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Dark Knights of Steel #1
Dark Knights of Steel, Vol. 1
Swords! Sorcery! Superheroes! A brand-new DC Universe is born from writer Tom Taylor (DCeased, Nightwing) and artist Yasmine Putri.
An entire medieval world will be forever changed when a spaceship crash-lands from a doomed planet. Years later the El Kingdom reins and Jefferson Pierce, the head of the Kingdom of Storms sees their family as a threat and gathers allies to challenge them. Monarchs will die, kingdoms will rise, and what seemed like the end of the world for many…was only the beginning! An epic high-fantasy story set in a DC Universe where nothing is what it seems…
An entire medieval world will be forever changed when a spaceship crash-lands from a doomed planet. Years later the El Kingdom reins and Jefferson Pierce, the head of the Kingdom of Storms sees their family as a threat and gathers allies to challenge them. Monarchs will die, kingdoms will rise, and what seemed like the end of the world for many…was only the beginning! An epic high-fantasy story set in a DC Universe where nothing is what it seems…
176 pages, Hardcover
First published September 20, 2022
198 people are currently reading
1028 people want to read
About the author
Tom Taylor
1,299 books1,043 followersOnce a professional juggler and fire eater, Tom Taylor is a #1 New York Times Bestselling, multi-award-winning comic book writer, playwright and screenwriter.
Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.
He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.
He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.
Well known for his work with DC Comics and Marvel, Taylor is the co-creator of NEVERLANDERS from Penguin Random House, SEVEN SECRETS from Boom Studios and the Aurealis-Award-winning graphic novel series THE DEEP. Taylor is also the Head Writer and Executive Producer of The Deep animated series, four seasons of which is broadcast in over 140 countries.
He is perhaps best known for the DC Comics series, DCEASED (Shadow Awards Winner), NIGHTWING (nominated for 5 Eisner Awards), SUPERMAN: SON OF KAL-EL (GLAAD Award Nominee), INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, SUICIDE SQUAD, EARTH 2 and BATMAN/SUPERMAN as well as Marvel's FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN, ALL NEW WOLVERINE, X-MEN: RED, DARK AGES and SUPERIOR IRON MAN. Taylor is also the writer of many Star Wars series, which include STAR WARS: INVASION and STAR WARS: BLOOD TIES (Stan Lee Excelsior Award winner). Taylor has written for Marvel, DC Comics, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Publishing, Boom Studios, Wildstorm, 2000 AD and Gestalt Comics.
He can be followed on twitter @TomTaylorMade.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 379 reviews
September 30, 2022
In Injustice we saw a world dominated by an evil Superman. In DCeased we saw zombies overrun the DC Universe. Now, in Dark Knights of Steel, we see Tom Taylor’s latest Elseworlds-style series, where familiar DC characters are placed in a generic fantasy setting. And, like Injustice and DCeased, Dark Knights of Steel is pretty underwhelming.
There are three kingdoms: one ruled by Jor-El, one by Black Lightning, and one by Wonder Woman’s muvver. One of them does something provocative for stupid reasons setting off a domino effect so all three kingdoms are now headed to snore, I mean, war.
Broadly speaking, it’s not a terrible comic - it’s readable with the occasional interesting scene and Yasmine Putri’s art is excellent throughout. There’s also the novelty of seeing famous names in new (if generic) roles. I like the twist Taylor gave to Batman’s origins so that his character is slightly different to the usual, and Superman and Supergirl are surprisingly (or not, given how Taylor’s written the Super-characters in his Elseworlds-esque comics to date) unpredictable.
But there’s not much going on that’s all that compelling. I don’t really care about this war storyline. We know who did the first assassination. We can guess at Batman’s new origins, although we’re given an entire chapter to tell us something most readers could have easily imagined. And that’s about it. Lots of characters talking about war and going to war and the consequences of war, and blah blah blah. Whatevs.
We see Kal and Zala both do some crazy things with their powers, which I’d like to see explained, but probably not enough to want to keep reading the rest of this series to find out. But the Els’ absurd superpowers really highlights the central problem with the war storyline: consider what Zala or Kal did by themselves. They don’t need an army and no-one in this world could stand up to them, so where’s the tension? The usual answer, probably: Kryptonite and magic, both of which are in this story, so I guess that. But that’s partly why again I don’t care - it’s the same old solutions to the same old problems dressed up in a slightly different costume/setting.
