DC K.O. Red Hood vs The Joker #1 Is What You’d Expect and That’s a Good Thing

by

DC K.O. is a standout title for DC Comics. The story is straightforward – a tournament with Darkseid as the main villain – and that simplicity is a major reason why it’s so enjoyable. Unlike complex events like Final Crisis, this is a simple, fun, action-packed story focused on characters battling each other. December was dubbed “Fight Month,” highlighting the one-on-one tournament matches. DC K.O.: Red Hood vs. The Joker #1 delivers exactly what the title promises – a classic showdown between these two characters.

Jason Todd has always been a complex character for DC Comics, and while he’s not personally a favorite of mine, I understand his appeal. I actually would have preferred if he’d remained a villain, but here we are. The connection between Jason and the Joker – stemming from the Joker’s murder of Jason – is significant, so I was initially skeptical about another confrontation between them. It felt a bit predictable. However, the comic actually delivers on its promise, making it a really enjoyable read. Like previous issues of DC K.O., this one uses the fight itself to explore the characters’ inner lives, and it does so effectively.

Rating: 4.0 out of 5

Pros Cons
Exciting action that will surprise a few times It’s pretty predictable
Fantastic art from Dustin Nguyen, original artist of “Under the Red Hood”
An interesting look into who Jason is and what he’s become

As a Batman fan, this issue pretty much delivers what you’d anticipate. The fight unfolds across three iconic locations: the alley where the Joker’s story began at Ace Chemicals, the tragic room where he killed Jason Todd, and, fittingly, a graveyard – a frequent backdrop for these two. Jason’s internal struggle is exactly what you’d expect from him – a deep dive into his past trauma, his burning desire for revenge, and how this decades-long feud with the Joker has defined his life. Honestly, it doesn’t break any new ground; Jason doesn’t suddenly decide to forgive the Joker, and he’s still driven by vengeance at the end. But there’s a subtle, interesting moment where he realizes he wasn’t made by the Joker or even Batman. He forged himself, and that’s a neat little character beat that could really go anywhere in future stories.

Dustin Nguyen’s Art Is Exactly What You’d Want From This Book

Dustin Nguyen previously worked on titles like “Under the Red Hood” and the Robin/Batman miniseries – including a story featuring the character Todd – so it was a smart move to have him illustrate this new story. Nguyen’s art has evolved since those earlier projects; his work on books like Descender, Ascender, and Little Monsters demonstrates a clear difference in style (and they’re all worth checking out!). For this book, he’s returned to a style reminiscent of his earlier work, and it looks fantastic. He excels at creating dynamic action sequences and powerfully depicts the monstrous side of the Joker – even showing it literally at one point. His portrayal of the Joker is truly impressive – it’s a simple approach, but he captures the villain’s insanity remarkably well.

The book effectively uses full-page spreads with multiple panels to tell the story. This layout really helps us understand Jason’s thoughts and feelings, and it expertly controls the speed and energy of the fight scenes. With many panels packed onto each page, the visuals perfectly capture the chaotic and fast-paced nature of the battle, showcasing a flurry of quick attacks and counterattacks between the two fighters.

The first issue of DC K.O.: Red Hood vs. The Joker might seem like a predictable matchup, and in many ways, it is. It’s natural for DC to pit these two against each other given their history. However, writers Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson cleverly use that past to create a compelling story and deliver the thrilling fight fans would expect. The real standout is Nguyen’s artwork, which perfectly complements the writing and brings the action to life. For long-time readers who remember the original “Under the Red Hood” storyline, it’s a nostalgic treat. Ultimately, this issue delivers exactly what you’d anticipate, and that’s a good thing.

DC K.O.: Red Hood vs. The Joker #1 is on sale now.

https://comicbook.com/comics/list/10-dc-series-you-should-read-in-2026/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-24 17:40