The DC K.O. Tournament has just detonated! Sixteen of the multiverse's greatest heroes and most dangerous villains have survived the initial carnage, but the real spectacle began in the chaotic "Scramble Round" of DC K.O. #2. In that brutal free-for-all, these competitors didn't just win their bouts; they fought to claim legendary weapons, relics, and technologies from across the DC Multiverse. The tournament rules have forced them into dark territory, compelling them to fuse their unique fighting styles and moral codes with artifacts of unfathomable cosmic power. This isn't just a battle of strength, it's a test of whether these beings can control the raw power now coursing through their veins. Get ready to break down the most volatile and terrifying combinations in the bracket!

The Perfect Storm: Why These Items Are Deadly In These Hands

Red Hood & The Scarab

Jason Todd has bonded with a piece of alien technology so powerful, it threatens to turn the entire tournament into a military coup: the Scarab! This sentient, symbiotic battlesuit, known as Khaji Da, first appeared in its modern form in Infinite Crisis #3 (2006), courtesy of Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, and George Pérez. Historically, Red Hood has often used technology and firearms to level the playing field against meta-humans, often designing his own power-dampening suits or using Kryptonite-laced weapons. While previous Scarab wearers focused on defense, Red Hood's aggression turns this artifact into an unstoppable weapon platform. The Scarab can generate virtually any weapon he can imagine, but in Jason's hands, his lethal combat training and willingness to kill means the adaptable armor is now an instrument of total, military annihilation. He's no longer just a vigilante; he's an armored god of war.

Zatanna & The God Killer Sword

Magic meets mythic steel! Zatanna's greatest upgrade is the God Killer Sword, which first appeared in Wonder Woman #3 (2016) by Greg Rucka and Liam Sharp. This ancient Amazonian blade is capable of slicing through anything, even gods and powerful magical entities. Zatanna is DC's primary magical strategist, used to wielding powerful, often uncontrollable forces. However, her greatest weakness is often being silenced, cutting off her primary source of power. By acquiring a weapon capable of slaying deities that doesn't require a single spoken word, she has gained a physical, undeniable threat that complements her magical might.

Guy Gardner & The Worlogog

Guy Gardner is now the wielder of the Worlogog, an artifact that first appeared in Justice League #17 (1994) by Gerard Jones and Chuck Wojtkiewicz. This miniature model of the space-time continuum grants its holder near-omnipotence, allowing for manipulation of space, time, and reality on a cosmic scale. Guy has always been an explosive, unpredictable Green Lantern, often clashing with cosmic authority (even joining the Red Lantern Corps). Guy’s notoriously arrogant and aggressive temper, when coupled with an artifact capable of rewriting existence, means the entire flow of the tournament, and reality itself, is now subject to his legendary bad mood and lack of patience.

Joker & Atom's Belt

No one turns a scientific instrument into a punchline quite like the Joker. He claimed Atom's Belt, technology first seen with Ray Palmer in Showcase #34 (1961) by Gardner Fox and Gil Kane. Designed to allow wearers to shrink to subatomic levels, this tool of precision has become an instrument of grotesque, intimate murder in the Joker's hands. The Joker is historically defined by his use of personalized, chemical-based weapons (like Joker Venom) to cause specific, dramatic chaos. Now, as DC K.O. #2 grimly showed, the Clown Prince can inflict personalized pain from the inside out: the belt’s advanced science has been hijacked by boundless sadism.

Cyborg & Mother Box

Victor Stone has integrated with a Mother Box, a sentient, New Gods' computer that first appeared in The Forever People #1 (1971), created by the legendary Jack Kirby. Capable of Boom Tube teleportation, advanced healing, and controlling all technology, this cosmic-level operating system gives Cyborg an unprecedented upgrade. Cyborg's history is defined by his struggle to integrate New Gods' technology into his very being; now, he has gained the master key. His already powerful cybernetics are now backed by a device that allows him to instantly teleport, rewrite the laws of technology, and turn any battlefield into his inescapable, personal fortress.

Captain Atom & Psycho Pirate's Mask

Captain Atom now possesses the Psycho Pirate’s Mask (The Medusa Mask), worn by Roger Hayden when he debuted in Showcase #56 (1965) by Gardner Fox and Mike Sekowsky. The Mask allows the wearer to manipulate the emotions of others on a massive scale. Captain Atom's history is one of volatile power struggles, often fearing his own power and the catastrophic damage it can inflict. Giving him a tool to control the emotions of his foes means he can induce paralyzing fear or mind-breaking despair in opponents before unleashing his nuclear might, turning an already unstable force into an emotional master manipulator.