And that’s ultimately all Dark Knights of Steel is: a lot of the same old DC pap only they’re all at the renaissance fair this time around. This first volume is unimpressive stuff and, far from hooking me into the series, has only turned me off from wanting to see what happens next.
There are three kingdoms: one ruled by Jor-El, one by Black Lightning, and one by Wonder Woman’s muvver. One of them does something provocative for stupid reasons setting off a domino effect so all three kingdoms are now headed to snore, I mean, war.
Broadly speaking, it’s not a terrible comic - it’s readable with the occasional interesting scene and Yasmine Putri’s art is excellent throughout. There’s also the novelty of seeing famous names in new (if generic) roles. I like the twist Taylor gave to Batman’s origins so that his character is slightly different to the usual, and Superman and Supergirl are surprisingly (or not, given how Taylor’s written the Super-characters in his Elseworlds-esque comics to date) unpredictable.
But there’s not much going on that’s all that compelling. I don’t really care about this war storyline. We know who did the first assassination. We can guess at Batman’s new origins, although we’re given an entire chapter to tell us something most readers could have easily imagined. And that’s about it. Lots of characters talking about war and going to war and the consequences of war, and blah blah blah. Whatevs.
We see Kal and Zala both do some crazy things with their powers, which I’d like to see explained, but probably not enough to want to keep reading the rest of this series to find out. But the Els’ absurd superpowers really highlights the central problem with the war storyline: consider what Zala or Kal did by themselves. They don’t need an army and no-one in this world could stand up to them, so where’s the tension? The usual answer, probably: Kryptonite and magic, both of which are in this story, so I guess that. But that’s partly why again I don’t care - it’s the same old solutions to the same old problems dressed up in a slightly different costume/setting.
And that’s ultimately all Dark Knights of Steel is: a lot of the same old DC pap only they’re all at the renaissance fair this time around. This first volume is unimpressive stuff and, far from hooking me into the series, has only turned me off from wanting to see what happens next.
August 8, 2025
Loved this book. This is Game of Thrones DC style. Great story and artwork. I especially love the hardcover artwork.
A rocket ship from a doomed planet chashes on earth. However, this time, it crashed and landed during the Middle Ages. Also, this time, it is not just a baby arriving earth. This has been prophesied, and nothing good is to come from it. The rest of the changes and medieval versions of DC characters you will have to read the book.
Kingdoms will rise and fall. Love, family, betrayals, and, of course, brutal murders. This is the prelude to a war between and within Kingdoms. I can't wait for the next book. This book finishes with a varent cover gallery and a sketch page.
A rocket ship from a doomed planet chashes on earth. However, this time, it crashed and landed during the Middle Ages. Also, this time, it is not just a baby arriving earth. This has been prophesied, and nothing good is to come from it. The rest of the changes and medieval versions of DC characters you will have to read the book.
Kingdoms will rise and fall. Love, family, betrayals, and, of course, brutal murders. This is the prelude to a war between and within Kingdoms. I can't wait for the next book. This book finishes with a varent cover gallery and a sketch page.
October 5, 2024
Reread: 05/10/2024
I really liked this one this time around and I love the build up with different fantasy elements and all and what all is going on and different characters and the mystery of who this Supergirl imposter is that's killing people and it actually does lead to a great set up of war between different kingdoms and all and I love the takes on different characters and the origin issue for Bruce which explains how the Els came to earth and befriended the waynes and how Bruce was born and the tragedy therafter.. its dark but sets up the new take on Joker so well. Loved the take on Superman too and how he tries to place a peace maker and I can't wait for his romance with Lois and their first meet was wild and different fr! I like how its so fast paced and the art is so gorgeous really each page oozes with it. Also that ending with how its a third kingdom caught in the middle of it.. typical fantasy stuff but executed so well! Loved it!
________________________________________________________
This was alright I guess.
