DC K.O.: Boss Battle # 1 Cover A 2026 BN

DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1, released on February 4, 2026, is a special one-shot issue that acts as a lead-in to the final rounds of the DC K.O. tournament, featuring unexpected crossover fights with characters from other franchises to gather more Omega Energy. 

Plot Summary 

The issue picks up after the events of DC K.O. #3, with Darkseid, who is possessing Booster Gold's body, on the verge of conquering the DC Universe. 

• The World Forger's Plan: Realizing that the four remaining contestants (Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and the Joker) do not have enough power to defeat Darkseid's "Absolute" champions, the World Forger freezes time and opens fissures to other universes.
• The Crossovers: The DC heroes and villains are sent into these alternate worlds to fight their champions and harvest "Omega Energy".
• Superman vs. Homelander: Superman faces off against an arrogant Homelander from The Boys, with Superman drawing blood with the first punch.
• Wonder Woman vs. Red Sonja: Wonder Woman finds herself in an arena battle against the warrior Red Sonja.
• Plastic Man & Black Lightning vs. Mortal Kombat: Plastic Man and Black Lightning are sent to the Mortal Kombat universe to fight Sub-Zero and Scorpion.
• Joker vs. Annabelle: The Joker has a surreal "tea party" with the possessed Annabelle doll, which quickly turns violent.
• Batwoman vs. Vampirella: Batwoman is transported to a gothic castle to battle the classic comic character Vampirella.
• Star Sapphire vs. Sabrina: Star Sapphire meets Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and their encounter quickly devolves into a chaotic, magic-fueled storm.
• Lex Luthor vs. Samantha Strong: Lex Luthor in his Warsuit encounters the monstrous Samantha Strong from Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees in a forest.
• The Power-Up: After the chaotic battles, the World Forger channels the collected Omega Energy into Superman, Wonder Woman, Lex Luthor, and the Joker, powering them up for the final confrontation against Darkseid and his Absolute champions in the main DC K.O. #4 issue. 

Creative Team 

• Writer: Jeremy Adams
• Artists: Ronan Cliquet, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Kieran McKeown, and Pablo M. Collar