DC KO : Knightfight #4
Author : Joshua Williamson
Artist : Dan Mora
Colourist : Triona Farrell
Wayne’s World : Issue #4 Summary
DC KO Knightfight #4 serves as a phenomenal conclusion to this beautiful 4-part miniseries about Batman and Bat-Family. The final test for Batman in Damian Wayne’s World is the enjoyment of being happy. An older Bruce is now a grandpa! Damian’s son, Alfred, becomes the jewel in Bruce’s eye.
Gotham has been saved, the Waynes are happy, and life couldn’t get better. But, there’s something much bigger to fight for, Bruce can’t forget that this is a world created by the Heart of Apokolips to test Bruce Wayne, to challenge Batman. And he will have to fight Damian to the death if he is to return to his own Gotham.
Return Of The King : Issue #4 Review
WARNING SPOILERS!
An Expected Journey
Reading DC KO: Knightfight #4 was phenomenal from start to finish. It was a beautiful conclusion to the emotional, empathetic, and endearing story that Joshua Williamson has crafted. Williamson’s presentation of Bruce Wayne in this issue was exactly what I wanted it to be—wholesome, compassionate, and deeply conflicted.
Williamson drove home the reality of what a wonderful life Bruce could have if Gotham were finally rid of crime, corruption, insane supervillains, and the Joker. It is a brilliant way to punish Bruce: by making him realize he doesn’t need to be Batman. The use of Bruce’s narration throughout Damian’s world was a masterclass; it allows the reader to follow Bruce’s emotions and experiences directly, making you feel much closer to the story being told.
The way in which Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora were able to create an instant connection between the reader, Bruce, and his grandson Alfred was nothing short of magnificent. The dialogue Williamson creates for Alfred is exactly what you’d expect from a six-year-old, which helps build the empathy you feel for Bruce. Their interactions hit the heart harder, knowing that this setting is what Bruce truly wants: a time in which he can enjoy the exact opposite of the life he has lived as Batman. But he’s never been allowed to be selfish.
I have to touch on Dan Mora’s depiction of Alfred as well. He gives us this cute kid with big Batman-blue eyes who is totally enamored with his grandpa, the Old Knight. The panels they share show off the total glee on both Bruce’s and Alfred’s faces; whether they’re playing with Bat-toys, watching a cartoon, or doing a school pickup, my heart wrenched for Bruce. I knew in the back of my mind that this was all temporary, and that Batman would eventually have to make a decision that Bruce won’t.
The White Rider Returns
Williamson does a great job throughout Knightfight #4 reminding the reader what Bruce is in this world to do: fight his son, Damian Wayne. I love that Williamson created such a strong emotional attachment to this alternate, happy life for Bruce Wayne; it made the turn of every page more meaningful. As a reader, you always want to see Batman kick butt, but here you’re presented with a scenario where your favorite hero can actually enjoy his life.
Insert Damian Wayne. Williamson had already set the stage in Knightfight #3 with the fact that Damian had figured out his world was a lie—a construct of the Heart of Apokolips. This Gotham City’s White Rider has a plan to help his father get back and win the tournament for the title of King Omega.
The way in which the story in Knightfight #4 was told was epic, and the main reason for that is simple logic. It all made sense to me as a reader who has followed Knightfight and DC KO from the beginning; the continuity of these stories rewarded me for keeping up with the narrative arcs.
Everyone from Damian’s world; Damian himself, Dick, Jason, Tim, Barbera, all of the Bat-family are going to prepare Bruce to win the Darkseid Tournament by getting Batman ready to fight his son, this Gotham’s Batman, Damian.
Into The Fire
I loved the simplicity, yet the permanence, of Knightfight #4’s plot—Damian figured out that he needs to train Bruce to win the Darkseid Tournament, earn the King Omega title, and defeat Darkseid himself. This was a fantastic revelation after the journey we’ve been on since Knightfight #1; it has all led to readying Batman to prove himself worthy of re-entering the fray.
Dan Mora panels together a phenomenal Rocky-esque training montage for Bruce Wayne getting into fighting shape, which only further enhances the anticipation for the main point of Knightfight #4 and the miniseries as a whole: Bruce needs to defeat his son. This sets up a blockbuster bout between Batman and Batman—Bruce versus Damian—the proverbial king of the jungle against his heir apparent.
There is a beautiful break in the hardcore pacing leading up to the father-son showdown, and it centers on one of the newest beloved characters: grandson Alfred. Williamson’s perfect placement of this scene—between Bruce training and Batman battling—was done for maximum emotional effect, and I fell for it like a total sucker. This touching scene of "what could be" provided that last ounce of motivation the reader needed; it had me shouting along with Alfred, “Go get ‘em, Grandpa!”
Bruce and Damian throw down in a five-page Dan Mora masterclass of fluid movement, expressive close-ups, and page-shuddering action. The panels are exhilarating, capturing the expressions of the entire Bat-Family as they witness this immense fight; it reminded me of the Z-Fighters watching Goku battle Vegeta. The climactic ending to this bout was one I didn’t see coming, and I was pleasantly surprised. Damian has realized that if Bruce can become King Omega, he can save his own universe and Damian’s as well.
Bruce Wayne admits defeat. He can’t do it; he can’t win. This is phenomenal writing from Williamson because admitting defeat is the one thing Batman simply cannot do—and it’s the primary reason he can never truly give up the mantle.
Then comes the most exciting scene I’ve witnessed in a long time! Batman is taken to a firepit of Apokolips and commanded by the Heart of Apokolips to jump in. Williamson, you beautiful man! This means Batman is about to enter the Darkseid Tournament as mystery entrant number 30!
Here. We. Go!!!
Weight Of The Art
The first scene of Bruce, Damian and Alfred walking through Gotham City in the day was one of my favourite scenes. Mora and Farrell were able to create and capture a Gotham that was wildly contrasting to the one we all know. The expressions on the faces of the bystanders signifies everyone is happy, jovial and safe. The colours of the buildings and the skyline are warm and soft, highlighting that this Gotham has a positive vibrancy.
Throughout Knightfight #4 Dan Mora draws characters that we all know from the Batman universe, but he draws them with facial expressions that display hope. Their wide eyes, their relaxed postures and smiles; they all point towards hope for Bruce to be ready to save his own universe, and theirs too.
My favourite scene from Knightfight #4 has to be the last heart-warming moment between Bruce and Alfred. The way Mora draws Bruce with his eyebrows drooped, eyes tightened and shoulders sunk, as the reader you really feel Bruce’s sadness of having to give up this almost perfect life, and give up his grandson. That contrasted with Damian’s childish enthusiasm across his face brings this scene full circle—Batman isn’t giving up this life, he’s going to the Darkseid Tournament to fight for saving it.
Conclusion & Rating
The tone and pace of Knightfight #4 was beautiful, that’s the first word that comes to mind. The way Joshua Williamson created such an emotional connection with me as the reader, Bruce and Alfred was astonishing. That relationship between Grandpa and Grandson is what set up the whole energy of Knightfight #4, and it was integral to the story being told.
The context given by Williamson in Knightfight #4 was key because it helped build up the story he was trying to tell. By letting myself be taken on that journey, I was able to appreciate the end result that Williamson wanted to achieve—Batman is fighting for the infinite futures that people choose to have. Darkseid wants absolute control over existence itself, Batman has seen 4 different futures that were created by the individual wills of 4 different Batmen.