So a reimagining of the DCU by elseworlds-champion Tom taylor and he does well to reimagine a world where these are fantasy type heroes and we see the twists and all immediately with Batman and what he is, the main focus of this volume is the battle between Kingdom of Els and Kingdom of lightning and humans distrust of these alien rulers and we see how they came to be and its fun seeing how the Amazons are involved here, plus the twist with Supergirl and WW was amazing and I didn't expect it but it ties the drama so well and then finally seeing that something big maybe be happening that others won't be expecting and also Superman and Lois in the end <3
Its a fun volume and does subvert some expectations and I like the way it makes use of Batman foes and gives them a larger role in the overall DC continuity and increases the stakes so well and there is so much drama and tension on all sides that its gonna lead to one hell of a war when its all done and over and the turns with the characters is great and the art by Yasmine Putri is so well done, every page is a marvel to look at! <3!
I really liked this one this time around and I love the build up with different fantasy elements and all and what all is going on and different characters and the mystery of who this Supergirl imposter is that's killing people and it actually does lead to a great set up of war between different kingdoms and all and I love the takes on different characters and the origin issue for Bruce which explains how the Els came to earth and befriended the waynes and how Bruce was born and the tragedy therafter.. its dark but sets up the new take on Joker so well. Loved the take on Superman too and how he tries to place a peace maker and I can't wait for his romance with Lois and their first meet was wild and different fr! I like how its so fast paced and the art is so gorgeous really each page oozes with it. Also that ending with how its a third kingdom caught in the middle of it.. typical fantasy stuff but executed so well! Loved it!
________________________________________________________
This was alright I guess.
So a reimagining of the DCU by elseworlds-champion Tom taylor and he does well to reimagine a world where these are fantasy type heroes and we see the twists and all immediately with Batman and what he is, the main focus of this volume is the battle between Kingdom of Els and Kingdom of lightning and humans distrust of these alien rulers and we see how they came to be and its fun seeing how the Amazons are involved here, plus the twist with Supergirl and WW was amazing and I didn't expect it but it ties the drama so well and then finally seeing that something big maybe be happening that others won't be expecting and also Superman and Lois in the end <3
Its a fun volume and does subvert some expectations and I like the way it makes use of Batman foes and gives them a larger role in the overall DC continuity and increases the stakes so well and there is so much drama and tension on all sides that its gonna lead to one hell of a war when its all done and over and the turns with the characters is great and the art by Yasmine Putri is so well done, every page is a marvel to look at! <3!
November 14, 2022
I liked this way more than I thought I would--in fact, I daresay I loved it. Great story and great art. Can't wait for the concluding volume!
July 26, 2025
Great volume!
May 16, 2023
SO GOOD.
This was so much fun. DC goes medieval, and Kal-El is a prince. Batman is a bastard son and Wonder Woman hails from Amazonia. I AM HERE FOR IT.
This series is notoriously slow to release, so it's going to be a painful wait til Vol 2. This one was pretty epic, with some great twists and moments that left me gaping. I loved seeing all the familiar heroes turning up in unexpected ways and the medieval setting really worked for my fantasy-loving heart. The artwork is fantastic - including the work on the actual hardcover which is stunning.
Could not find a fault in this, and I'm happy to have found a series that rivals DCeased for me. This one would be a great entry for fantasy lovers looking to branch into comics and graphic novels.
Really loved it, so I'll be waiting impatiently for the next volume!
This was so much fun. DC goes medieval, and Kal-El is a prince. Batman is a bastard son and Wonder Woman hails from Amazonia. I AM HERE FOR IT.
This series is notoriously slow to release, so it's going to be a painful wait til Vol 2. This one was pretty epic, with some great twists and moments that left me gaping. I loved seeing all the familiar heroes turning up in unexpected ways and the medieval setting really worked for my fantasy-loving heart. The artwork is fantastic - including the work on the actual hardcover which is stunning.
Could not find a fault in this, and I'm happy to have found a series that rivals DCeased for me. This one would be a great entry for fantasy lovers looking to branch into comics and graphic novels.
Really loved it, so I'll be waiting impatiently for the next volume!
March 15, 2024
8.3/10
Taylor deliveres another fantastic elsewhere story.