Wonder Woman & Thor's Hammer (Mjolnir)

A truly worthy union! Diana has proven herself capable of wielding Thor's Hammer. This legendary Asgardian artifact grants the user the power of the Thunder God, including control over storms and flight. The hammer's mythological counterpart first appeared in a DC comic in Flash Comics #57 (1944). Wonder Woman is steeped in Greek mythology and often wields weapons of divine origin (like the Lasso of Truth or the Sword of Athena), which share similar origins to this hammer. Her Amazonian skill is now fused with the raw, cosmic fury of a thunder god, and her pure heart confirms she is always worthy of this mythological power, making this union of Greek and Norse myth an overwhelming, divine-level engine of destruction.

Lobo & Bane’s Venom

As if he wasn't tough enough! The Main Man’s power level just got dialed past infinity with Bane's Venom, a potent steroid that debuted in Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1 (1993) by Chuck Dixon, Doug Moench, and Graham Nolan. This drug grants massive, superhuman strength and stamina. Lobo has always relied on his inherent Czarnian physiology and ridiculous regenerative factor to overwhelm foes with sheer brute force. Venom doesn't just make him stronger; it takes his already insane power level and cranks it past twelve, compounding his signature berserker rage into an uncontrollable, hyper-charged engine of galactic violence.

Harley Quinn & Speed Force Ring

Harley is now tapping into the Speed Force, the energy source first detailed in Flash Vol 2 #91 (1994) by Mark Waid. This power grants the user super-speed and the ability to vibrate through matter. Harley's entire fighting style is based on gymnastic agility, unpredictability, and chaotic timing. Giving her chaotic, unhinged energy the power of near-instantaneous movement means her random, violent chaos can now be executed at the speed of light. She is an erratic, hypersonic hurricane of destruction that no one can track, let alone predict.

Lex Luthor & Power Rings

The universe's most brilliant mind just armed himself with the power of the cosmos! Lex Luthor has acquired multiple Power Rings, artifacts whose modern Corps concept began in Showcase #22 (1959) by John Broome and Gil Kane. These rings, fueled by different emotional spectrums, allow the wielder to create solid energy constructs and fly. Luthor has a long history of stealing or replicating Lantern technology, most notably the Orange Lantern Ring (Avarice) or his own Kryptonite-powered Green Lantern Ring. The real danger is that his sheer, cold intellect and will are now directing multiple cosmic emotional powers with a level of tactical genius that makes him an unparalleled, unified threat.

Etrigan & Genie Pen (Thunderbolt)

Etrigan the Demon now holds the Genie Pen, which contains the Fifth-Dimensional Imp Thunderbolt (Yz), dating back to Flash Comics #1 (1940) by John B. Wentworth and Stan Aschmeier. The pen grants wishes, resulting in chaotic, cosmic power. Etrigan's power is already rooted in chaotic, rhyming magic, making him a being of pure magical unpredictability. Combining his native hell-power with the chaotic, reality-bending wish-fulfillment means he can summon catastrophic, yet highly specific, magical effects with a single, rhymed decree: wishes for utterly demonic destruction.

Hawkman & Claw of Horus

Hawkman carries the Claw of Horus, a specialized Nth Metal gauntlet that debuted in JSA #20 (2001) by David S. Goyer, Geoff Johns, and Stephen Sadowski. The Claw channels the Earth's gravitational field and uses it as a kinetic weapon. Hawkman's history is steeped in ancient Egyptian myth and he has wielded countless Nth Metal weapons and artifacts over his many reincarnations. The Claw gives this relentless, barbaric warrior the power to essentially "hit you with the planet," augmenting his melee assault with planet-scale gravity manipulation, crushing opponents with the weight of the Earth itself.

Swamp Thing & Soul Taker Sword

The Avatar of the Green is now armed with the Soul Taker Sword, most famously used by Katana and debuting in The Brave and the Bold #200 (1983) by Mike W. Barr and Jim Aparo. The sword captures the souls of those it kills within its blade. Swamp Thing is the champion of The Green, fundamentally defined by non-violence and the protection of natural life, rarely using conventional weapons. Giving him a weapon that traps the spiritual essence of his victims is a horrifying corruption of his nature, turning him into the reluctant warden of his defeated foes.

Jay Garrick & Lasso of Truth

The original Flash, Jay Garrick, is wielding the Lasso of Truth, which first appeared in All-Star Comics #8 (1941) by William Moulton Marston and Harry G. Peter. The Lasso compels anyone wrapped in it to tell the absolute truth. Jay Garrick is known for his wisdom, moral center, and experience, often serving as a mentor for younger heroes. Fusing his wisdom and speed with this tool that cuts through all deception means he can instantly bind any opponent, forcing them to reveal their strategy, their weaknesses, or their hidden fears before they can react. He is a lightning-fast, inescapable inquisitor.

