Are you ready to rumble, true believers? The showdown we’ve all been waiting for is finally here: Bruce Wayne vs. Dick Grayson. Now, the pair have squared off a few times, but a good number of them were clearly meant to prop up Bruce’s prowess by having him win against an equally skilled fighter. The last time they fought wasn’t too long ago, in Batman #138 by Chip Zdarsky and Jorge Jimenez. There, Bruce only won because of Robin holding Nightwing back at the end. Otherwise, that fight was about to be wrapped up with the prodigal son surpassing his father, hence proving his skill is on par with Bruce’s. However, it seems the two are set to fight once more, but with a twist.
The version of Dick Grayson that Bruce Wayne is about to face off against isn’t Nightwing – he’s become Batman. A better Batman. With Bruce Wayne seemingly dying during DC K.O. #1, it seems Batman has a chance at rebirth if he can survive a Round Robin tournament against his legacy: future versions of Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, and Damian Wayne after they become Batman. In DC K.O.: Knightfight #1, writer Joshua Williamson and artist Dan Mora open up this series with a stunning issue full of action, drama, and extraordinary art that is sure to pique the interest of many Batman fans through this fun concept that pits Batman against his sons.
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The issue opens with a nostalgic memory that helps remind readers how much time has passed in the DC Universe. Bruce is getting old, and his family will always be there to help out. Outside of this sweet moment, the rest of the issue feels like an episode of The Twilight Zone. For once, Bruce knows as much as we do about what’s going on. Actually, we might even know more than him! While I was a bit hesitant to see how Williamson would turn this miniseries into something worth picking up, this issue immediately felt like a love letter to the Batfamily rather than being another cash grab. Turns out, simply having Batman fight Dick, Jason, Tim, and Damian’s future selves without ruining the already fragile relationships Bruce has tried to maintain with his sons (take notes, other books with similar concepts…) makes for quite the fun read! Seeing Bruce use his detective and combat skills in this issue works as a great showing of how knowledgeable Williamson is regarding Batman and his overarching mythos. As a whole, the issue combines a lot of key elements of Batman into an enjoyable roundabout way of having Batman fight his greatest success without ruining their relationship.
I really enjoyed how Williamson wrote Dick Grayson. Though we’ve only seen Williamson pen Dick Grayson a few times, each time seems like a hint of something truly special, and this story is no different. Although Dick Grayson is considered “better Batman,” it’s built upon the predicate that he’s never going to remain Batman because it is an incredibly unhealthy life choice for Dick. Here, we see a future in which that’s not the case, and the premise for why and how this works out in such a way that doesn’t deconstruct decades of history for him is the interesting set of circumstances Williamson had crafted to allow Dick to turn the Batman mantle into something of his own. His development here is able to position as a healthier exemplification of Batman, someone without the obsession that Bruce will always struggle with. This utilization of the Batman Robin mantle feels very akin to what Batman Incorporated could have been if it had continued to exist in-universe. Through this differentiation, their conflict feels more real and meaningful because it’s founded upon their years of history. Altogether, this story is an excellent deconstruction of what separates Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson from one another as heroes while also building towards Bruce’s inevitable return to the DC K.O. tournament.
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Let’s talk about how stunning this issue is. Here, artist Dan Mora and colorist Tríona Farrell bring their A game. This issue has a strong gothic undertone to it, with Mora’s classic sharp angles and vivid expressionism emphasizing this even further. Given how dramatic and emotional some parts of the issue stand out and feel more intense, Mora’s art style elevates these moments and adds an extra layer of grit and swiftness to the fight scenes. Additionally, Tríona Farrell’s colors help certain moments pop and have an overall vibrant tone that helps make the issue more electric. Altogether, this story feels more captivating thanks to its dynamic art and vibrant colors.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #1 is a fantastic event tie-in issue thanks to its exhilarating pacing, spectacular art, and a brilliant showing of what makes Dick Grayson a more efficient Batman. While some may be hesitant to read another issue that seems to define each of Batman’s protege’s in singular adjectives to distinguish them, the issue succeeds in overcoming this concern. Rather than simply making this a story about why Bruce Wayne is the best Batman, the story seems to open the door towards the character learning from his sons to improve as a hero. As a result, Williamson and Mora deliver an issue full of excitement, drama, and emotion.
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