DC K.O.: Superman vs Captain Atom #1 Uses a Fight as Character Study (Review)

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The DC K.O. series has been generating buzz alongside the main DC book line, especially with the popularity of the Absolute editions. December’s “Fight Month” event kicks off the tournament portion of a larger story arc. Since some readers have expressed concerns about the tournament itself, it’s crucial that Fight Month delivers. The first round, DC K.O.: Superman vs Captain Atom #1, pits two long-time rivals against each other – the military often uses Captain Atom to counter Superman when they view the Kryptonian as a threat. This issue is highly entertaining, offering the action fans want while also showcasing the personalities of both characters.

DC K.O. features incredibly powerful characters, and kicking things off with a battle between Superman and Captain Atom immediately demonstrates that. While written by a Superman writer, Josh Williamson, the story surprisingly focuses on Captain Atom, with him providing the initial narration. This offers a fresh perspective on a character who doesn’t often get the spotlight – it’s been a while since Captain Atom was a central focus for readers.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

Pros Cons
The issue has the trappings of a fighting game, which is cool Predictable; you know who is going to win from the opening page
Does a good job of showing the difference between the two heroes We’re reminded yet again that Superman and the tournament don’t mix
Well-paced and action packed

Williamson effectively puts readers inside Atom’s perspective during the fight, using his previous actions against Supergirl (from DC K.O. #2) to immediately raise the stakes. DC K.O. largely revolves around Superman, and the story keeps highlighting the conflict between the tournament setting and Superman’s heroic nature – something that might become repetitive for some readers. The core conflict – Superman’s reluctance to be overly aggressive versus Atom’s willingness to do what it takes – is central to the plot, but the story overemphasizes this difference with every appearance of Superman.

My main criticism of this issue is minor. The writing does a great job of highlighting the contrast between the two heroes, and the pacing is excellent – it never drags. There are some truly unique moments you only get from a fight between these characters. Williamson structures the story like a fighting game, even having them choose different ‘skins’ before each round, and this carries through to the end of the battles – though I’ll discuss that more when talking about the artwork. Overall, the script does everything it needs to. This isn’t just a fight issue; it explores why the losing hero didn’t deserve to win (I won’t spoil who wins, but you probably already have a good idea), and really focuses on the differences between them, which is effective.

DC K.O.: Superman vs Captain Atom #1 Looks Sensational

Action-packed comics really need strong artwork, and this issue delivers. Writer Joshua Williamson is reunited with artist Sean Izaakse, who previously worked with him on Green Arrow. While nothing in this comic is groundbreaking, it’s all solid. Izaakse’s style is a good fit for the action, and the art is consistently well-done throughout. The action sequences look great, and I particularly enjoyed how the characters were drawn. Captain Atom’s ultimate form wasn’t quite what I hoped for, but it’s acceptable.

What really stood out to me in the artwork were the knockout pages. As I mentioned before, the book cleverly uses elements from fighting games, and these pages perfectly illustrate that. They typically feature a huge “KO” graphic filling a two-page spread, with the fighters positioned in the center. It strongly evokes the feel of games like Street Fighter, almost making you hear someone shout, “K.O.!!!” This stylistic choice fits the story’s tone incredibly well, and it’s a great reminder that this is meant to be a lighthearted and enjoyable read. While the story deals with high stakes like the fate of the universe, it’s also a wonderfully over-the-top and fun tale of heroes battling villains – and a little bit of silliness is perfectly welcome.

The DC K.O. tie-in comics have been good so far, but “Fight Month” was a crucial test. This is where the main tournament action happens, and it needed to be impressive. Thankfully, DC K.O.: Superman vs Captain Atom #1 delivers! While you can probably guess the outcome, Joshua Williamson and Daniel Izaakse tell a really engaging story. The fight itself is great, and the “KO” pages are fantastic. This issue manages to make a familiar matchup—Superman versus Captain Atom has happened many times before and is usually just okay—exciting and works perfectly within the DC K.O. series.

DC K.O.: Superman vs Captain Atom #1 is on sale now.

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2025-12-03 17:43