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

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