, Tríona Farrell & Tom Napolitano(DC Comics)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Williamson pits Bruce Wayne against a true challenge in this latest chapter. The Jason Todd conflict is short-lived but not without impact. Bruce’s technique is not physical, but more logical. Offering to help Jason causes a break in the challenge structure. The dialogue between the Heart and Batman is filled with frustration and curiosity. Once given an update about the tourney status, Batman continues to oppose what the Heart is manipulating. It provides enough angst to move Bruce to his next level of personal Hell.
Having Tim Drake as Batman provides a few great moments before the natural drama begins. Readers watch as he excels in deducing a murderer in a crowded party. His style of crime-fighting paints a picture of perfection. It is only once he gets to the BatCave that the dream starts fading away. The writing peels back the walls he has built up once Bruce starts talking. Seeing some glimmer of joy awaken in Drake is a small reprieve from the normal brooding which followed his predecessors. This doesn’t sit well with the Heart, which thirsts Bruce into a more damming future. Once here, the true challenge to Batman is set in motion. It it one that has eluded Bruce Wayne for many years. Now in this moment, is he ready for it? An excellent journey to get to this stage.
Mora and Farrell start off with a fast fight between “Bat-Clay” and Jason Todd. A half page panel throws Jason Todd into the defensive. It provides an emotional conclusion before divine intervention occurs. The full page of Batman yelling at the Heart is impressive. The structure is simple but effective. Watching the Dark Knight yell into the void is followed up by a recap of the tourney. Joker’s bloody grin pops off the page. It moves Batman into his next future, one based on brains rather than brawn.
The two page splash welcomes the Tim Drake Batman era to readers. It bears a slight homage to “Clue”. Once the moment passes, it is very familiar territory in the Bat Cave. The visuals flow easily as Bruce Wayne tries entering the equation. A strong two-page splash brings Batman into the mix. The result is an eye catching full page image. Drake’s expressions seeing Bruce run a series of feelings. Readers watch the shock and sadness come into play. It results in a very impressive “family reunion” page which introduces the final act. Coloring makes this scenario very bright to reflect the mood. The scene is more optimistic than one may think. This all comes to a screeching halt with the final page. The full images stops everything to leave readers with many questions heading into the final issue. Another enjoyable visual experience.
FINAL GRADE: 9
Bruce Wayne’s fight against the Heart Of Apokolips takes him into a few difficult spaces to find some semblance of hope. Williamson’s writing casts Batman in a more optimistic place which feels fresh. Mora and Farrell craft a journey into Batman’s fight against not only the Heart, but his inner thoughts as well. The stage is set for one epic final round.
Let me know your thoughts on DC K.O.: KNIGHTFIGHT #3 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