I love how this feels different yet familiar. On one hand, you have all your beloved heroes and villains in a set up we haven't seen them before, in this medieval/fantasy world. Also the social political status is not the same for everyone here as it is in the main DCU. The thing that still is the same is the personalities, which i believe stays true to each character.
With each issue we explore more and more the world and learn more about the key players. There is nice and steady world building and gradually increased tension. Can't wait to see more.
The art is very good and it helps out a lot to bring nicely this world into life.
Taylor deliveres another fantastic elsewhere story.
I love how this feels different yet familiar. On one hand, you have all your beloved heroes and villains in a set up we haven't seen them before, in this medieval/fantasy world. Also the social political status is not the same for everyone here as it is in the main DCU. The thing that still is the same is the personalities, which i believe stays true to each character.
With each issue we explore more and more the world and learn more about the key players. There is nice and steady world building and gradually increased tension. Can't wait to see more.
The art is very good and it helps out a lot to bring nicely this world into life.
April 19, 2023
This alternate take on DC heroes has Superman's parents escape the destruction of Krypton and land on a medieval Earth. Their arrival changes the world. Each kingdom is lead by some familiar DC heroes. The rivalries between the kingdoms are quite interesting. Just to give you a heads up, this volume sets up for story in future volumes, so most of the conflicts set up here are not resolved in this volume. However, this is worth reading just for the world building.
June 22, 2025
Bonito dibujo, historia y dinámicas interesantes pero… no me convence lol
October 12, 2022
Fantastic in every aspect with gorgeous art and an enthralling storyline. Naturally, Tom Taylor does it again!
This was an Elseworlds story that took the main canonic characters and added a twist to them so that they were still recognisable whilst making the concept very fresh. And all against a semi-olden times/fantasy type backdrop. The politics and morality were woven into every aspect of the story and the outcomes were never what you’d expect.
This was a delight to read and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for more!
This was an Elseworlds story that took the main canonic characters and added a twist to them so that they were still recognisable whilst making the concept very fresh. And all against a semi-olden times/fantasy type backdrop. The politics and morality were woven into every aspect of the story and the outcomes were never what you’d expect.
This was a delight to read and I’m on the edge of my seat waiting for more!
June 20, 2024
pretty much my favorite dc-au storyline. i love the outfits and the general concept. i wish it was a little more fantasy, but it was continuously fun and fresh.
and the main seller of all of my enjoyment: THE ART.
and the main seller of all of my enjoyment: THE ART.
June 8, 2022
dc characters in a reimagined in a fantasy world sign me up!
May 8, 2024
A game of politics and power, it's a period piece that perfects the fantasy formula using familiar faces and foes.
October 3, 2022
This is a elseworlds comic. For those of you who don't know what a elseworld comic is, it takes place in a different universe. So everything you know about these characters, throw it out the window. At least for this one.
As you can tell by the title the biggest change is that everyone is on this medieval type earth. But also, when Krypton is blown to pieces, not only does Kal-el go to earth. But so does his parents.
Jor-El and Lara then decide to rule this Kingdom on earth. But with that they also decide to forbid magic. Most of this is led by this Earth's Batman. Who's parents died because of magic. So with the permission of the King and Queen, Bruce goes around with his Robins hunting down as many magic wielders as possible. This of course divides this universe. This volume felt like it was setting up a huge war that will go down in the next volume. So it makes me very exited to see where this might go.
I didn't really like the costume Batman has in this. Maybe it's the way it's drawn but it looks lame. I would've preferred something like this from this variant cover:
There are TONS of unexpected twists in this. I feel like I was dodging spoiler bullets when I was reviewing this. So in other words, get your jaw ready to drop.
I recommend!
As you can tell by the title the biggest change is that everyone is on this medieval type earth. But also, when Krypton is blown to pieces, not only does Kal-el go to earth. But so does his parents.
Jor-El and Lara then decide to rule this Kingdom on earth. But with that they also decide to forbid magic. Most of this is led by this Earth's Batman. Who's parents died because of magic. So with the permission of the King and Queen, Bruce goes around with his Robins hunting down as many magic wielders as possible. This of course divides this universe. This volume felt like it was setting up a huge war that will go down in the next volume. So it makes me very exited to see where this might go.