Aquaman & Cosmic Rod

Aquaman, King of Atlantis, has claimed the Cosmic Rod, the stellar-powered device of the Golden Age Starman, which debuted in Adventure Comics #61 (1941) by Gardner Fox and Jack Burnley. The Rod absorbs and projects stellar energy and allows for the manipulation of gravity. Aquaman has always struggled with his reputation and reliance on the ocean, often seeking tools to augment his power on land. This artifact instantly negates his disadvantage on land, turning him into a cosmic-powered, gravity-defying artillery platform. He would best use the Cosmic Rod to instantly create crushing gravity wells, pinning his foe while simultaneously calling on his telepathic command of the ocean to attack. An opponent may draw him to a desert for an advantage, only to be instantly crushed by localized gravity and elemental manipulation.

Superman & Omega Sanction

The most terrifying combination in the entire bracket: Superman has acquired the ultimate weapon of Darkseid: the Omega Sanction, an attack first detailed in Mister Miracle Vol 3 #6 (1998) by Walter Simonson. This power traps its victim in an endless cycle of alternate lives and horrific realities. Superman's character is built entirely on his adherence to a strict, non-lethal moral code. As the DC K.O. #2 reviews confirm, he acquired this power through a brutal, self-sacrificial act, showing he is willing to cross his own moral lines. This weapon gives the world's most powerful being the ultimate divine power, forcing him to engage in an act of finality and psychological annihilation. This is no longer the Superman we know; this is the Omega weaponized.

🏆 Conclusion: The King Omega Will Rise!

The final 16 are set, and the sheer power contained in this bracket is unprecedented. The tournament has done more than just pit the DC Universe’s heavy hitters against each other; it has armed them with the very instruments of cosmic chaos. Every hero and villain has been fundamentally changed by their new weapon, and the consequences of their choices in the Scramble Round will echo through the next stage. Who will survive? Who will break? And who has what it takes to stop Darkseid by becoming the new King Omega? Don't miss a single page of this epic event!

The DC KO Tournament: Round 1 Predictions & Power Scaling Breakdown!

September 6, 2025George SerranoComment

Welcome, fight fans! The DC KO Tournament is here. This isn't friendly sparring; it's a knockdown, drag-out brawl for multiversal supremacy. Our team has gone deep into the archives, analyzing comic history and legendary feats to deliver a definitive, data-driven breakdown of each matchup. This is about raw power, cunning strategy, and psychological fortitude. The action is about to begin!

The Heavyweight Division

Matchup 1: Superman vs. Giganta

Tale of the Tape: Superman

In the blue corner, it's the Man of Steel, Superman. His solar-powered abilities grant him immense superhuman strength, faster-than-light flight, and invulnerability. His strength is depicted as having no upper limit, simply adapting to a given situation. He can lift planets and his tactical telekinesis protects large objects he lifts, and his body generates an invisible force field.

Tale of the Tape: Giganta

In the red corner, with a genius intellect, we have Giganta. Her powers grant her superhuman strength and durability that are proportionate to her size. Her feats include smashing a stone ceiling, tossing helicopters, and even punching Wonder Woman into concrete. A legendary deep-cut feat saw her knock out Superman with a single clap in the DC Animated Universe, proving her power is no laughing matter. She has also taken hits from Wonder Woman and Black Adam, showing high durability.

Feats, Fails, and the Final Bell

This is a classic power-scaling contradiction. Giganta knocked out Superman with a clap in a viral moment, a one-off feat that defines her power. But a comprehensive analysis must weigh this against Superman's consistent history. He's moved planets, flies faster than light, and endures planet-busting explosions. The DCAU knockout is an outlier against his canon. Based on consistent power scaling, Superman's superior speed would end the fight before it even begins. He could simply vibrate through her attacks or overwhelm her with blows of a planetary class.

Predicted Winner: Superman

Matchup 2: Captain Atom vs. Power Girl

Tale of the Tape: Captain Atom

In the blue corner, he’s a walking nuclear reactor and a master of the Quantum Field, Captain Atom. His body is a conduit for a power source that grants him Quantum Powered Strength, matter manipulation, and staggering durability. He has absorbed Kryptonite radiation that was strong enough to kill other S-tier heroes and survived a planet-busting meteor explosion. When his mental limits are off, he can create and destroy universes, and he is a hard counter to anyone who uses energy, absorbing it simply by flying past.

Tale of the Tape: Power Girl

In the red corner, she is the Maiden of Might of Earth-Two, Kara Zor-L. A refugee from Krypton, she possesses a power set identical to Superman's, including superhuman strength, flight, and invulnerability. She is a "punch first, ask questions later" brawler with a gung-ho attitude. She is highly resistant to Kryptonite, although some versions show it can affect her in a diminished form. Her strength is on par with Superman's, having punched him across the Great Wall of China.

