Dark Knights of Steel #4

The artwork in this issue gives off a medieval air that perfectly matches the tone of the story. The changing color palette and attention to detail create an immersive visual that is emotionally connective and pleasing. Read Full Review

Dark Knights of Steel #4reveals the origin of its medieval universe's Batman, which is laced with equal amounts of tragedy and triumph. It also makes for a great interlude in the ongoing story, and I wouldn't be surprised if we get another issue like this down the line. Read Full Review

Added to that is some really strong artwork from the art team, who I'd say do a fair bit of the heavy lifting in terms of showing and not telling. The panels of a Dying Martha Wayne asking the Els to take over the Kingdom were brilliantly drawn. As was Luthors transformation and introduction as a key villain. The final page where we see The Dark Knight and Alfred ride out is really cool. I can't wait for more Dark Knights of Steel. Read Full Review

Four issues in, this isn't as dark as the previous Taylor alternate realities, but it's no less fascinating. It's essentially a family tragedy, and one of the best books in DC's stable right now. Read Full Review

This is a very effective installment, a strong link in the chainmail that Taylor is forging. Read Full Review

While there aren't as many shocks like the previous episodes, I did like the creepy take on the Green Man and felt that it provides a fresh take on a pair of classic DC villains. Read Full Review

Tom Taylor is definitely giving me what I need here, not what I wanted. Add to that the very pretty art and I am still on board. Read Full Review

While I wasn't expecting an artist change – and I dislike them mid-series – having Bengal come in for this one to deal with a flashback piece works well enough. I really liked getting the extra focus on the Wayne's and El's here to see more of what went on back then as well as how the El's handled settling into things before getting drawn into humanity and all that they were dealing with at the time. It's a solid piece that also clears up the origins of the Green Man and reinforces why so many others are fearful, or at least very wary, of what the El's represent in the world. Read Full Review

Dark Knights of Steel #4 is a nice break away from the main story to give readers a fuller picture of what Batman is going through as far as his identity and role. It sets up a cool hero's journey for Batman as we close in on the midway point of the series. Read Full Review

Dark Knights of Steel #4 fills in some interesting gaps to the story. We get to learn a bit of the world's history through Alfred. While the issue is mainly devoted to the past it's very much about the present and by the end, has set the series up for its next arc and direction. Read Full Review

This was a wonderful issue, packed with information. I still hold my stance on becoming curiouser and curiouser, as more questions are being answered, as even more questions unfold. I loved the scenes of Bruce, Kal, and Zara playing because compared to other universes, Bruce looked like he had a decent childhood, with five parents instead of just one father figure. He was loved fully, and that was lovely to see. I'm greatly looking forward to the next issue and more behind the scenes of Kal-El in this Universe. Read Full Review

Now, I say qualm as well because I think Taylors creativity may have gotten the best of him in DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #4. Without spoiling too much, I just feel obligated to explain why I disagree with a decision made by Taylor on this issue. Taylor ultimately introduced Luthor as a corrupt, psychotic, GREEN LANTERN and the true villain of the past and this very issue. Read Full Review

Still, it's hard not to go through the issue and wonder just how much more elegant it would have looked if Putri was able to handle the art on it. Read Full Review

Dark Knights of Steel #4 does its job of filling us into the backstory of this DC Universe. Getting into Bruce Wayne's backstory and how it actually plays a big role in the current state of things opens various roads this series can take moving forward. The big villain reveal also creates a major wild card who could quickly shift things depending on how they decide to create even greater chaos than they have already. All of this leaves you with a feeling of wanting to find out what will happen next, which is exactly how one should feel at the end of a chapter for a story. Read Full Review

DC Comics' DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL #4 is full of punchy action that ultimately feels quite forgettable. But in the margins of these scenes, in the respites from the chaos and drama, there are beautiful moments that will stick with you. Read Full Review

Dark Knights of Steel #4 slows things down to fill us in on the past and what happened after the Els crash-landed on Earth.  Unfortunately, some explanations were a little too easy, while others were a bit over the top.  It all ended up feeling forced.  Hopefully, Taylor rights the ship next issue because this one was disappointing. Read Full Review

An issue-long flashback interrupts the main story just as it's really getting started, and the flashback itself doesn't provide good enough revelations to make it worth the trouble. Read Full Review

Jawsh

Feb 10, 2022

Great stuff happens in this issue, I wish it was its own story as supposed to a flash back but we only got 12 issues so best to leave it in one.

daspidaboy

Feb 01, 2022

A pretty solid issue. While art is a step down the plot is interesting

Reaper74

Sep 19, 2022

Really good world building and storytelling in this issue.