I didn't really like the costume Batman has in this. Maybe it's the way it's drawn but it looks lame. I would've preferred something like this from this variant cover:
There are TONS of unexpected twists in this. I feel like I was dodging spoiler bullets when I was reviewing this. So in other words, get your jaw ready to drop.
I recommend!
July 9, 2025
3.8 stars
Despite initially being unenthused by the concept, I ended up really enjoying this Elseworlds tale of DC heroes in a sword and sorcery fantasy world. I’d’ve rated it higher if there hadn’t been a fill-in artist on one issue. The fill-in artist was actually very good but I found the change in style jarring.
Despite initially being unenthused by the concept, I ended up really enjoying this Elseworlds tale of DC heroes in a sword and sorcery fantasy world. I’d’ve rated it higher if there hadn’t been a fill-in artist on one issue. The fill-in artist was actually very good but I found the change in style jarring.
March 17, 2023
Dark Knights of Steel Vol. 1 was a really fun read. Seeing these DC character's in a medieval fantasy setting was something I didn't know I needed.
I'm in love with the artwork, it's amazing and is what originally drew me into this graphic novel. It fits the setting so well and breathes life into this medieval world.
The action scenes were another high-point. There's fights both epic in scope, and ones that get up close and personal.
The plot isn't the most original and I'm pretty sure I've guessed the twist in the next volume early on, but that's just minor compared to the enjoyment I got reading this first volume.
I'm in love with the artwork, it's amazing and is what originally drew me into this graphic novel. It fits the setting so well and breathes life into this medieval world.
The action scenes were another high-point. There's fights both epic in scope, and ones that get up close and personal.
The plot isn't the most original and I'm pretty sure I've guessed the twist in the next volume early on, but that's just minor compared to the enjoyment I got reading this first volume.
February 23, 2024
Wow, I loved this. Unfortunately, it was a super fast read, so I'm just stuck waiting until my library gets volume 2.
October 5, 2023
From a casual DC reader, this was a fun alternate universe take on the DC universe. Interesting story so far, nice mix up of character origins and relationships, and even some fun character mashups. All around a good time.
August 7, 2022
Heil dem König!
Fazit:Beginn einer spannenden und toll gezeichneten Fantasy-Saga, die das Fan-Herz höher schlagen lässt. Gesamt: 5/5
Inhalt: In "Batman und die Ritter aus Stahl" lässt Tom Taylor eine ganze Armada an DC-Charakteren mittelalterliche Königreiche besiedeln. Nach Ihrer Bruchlandung auf der Erde und dem Tod der Waynes regieren die Els im gleichnamigen Königreich und unterstützen Ritter Batman im Kruezzug gegen die Magie, die das Leben seiner Eltern forderte. So haben das Königspaar, ihr Sohn Prinz Kal-El und der gesamte Hofstaat (von Bardin Harley Quinn zu General Waller) sich mächtige Feinde gemacht. Allen voran der verräterische Luthor alias "Der grüne Mann", der auch die umliegenden Königreiche - Jeffersons Königreich der Stürme und das Land der Amazonen - gegen die Els aufwiegelt. Krieg steht bevor...
