Writer: Tom Taylor
Art: Yasmine Putri and Wes Abbott
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 2nd, 2021
An unconditional Medieval civilization will be perpetually remade as a spacecraft smashes onto a ruined planet. Rulers will perish, nations will soar, and what appeared to be the climax of one world may only be the beginning of another. Let’s dive into DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #1 by Tom Taylor and discover this Chapter in DC COMICS which will send fans to a world of fantasy unlike they’ve ever seen before.
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THE DISPATCH
Truthfully, I wasn’t initially drawn to this issue. A Medieval DC COMICS Elseworld story just didn’t appear to slide up to the top of my pull. However, being a huge Tom Taylor fan as well as seeing the work he’s done with other such Elseworld stories like DCEASED or even INJUSTICE, I felt I had no choice but to check this series out. And readers, if I am to cut to the chase, DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL was surprisingly delightful, exciting, fast-paced, and cluttered with authentic designs that were almost mesmerizing.
Taylor throws readers cold into the story with an opening twist that will provide a cleverly unique spark to this narrative in which I wish more writers would have undertaken in other Elseworld SUPERMAN tales. Plus, the Medieval angle, which I thought would be the most uninteresting aspect of the series, actually provided the most intrigue and excitement to the issue. Readers will quickly see Taylor develop an assortment of DC COMIC characters but with Medieval spins that reflect their identities well.
Furthermore, as always, Taylor sprinkles in enough wrinkles throughout the plot that merely scratch the surface as to where this series could go. Moreover, the choice between Kingdom Rulers was dynamic and never expected. And the questions fans will leave with will spark so much interest for what’s to come. What’s going on with BATMAN? Who are the real villains of this story? And that cliffhanger… wow!
ART
Yasmine Putri provides a brand new world that’s almost serene with its bright pastels yet dark and harsh at the appropriate times. The characters, illustrations, and designs are smooth and share their own sense of elegance that’s certainly not found in mainstream Superhero Comics today. Yet, that’s exactly what this is, which is that extra layer that makes DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL so extraordinary. Putri’s take on younger, Medieval versions of the classic DC COMIC characters are so easily distinguishable even without the distinctive, straightforward designs and tropes. There is no doubt that Taylor chose the perfect partner to tell this heroic fantasy adventure!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Tom Taylor delivers another Elseworld tale that could very well have the same potential and staying power as DCEASED or even INJUSTICE had prior. DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL has a unique blend of comic lore interwoven with some creative charm, fast-paced action, and a steady narrative flow that gives fans just enough information to hold their attention while sprinkling in just enough questions to ponder for the next issue. This new world of Taylor’s could be just as vast and wide open as his prior comic concoctions yet totally different and almost more unexpected. If there ever was a comic for Medieval DC COMIC fans, this is it! If you’re interested in trying something new, I think this series is it! Pick this up, add it to your pull list, let me know what you think, and God Bless!