Absolute Batman #17
(W) Scott Snyder (A) Eric Canete
ABSOLUTE POISON IVY SINKS HER TEETH INTO ARK-M! Dr. Pamela Isley has been unleashed from the Ark-M facility with an unending hate and burning fire for revenge on Gotham City, and those who put her in the belly of the beast. When Batman hunts her down, he must survive a labyrinth of leveled horrors, one more gruesome after the next, as he tries to save the city from a monster it created.
Three mysterious new Omega-charged fighters have entered the tour nament…and this trinity of the Absolute will change the face of the DCU forever! It’s all down to how far the final four are willing to go to win in the penultimate chapter of DC K.O.! Plus: Booster’s true allegiance revealed, Darkseid’s return foretold, and a bonkers last page that will bring the battle to the next level! DC K.O. #4 delivers what readers have been waiting for since the beginning of this event.
When DC K.O. debuted, it teased an eventual showdown between Absolute Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, and the contestants. Issue after issue, it’s a thread that has been absent from the story, until now. But, why is this trio on the side of Darkseid? Who will win? DC K.O. #4 delivers all of that and more as the event begins to wind down towards the final battle.
Written by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, DC K.O. #4 is a fun issue that sort of sticks to the formula of new level and boss battle. And that formula has generally worked delivering an event that feels epic and popcorn fun rolled into one. Four contestants remain as Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and Joker have to face off with a Booster Gold infused Darkseid and his trio of warriors and the battle is entertaining. Yes, the comic sticks to the formula of heroes battling it out before teaming up, but it gives good reason as to the motivations and causes of all of this. There’s also enough twists and turns to keep readers on their toes.
The art by Javi Fernandez and Xermanico continues the bombastic style of the series that feels like Capcom making a new brawler featuring just DC characters. They’re joined by Alejandro Sanchez on color and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. The art is entertaining and the battles feel fierce and epic as expected. What’s particularly great is the overall ominous feel of Darkseid’s forces and the flashback where we get to see how his warriors were recruited is fantastic with some great page layouts. There’s some small quibbles like the size of Absolute Batman that grows (can easily be explained by Omega energy) but his height doesn’t line up with what we’ve seen in the recent Absolute Batman/Wonder Woman crossover.
DC K.O. #4 doesn’t break any ground but it’s a fun blockbuster. There’s a lot going on and it does a solid job of telling and showing the why and how of it all while delivering punches. The issue has some solid surprises as well that adds to the enjoyment and “comic book” feel of it all. DC and its team have put together an event that’s a summer blockbuster on the printed page that delivers crazy concepts and great visuals that allow you to sit back and just enjoy.
Story: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson Art: Javi Fernandez, Xermanico
Color: Alejandro Sanchez Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 7.95 Art: 7.95 Overall: 7.95 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
DC K.O. #4
(W) Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson (A) Xermánico, Javier Fernández
THE FINAL FOUR ARE PUT TO THE ABSOLUTE TEST! Three mysterious new Omega-charged fighters have entered the tournament… and this trinity of the Absolute will change the face of the DCU forever! It’s all down to how far the final four are willing to go to win in the penultimate chapter of DC K.O.! Plus: Booster’s true allegiance revealed, Darkseid’s return foretold, and a bonkers last page that will bring the battle to the next level!
By A Thread Book 2 #4
Written by Scott Snyder and Jack Snyder
Art by Valeria Favoccia
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As Charlie’s startling new revelation rocks the crew’s faith in their new hosts, Juniper learns more about the mysterious man known as Charon.
Bruce Wayne is on a desperate hunt to help his friend Waylon, now transformed into a monstrous crocodile roaming the sewers, consumed with a deadly hunger. Batman’s last option for a cure is to turn to a god for help…but will he have to descend into the depths of hell to get it?
Story: Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta
Art: Nick Dragotta
Colors: Frank Martin
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
DC with some trepidation has announced MAD About DC, a 64-page one-shot arriving April 1, 2026. Yes, April 1. And no, this isn’t a prank—unless you count letting Chip Zdarsky run this thing as its Guest Editor a prank on the DC Universe itself. You’d have to ask Chip.
MAD About DC brings together an all-star lineup of writers and artists to lovingly roast, parody, and generally make a mess of the characters fans hold dear.
