Annie Banks is a Rotten Tomatoes–approved critic, and CBR editor and writer specializing in anime, comics, and superheroes. Their work has also appeared in Collider and The Mary Sue, where they covered pop culture, fandoms, and entertainment trends. A lifelong fan whose love for storytelling began with Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, Annie blends critical insight with genuine passion for geek culture, from sci-fi to K-pop.
DC Comics' DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 just got an incredibly exciting update, promising thrilling cameos for fans to look forward to.
Stated by a press release from DC Comics, "this one-shot comic book has character cameos from across pop culture, including Sub-Zero (Netherrealm), Homelander, Red Sonja and Vampirella (Dynamite), Samantha Strong (IDW), Sabrina the Teenage Witch (Archie Comics), and even New Line Cinema’s Annabelle, the infamous horror doll."
The press release continues to amp up the excitement around what fans can expect during this major crossover event, touting DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 as "a high‑octane one‑shot from writer Jeremy Adams and artists Ronan Cliquet, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Kieran McKeown, Pablo M. Collar, and Hi-Fi. Arriving ahead of the explosive final phase of the DC K.O. event, this special issue throws DC’s greatest Super Heroes into a gauntlet of unexpected challengers from across comics, horror, fantasy, and gaming." DC heroes are set to spar against the biggest names in pop culture in a one-of-a-kind one-shot event.
What's Been Said About DC K.O. Boss Battle?
Image via DC Comics“Patrick Horvath created an incredibly complicated and frankly, scary, character with Samantha Strong,” series writer Jeremy Adams said. “I feel lucky to be able to pit this serial-killer bear from IDW’s Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees against the greatest criminal mind of our time, Lex Luthor. Especially because Lex has no idea who it is he's stumbled upon. And, having written four animated Mortal Kombat movies, I jumped at the chance to write more of the Netherrealm world, especially for comics. These characters hold a place dear to my heart as I've had the chance to interact with a huge swath of their fandom, their creators, and the MK universe as a whole!”
Adams continued, “DC K.O.: Boss Battle held surprises for me, too... I never anticipated that I’d be writing ‘Welcome to Greendale!’ in a DC comic! Home of our favorite teenage witch who volunteers to 'help' Star Sapphire in the Boss Battle. This was a bright spot to put together in the midst of the over-arching chaos of the issue. I found myself really enjoying the brief moments with Sabrina. And Homelander vs Superman! The biggest A-hole in pop culture right now fighting the big blue boy scout? Come on! My only regret is that I didn’t have *more* pages to show these guys punch and kick…and for Superman to tell Homelander to shut his potty mouth before launching him into the sun!”
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 will follow DC Comics heroes as they're pressed for time, and on the hunt for Omega Energy to pull them through their final battles. Each fight is set to become more intense as the stakes are heightened, and Darkseid's threats loom overhead. In a tournament-style feat, each hero must take on unexpected foes and fight their way to the very end.
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 lands in comic shops on Feb. 4, 2026.
Created by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
English (US) · 