DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 - Review & Complete Breakdown
What happens when the fate of the DC Multiverse hinges on a series of insane, unpredictable crossover fights? Boss Battle delivers exactly that—a high-octane, meta, and gloriously chaotic tournament arc where DC's last heroes must power up by battling champions from across pop culture.
The Premise: A Last-Ditch Gambit to Save Everything
The story picks up in the apocalyptic aftermath of the DC K.O. tournament. The World Forger, gravely injured alongside Gorilla Grodd, watches as the last hopes of the DC Universe—Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and the Joker—prepare to face the corrupted "Absolute" versions of the Trinity led by Dark Side.
Realizing his champions are outmatched by these Omega-energy-infused foes, the World Forger uses his last shred of power to enact a desperate plan. He rips open fissures in reality to pull in new champions from other worlds. The goal? Have his team defeat these outsiders, harvest the resulting Omega energy, and transfer it to the "Final Four" to level the playing field. It's a classic video game "side quest" power-up sequence, brilliantly translated into comic form.
The Breakdown: A Tour Through the Multiverse of Mayhem
The genius of this issue lies in its structure. It’s a rapid-fire tour through iconic and obscure corners of pop culture, each with a perfect DC match-up:
Superman vs. Homelander (The Boys): The headliner fight. Adams immediately establishes the tonal clash: Superman's innate heroism versus Homelander's narcissistic cruelty. The dialogue is sharp—Homelander's mocking "most had better outfits" line is perfectly in character. The fight is brutal but brief, hinting at Superman's vast power reserve (he's holding back to strategize). The most shocking moment? Superman's genuine surprise that Homelander's heat vision "matches mine," a hilarious and bold statement that perfectly captures the over-the-top, "who would win?" forum energy of the series.
Wonder Woman vs. Red Sonja (Marvel/Conan Universe): A fierce, respectful warrior-to-warrior duel in a gladiatorial arena. This fight highlights Wonder Woman's skill and endurance against Red Sonja's savage fury. The connection to Marvel via Red Sonja's classic publishing history is a deep-cut treat for comics fans.
Joker vs. Annabelle (The Conjuring Universe): The most conceptually brilliant match. Placing the chaos-agent Joker against a passive, demonically possessed doll is comedy gold. Joker's monologuing, his rage at not being the only "funny" one in the room, and his utter conviction that the doll moved ("I saw you move!") is a masterclass in writing the character. It's horror meets absurdity.
Batwoman vs. Vampirella (Dynamite): A Gothic, horror-tinged encounter. The dialogue is alluring and threatening, promising a battle of style and ferocity. It’s a nod to the pulp horror roots that both characters share.
Star Sapphire vs. Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Archie Comics): A hilarious mismatch of tones. Star Sapphire is on a deadly cosmic mission; Sabrina is a well-meaning teen witch whose spells famously cause more problems than they solve. The potential for magical calamity is enormous and sets up the later chaos perfectly.
Plastic Man & Black Lightning vs. Sub-Zero & Scorpion (Mortal Kombat): The ultimate buddy-cop duo. Their banter is the highlight—Plastic Man's "magic snowballs" quip and Black Lightning's discomfort at being wrapped up are perfect. They efficiently handle Sub-Zero, only to face the classic "Round 2" surprise with Scorpion in a perfect video game homage.
Lex Luthor vs. Samantha Strong (Furrlough #4 – "Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees"): The deepest, most unexpected cut. Throwing the genius, arrogant Lex Luthor into a psychological horror story with an anthropomorphic bear serial killer is inspired. The sheer terror on Lex's face as he's pursued by Samantha is a priceless moment, subverting his usual cool demeanor.
The Climax: Convergence Cataclysm
The issue's third act is where Adams pulls off his masterstroke. The World Forger begins to fail, and the unstable rifts start to collapse into each other. This isn't just a narrative device; it's the comic's big, splashy, celebratory moment.
Sabrina's spell backfires, merging realities.
The Mortal Kombat arena bleeds into Sabrina's suburban street.
Homelander and Superman crash through the ceiling of the Annabelle farmhouse.
Batwoman, Vampirella, Lex, and Samantha are all pulled into the gladiator arena.
The result is a single, double-page spread of beautiful, unadulterated chaos: Scorpion attacks Black Lightning, Sub-Zero creates ice slides, Wonder Woman and Red Sonja duel, Sabrina tries another spell, and the Joter screams about a moving doll. It’s a love letter to crossover events and the sheer joy of "what if" comics.
The Resolution & Setup
With Grodd offering his mental power to assist the dying World Forger, they manage to drain the Omega energy and send the borrowed champions home—though not without resistance (Homelander's "Not until this boy scout is dead!" is a great character beat). The harvested energy is funneled into Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex, and Joker, powering them up for the final showdown against Dark Side's Absolute Trinity.
The issue ends on a perfect cliffhanger: a newly empowered Superman charging into battle, leaving readers desperate for the next chapter.
Final Verdict: A Triumph of Controlled Chaos
Rating: 9.5/10
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 is an absolute blast. Jeremy Adams demonstrates a profound understanding of every character he uses, from DC icons to obscure indie comic serial killers. He balances respect for their core identities with the sheer, playful fun of the premise.
Strengths:
Concept & Execution: The "side quest" power-up plot is clever, engaging, and perfectly suited for a fighting tournament comic.
Characterization: Every voice is distinct and true to their source material.
Pacing & Humor: The issue moves at a breakneck pace but never feels rushed. The humor, particularly from Plastic Man and Joker, lands perfectly.
The Crossover Chaos: The merging realities sequence is this issue's iconic, unforgettable moment.
Weaknesses:
If you're not a fan of meta, fourth-wall-bending, or deeply referential comics, this might feel too silly.
The sheer number of crossovers might be overwhelming for some readers.
Conclusion: This is not just a comic; it's an event. It captures the essence of late-night "who would win?" debates, the thrill of Super Smash Bros.-style crossover battles, and the deep-cut joy of comic book fandom. It's a must-read for anyone who loves comics, pop culture, and stories that aren't afraid to have a tremendous amount of fun. The cliffhanger ensures that the wait for Boss Battle #2 will be agonizing.