Inside MAD About DC, readers will find:
Whether you’re a lifelong MAD Magazine fan, a DC diehard, or simply someone who enjoys watching respected creators make questionable choices, MAD About DC promises to fulfill your every comic book dream…or at least three or four of them.
MAD About DC goes on sale April 1, 2026, wherever comics are sold. No whoopee cushions included. The issue features a main cover by Dan “MAD About Gluten Labeling Because It Should Actually Be Clearer or Else What’s the Point” Panosian ($7.99 US), cardstock variants by Simon Bisley and Chip Zdarsky ($8.99 US), and a foil variant by Panosian ($10.99 US).
Absolute Batman #16
(W) Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta (A) Nick Dragotta
ABSOLUTE BATMAN IN HELL! Part two of our Absolute Batman/Absolute Wonder Woman story — Bruce Wayne is on a desperate hunt to help his friend Waylon, now transformed into a monstrous crocodile roaming the sewers, consumed with a deadly hunger. Batman’s last option for a cure is to turn to a god for help… but will he have to descend into the depths of hell to get it?
IT’S TAG-TEAM TIME! As the Omega Tournament reaches its endgame, the final eight combatants are put to the ultimate test–confronted with a decades-long stay in their own personal hell! Emotions run high as heroes falter, villains revel, and the Heart of Apokolips eyes its new King Omega. In the end, only the final four will remain… DC K.O. #3 delivers a new round and a new challenge as the remaining contestants must pick a partner and battle it out.
This event, so far, has been an intriguing one. On the surface it’s simply a tournament that feels very influenced by classic video game fighting games. It also dips into motivations and the drive for each participant as they battle to become the champion. DC K.O. #3 creates a new twist to the formula, opening up with a tease of a possible world if Superman won the tournament. There’s been a focus on Superman throughout the event and his holding back and the impact of that. A person of immeasurable power, he could bring peace, he could really stop evil and suffering… so why hasn’t he?
Written by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, DC K.O. #3 is a fun comic that gets interesting because of who each contestant picks. Some are obvious choices, while others are more intriguing in the strategy. What’s nice is, the comic keeps you guessing with power combos and moves that feel like they come out of nowhere in a good way. This isn’t a “battle comic” that just has a lot of punches or weapons used, there’s surprises and deep thought put into each battle and how they play out. And, they add depth to the characters. We get to examine how they think a bit more and the relationships many of them have. It delivers action but also something a little bit more.
The art by Javi Fernandez and Xermanico with color by Alejandro Sanchez and lettering by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou looks solid. The comic really feels epic at times taking a little bit of inspiration from video games, especially what feels like Capcom’s fighting series. The visuals make you hear “Fight” as the battles begin with a “KO” as they end. That is blended in with the style you’d expect from a DC comic to make something that has a little bit more excitement and energy to it. Fernandez and Xermanico are talented, but the subject matter/style of story really makes their work pop. Sanchez’s colors and Otsmane-Elaou’s lettering add the icing and cherry really delivering that last bit of energy and excitement to the visuals.
DC K.O. #3 is a fun comic that feels like a nice mix of DC epic event and video game beatdown. It’s just entertaining fun so far with an epic, world threatening back story that teases at least some changes when it’s all over. Right now, it’s delivering a nice balance of surface fun with a little more just underneath.
Story: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson Art: Javi Fernandez, Xermanico
Color: Alejandro Sanchez Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Story: 7.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.75 Recommendation: Read
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
DC K.O. #3
(W) Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson (A) Xermánico, Javier Fernández
THE ELITE EIGHT REMAIN — AND ALL HELL IS GOING TO BREAK LOOSE! IT’S TAG-TEAM TIME! As the Omega Tournament reaches its endgame, the final eight combatants are put to the ultimate test — confronted with a decades-long stay in their own personal hell! Emotions run high as heroes falter, villains revel, and the Heart of Apokolips eyes its new King Omega. In the end, only the final four will remain…
The origins of the enigmatic Ark M are explored! What terrible secrets lie within its walls, and just who is assigned to protect it from discovery?!
Story: Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri
Art: Joshua Hixson
Colors: Roman Stephens
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links and make a purchase, we’ll receive a percentage of the sale. Graphic Policy does purchase items from this site. Making purchases through these links helps support the site