Bewertung: Nach der Lektüre des ersten Bandes von "Batman und die Ritter aus Stahl" ist mein bereits großes Vertrauen in Tom Taylor als Autor von Elseword-Sagen umso mehr gewachsen. Aus meiner Sicht ist dieser Comic brilliant. Das Setting ist eine klasse Idee und der Leser wird verständlich und nachvollziehbar in diese Welt eingeführt. Alle klassischen Elemente einer Fantasy-Saga finden Einfluss: Eine Prophezeiung, verfeindete Königreiche, höfische Intrigen, die Magie und jene die ihre Feinde sind und natürlich das große Böse, welches im Hintergrund die Fäden zieht. Das alles mischt Taylor mit den DC-Figuren. Diese sind zahlreich vorhanden und stets so dargestellt, dass ihre bekannten Charaktereigenschaften hervorstechen und aus diesen ihre Okkupation in der mittelalterlichen Welt abgeleitet wird. Ein paar Beispiele: Harley Quinn, die viel zu viel redende Bardin, die die Waldhexe aufsuchen muss. Waller, die als unnachgiebige und aktionslustige Generälin brilliert oder John Constantine als Berater für Dämonisches. Das sind feine Nuancen, die auf die Hintergrundgeschichten der jeweiligen Figuren anspielen. Besonders gelungen ist die Figur des Batman, der auch hier seine Eltern verliert, dieses Mal jedoch durch Magie, sodass er schwört ebendiese zu bekämpfen und zu einer Art Kreuzritter wird. Bald stelt sich heraus, dass seine Abstammung lange nicht so eindeutig ist und er daher tief in die Angelegenheiten des Schlosses verwickelt ist. Auch in dieser Welt versucht der Fledermaus-Ritter für Recht zu sorgen und zeigt ausgezeichnete Kampfkünste. Immer wieder gerät er mit dem aufbrausenden Prinzen aneinander - eine Anspielung auf Batmans und Supermans bewegte Vergangenheit. Mit diesen Werkzeugen baut Taylor eine mehr als spannende Geschichte auf, die Lust auf mehr macht. Dazu tragen natürlich auch maßgeblich die Zeichnungen bei. Die sind farbenfroh und weisen klare Konturen auf. Es erscheint als wäre auf die bekannte DC-Welt ein Fantasy-Filter gelegt wurden. So wie es auch seien sollte.
Fazit:Beginn einer spannenden und toll gezeichneten Fantasy-Saga, die das Fan-Herz höher schlagen lässt. Gesamt: 5/5
December 13, 2022
OK... now I know why this series sold out in individual issues...
Dark Knights of Steel takes the Kryptonian explosion and puts two twists on it that changes everything. 1) The capsule crash lands and instead of baby Kal-El getting out of it, Jor-El and Lara get out, right in time for Kal to be born. 2) The planet they have landed on is not quite Earth, but Earth-like, yet in the medieval time period. What unfurls is a unique swords/knights/kingdoms fantasy story set with the characters of the DC Universe.
I'll tease a few key differences if you aren't hooked by that premise alone...
- Bruce is the bastard son of Jor-El and Martha Wayne
- Alexander Luthor is both The Joker and Green Lantern (They call the Green Man, who I thought would be Swamp Thing)
- The other two kingdoms are the Kingdom of Storms (led by Black Lightning) and Amazon Island (led by Hippolyta, but Diana is there and romantically attached to Kara/Supergirl)
Definitely check this out. Very well written and thought out, and the art is good as well.
Dark Knights of Steel takes the Kryptonian explosion and puts two twists on it that changes everything. 1) The capsule crash lands and instead of baby Kal-El getting out of it, Jor-El and Lara get out, right in time for Kal to be born. 2) The planet they have landed on is not quite Earth, but Earth-like, yet in the medieval time period. What unfurls is a unique swords/knights/kingdoms fantasy story set with the characters of the DC Universe.
I'll tease a few key differences if you aren't hooked by that premise alone...
- Bruce is the bastard son of Jor-El and Martha Wayne
- Alexander Luthor is both The Joker and Green Lantern (They call the Green Man, who I thought would be Swamp Thing)
- The other two kingdoms are the Kingdom of Storms (led by Black Lightning) and Amazon Island (led by Hippolyta, but Diana is there and romantically attached to Kara/Supergirl)
Definitely check this out. Very well written and thought out, and the art is good as well.
February 5, 2025
Tom Taylor gives us another Elseworld story but this time in a Medieval setting
Starting from moment Kypton is destroyed but this time it wasnt just baby Kal'El that made it to Earth, in this tale Jor'El and Lara make it here and build a home that eventually leads to the rise of the El Kingdom.
The artwork from Yasmine Putri is the star of the show for me as each charater design is beautiful and made this a pleasure to read from start to finish.
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💙💙💙💙🖤 = Great 😁 (3.5/5.0)
The story itself didnt blow my socks off in this first volume but i still had so much fun reading it, i found myself looking forward to each twist and character reveal that im excited to start the next volume to see where it all goes.
Starting from moment Kypton is destroyed but this time it wasnt just baby Kal'El that made it to Earth, in this tale Jor'El and Lara make it here and build a home that eventually leads to the rise of the El Kingdom.
