Dark Knights of Steel Volume 2 by Tom
Taylor is an action packed volume includes the last issues of this series
plus tie ins set in the past which spotlight the young trio of Bruce Wayne,
Zala (this universe’s Supergirl), and Kal-El. Like the first volume, this is an
elseworlds read and is set up like DC Universe meets Game of Thrones. Make sure
you read my review of the first book here
before reading the below.
In the first story, Kal-El meets a young
Jimmy Olsen and attempts to save him from being kidnapped. Bruce and Zala tag
along and eventually help out.
A young Bruce Wayne, long before he
is Batman, meets Bane in the second story.
In the third story, Harley Quinn
takes Kal-El and Bruce out on Halloween to attempt to give them some fun in their
life.
In the main part of the book, the
three kingdoms are now at war because of the manipulations by the White
Martians. Can our heroes prove that the war is based on lies and stop the
fighting in time to stop the White Martians from conquering all?
This is an action-packed graphic novel
featuring interesting versions of classic characters that while being similar
to their main earth counterparts are quite different. New versions of heroes
and villains are introduced here in the read. Because of the fact that this is
an elseworlds read, the tales here are more graphic and feature plenty of
violence, death, and loss.
This version of Harley Quinn remains
a delight while the main trio of heroes remain excellent. Bruce has to deal
with the truth from the first novel that he is only half human and part
Kryptonian. I love how quickly Kal-El accepts that Bruce is his biological
brother. In a lot of stories, this situation would be played for drama, but not
here as Kal-El just loves him and accepts him for who he is every day.
There is a vague teaser setting up
much more in this universe that I hope comes to pass as I very much would enjoy
reading the multiple ideas suggested.
My reading copy came by way of the
Hoopla App through the Dallas Public Library System. Unfortunately, the library
system caps patrons at 15 Hoopla items a month. I very much wish they would
raise it significantly or take the cap off altogether as I can do that easily
in graphic novels within a couple of days at the start of each new month.
Scott A. Tipple ©2023
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