A War of Will and Wavelength

This is a battle of power sources. Power Girl’s abilities are solar-powered. Captain Atom's power is quantum-based, a higher-dimensional energy source that lets him absorb and manipulate other forms of energy. He has a documented history of absorbing Kryptonite radiation, proving his energy manipulation is effective even against Kryptonian-specific threats. In a fight, he would not need to beat her physically; he could simply drain her of her power. Power Girl is facing a metaphysical entity who, at his peak, can create and destroy realities. A simple punch is unlikely to affect a being who survived a planet-busting meteor explosion and is impervious to Kryptonian-level attacks. Captain Atom's power set represents a direct and absolute counter, giving him a clear path to victory.

Predicted Winner: Captain Atom

The Magical & Cosmic Division

Matchup 3: Guy Gardner vs. Firestorm

Tale of the Tape: Guy Gardner

In the blue corner, he is the most abrasive member of the Green Lantern Corps, Guy Gardner. His power comes from his Green Lantern ring, limited only by his considerable willpower. What makes Guy unique is his emotional versatility; he has wielded not just the green ring of willpower but also the yellow ring of fear and the red ring of rage. His ego has been famously knocked out by a single punch from Batman, but his ability to wield a ring makes him one of the most powerful lanterns ever to exist.

Tale of the Tape: Firestorm

In the red corner, he is the Nuclear Man, a gestalt being of two consciousnesses with the power of matter transmutation. The Firestorm Matrix allows him to rearrange matter on a sub-atomic level, a power he has used to turn guns into brooms and a fallen Eiffel Tower into rose petals. His power is incredibly versatile, but his durability is inconsistent, with feats ranging from tanking nuclear attacks to a stated fear of a simple 800-foot fall.

From Fire to Fury

The fundamental difference in this fight is one of approach. Firestorm is a technician, who works on a complex, sub-atomic level and requires a mental process to rearrange matter. Guy Gardner is a brawler. His power ring is a precision-based weapon designed for combat, which he uses to generate high-energy blasts that can send a Martian Manhunter flying. The core of Firestorm's power is the Firestorm Matrix, a unified consciousness that is vulnerable to physical disruption. A focused, powerful strike from a Green Lantern-enhanced fist would be a decisive attack. Guy’s raw, unbridled willpower and tactical use of direct energy blasts would overwhelm Firestorm's more complex, alchemical-based powers.

Predicted Winner: Guy Gardner

Matchup 4: Jay Garrick vs. Cheetah

Tale of the Tape: Jay Garrick

In the blue corner, the original Scarlet Speedster, the man who started it all, Jay Garrick. His powers come from his connection to the Speed Force, an extra-dimensional energy source. He has been documented running at Mach 1448.6, and he has a superior, intuitive understanding of the Speed Force. He is a master of his abilities and an invaluable mentor to the speedster legacy.

Tale of the Tape: Cheetah

In the red corner, she is a demigod blessed with the strength and speed of a feline god, Cheetah. Her powers are magical in nature, which is a lethal advantage against those who rely on physical strength and speed. Her most devastating feat is a deep-cut classic: she has been shown to take down the entire Justice League, including Superman and the Flash, without any prep time. She has also used her magic to cast a curse on Superman, turning him into a cheetah-like creature, and has caused Wonder Woman to hallucinate.

The Magic of Speed

This is a classic "speed versus magic" confrontation. While Jay Garrick has a legendary legacy and an unparalleled connection to the Speed Force, Cheetah's powers are mystical and fundamentally different. Her magical nature is a perfect counter to a speedster's physical abilities, as it allows her to bypass conventional durability and power scaling. Cheetah has a proven track record of defeating a full-powered Flash. This is the critical causal relationship in this matchup. Her abilities are a nightmare for any opponent who does not have a magical counter. Jay Garrick may be a master of the Speed Force, but his power is not mystical and offers no inherent resistance to Cheetah's magic. In a single, devastating strike, she could land a magical attack that would neutralize his Speed Force connection.

Predicted Winner: Cheetah

The Demigod & Metahuman Brawler Division

Matchup 5: Aquaman vs. King Shark

Tale of the Tape: Aquaman

In the blue corner, he is the King of Atlantis and a demigod of the seas, Aquaman. His Atlantean physiology grants him superhuman strength, with feats including lifting a cruise ship and uppercutting an evil version of himself. He is incredibly fast in the water, reaching speeds of over 6,700 mph. His most devastating and profound power is his cosmic-level telepathy, which allows him to communicate with and command not just marine life, but all sentient life in the cosmos through the "Life Force". He has used this power to give a White Martian a seizure and even mind-rape every being on Earth.

Tale of the Tape: King Shark

In the red corner, he is the son of a shark god, Nanaue, also known as King Shark. He is a physical powerhouse with enhanced strength, durability, and a potent regenerative healing factor. His feats include biting Superman hard enough to break his own teeth and one-shotting Superboy. His physical strength is immense, but he is driven by primal instinct and hunger, and his vulnerability to dehydration is a known weakness.

