DC K.O.: KNIGHTFIGHT #3 – A Fight for the Heart

Creative Team – Joshua Williamson, Dan Mora, Triona Farrell, Tom Napolitano

Published by DC Comics

Catch up with DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 here!

This comic is reviewed by both Megan from the Vigilante Vibes Podcast and Matt from the Hops “Geek” News podcast!

The Story

Matt – Batman certainly can take on anything, no matter how strong, cosmic, or confusing, and so Joshua’s decision to take this and use his own temptations against me makes this ending extremely interesting. All of these different and possible universes collide as Batman has cheated the Heart. In terms of making Batman and this side plot weave and tie into the main K.O story flawlessly. It keeps Batman in the fight, potentially, and allows the main story to go on its own journey. Williamson is on an absolute heater with these stories.

I am curious how the two things in Batman’s life will pull him in separate locations, with the knowledge that Joker is winning the tournament and with Damien revealing something huge in the final panels. Josh adds depth and makes this so much more than Batman fighting his way out of this world that is created.

Megan – DC K.O.: Knightfight #3 starts right where we left off with Jason trying his hardest to fight Bruce, who now looks like Clayface. Bruce has gone out of his way to avoid an altercation with Jason, but Jason is very sure that he’s Clayface. The Heart of Apokolips has created all of these alternate futures where Bruce has to fight his former Robins, the Robins he considered his sons.

However, Bruce refuses to play by his rules. When Jason is thrown off a building, Bruce saves him, proving to Jason that he isn’t his enemy. This puts the Heart into a state of pure anger as he sees this as cheating. The Heart acts out of desperation and tells Batman that the Joker is currently winning the tournament, and gives Batman a new deal. The deal is that if Batman is able to beat his challenge, he will give him another chance in the tournament. This won’t be anything close to easy as the Heart says it will test his mind and his heart.

Joshua Williamson continues to have one of the most thrilling stories to come out of DC K.O. that hits all the right notes. Bruce going through all of these alternate realities showing his worst fears of having to harm the people that mean the most to him brings so much to his story. And now, with the Heart of Apokolips close to losing their cool and having to give Bruce a new deal, which could result in him coming back to. the tournament, has me extremely interested to see where this goes.

The Art

Matt – For me, the artwork of these issues is some of the best work DC has ever produced. The way these colors mold and mesh into one another and bring not only the characters but the setting to life blows me away. Batman’s suits are on full display, and the variations are so much fun to see across the Bat-Family. The colorwork has immense detail as well, such as Tim’s suit shining yellow on its back in the “Clue” scene. I am in love with every panel and every page from an artistic standpoint.

Megan – The artwork of DC K.O.: Knightfight #3 takes all the best aspects of a Batman comic, and puts them all together, created something that’s pure art. Dan Mora knocks it out of the park once again with his drawings, that are beautifully detailed and shaded just right. Triona Farrell brings the heat with their work in the colors, that’s striking enough to make the characters practically pop off the page. All of this, along with the excellent lettering talents of Tom Napolitano, brings us a comic that’s full of depth and high energy.

Final Thoughts

Matt -9.5/10. DC K.O.: Knightfight #3 delivers on big story moments and the inner workings of Batman. We have seen him show his abilities fighting, and now we see him work as the world’s greatest detective as the Heart grows desperate.

Megan – 9/10. DC K.O.: Knightfight #3 continues the thrilling story of Batman outside of the official tournament, but in his own personal tournament. The creative team absolutely nailed it yet again!

Overall Grade: 9.25/10

Let us know in the comments below what you thought of DC K.O.: Knightfight #3!