Whether in comics, animation, or movies, we always love a good superhero fight. That clash of egos, which only their mind and fists (and sometimes a bit of plot armor) can solve. DC K.O., DC Comics‘s newest big event, promises to shake the world with a big tournament. Heroes and villains gather to conquer the Heart of Apokolips and stand above all, but who will win? And will they succumb to the Heart?
DC K.O. is a 42-issue event full of all types of fights, from 1v1s to all-out brawls. And now that the tournament is done, it’s time to go back and read everything, from front to back — whether you missed it, or just want to relive the madness, once again.
We’ve written a list with synopses for every chapter in the event, prologues, tie-ins, and the main story. You can also check a cleaner list with only the chapter names at the end of the article. Draw your weapons and have fun!
Justice League Unlimited #11
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
This issue is a prelude to DC K.O., setting high stakes for the event. The entire Earth is in danger, and everything possible is going wrong, turning the heroes powerless.
Justice League: The Omega Act Special #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Yasmine Putri, Cian Tormey
Time Trapper discovers the future is already lost, and Earth’s only hope, as always, is the Justice League. And, also: a fun Booster Gold and Wally West adventure!
Aquaman #11
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Nimit Malavia
This issue is totally skippable, as we start entering the realm of tie-ins here. Still, it explains the connection between Darkseid and the Dark Tide.
DC K.O. #1
Writer: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Javier Fernández, Xermánico
The event properly starts, and it couldn’t be better. It’s a great buildup for almost everything we’ll see during the tournament, but it already gives us good action scenes with a taste of the chaos about to unfold.
Titans #28
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Pete Woods
While many heroes participate in the tournament, some stay to protect the Earth and the civilians. This dialogue-heavy issue explores how the Titans are dealing with the situation.
Superman #31
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira
Williamson’s Superman has been one of the best and most consistent DC runs recently, and it doesn’t disappoint. If you love Superman, you’ll love this issue because it makes the event more personal to him. All of that while setting up more stuff for K.O. and for the run.
The Flash #26
Writer: Mark Waid, Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Vasco Georgiev
If the future is already lost and the heroes are doing everything they can in the present, what about the past? So, Bart Allen has one idea: Impulsepoint. But Flash already knows how bad that can get and runs to stop him.
Justice League Unlimited #12
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
The start of a new arc and a step up in quality for Justice League Unlimited. Mister Terrific gathers a group of time-displaced heroes for a mission at the core of the planet.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Dan Mora
We know that Batman’s prep time can handle anything, so even death isn’t enough to stop him. However, he wakes up in a strange future, where Dick Grayson is the Batman, and Bruce must fight his way out of it.
Titans #29
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Pete Woods
The evacuation is complete, and the Titans leave Earth, but they all get scattered across space. This issue focuses on Nightwina and Raven as they must escape Gemworld.
DC K.O. #2
Writer: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Javier Fernández, Xermánico
Craziness and chaos ensue as the heroes must gather weapons of war to advance in the tournament. It might disappoint those who wanted it to start with the 1v1 fights, but it’s a fun all-out brawl.
Superman #32
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira
This issue focuses on what Lex was doing before the tournament and how he got there. We also get a few Superboy Prime scenes, which have been really fun.
The Flash #27
Writer: Mark Waid, Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Vasco Georgiev
Flash keeps running after Impulse, but they aren’t alone anymore. Now, both will have to work together to face the Legion of Darkseid. Waid taps into great character dynamics here, bringing out what’s best about both speedsters.
Justice League Unlimited #13
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Mr. Terrific and his team venture through hell to save Earth. The situation gets more dire by the minute, and some of the heroes might not make it back alive.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #2
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Dan Mora
Bruce confronts Dick Grayson about his newfound future and what it means to be Batman. But, even if he defeats Dick, there are more Batmans lurking in the shadows.
DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Sean Izaakse
If you came to DC K.O. for the hard-hitting fights, then rejoice. Superman vs. Captain Atom is a matchup for the ages, and this issue brings about all of their strengths and history.
Aquaman #12
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: John Timms
The best this Aquaman run has delivered yet! Big surprise: heroes beating each other up is incredibly fun, and Aquaman vs. Hawkman doesn’t disappoint.
DC K.O.: Wonder Woman vs. Lobo #1
Writer: Joëlle Jones
Artist: Jason Howard, Cary Nord, Daniel Bayliss
Wonder Woman vs. Lobo enters the tournament for one of the goofiest and most creative fights of the event. It’s a great way to shake things up, and gives this fight another edge besides seeing who’s the most powerful character.
Titans #30
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Pete Woods
The All Fight Month is a huge success for the Titans as well, bringing us another great duel. This time, things are pretty evenly matched, which makes it even more interesting.
DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna #1
Writer: Leah Williams
Artist: Mirka Andolfo
One of the best things about these fights is how they handle both characters well, and this is a perfect example of that. Even more so, it uses that to build its narrative, making us eager for what’s next.
The Flash #28
Writer: Mark Waid, Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Vasco Georgiev
We get a break from Impulsepoint for another fight. Here we get the usual Flash and Green Lantern duo, but not the ones we’re used to. It’s Jay Garrick vs. Guy Gardner, folks.
Superman #33
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
The first (and last) supervillain fight of the all fight month. Williamson has a great voice for Lex, so it’s always amazing when we get a story focusing on him.
