In this review of Dark Knights of Steel II #1, a new threat from the sea threatens the peace between the kingdoms. Elsewhere, someone sees the threat to come.
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 main cover by Yasmine Putri (DC Comics)
DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL II #1
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by OTTO SCHMIDT
Main Cover: YASMINE PUTRI
Variant Covers: TRAVIS MOORE, DAVIDE PARATORE, JOSH MIDDLETON
Page Count: 40 pages
Release Date: 7/15/26
This review contains spoilers
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 begins with an unknown narrator recounting their earliest memory, seeing the Doomstone being torn from the ground, though they themselves were nowhere near it and still an infant. The narrator’s curse, which their father calls a blessing, allows them to see things far in the distance.
A few years later, when Bruce, Zala, and Kal were children, Victor Carmine and his father from a neighboring kingdom come to visit the royal Kent family, bestowing puppies for the boys. However, when the children go to play, Victor viciously kills Ace, Bruce’s dog. Kal reacts with his powers, but the king admonishes him.
In the present, Zala Kent is joining the Amazonians as Dianah’s partner. Kal and Constantine and allowed to set foot on the women-only island for the ceremony. However, Zala doesn’t come to greet them because she is fatigued.
Meanwhile, Bruce, roughing it in bars, is found by Talia. She has left her father to find Bruce so that they could travel together getting away from their families.
Zala is accepted by the Amazonians, but just as the ceremony ends with a kiss, a Kraken appears and starts attacking. The warriors start fighting back, but a mysterious man appears from the ocean, appealing to them to stop fighting so he can talk to the Kraken. Apprehensive, they let him and he is able to calm the vicious beast.
He introduces himself to the league as Arthur, King of Atlantis. However, he soon notices that the new Amazonian princess Zala is not among them. Kal finds her unconscious in the water, however she has not been injured by the Kraken. She simply passed out from fatigue. Laying in Diana’s arms, she suddenly begins coughing up blood.
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 ends far away, Barbara awakens, calling out Zala’s name, and announcing a betrayal against the Els. She is Oracle, the mysterious narrator.
Analysis
Starting with the art, it once again is fire. I love the bright colors, the well drawn action, and the characters. Schmidt’s art is such a delight to look at and is the perfect choice for this fantasy setting.
We don’t know for sure who the villains are yet, but the introduction of Victor as a child and already bloodthirsty and vicious is setting him up as something sinister. I don’t recall Doomsday in the first story (it’s been a hot minute since I’ve read it), and I have to admit I skipped Allwinter, but the Doomstone appears to also be important for this series.
I love the introduction of Barbara and I can’t wait to see how Oracle will be incorporated more into the story. As Bruce is traveling, and Oracle is a TBU character, I assume he will join up with her at some point.
Speaking of Bruce, I can only assume that teaming up with Talia means we will get a baby Damian and ultimately the betrayal of her going back to her father. (I’m not bitter, I just don’t trust her as far as I can throw her).
Zala, the super powered alien princess, having been brought to her knees by a mysterious illness is very worrying. If what Oracle is seeing is correct, all the Els are in danger, not just the princess.
The pacing so far is great, giving just enough in the first issue to get us excited, introducing new key elements, and whetting our appetite for more story.
All in all, I am excited for this new series (I was bored with Allwinter, so it isn’t a loyalty to the franchise that has me excited).