The artwork from Yasmine Putri is the star of the show for me as each charater design is beautiful and made this a pleasure to read from start to finish.
---------------
💙💙💙💙🖤 = Great 😁 (3.5/5.0)
The story itself didnt blow my socks off in this first volume but i still had so much fun reading it, i found myself looking forward to each twist and character reveal that im excited to start the next volume to see where it all goes.
September 17, 2022
Interesting promise but execution most time...but art is beautiful.
March 18, 2025
The artwork is amazing and the translation of the characters into a high-fantasy setting is well thought out and functions very well.
Superman is the idealistic prince of the kingdom of El and Batman the unlawful bastard of Martha Wayne; Harley Quinn is the court jester and Poison Ivy the mysterious Lady of the Woods; Green Arrow is an Outlaw and a clear reference to Robin Hood (going back to the roots). All in all very enjoyable read which positively suprised me.
Superman is the idealistic prince of the kingdom of El and Batman the unlawful bastard of Martha Wayne; Harley Quinn is the court jester and Poison Ivy the mysterious Lady of the Woods; Green Arrow is an Outlaw and a clear reference to Robin Hood (going back to the roots). All in all very enjoyable read which positively suprised me.
October 28, 2024
Dark Knights of Steel is exactly my type of Elseworlds tale, one that features characters we know and love acting out of character, in a new setting, in a new conflict. Or at least seemingly acting out of character to generate intrigue. (And oh my goodness is there plenty of intrigue here in Dark Knights of Steel.)
The book is similar to Tom Taylor's DCeased in that he has free reign to re-imagine the DC universe and also murder a few of its inhabitants. It's totally refreshing! The twist here is that Kal-El's parents both made the journey to Earth with him and the spaceship landed in the Middle Ages. Almost instantly, the Super-family are running a small nation, and they're on the verge of war with another nation (run by alt-Black Lightning).
All your favorite heroes (alt-versions, of course) get tangled up in the brewing battle. It's a fascinating re-imagining that's also incredibly fast-paced - maybe too much so. I would have liked to luxuriate in Taylor's new world a bit more, especially with Yasmine Putri's stunning art. It's also a tad cruel that this volume ends on a huge cliffhanger, with most of its big questions unresolved. Couldn't DC have printed the whole mini-series together in one volume? Alas.
The book is similar to Tom Taylor's DCeased in that he has free reign to re-imagine the DC universe and also murder a few of its inhabitants. It's totally refreshing! The twist here is that Kal-El's parents both made the journey to Earth with him and the spaceship landed in the Middle Ages. Almost instantly, the Super-family are running a small nation, and they're on the verge of war with another nation (run by alt-Black Lightning).
All your favorite heroes (alt-versions, of course) get tangled up in the brewing battle. It's a fascinating re-imagining that's also incredibly fast-paced - maybe too much so. I would have liked to luxuriate in Taylor's new world a bit more, especially with Yasmine Putri's stunning art. It's also a tad cruel that this volume ends on a huge cliffhanger, with most of its big questions unresolved. Couldn't DC have printed the whole mini-series together in one volume? Alas.
September 25, 2023
Meh. There has been a lot of good hype about this story. But this story is not just making known heroes into medieval knights. Many of the characters have different personalities for no real reason. We really did not need a whole issue devoted to backstory that tells us something that could have just been a page.
The story is not bad, it just is not living up to the hype.
The story is not bad, it just is not living up to the hype.
September 27, 2022
An intriguing fantasy take on the DC universe. Six issues in, and I'm intrigued by many of the characters, shocked by some of the twists, and Is till don't know entirely what's going on! I'm looking forward to V2.
May 10, 2022
وايد عايبتني القصة أتمنى ما يكنسلوها لأي سبب !!! (+أيوا أكثر شيء عايبني فيها هو الرسم !! ماشي مثله مرضي جداً جداً)
October 17, 2022
medieval au lmfao
October 30, 2022
Listen, I’m gonna be honest here. I was disappointed.
Y’all know that I’m a sucker for fantasy, superheroes, knights, and AUs. I love that kind of thing. So when I found out, months before this came out, that a Fantasy AU of my favorite Batman, Supes, and Wonder Woman was going to grace the comic scene, I was enthralled.
