DC/Fantasy Mash-Up Hits Grand Slam: Dark Knights of Steel #1 Review
The idea of Dark Knights Of Steel would seem to sink it right away. A "Game of Thrones meets DC's classic hero stable in a Fantasy-magic slugfest" yarn seems so cliched in 2021 that first impression would suggest it would be best left for bedtime stories or pipe fantasies. But writer Tom Taylor's been on a bit of a hitting streak lately for just these kinds of Elseworlds-style stories, with his praised run on Injustice standing out as a well-woven parable from the inherent strengths within the worn paths of the popular "evil Superman" cliché. Taylor knocks one out of the park in Dark Knights of Steel #1 now, with an even more ambitious universe to create ahead.
The first issue of DC's new 12-issue miniseries by Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri does a fantastic job of dragging the reader into this oddly familiar, yet drastically different alternative reality of knights, castles and warring kingdoms. This first chapter mostly consists of a fast-fire introduction to the Kingdom of El, under the authority of Superman's father Jor-El, which in this world survived alongside his wife Lara to make the journey from the devastation of Krypton. Bruce Wayne is portrayed as the son of the former, now sadly dead kings of the kingdom, who left Jor-El his throne in their will because of his amazing, Superman-esque talents. Bruce is still Jor-El's top guardman in armor evocative of The Dark Knight; he commands a legion of "Robins" to function as scouts and spies, meta-contextually serving as a Jon Snow figure for Kal-El's Robb Stark.
Why Is Dark Knights of Steel #1 Such a Portentous Beginning?
Dark Knights Of Steel #1's portentous beginning—that which is sure to be another neo-classic by Taylor—showcases his flexible technique even with the obvious hazards in the plot. By a lesser scribe, he turns what would probably become into an act of unforgivable hubris into the modest beginnings of a good Fantasy epic. Rather than fleeing it, Taylor's embracing of the source material in A Song of Ice and Fire leads him to remarkable success, in no less an avenue than his shockingly layered take on Bruce and Kal as brothers in a mythical nation. Supported by Putri's clear dream/nightmare-style illustration, Taylor's masterful ability to let these genre-splices breathe on their own accentuates the finest in DC's venerable characters. The team manages to truly set the scene for this twisted fairy tale in a light yet compelling inciting episode that promises only more tragedies ahead.
The fact that his universe feels very alive after just one problem and that every character he introduces has a certain fragility and soulfulness marks perhaps the biggest success. Taylor seems to be using exactly this kind of basis, which has given him a significant lead in his past and seems to be delivering with either similar, if not even better, execution. Though her defining quality might really be the more naturalistic design among fantasy-oriented subject matter she employs, Putri's graceful and flowing imagery evokes other great artists like Charles Vess and Stuart Immonen. Although Taylor might have made a lot of errors in this performance, he does not slip once; he takes a basic premise and delivers it to the best of his ability to produce a truly intriguing perspective on what readily could have been a tired idea.
DC & Fantasy
The team manages to truly set the scene for this twisted fairy tale in a quick yet intriguing inciting episode that promises only more tragedies ahead.
The fantasy-transposed heroes of the DC Universe will find magical anarchy waiting. Now everywhere comic books are sold, Dark Knights of Steel #1 is on sale.
An Environment of Possibilities
The fact that his universe feels very alive after just one problem and that every character he introduces has a certain fragility and soulfulness marks perhaps the biggest success. Taylor seems to be using exactly this kind of basis, which has given him a significant lead in his past and seems to be delivering with either similar, if not even better, execution. Though her defining quality might really be the more naturalistic design among fantasy-oriented subject matter she employs, Putri's graceful and flowing imagery evokes other great artists like Charles Vess and Stuart Immonen. Although Taylor might have made a lot of errors in this performance, he does not slip once; he takes a basic premise and delivers it to the best of his ability to produce a really fascinating perspective on what readily could have been a tired idea.
The fantasy-transposed heroes of the DC Universe will find myriads of magical chaos waiting. Now everywhere comic books are sold, Dark Knights of Steel #1 is on sale.
