Published Feb 9, 2026, 9:14 AM EST
John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.
The battle between Superman and Homelander has finally arrived on the pages of DC Comics, even if it didn't last nearly as long as fans were hoping it would.
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 (by Jeremy Adams, Ronan Cliquet, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Kieron McKeown, Pablo M. Collar, Hi-Fi, and Tom Napolitano) finds the remaining champions of the DC Universe falling through reality itself into worlds populated by threats they could have never imagined for themselves. When it comes to Superman, that threat just so happens to be The Boys' own Homelander, who, unfortunately, doesn't get the chance to determine which of them is stronger before the final four fighters of DC K.O. are whisked off to their next round of combat.
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1
- Written by JEREMY ADAMS
- Art by RONAN CLIQUET, CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO, KIERON McKEOWN, and PABLO M. COLLAR
- Colors by HI-FI
- Letters by TOM NAPOLITANO
- Main cover art by JAMAL CAMPBELL
- Variant covers by DARICK ROBERTSON & DIEGO RODRIGUEZ; PATRICK HORVATH; FRANK CHO & SABINE RICH; JEFF SPOKES; and GLEB MELNIKOV
The official solicit synopsis for DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 from DC Comics reads, "TO SAVE OUR WORLD, THEY MUST BATTLE THE CHAMPIONS OF OTHER WORLDS! Unexpected fighters from beyond the DC Universe enter the arena! Wait... What? WHO?! As the remaining champions in the K.O. tournament prepare for the final rounds, they discover that there isn't enough Omega energy left to crown the winner a King Omega."
The solicit continues, "To have any hope of stopping Darkseid, they'll need to engage in combat with the champions of other worlds beyond our own including Annabelle, Homelander, Sub-Zero, and more! This shocking, star-studded crossover sets the stage for the final chapters of the epic DC K.O. event and features matchups you never imagined possible. The ultimate battle is only beginning!"
DC Comics' DC K.O. Event, Explained
Image via DCDC K.O. marks what is easily the biggest battle royale comic book title in DC Comics history, not to mention one of the biggest in the realm of comics as a whole. Things began not long after Darkseid's ascension to a higher plane of existence, specifically that of King Omega, with which he was able to shape the Absolute Universe in roughly his own brutal image.
To make matters worse for the heroes of the DC Universe, Darkseid is on the verge of ushering in yet another Crisis-level event that would upend the entire Multiverse as it stands today. That is, unless one single figure is capable of claiming the power necessary to stand against Darkseid and single-handedly save every reality from total annihilation.
Following the announcement of DC K.O. in 2025, event co-architect and writer Scott Snyder described it as "a knock-down, drag-out fight between all your favorite DC Super Heroes." Snyder went on to promise, "There’s no future for the DC Universe because of what he’s done—the heroes’ only shot is to stop him in the present... You have to be merciless to win, and when you’re out, you’re out."
DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1 from DC Comics is on sale now.
Created by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
English (US) · 