A.V. Pull List: DC K.O. is an event I’m genuinely looking forward to
Alright, so I don’t usually get too hyped about big comic book events. Let’s be honest, some of them feel like they’re just tossing every hero into a blender to boost sales. You get 47 tie-ins, six variant covers, and maybe one issue where something meaningful actually happens. It’s exhausting. I’ve been burned before. But then I read about DC K.O., and I’ve gotta say… this one sounds fun.
Launching in October 2025, DC K.O. is a five-issue main event written by Scott Snyder with art by Javi Fernández, and tie-in coordination from Joshua Williamson. Yeah, it’s got the usual suspects, Superman, Power Girl, Firestorm, Plastic Man, Vixen, Black Lightning and they’re all about to be thrown into a Mortal Kombat-style battle royale inside a five-tier gladiator arena that bursts out of the Earth.
The twist? They’re not fighting for fun. They’re trying to generate enough Omega Energy to stop Darkseid, and whoever survives long enough gets crowned the new King Omega. That’s wild. That’s anime-level wild. And I’m here for it.
Sure, there are gonna be tie-ins. Titans #28, Superman #31, The Flash #26, Justice League Unlimited #12, and probably a dozen more before it’s over. But for once, I don’t mind. This isn’t just another “big threat from space shows up and everyone reacts.” This is an actual tournament. With rounds. And rules. And stakes. It feels like a video game and a summer blockbuster smashed together in the best way.
What really sold me, though, is this quote:
“DC K.O. is a Superman story,” said Williamson. “I wanted to tell a story about Superman looking into his own heart of darkness,” said Snyder. “It’s a very personal story wrapped in nine layers of candy exploding in your face.”
Come on. That sounds fun. Also, Superman is at the center of it, which tells me there’s going to be a real emotional core to the story, not just punching and posturing. If this is Clark Kent being pushed to his limits and possibly breaking his own moral code in the middle of a superpowered tournament, sign me up.
I can’t wait to see who wins. Will it be someone obvious like Superman or Wonder Woman? Or are they gonna pull a swerve and have Vixen or Plastic Man take the crown? Either way, it’s the kind of high-concept fun I miss in superhero comics. And if they stick the landing, DC K.O. might actually be one of those rare events that’s worth the hype.
So yeah, I’m excited. I didn’t expect to be, but here we are. Ding ding. Let the tournament begin.
-Brad McBoom