Superman is Fighting One of the DC Universe's Most Powerful Heroes - And He's Losing

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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.

DC K.O.'s next epic confrontation is one that not even Superman himself seems to have any chance of surviving.

In a preview of DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1 (by Joshua Williamson, Sean Izaakse, Trish Mulvihill, Hi-Fi, and Dave Sharp) from DC Comics, readers find the eponymous pair of heroes dropped into a facsimile of Metropolis where they are meant to duke it out until only one man is left standing. Unfortunately for Superman, who is more than happy to try and find an amicable solution to the situation, Captain Atom only has one thing on his mind — winning.

DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1

Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by SEAN IZAAKSE and TRISH MULVIHILL
Colors by HI-FI
Letters by DAVE SHARPE
Main cover art by JORGE CORONA & SARAH STERN
Variant covers by JOHN GIANG; LUCAS MEYER; SANFORD GREEN; and SEAN IZAAKSE & TRISH MULVIHILL

Captain Atom is one of the most beloved characters in DC Comics history, even if he didn't start as a DC Comics character. The original Captain Atom, a child prodigy named Allen Adam, was a Charlton Comics creation who debuted in Joe GIll and Steve Ditko's story "Introducing Captain Atom" from the pages of 1960's Space Adventures #33.

It wasn't until 1987's Captain Atom #1 by Cary Bates and Pat Broderick that DC Comics' U.S. Air Force pilot Nathaniel Adam underwent the transformative experiment that gave rise to Captain Atom as he stands today. Imbued with unimaginable power, Captain Atom has frequently been likened to a literal god, with multiple storylines focusing on the character's frequently fractured mental and emotional state rather than his more overt heroics.

DC K.O. brings together some of the most powerful heroes and villains that the DC Universe has ever seen for a grand battle royale that will hopefully determine which one figure is capable of standing against the might of the ascended Darkseid. While the event began with 32 combatants, those have quickly been cut in half, leaving only 16 heroes and villains left to try and claim the right to fight for the fate of the entire Multiverse.

DC K.O. writer Scott Snyder previously said of the event, "Darkseid has evolved into something bigger and stronger than ever... 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."

If all the incredible powers that the heroes and villains caught in the middle of DC K.O. weren't enough, the ominous forces orchestrating it have done everything they can to make sure the playing field is anything but even. As seen in DC K.O. #2, several of the most powerful weapons and artifacts in existence have been left for the combatants to collect, and Harley Quinn has acquired what might be the deadliest of them all.

Harley Quinn is officially the owner of the DC Universe's very first Speed Force Ring. While the details still haven't been revealed, it is obvious that Harley is now imbued with super speed and can likely command various other speedster-related powers, assuming she is able to figure out how before she gets knocked out of the tournament.

DC K.O.: Superman vs. Captain Atom #1 goes on sale December 3 from DC Comics.