An Ocean of Difference

This matchup seems like a straight-up brawl, but a deeper look reveals a significant strategic mismatch. King Shark is a fearsome brawler, a one-dimensional threat driven by instinct. This makes him the perfect target for Aquaman’s most potent weapon: his mind. Aquaman is not just a brawler; he is a king and a master tactician. His cosmic-level telepathy is a trump card that King Shark has no defense against. Aquaman could use his telepathy to attack King Shark’s mind directly, an ability he has demonstrated against the likes of White Martians. King Shark's mind is a primitive one, susceptible to a sophisticated telepathic assault, which Arthur is more than capable of executing.

Predicted Winner: Aquaman

Matchup 6: Conner Hawke vs. Hawkman

Tale of the Tape: Conner Hawke

In the blue corner, he is a peerless martial artist and master archer, Conner Hawke. His abilities are far beyond a normal human's. He has bathed in dragon's blood, which gave him superhuman strength, speed, and a near-instant healing factor. He has trained in the ancient martial art of the "All Caste," which allows him to fight on the astral plane and predict the future. His feats include one-shotting Orm, kicking off an alien's head, and surviving a shot to the head.

Tale of the Tape: Hawkman

In the red corner, he is the winged warrior of Thanagar, Carter Hall, also known as Hawkman. His powers are derived from his Nth Metal harness, which grants him flight, superhuman strength, and a potent healing factor. He prefers archaic weaponry as his reincarnated consciousness makes him a master of their use. His most devastating feat is using the Claw of Horus, an Nth Metal weapon, to hit Superman with the force of "the planet itself," a blow that cratered the ground.

Nth Metal vs. Dragon's Blood

This fight is a clash of two similar power sets: enhanced strength, flight, and a healing factor. However, the difference in their feats and power scaling is immense. Hawkman’s Nth Metal technology is a quantum leap in power that Conner’s dragon’s blood abilities cannot match. The Claw of Horus feat is the critical deciding factor. Hitting Superman with the force of the planet itself is a feat of power on a different scale than anything Conner Hawke has ever demonstrated. While Conner’s "All Caste" training is impressive and his ability to predict the future is a powerful tool, it would be useless against a blow of such catastrophic force. Hawkman, with his millennia of experience and his devastating arsenal, operates on a scale that Conner simply cannot reach. The causal relationship is that technology provides an overwhelming advantage over physical skill.

Predicted Winner: Hawkman

The Mastermind Division

Matchup 7: Lex Luthor vs. Black Lightning

Tale of the Tape: Lex Luthor

In the blue corner, he is the archenemy of Superman, Lex Luthor. Luthor is a genius with an IQ of over 250, a polymath who has mastered countless scientific disciplines. While he has no inherent powers, his mind is his super-weapon, and his wealth and technology, including his Warsuit, allow him to contend with the most powerful beings on Earth. He is a genius on a multiversal scale, second only to Brainiac 5.

Tale of the Tape: Black Lightning

In the red corner, he is Jefferson Pierce, a master martial artist and a metahuman with the innate ability to generate and control electricity. He is a highly skilled fighter who has used his powers to overpower Doctor Freeze's beams and clash with a mind-controlled Superman. He has a history of fighting technological opponents, overheating mech suits and restraining Luthor himself in his Warsuit.

Tech and Tactics

This looks like a fight between a man with technology and a man with the power to counter that technology. Black Lightning’s electrical powers are a direct counter to Lex Luthor’s Warsuit and other creations. However, to assume this is a simple power-for-power battle would be to underestimate Luthor's defining trait: his unparalleled strategic genius. Luthor’s mind is a meta-power that exists on a higher plane than raw physical ability. He is a master tactician who has created contingency plans for every member of the Justice League. The fight would not begin with a head-on assault. Luthor's victory would come from a plan, a strategy, or a specific device designed to neutralize Black Lightning’s powers. He would have a non-conductive suit, a localized energy dampener, or some other piece of technology specifically designed to defeat an electrical manipulator.

Predicted Winner: Lex Luthor

Matchup 8: The Demon vs. Supergirl

Tale of the Tape: The Demon

In the blue corner, he is the son of the demon Belial, the rhyming warrior of Hell, Etrigan the Demon. He is a high-ranking demon with mystically enhanced superhuman strength and durability, a power level that allows him to stand against powerhouses like Superman and Lobo. He is a master of hellfire, which he projects from his mouth, and he possesses an incredible regenerative healing factor. His sadomasochistic nature makes him fearless in a fight, as he enjoys pain.

