Dark Knights of Steel is a killer new Elseworlds tale set in Medieval times. It’s a story that’s weaving all the familiarity of your favorite DC Comics heroes together, but putting a spin on nearly everything so it feels fresh and new. This week, writer Tom Taylor and guest artist Bengal join forces to detail some important backstory not only for Batman, but for the Kryptonian Els and how they became king and queen.
This issue opens with Batman weakened from a rock now in the possession of Alfred. Batman is going through an identity crisis and knows that he’s a bit younger than in the main universe, and Alfred attempts to help him understand himself through his parents. The story then kicks into flashback mode with Alfred explaining things via captions.
From there, we start with the Els and how they made a home for themselves on Earth, which is undeveloped but ripe for their stay due to their superpowers. The story has a one-shot structure, acting as a way to inform us about key characters in the past and of Batman’s complicated parentage. All told, the book does well to explain how the Els–two aliens uninterested in power–could become the leaders of the greatest kingdom in the land.
The biggest takeaway from this issue is how it recontextualizes Batman’s role. So far he’s been more of a head guard of the king, but this issue gives Batman new information that helps him understand his intended place in the kingdom. It also allows readers to experience the rather complex backstory that got him in the position he’s in now.
If the people in the castle don’t know who you are, do you really need a mask?
Credit: DC Comics
One strike on the issue concerns the complicated nature of Batman’s birth parents. This wrinkle was one of the more compelling when we found out who he really is, but it’s wrapped up too quickly in just seven panels. A reason is given, but it too conveniently glosses over any hurt feelings or jealousy. There’s enough here to at least hang a reason, but it could have used more to flesh it out.
This isn’t a story about cheating parents, though, so it’s certainly appreciated the story keeps moving from there. Given the fantasy setting, it’s also easy to forgive the glossing over of a rather dramatic story beat. That also includes a hammy final line of “..but I have a king.” Hell, even seeing Superman’s mom apparently suck lava into her body to protect people is believable.
Bengal does a great job capturing the character acting and environments. Much of this story takes place in the wilderness with only a small city near the Els to render which gives it an earthy natural vibe. The general look of the book doesn’t match Yasmine Putri’s style, but that’s okay because it’s a flashback issue and deserves a different look and feel. The simpler style also suits the flashback when things are far simpler, too.
Arif Prianto colors the issue, which has a bright feel that suits the DC Comics fantasy elements. There’s a particularly pretty scene using light cast on a young Batman and Superman sitting in a tree that’s delightful.
Dark Knights of Steel #4 is a nice break away from the main story to give readers a fuller picture of what Batman is going through as far as his identity and role. It sets up a cool hero’s journey for Batman as we close in on the midway point of the series.
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