The timeline is broken, Darkseid has become King Omega and reality is in shambles. Evil has won, and the DC Universe is going to need a champion to retake reality before everything is destroyed. But who will that champion be? That’s what we’re going to find out in DC K.O., the latest DC Universe blockbuster event.
If you’ve been reading DC’s various titles for the past year, then you know it’s all been leading to this. However, if you’ve been away for a while, or simply don’t read every DC title, we’re here to help you catch up. If you want to jump right into DC K.O., but need a refresher on all the events that led up to it, keep reading. Here’s what you need to know.
All Hail King Omega
Darkseid has gone through an upgrade. A big upgrade. After battling the Justice League and Spectre in last year’s DC All In Special #1, Darkseid sacrificed himself and was reborn in a new universe. Weaving himself into the fabric of that reality, Darkseid was able to alter the course of history, creating a reality where the heroes face greater adversities and their environments were less idyllic. This reality, like Darkseid’s home of Apokolips, is fueled by Omega energy—the energy of destruction and control.
It’s also home to the heroes of DC’s acclaimed Absolute line, which is why they’re more violent and their lives are filled with more tragedy. As its reality becomes deadlier, the darkness within fuels Darkseid, making him stronger and transforming him into the powerful King Omega, the personification of that world’s Omega energy. More omnipotent than ever, King Omega is now ready to set his sights on the mainstream DC Universe.
Legion of Darkseid
Darkseid’s transformation into King Omega has changed the course of history. Centuries from now, the heroes of the 21st century are a distant memory and Darkseid reigns supreme. This means the Legion of Super-Heroes no longer form because they were inspired by Superman, but instead they serve Darkseid. In fact, Darkseid’s grip on history has changed the way the Legion grew up, and they now view empathy as weakness.
Darkseid’s Legion, also known as the Omega Legion, has served as his brutal enforcers, hunting down time travelers such as the Time Trapper and Booster Gold. They’ve recently been causing trouble in the pages of Justice League Unlimited and Superman, and if you think they’re scary, wait until you see their boss.
Doomsday is the New Time Trapper
If you’ve been away for a while, Doomsday has been through some interesting changes. As you may know, Doomsday was originally created as the ultimate weapon, evolving and gaining new abilities each time he died. In 2024’s Superman #20, we learn that years of death, resurrection and evolution have given Doomsday godlike powers, making him the new Time Trapper.
In the ongoing Superman title, Doomsday has tried to warn Clark about an incoming threat—one that threatens to unravel the entire fabric of reality. Now that DC K.O. is beginning, we know what that threat is.
Booster Gold Is Not Having a Good Time
Things have been rough for Booster Gold. After Darkseid disappeared, the Justice League detected his Anti-Life signature on another world in the multiverse. Booster Gold volunteered to investigate, but something went wrong and he wound up in the 31st century instead. However, this wasn’t the idyllic future seen in Legion of Super-Heroes comics, but a post-apocalyptic hellspace ruled by King Omega.
Booster spent two years in this dark future, where he was captured and tortured by Darkseid’s Legion. Superman finally rescues Booster in 2025’s Superman #29-30, bringing him back to the present. Now Booster has to live with the weight of what he’s seen and figure out how to prevent this horrible future.
King Omega Has Already Won
We need to be clear about the stakes here—Darkseid has already won. He’s already become King Omega, and he’s already ruling the timeline. All you need to do is look at the 31st century and see his influence. He can create life, destroy life, grow to Kaiju size and control other beings. DC K.O. doesn’t stand for knockout, it stands for King Omega.
The one sliver of good news is that in the present day, Darkseid’s victory hasn’t happened yet, but the Justice League knows it’s coming. Time is broken, thanks to King Omega’s rewriting of reality, and it won’t be long before Darkseid’s reign hits our present day.
That is, unless there was a champion who could match King Omega’s power levels. Right now, no such person exists, but that’s where DC K.O. comes in. Who will be the DC Universe’s ultimate champion, and will they have the power to end King Omega’s reign of terror? Read DC K.O. to find out!
In the meantime, if you want to catch up on the events we just recapped, check out these comics…
DC All In Special #1
2024’s Superman #19-20
Justice League: We Are Yesterday
Justice League: Dark Tomorrow #1
2025’s Superman #28-30
Justice League: The Omega Act Special #1
DC K.O. #1 by Scott Snyder, Javi Fernández, Xermánico and Alejandro Sánchez is now available in print and as a digital comic book. It can also be read on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Who will win? Enter the DC K.O. Bracket Challenge for a chance to win some great prizes!
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Bluesky at @joshualapinbertone and on X at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.