Tale of the Tape: Supergirl

In the red corner, she is the Maiden of Might, Kara Zor-El, the cousin of Superman. She is a Kryptonian with powers identical to her cousin's, including superhuman strength, speed, durability, and invulnerability. She has a long history of impressive feats, including punching Superman across the Great Wall of China and drawing blood from Wonder Woman.

Unholy Hellfire vs. Solar Power

This fight is a brutal test of a classic power-scaling vulnerability. Supergirl is a being of immense solar-powered might, but her primary weakness is magic. Etrigan's powers are mystical and based on Hell itself, making every one of his attacks a direct counter to Supergirl's physical resilience. While Supergirl’s strength would make this a difficult fight for Etrigan, every blow she takes from him is a magical one, which she is far more vulnerable to. Furthermore, Etrigan's sadomasochistic nature gives him a decisive psychological advantage. He is a warrior who actively enjoys taking pain, which means he is not susceptible to the shock or physical punishment that would normally end a fight. He can sustain wounds that would incapacitate almost any other being and continue to fight. Supergirl has the raw power to land a knockout, but her vulnerability to magic and Etrigan’s healing factor and pain tolerance give him a clear advantage. He would simply outlast her until she succumbed to his mystical blows.

Predicted Winner: The Demon

The Unkillable & Unpredictable Division

Matchup 9: Wonder Woman vs. Starro/Jarro

Tale of the Tape: Wonder Woman

In the blue corner, she is the Princess of Themyscira, the Amazon demigod Wonder Woman. Diana’s power comes from a blessing of the Greek gods, granting her superhuman strength on par with Superman, incredible durability, and a robust healing factor. She is a master of combat with her Lasso of Truth and her bullet-deflecting Bracelets of Submission. Her greatest weapon is her indomitable willpower, a mental fortitude that few can match.

Tale of the Tape: Starro/Jarro

In the red corner, it is the Star Conqueror, a parasitic hive mind and alien conqueror. Starro's primary weapon is its ability to attach spores to the faces of humanoids, controlling their minds and bodies and giving it access to their powers and memories. Starro is a master of psychological warfare, and its telepathic abilities are so potent that they have been shown to infiltrate the minds of even Martian Manhunter and Aquaman.

Willpower Beyond Measure

This is a battle of mind over matter, with the physical fight serving as a side show. Starro's entire strategy revolves around mind control, using its intelligence to force opponents to show restraint. However, Wonder Woman's legendary willpower and mental fortitude are the perfect counter. Her strength is not just physical; it is a mental and spiritual strength that is tied to her unwavering moral compass. The Lasso of Truth can also break mind control and force those in its grasp to reveal their true nature. While Starro's telepathy is superior to Aquaman's, Wonder Woman's mental resistance is a different kind of strength, honed by her Amazonian training. The causal relationship is that Starro's power is psychological manipulation, and Wonder Woman's entire character is built on a will that cannot be broken. She has the physical might to defeat a giant Starro probe, and the mental fortitude to resist its attempts at mind control.

Predicted Winner: Wonder Woman

Matchup 10: Lobo vs. Plastic Man

Tale of the Tape: Lobo

In the blue corner, he is the last of the Czarnians, the Main Man, Lobo. Lobo is a cosmic-level powerhouse. His strength is staggering, with feats including crushing a city into a ball and destroying a planet by simply punching a guy. He possesses an absurd regenerative healing factor, able to regenerate from a single drop of blood or a pile of ash. He is a genius-level intellect who has used "math to hook the Flash," proving his mind is as deadly as his fists.

Tale of the Tape: Plastic Man

In the red corner, he is the master of matter, the immortal, and virtually invulnerable Eel O'Brian, Plastic Man. His body is a fluid state of matter, allowing him to stretch, bounce, and mold himself into any shape. He is impervious to conventional attacks like bullets, fire, and blunt force. His most incredible feat is surviving for 3,000 years after being frozen and shattered into thousands of pieces and scattered across the ocean floor. He is also immune to telepathic attacks.

Who Folds First?

This is a battle of two seemingly unkillable forces. Lobo’s strength is on a cosmic scale, capable of annihilating planets with a punch. Plastic Man’s invulnerability is based on his ability to manipulate his molecular structure, making him impervious to physical harm. The key to victory lies not in brute force, but in a specific weakness. Lobo is not a mindless brawler; he is a genius. The research shows that Plastic Man's weakness is a sudden change in temperature, which can incapacitate him by turning him into a solid. Batman has a specific plan for Plastic Man: freeze him with liquid nitrogen and scatter him across the globe. Lobo, with his intellect, would likely deduce this weakness. While he cannot kill Plastic Man, he can defeat him by incapacitating him indefinitely.