DC K.O.: Red Hood vs. The Joker #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson, Scott Snyder
Artist: Dustin Nguyen, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Mark Morales
The final round is also of one the most anticipated fights. Joker and Red Hood’s past gives another layer to their battle. It makes for an emotional, interesting, and compelling chapter.
Justice League Unlimited #14
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Mister Terrific continues his suicide squad-like mission, and the battle against Neron intensifies. One of the members’ fate is sealed, but the show must go on.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #3
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Dan Mora
Things change even more in this issue, and we get another Batman. But Bruce also finds a clearer path to freedom in what’s one of the best chapters in this series.
DC K.O. #3
Writer: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Javier Fernández, Xermánico
And then there were eight. The last remaining competitors face each other in team-up fights, and we get many great match-ups. However, as the Heart of Apokolips’ influence over the heroes gets stronger, the comic raises the question of whether true victory is a real possibility.
Aquaman #13
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Daniel Bayliss
This issue basically moves away from the DC K.O. event to focus on Mera. New threats emerge with the kingdom of Atlantis, posing a great challenge for the queen.
Titans #31
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Pete Woods
Donna and Roy are Earth’s last line of defense against Grail, Darkseid’s daughter. However, the Titans still have problems on Gemworld, giving Jinx more time to shine.
DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam #1
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Pat Boutin, Cian Tormey
Kyle Rayner also wants to join the fight to save Earth, but he has to go through Omega-Bam-Man and his wrestling shenanigans before that. It’s as goofy as you’d imagine, but that’s what’s so fun about it.
Superman #34
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira
Williamson’s Superman continues to be one of the best parts of the event, and it’s Prime Time. Superboy’s voice has only been getting better, and it’ll be a delight once he gets the main role properly in the series.
The Flash #29
Writer: Mark Waid, Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Vasco Georgiev
The Legion of Darkseid keeps chasing our heroes throughout time, and they arrive at one of DC’s most iconic moments: when Barry was first struck by lightning.
Justice League Unlimited #15
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora, Sean Izaakse
As Neron reveals his plan, and Hell keeps getting more hellish, we also focus on Earth and the Watchtower. The twisted adventure keeps bringing us tension, but it’s also fun to follow the new heroes trying to protect the planet.
DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Travis Mercer
The Kids Are All Fight Special is inconsequential to the DC K.O. event, focusing on Jon Kent, Cassandra, and some minor characters, like Boom and Cheshire Cat.
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Ronan Cliquet, Kieran McKeown, Pablo M. Collar
Boss Battle has to be another highly-anticipated issue in the event. Although it could’ve been longer, it was fun seeing the DC characters interact with the likes of Homelander, Red Sonja, Annabelle, and more.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #4
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Dan Mora
Knightfigh is a series that shines brighter every chapter, reaching an emotional and incredible conclusion. It’s definitely a top-three contender for best run in this event.
DC K.O. #4
Writer: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Javier Fernández, Xermánico
With only four competitors remaining, three new fighters join the tournament. It’s time for the DC heroes to meet the Absolute Universe.
Aquaman #14
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Daniel Bayliss
The run moves away further from the DC K.O. events to focus on Andrina and Mera.
Titans #32
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Pete Woods
The last issue of Layman’s Titans run. It continues the previous story while setting up the next series with Cheshire Cat and other newer characters.
Superman #35
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira
The last issue for this arc, and, again, Prime and Lois Lane are incredible. It’s a great build-up for Prime’s story, which will start next issue.
The Flash #30
Writer: Mark Waid, Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Vasco Georgiev
Flash and Impulse’s race takes them not only to a past Darkseid, but to Waid’s last issue in this run. From issue #31, Ryan North takes the helm, and it’ll surely be a fun time.
Justice League Unlimited #16
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
All the plots converge, and Mister Terrific and his team finally confront Neron. But they must find the traitor in their midst before they can win their final battle.
DC K.O. #5
Writer: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson
Artist: Javier Fernández, Xermánico, Wes Craig
The final chapter of the event is here, and the last fight is as huge as you’d expect. It’s a grand finale, but also a setup for many new stories.
DC K.O. Reading Order: Issue-By-Issue In Chronological Release Order
If you prefer to read issue by issue, here’s a simpler list with the complete DC K.O. release order for the entire event.
Justice League Unlimited #11
Justice League: The Omega Act Special #1
Aquaman #11
DC K.O. #1
Titans #28
Superman #31
The Flash #26
Justice League Unlimited #12
DC K.O.: Knightfight #1
Titans #29
DC K.O. #2
Superman #32
The Flash #27
Justice League Unlimited #13
DC K.O.: Knightfight #2
DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1
Aquaman #12
DC K.O.: Wonder Woman vs. Lobo #1
Titans #30
DC K.O.: Harley Quinn vs. Zatanna #1
The Flash #28
Superman #33
DC K.O.: Red Hood vs. The Joker #1
Justice League Unlimited #14
DC K.O.: Knightfight #3
DC K.O. #3
Aquaman #13
Titans #31
DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam #1
Superman #34
The Flash #29
Justice League Unlimited #15
DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1
DC K.O.: Knightfight #4
DC K.O. #4
Aquaman #14
Titans #32
Superman #35
The Flash #30
Justice League Unlimited #16
DC K.O. #5
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