DC Comics reviews 1/14/26 – DC KO 3, Green Lantern Corps 12

DC KO 3

DC KO 3 raises the stakes for the Elite 8 as the remaining heroes and villains have to battle in tag teams for the right to make it to the Final 4.

Based on the participants, most fans likely would have been able to accurately guess at least 3 of the Final 4. The fun in DC KO 3 is how writer Scott Snyder gets to those winners.

Instead of having the elite 8 pair off, they’re tasked with selecting a previous fallen combatant to choose as a partner. Most of the selections make sense — Superman chooses Shazam, Aquaman selects Hawkman and Wonder Woman takes Big Barda. Others are more intriguing like Cyborg and Connor Hawke, Lex Luthor and Supergjrl and Joker’s mysterious choice are more inspired.

Artist Javi Fernandez tackles the fight with lively panels. What they lack in sharpness — some characters’ faces can get soft — he makes up for with frenetic enthusiasm. With an issue heavy on action like DC KO 3, that’s a fair trade off. Joshua Williamson and Xermanico write and draw the brief interlude.

Colorist Alejandro Sanchez and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou provide plenty of consistency with their work whether a creative blend of colors or sound effect choices.

The big buzz for DC KO 3 will be the next fight that awaits the Final 4 and pays off the tease with the Absolute Universe characters joining the fray. The action is heating up and DC KO 3 delivers a colossal installment for these dream battles.

Rating: 9 out of 10

After reading DC KO 3, check out the DC vs Marvel Omnibus on sale at Amazon.

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