Predicted Winner: Lobo

The Wildcard Division

Matchup 11: Swamp Thing vs. Vixen

Tale of the Tape: Swamp Thing

In the blue corner, he is the Elemental of the Green, a living manifestation of all plant life in the universe, Swamp Thing. His power is metaphysical, granting him superhuman strength that is "nearly incalculable" and the ability to regenerate a new body anywhere there is plant life. He can control all vegetative matter, from a forest to the microscopic flora inside his enemies' bodies. His most devastating feats include overpowering Superman and defeating the Justice League.

Tale of the Tape: Vixen

In the red corner, she is Mari McCabe, the champion of the animal kingdom who wields the Tantu Totem to channel the "Red" and mimic the abilities of any animal. She can have the strength of a bull, the ferocity of a tiger, or the flight of a hawk. She is a formidable hero and a skilled fighter.

A Clash of Nature's Champions

This is a battle of two avatars of nature, but the scale of their powers is fundamentally different. Vixen’s power is a subset of the natural world, limited to the attributes of the animal kingdom. Swamp Thing’s power is the very essence of the natural world itself, as he is the avatar of all plant life in the cosmos. This is a casual relationship of overwhelming scale. Vixen is powerless against a being who can control her environment and even the biology within her body. Swamp Thing could simply overwhelm her by causing the flora in her vicinity to grow and entangle her, or he could use his most terrifying power and cause the microscopic flora in her body to grow and kill her from the inside. She has no counter to an attack of this nature. The fight would be over in a matter of moments.

Predicted Winner: Swamp Thing

Matchup 12: Cyborg vs. Batwoman

Tale of the Tape: Cyborg

In the blue corner, he is the cybernetic powerhouse, Victor Stone, Cyborg. His body is fused with advanced technology from a Mother Box, granting him superhuman strength, durability, and a vast arsenal of weapons and systems. His sonic cannons have been shown to damage Red Tornado and one-shot a clone of Superboy. He has the ability to interface with computers and can hack into alien technology with ease.

Tale of the Tape: Batwoman

In the red corner, she is the master martial artist and tactician, Kate Kane, Batwoman. She possesses no superhuman abilities and relies on her peak human conditioning, extensive firearms training, and a high-tech arsenal of non-lethal weapons. She is an expert martial artist whose skills have been honed by her time at West Point.

Human Will vs. Machine

This is a battle of human skill versus technological superiority. While Batwoman is a formidable human fighter, she is up against an opponent with superhuman strength, speed, and durability. Her punches and kicks, no matter how precise, would be like hitting a brick wall. Her best hope would be a gadget that could exploit a weakness, but the research does not suggest she has anything in her arsenal that could neutralize Cyborg’s advanced technology and physical superiority. A sonic blast from his cannon, which has been shown to one-shot a Superboy clone, would end the fight in a matter of seconds. There is no plausible scenario in which a non-superhuman combatant can defeat a character with Cyborg's power level.

Predicted Winner: Cyborg

The Gotham Division

Matchup 13: Batman vs. Star Sapphire

Tale of the Tape: Batman

In the blue corner, he is the Dark Knight Detective, Batman. Bruce Wayne has no inherent powers but relies on his genius-level intellect, his mastery of 127 forms of martial arts, and his unparalleled strategic mind. He has a plan for everything and everyone, and has a specific contingency plan for every member of the Justice League. He is a master of psychological warfare and has a legendary mental fortitude that resists mind control.

Tale of the Tape: Star Sapphire

In the red corner, she is Carol Ferris, who wields a violet power ring fueled by love, which grants her flight, force field generation, and constructs. Her power level is rated as equal to Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Her ring can also manipulate minds and has the ability to detect when a love is in jeopardy.

Fear, Love, and a Dark Contingency

This is a battle of psychological manipulation. Star Sapphire’s ring is a weapon of the emotional spectrum, fueled by love, which can be volatile and unpredictable. A Green Lantern’s greatest weakness is fear. Batman is a potential Yellow Lantern, as his greatest weapon is inspiring fear in his enemies. He has a specific contingency plan for Green Lanterns, a post-hypnotic suggestion that makes them believe they are blind, forcing their ring to make that belief a reality. While Carol’s ring is fueled by love, the “emotional spectrum” is a core concept that links all Lanterns, and Batman would exploit the emotional nature of the ring's power. He is a master of psychological warfare and has a legendary mental fortitude that would be impervious to any mental manipulation from her ring. He would use a tactic, a word, or a psychological manipulation to exploit her emotional state and the ring’s vulnerabilities. He would not rely on a direct physical confrontation, but on his mind, which is his true super-weapon.

Predicted Winner: Batman

Matchup 14: Red Hood vs. Damian Wayne

Tale of the Tape: Red Hood

In the blue corner, he is the former Robin who came back from the dead, Jason Todd, the Red Hood. He is a master martial artist and a genius tactician, but his powers go beyond a simple peak human. He has magical training from the "All Caste," which gives him "superhuman feats," the ability to fight on the astral plane, and the power to predict the future. His arsenal includes guns, knives, and a pair of magical flaming swords known as the All Blades. He is a brutal and unpredictable fighter who is not afraid to use lethal force.

