DC KO #1 sees the Joker killed [SPOILER] As Darkseid sets the stage for the first DC/Absolute Universe crossover

DC KO #1 is now in comic stores, and it’s quickly proving to be much more than a series pitting several of DC’s greatest heroes and villains against each other in a tournament-like showdown.

After apparently perishing in the DC all specialwe learned that Darkseid created the Absolute Universe and conquered the future of the DC Universe. Since then, he has gone back in time to take revenge on the heroes of the world. The only way to stop it is to remove the Heart of Apokolips from the center of the Earth, leaving it unable to consume its powerful Alpha energy.

After evacuating the ravaged planet, the heroes reboot the Heart of Apokolips off-planet using the Omega energy that Booster Gold collected during his time in the Absolute Universe.

However, they must compete in a series of battles with 32 contenders, with each winner gaining more Omega Energy. This will corrupt them, but will also give the winner enough power to become King Omega, bring everyone back to life, and end Darkseid once and for all.

The heroes consider rebooting reality, New 52 style, but quickly reject the idea. Before the tournament even begins, Shazam, Damage, Adam Strange, Green Arrow, Blue Beetle, Green Lantern and more all die… as does Batman, when he is impaled by the Joker (the Clown Prince of Crime will now take his place in the tournament).

Anyone can be resurrected, provided the victor doesn’t go down a dark path, making it even more crucial that a hero achieves this victory.

The twists and turns continue with the revelation that Darkseid has “three destroyers. Horsemen, from a world where his reign is absolute. Monsters.” They are not fully revealed, but are clearly the absolute versions of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman, three heroes who will appear to take a dark path into the future and serve the ruler of their universe.

To make matters even more complicated, Darkseid has secretly taken the form of Booster Gold, stacking the board in his favor and making his victory and the end of the DC Universe all but assured.

This is all quite complicated and requires a lot of background reading, but the stakes are high and, at its core, DC KO #1 is a deathmatch tournament. Who will win? We’ll have to wait and see…

THE MAJOR EVENT OF DC 2025 IS HERE! SCOTT SNYDER AND JAVIER FERNANDEZ WELCOME TO SLUGFEST OF THE CENTURY!

The Heart of Apokolips has transformed Earth into a hellscape in preparation for Darkseid’s return! The end of the DC Universe is here! The Justice League’s only chance to defeat Darkseid is to participate in a deadly tournament, an epic and over-the-top battle royale that will surprise you!

The world’s greatest heroes fight to become the champion and enter the ring against Darkseid, but there is a catch… the closer you get to the Heart of Apokolips, the more it corrupts you, transforming you into something dangerous.

Which DC character has what it takes to go all the way? Who is willing to do what it takes to win it all, even if it means eliminating their friends and family? Do you want to go crazy? Let’s be crazy!