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Dark Knights of Steel #7 Dark Knights of Steel #7 KindleDownload iBookBuy Now

Dark Knights of Steel #7

Scheduled to arrive in stores: June 7, 2021
Cover date: August 2022

"United"

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Covers: Rafael Albuquerque & Ejikure

Reviewed by: Craig Boehmer
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Dark Knights of Steel #6 This issue opens up with the Kryptonians destroying the world. Zala kills Diana, and the three humiliate and slaughter Bruce. All while the prophecy is narrated and the Green Man laughs. It then shows that this is a nightmare Bruce is having while recuperating on the Kents' farm. A green dog approaches from the dark while he is moaning about demons and everything being green. The Kents enter to help him, and Raven reveals that something inside of him is killing him.

In the Kingdom of Storms Ras brings Prince Jacob to John, resurrected by the Lazarus Pit. Ras reveals that were Jacob to return to court he would be killed because everyone saw his dead body. John promises to help Jacob gain their revenge on the Els. Ras meanwhile hints that there are greater threats facing the world, threats that require him to obtain the teens.

On the Kents farm Raven heals Bruce while he is asleep. When he awakes he recoils from her in horror, calling her a witch. Bruce then comes face to face with Cyborg, Kory, and Raven. They hate Bruce because of his attempts to exterminate their kind, those different and gifted with abilities. The teens confront him about his own heritage as a gifted individual, their contempt is obvious. Johnathan talks to him about his mixed parents, explicitly stating that everyone knew Thomas Wayne was not his father. Kory interrupts the discussion holding Richard upside down. Richard reveals that he tracked Bruce to this farm and tells him of the invasion fleet heading towards the House of Els. Bruce then apologizes to the teens for his crimes, but before their conversation ends the Demon's Head arrives on the farm. Bruce tells the teens to wait inside while he faces the new enemies. Johnathan and Martha gather their armor and weapons to face the Demon's Head. Ras summons Etrigan and the battle is joined. Etrigan and Bruce clash, revealing his gifts. The fight moves towards the farmhouse and the teens enter the battle with Beast Boy turning into a giant green dragon. This turns the battle in their favour. Talia leaves hinting that something far more troubling is coming. The Kents convince Bruce to return to the House of Els to aid them in the coming battle.

5Story - 5: One issue. We made it one issue without having Batman as the focus. His shoulders must be tired from carrying DC the way he is. I only partially jest. This issue continues the resurgence for this miniseries. The introduction of the Teen Titans was an exciting surprise and using the Kents as Professor Xavier type figures helping to hide and train those who are different was a brilliant idea. I am hopeful the Titans join Bruce in his return to the capital and are able to participate in the war. This issue balanced action and exposition quite nicely. We get a lot of background for the Kents, as well as some great action sequences in the fight with the Demon's Head. I am very curious to see what this other threat that the Ghuls keep referencing is. I am hoping it is a universe sized threat, such as this world's Darkseid or Anti-Monitor. I am also excited to see the resolution of the attack against Bruce, how long before he discovers who truly attacked him and the King of Storms. We are just over half way through the series, and the momentum has picked up.

4Art - 4: Nathan Gooden and colorist Arif Pianto do a good job here. The action jumps off the page, and the more fantastical elements are exciting to look at. However, there are a few faces that look, off. Overall, though, a great issue art wise. It does continue a troubling trend of changing artists, I think in seven issues we've had three different pencillers, that will be very jarring in trade format.

5Cover Art - 5: I love this cover! Batman in his medieval glory, wielding his sword above his head riding Beast Boy as a green dragon! Oh man this gets my juices going! Flames spewing from the mouth! More like this please!

2Variant Cover - 2: This is a perfectly fine cover. But it does have a couple of key problems. Problem number one, these characters don't appear in the comic so it has nothing to do with the story. Problem number two, they are kind of in a boring pose. Problem number three, they aren't prominent so far in any of the story. With how important these characters will become in the story; their cover should have included more elements of what has occurred to them thus far.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2022

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.
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