The final issue of Dark Knights of Steel is written by Tom Taylor and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Yasmine Putri, colours by Arif Prianto and letters by Wes Abbott. Main cover art (left) is by Dan Mora.
Dark Knights of Steel #12 is available now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold.
Synopsis
The cataclysmic conclusion to the bestselling series is here. The Three Kingdoms are united for the first time in a generation against a common threat-but can even their combined might prevail? Will a traitor in their midst turn the tide of the final battle? The shocking finale…but is this truly the end?
Review
Today another of DC’s creator driven Elseworld’s series, the brilliant Dark Knights of Steel from Tom Taylor, draws to a close with the release of its final issue. The swords and sorcery take on the DC Universe wraps up its twelve-issue run as the second of Taylor’s striking twists on the mythology to reach its conclusion in 2023. DCeased was a revelation in its ingenuity, can Dark Knights of Steel follow in its footsteps?
Across the whole run, Steel has brilliantly pulled from across the DCU to create a recognisable but unique interpretation. As always, Taylor keeps the core of these character intact. Even when their origins have taken on new twists, the heart and motivations of key players are exactly as fans would expect them.
With deceptions revealed and a war on their doorstep, a League of heroes needs to come together to stop their worlds from falling apart. Much like the rousing third act of an epic Lord of the Rings (other such fantasy epics are available) franchise film, there’s an incredible sense of purpose and power to seeing these versions of the Trinity coming together. After a year of seeing them navigating huge divides between their peoples, the inevitability of moving towards a Justice League become a reality.
Taylor has proven time and time again that he can handle this complex, ensemble storytelling. His story arcs are always meticulously planned and that shines through in limited series runs like Dark Knights of Steel and the aforementioned DCeased. In these final moments, Taylor pulls on plot threads laid throughout the run to construct a conclusion which is as satisfying as it is earned.
Steel functions well, even throughout its world building thanks to Taylor’s careful approach to storytelling. This story isn’t purely setting up future stories or spin-offs. Taking the same approach to building a world as DCeased, Taylor has clearly approached this as a standalone story with a well defined end point. Using only the closing moments of the issue to give the faintest of hints about what might come next. Without being beholden to anything, Steel is allowed the time to simply do its thing.
Putri and Pianto are also leaving nothing behind in this final issue. Taylor tees up a number of huge set pieces through the final battle with the shape shifters including a volcanic eruption and the sight of DC’s Trinity of heroes on fire. Believe me that’s an image I won’t be forgetting any time soon. Dark Knights of Steel has been a visual feast throughout. Rather than sinking into a bleak, Game of Thrones palette, the book has stuck to something more akin to a child’s fairytale. Bright and colourful even in the heat (literally) of battle.
Verdict
Tom Taylor’s swords of sorcery take on the DCU wraps up with a huge final issue. All the pieces slot together for a satisfying and epic conclusion which leaves plenty of room for future stories.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
