If you've ever looked at a picture of Batman and thought, "This guy would be way cooler with a broadsword," then Tom Taylor basically wrote a love letter specifically for you. Dark Knights of Steel isn't just another "What If" story where we see the Justice League in silly hats. It's a massive, sweeping high-fantasy epic that fundamentally rewrites the DNA of the DC Universe. Honestly, it’s refreshing. We’ve seen the "evil Superman" trope done to death in stuff like Injustice or The Boys, but Taylor—along with the incredible art of Yasmine Putri—does something way more nuanced here. They turn the origin of the World's Finest into a medieval tragedy that feels more like Game of Thrones than a Saturday morning cartoon.
The premise is pretty wild but simple. Instead of baby Kal-El landing in a cornfield in Kansas, his parents, Jor-El and Lara, actually survive the destruction of Krypton. They land their ship in a medieval setting and establish a kingdom. Fast forward a few decades, and you have the House of El ruling over a realm where magic is feared and "demons" (meta-humans) are hunted. It’s a complete reversal of the usual power dynamics.
The Twist That Changed Everything
Most people coming into this book expect the typical Batman and Superman rivalry. You know the drill: Bruce is the brooding orphan, Clark is the golden boy. But Dark Knights of Steel throws a massive wrench into that within the first few issues. I won't spoil the exact beat for the uninitiated, but let's just say the connection between Bruce Wayne and the House of El is much deeper—and more scandalous—than just being allies. It makes Bruce an actual part of the royal succession, which changes his "Bastard of Gotham" vibe into something far more political.
Bruce isn't just a guy in a suit here. He’s the head of the "Witch-Hunters." Because the Els are vulnerable to magic (standing in for Kryptonite), Bruce spends his days tracking down anyone who can sling a spell. It’s a brilliant way to keep his detective roots while giving him a reason to be a terrifying enforcer for a monarchy.
Putri’s art deserves a massive shout-out. In a lot of comics, medieval designs just look like the normal costumes with some leather straps tacked on. Not here. The way Wonder Woman’s Themysciran armor blends with traditional Greek hoplite gear, or how Harley Quinn looks like a court jester who could actually slit your throat, is just phenomenal. It’s dense. It’s colorful. It feels lived-in.
Why Magic Matters So Much
In the standard DC timeline, magic is just one of many things Superman has to worry about. In the world of Dark Knights of Steel, it is the existential threat. The prophecy of "The Green Knight" hangs over the entire story like a dark cloud. If you're a fan of Green Lantern, you’re going to find this version of the Corps particularly disturbing. They aren't space cops; they’re more like a fundamentalist religious order wielding a terrifying, glowing power that the Kryptonians can't just punch away.
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It's about fear.
The story asks a really uncomfortable question: If a family of gods literally fell from the sky and started a kingdom, would they be benevolent rulers or just high-tier dictators? Taylor doesn't give you an easy answer. King Jor-El isn't necessarily a "bad" guy, but he’s a king. Kings make hard choices. They kill people to protect their borders. Watching Clark (Prince Kal-El) navigate his father's legacy while trying to be the hero we know he can be is the emotional core of the series.
A Different Kind of Trinity
We usually think of the Trinity as Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. While Diana Prince is definitely a major player, the interpersonal drama is spread out across a much wider cast.
- The Three Robins: They exist as a group of squires/scouts for Bruce. Seeing Dick, Jason, and Tim (and Steph!) operating in a medieval context as a unit of elite trackers is probably the coolest use of the Bat-family in years.
- Constantine: Naturally, John Constantine is the one telling the story. Or at least, he’s the one at the center of the magical resistance. He’s just as cynical and tired as he is in the main continuity, which fits the "mud and blood" aesthetic of this world perfectly.
- Black Canary and Green Arrow: Their roles as rival monarchs/assassins add a layer of geopolitical tension that the regular DCU usually lacks.
You’ve got to appreciate the pacing. It’s a 12-issue main run, but it feels like it could have gone for fifty. Every time a new "fantasy" version of a hero pops up—like the Martian Manhunter or Poison Ivy—it feels earned. It's not just fanservice. These characters exist because the world demands them. Ivy, for instance, isn't just a Gotham villain; she’s a literal force of nature guarding the forests against the expansion of the El kingdom.
The Misconception of "Elseworlds"
A lot of casual readers skip books like Dark Knights of Steel because they think "it doesn't matter" since it's not "canon." That’s a huge mistake. Honestly, the lack of 80 years of baggage is exactly why this story works. Taylor is allowed to kill off major characters. Permanently. He can change someone's parentage or turn a hero into a villain without a group of editors worrying about how it affects a movie tie-in.
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This freedom allows for real stakes. When a character dies in this book, you feel it because there’s no "Resurrection Man" or "Lazarus Pit" plot device coming to save them in the next arc (well, usually). The consequences are final.
How to Actually Read the Dark Knights of Steel Saga
If you're looking to get into this, don't just stop at the main 12-issue series. The universe has expanded, and if you want the full picture, you need to be a bit strategic with your reading.
First, obviously, hit the main Dark Knights of Steel issues 1-12. This covers the war between the Kingdoms of El and the Kingdom of Storms (the Pierces/Black Lightning’s family). It’s the meat of the story.
After that, you absolutely have to check out Dark Knights of Steel: Tales from the Three Kingdoms. It’s an anthology that fills in the gaps. It shows you the childhood of Bruce and Clark, which adds a ton of weight to their relationship in the main book. It's not just "extra credit"—it actually clarifies some of the more confusing political alliances.
Then there’s Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter. This is where things get really gritty. It focuses on Deathstroke (Slade Wilson) in a frozen wasteland. It’s a very different vibe—more Northman than Lord of the Rings. It proves that this universe has legs beyond just the Superman/Batman drama.
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Real Talk: The ending of the main series is polarizing. Some people felt it wrapped up a bit too neatly given how much blood was spilled in the first ten issues. Others loved the "classic hero" pivot. Personally, I think it works because it stays true to the idea that despite the swords and the dragons, these are still the characters we love. Superman is still Superman, even if he's wearing a cape made of royal velvet instead of spandex.
Practical Tips for Collectors and Readers
If you're hunting for these in the wild or just want the best experience, here’s what you should keep in mind:
- Look for the Hardcover Collections: The individual issues are great, but Putri's art is so detailed that it really benefits from the larger, high-quality paper in the collected editions. The colors pop way more.
- Pay Attention to the Backgrounds: Taylor loves hiding "Easter egg" versions of C-list DC characters in the crowds or as background knights. It’s like a game of Where’s Waldo for DC nerds.
- Don't Rush: This isn't an action-heavy "punch-em-up." It’s a political thriller. If you skim the dialogue to get to the fight scenes, you’ll lose the thread of who is betraying whom.
The biggest takeaway from Dark Knights of Steel is that DC characters are modern myths. They are versatile. You can strip away the satellites, the Batmobiles, and the Fortress of Solitude, and you still have a compelling story about power, family, and the fear of the unknown. It’s easily one of the most creative things to come out of DC’s "Black Label" style experimental line.
If you want to see a world where the stakes feel real and the "Man of Steel" is a title of nobility rather than a nickname, you need to pick this up. Start with volume one of the trade paperback; it’s the easiest way to see if the vibe sits right with you. Just be prepared for the fact that your favorite character might not make it to the final page. In this world, the armor is thick, but the swords are sharper.