I know what you’re going to say. “Joy, it’s an AU, you can’t expect for the characters to all be the same. These are characters with different childhoods, backstories, and motives. Of course they’re different. It’s a different universe.” And you are so right. But I was astonished to find that Kal El was a jerk. He was a jerk and I was honestly delighted when he got stabbed. (He didn’t die; I’m no psychopath) I would love it if he got a redemption arc.
I was so confused with how and why the characters made the decisions they did. Literally why would Zala think it was okay to commit mass murder. (Side note: I hate her. She’s a self-righteous little kid with no heart, no soul, and no humanity. She thinks the world is hers to command and I wouldn’t be surprised if she has been manipulating Diana so she can have the Amazons wrapped around her little finger. I just cannot get over how she lied to everyone’s faces and plays innocent like she’s above morality. I loathe her.)
The only characters in this that were tolerable were Bruce Wayne, Alfred and the Robins, Jor and Laura El, Quinn, Lois, and John Constantine. Everyone else was really detestable. They were so shallow in their moral convictions, inhuman in their actions, and generally unlikable.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I had such high hopes for this.
The one enjoyable factor was the art. The art was stunning and made the story come alive.
At the end of the day, the only reason that this gets as many stars as it does is because of the Art and Bruce Wayne. He was a gem and a treasure. His heart was true and noble and he genuinely adapted to his new reality so quickly. I love him and his compassion. He was a 10/10 character.
3/10 Will I read the next volume? Probably, because I’m invested in the stinkin’ plot line. And I want to see Bruce come into his own.
Y’all know that I’m a sucker for fantasy, superheroes, knights, and AUs. I love that kind of thing. So when I found out, months before this came out, that a Fantasy AU of my favorite Batman, Supes, and Wonder Woman was going to grace the comic scene, I was enthralled.
I know what you’re going to say. “Joy, it’s an AU, you can’t expect for the characters to all be the same. These are characters with different childhoods, backstories, and motives. Of course they’re different. It’s a different universe.” And you are so right. But I was astonished to find that Kal El was a jerk. He was a jerk and I was honestly delighted when he got stabbed. (He didn’t die; I’m no psychopath) I would love it if he got a redemption arc.
I was so confused with how and why the characters made the decisions they did. Literally why would Zala think it was okay to commit mass murder. (Side note: I hate her. She’s a self-righteous little kid with no heart, no soul, and no humanity. She thinks the world is hers to command and I wouldn’t be surprised if she has been manipulating Diana so she can have the Amazons wrapped around her little finger. I just cannot get over how she lied to everyone’s faces and plays innocent like she’s above morality. I loathe her.)
The only characters in this that were tolerable were Bruce Wayne, Alfred and the Robins, Jor and Laura El, Quinn, Lois, and John Constantine. Everyone else was really detestable. They were so shallow in their moral convictions, inhuman in their actions, and generally unlikable.
To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I had such high hopes for this.
The one enjoyable factor was the art. The art was stunning and made the story come alive.
At the end of the day, the only reason that this gets as many stars as it does is because of the Art and Bruce Wayne. He was a gem and a treasure. His heart was true and noble and he genuinely adapted to his new reality so quickly. I love him and his compassion. He was a 10/10 character.
3/10 Will I read the next volume? Probably, because I’m invested in the stinkin’ plot line. And I want to see Bruce come into his own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2023
"Dark Knights of Steel" is essentially a mash up of the DC Trinity with Camelot. This book is lot's of fun and packs a few surprises that are well worth waiting for.
The book contains a slew of thoughtfully reimagined characters along with a few new ones. Particularly notable are Lois Lane, Jefferson Pierce and the newly imagined sister of Kal El (AKA Superman) Zala El.
This is the first volume of what will hopefully be long running series. Expect strong artwork and writing with complex and rewarding plot lines.
The book contains a slew of thoughtfully reimagined characters along with a few new ones. Particularly notable are Lois Lane, Jefferson Pierce and the newly imagined sister of Kal El (AKA Superman) Zala El.
This is the first volume of what will hopefully be long running series. Expect strong artwork and writing with complex and rewarding plot lines.
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