Tale of the Tape: Damian Wayne

In the red corner, he is the biological son of Batman, the most recent Robin, Damian Wayne. He was genetically perfected and trained by the League of Assassins from birth to be the perfect warrior, learning 1,000 ways to kill a man. He is a prodigious talent, a master swordsman and a formidable detective. He has impressive durability for a child, having been thrown through a wall by Deathstroke and getting back up to fight.

A Family Feud

This is a fight between two of Batman's proteges. While Damian is a prodigy with incredible potential, he is still a child, and his small, fragile body is a tactical weakness. Red Hood has already defeated him once, albeit with psychological tactics and a refusal from Damian to fight back. The primary difference is one of experience and arsenal. Red Hood’s "All Caste" training elevates him beyond a simple peak human and gives him the ability to predict the future. Jason Todd’s unpredictable fighting style and willingness to use lethal force would give him a definitive edge against Damian's more conventional, non-lethal approach. In a straight-up fight, Red Hood’s superior physical strength, his mastery of guns, and his magical swords would simply overwhelm a 13-year-old child, no matter how skilled.

Predicted Winner: Red Hood

The Magic & Might Division

Matchup 15: Zatanna vs. Big Barda

Tale of the Tape: Zatanna

In the blue corner, she is the Sorceress Supreme, a Homo Magi, and one of the most powerful magic users in the DC Universe, Zatanna. Her power is the manipulation of reality itself, which she commands by speaking backwards. Her feats are legendary: she has depowered the fifth-dimensional imp Mxyzptlk, healed grievous injuries instantly, and warped reality itself. She can turn a person into a dove or a chair into a prison, proving that physical strength is irrelevant to her power.

Tale of the Tape: Big Barda

In the red corner, she is a New God warrior from Apokolips, a master brawler with strength and durability on par with Wonder Woman. Barda’s physiology grants her immense superhuman strength, speed, and invulnerability. Her weapon, the Mega-Rod, is a high-tech artifact that can "level mountains," fire concussive bolts, and teleport herself and others great distances.

Reality's Rule

This is a classic battle of brawn versus magic. Big Barda's power is physical, albeit immense. Her strength and her "mountain-leveling" Mega-Rod are rendered useless against an opponent who can change the fundamental laws of physics with a spoken word. Zatanna's power operates on a level that Big Barda cannot comprehend or defend against. There is no physical defense against a spell that can turn a person into a dove or a chair into a prison. Big Barda is a physical force, but Zatanna is an elemental one. She could defeat Barda in a number of ways without ever needing to touch her. The causal relationship is one of overwhelming power: the absolute power of magic negates even the most formidable physical might. Zatanna wins, easily.

Predicted Winner: Zatanna

Matchup 16: Harley Quinn vs. Metamorpho

Tale of the Tape: Harley Quinn

In the blue corner, she is the Queen of Chaos, a former psychiatrist who has been enhanced with superhuman strength, agility, and durability. Her greatest weapon is her complete unpredictability and her arsenal of gag weaponry, most notably her oversized mallet. She is a formidable fighter who has outclassed Batman and Joker in terms of strength, and she has complete immunity to most toxins. She is a wild card, and her chaotic nature is a powerful weapon in a fight.

Tale of the Tape: Metamorpho

In the red corner, he is the Elemental Man, Rex Mason, a man who was exposed to a radioactive meteorite, giving him the ability to transmute his body into any element, liquid, or gas. He is "virtually invulnerable" and resistant to fire, electricity, and radiation. His shapeshifting allows him to change his body into any form or shape he wants, and he has a genius-level knowledge of chemistry that allows him to instinctively understand what elements to use for any given scenario.

The Unpredictable Force

Harley Quinn’s greatest strength is her ability to use her unpredictability to defeat a conventional opponent. However, Metamorpho is not a conventional opponent. His ability to transmute his body into a gas or a liquid makes him impossible to hit with a physical attack. He is an elemental force, and a sledgehammer, no matter how big, cannot defeat a cloud of gas or a puddle of acid. The causal relationship here is a simple one of an absolute counter. Metamorpho’s power set is a direct and absolute counter to everything Harley Quinn has in her arsenal. The fight would be a one-sided defeat, with Metamorpho’s superior power and tactical versatility winning the day.

Predicted Winner: Metamorpho

The Winners' Circle

The first round of the DC KO Tournament has delivered. We have analyzed the matchups and have a clear picture of who would emerge victorious. We have our sixteen possible winners, but the tournament is just beginning! The next round will see these victors face off in even more devastating matchups. Who will emerge as the last hero or villain standing? Stay tuned for our next report!