Avanvolk

Oct 14, 2025

Good backstory. I still think Jor-El and Martha Wayne's infidelity crosses the line in terms of character deviations I'm willing to tolerate in an elseworlds story. I also think it was somewhat unrealistic how easily everybody seemed to get over it. Both marriages and the friendships between the two couples survived and ended up being just fine? Just because Bruce was a good kid? I'm sorry, but I don't buy it. It's not impossible, it's just absurdly unlikely. Even if Thomas and Kara were able to forgive their respective spouses, it's really hard to believe they'd stay friends after that. And that's a problem because the whole royal succession of the Waynes by the Els depends on their friendship remaining intact. So that's probably the shaki est part of the narrative. But otherwise, this offered some helpful context and wad a well told backstory. I like the twist of Lex Luthor being the Joker, sort of becoming both Batman and Superman's greatest villains combined. more

Danilo Silva

Feb 01, 2022

It is a solid issue, witg the story of the kingdom. The Green Man is a little strange idea, mixing Luthor, Joker and Green Lantern, but is another Earth, another story, and everything is possible, so okay. Is fun to read, anyway.

Psycamorean

Feb 05, 2022

I actually liked the green man twist lol. This was a pretty good issue, but I can definitely feel the momentum stall here.

Hex

Feb 01, 2022

The art wasn't nearly as strong as Putri's but not terrible. I generally enjoy flashback issues when they really help explain the story at hand. This managed that but the twist of the Green Man was pretty lame. The kinship between the Waynes and Els is believable though I would have liked to see it fleshed out more. That being said, two issues of character building like that wouldn't likely flow well so I will take what I can get.

retcon_D

Feb 04, 2022

So...Tom Taylor's telling me that The Joker, in this universe, is a mix of Lex Luthor and the Green Lantern? Hooboy, the days of me reading this series are numbered.

The Brave and the Bald

Feb 05, 2022

I've been enjoying this series, but I don't think this was the right time to have a flashback. Bengal's artwork doesn't complement Yasmine Putri's very well, and there wasn't enough backstory to necessitate an entire issue. As a result, it feels like the main story is just stalling. It's not bad, but it could just be better.

Merlyn

Feb 01, 2022

Only Tom Taylor could portray Luthor as a dumb idiot and think it's "interesting". Also I call a lot of bullshit on the "Bruce's birth healed all the wounds". Yeah, I'm pretty sure they couldn't be best buddies after Jor-El screwed Martha but hey, it's Tom Taylor, just smile and don't think too much about it, all is good if he says so, it's not supposed to make a lot of sense. And he did a mix of Luthor and Joker, wow, so interesting and original. If you overlook these big, obvious flaws, the story isn't that bad. But the art kind of is, Putri was a big sell on the book and the fact that after three issues there is already some other artist on the book is a bad sign for the future.

+ Like • Comments (1)

• Likes (3)

• SenpaifenixJäger
• Maud Benjamin
• TheKing

SenpaifenixJäger - Feb 1, 2022

It's like Taylor wanted to tell us something about his obsession with children as a result of infidelity? (Is everything okay at home Taylor?) He already did it with N, and now he repeats it again. Either he wants to copy Snyder's idea regarding Louis having Bruce's child or he has fixations on it. Apart from little creativity, of course.

Mout

Feb 05, 2022

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

ZONS9

Feb 24, 2022

Weakest issue by far. Bruce being Clark's secret brother isn't that interesting at the moment and him having Kryptonian superpowers feels cheap. But the worst thing in this issue and the entire series is the Green Man reveal. When you are writing a twist you need to give the audience some clues as to what the reveal might be. Nobody could have expected the Green Man to be a Luthor/Joker/Green Lantern composite because that's not a thing, it's never been suggested this was going be a thing in the prior issues so the "reveal", if it can be called that, falls flat on its face. And yet it simultaneously turns the story into another trite "mega-Joker" tale. I'm still interested on where this goes, though I'll admit this reveal makes makes the whole thing less interesting. Bengal's art is good. I think the problems people have with this artwork come from the fact that Bengal's pencils are a little more cartoony than Putri's but because the colorist tries to imitate the semi-realistic painting style of the prior issues, it clashes. I think it would have been better if Bengal had been allowed to do the colors as well, even if it clashed with the rest of the issues (it's a flashback, so it's not like consisitency is that important). more

SenpaifenixJäger

Feb 01, 2022

Unreal concepts one after another regarding Bruce. Please, it's a joke to give the throne to the partner, I'll laugh a lot about it. Yasmine's art is what it's worth, but in this issue I didn't feel her presence, there were parts I didn't even like.

+ Like • Comments (3)

Show all comments

Weird Science Jim - Feb 2, 2022

Bengal was on art this issue

SenpaifenixJäger - Feb 2, 2022

Thank @Jim, yes I detect the change or her absence, even though the palette is somewhat similar, I imagine that it was only in charge of the cover. Great just to see Putri's art reading this thing.

Weird Science Jim - Feb 2, 2022

I know!

Maud Benjamin

Feb 01, 2022

Nothing but pretentious stunts. Lex Luthor who laughs with a GL ring is insultingly stupid.

DiegoLDUganda

Feb 02, 2022

Big meh. Im seeing Taylor bjobing Bruce as the true heir and king and the definitive kryptonian and blablabla