Dark Knights of Steel #7
- Writer
- Tom Taylor
- Artist
- Nathan Gooden
- Letterer
- Wes Abbott
- Cover Artist
- Dan Mora
- Publisher
- DC
- Price
- $3.99
- Release Date
- 2022-06-07
- Colorist
- Arif Prianto
While the death of King Jor-El may have set a chain of events in motion throughout realms far and wide, it is the assassination of King Jefferson at the hands of Zala Jor-El that has set the world on fire. War is approaching fast and each player on the board has chosen their side. With Batman indisposed, impaled on a shard of Kryptonite by Prince Kal-El, there is imminent danger approaching his homeland. This dangerous world of Dark Knights of Steel is unforgiving, siccing a demon from hell on the Titans of this earth. Written by Tom Taylor with artwork from Nathan Gooden and Arif Prianto, letters by Wes Abbott, and published by DC Comics, Dark Knights of Steel #7 gives Prince Wayne a chance to embrace his past and step into the light.
Dark Knights of Steel #7 opens with a nightmare. The Kingdom burns, the Els scorching the earth with their heat vision as the wicked Green Man's laughter rings about. Bruce wakes up in the quaint quarters of Martha and Jonathan Kent, but he is not yet out of danger. Luckily, a group of superpowered children, the Titans, who had taken refuge in the Kent farm, saves Prince Wayne's life even though they are mortal enemies. This causes Bruce to reassess his life's mission, but his apology is cut short when Ra's Al Ghul, the host of the demon Etrigan, comes before the farmhouse and declares his demands: give up the Titans or face the wrath of the League of Shades.
Habits and beliefs are tough to scrub off, and internalized ideas that form over time are often too deep-rooted. For a long time, Bruce has been waging war against magic users, blaming them for spreading disorder in the realm, a reaction to his psychological trauma. Meeting the Titans has been a reality check for him, stirring a sense of remorse born out of gratitude. Dark Knights of Steel #7 flows linearly, keeping Batman as the central focus of the issue. The continual back and forth between the characters in a heated exchange keeps the plot intriguing, allowing each of their characteristics to shine through. When the need arises, however, it is a spectacular splurge of action. With this universe finally taking shape, writer Tom Taylor deems it the appropriate time to bring in new heroes, and the readers are here for it.
Artist Nathan Gooden's illustrations are rich and lively, immersing the audience in a vibrant world full of chaos and darkness. His illustrations effortlessly bring out the fantasy feel of the world, whether it is the jewel-encrusted armor or all the swords flailing around, or perhaps it is just the serenity of a farmhouse in the midst of a wheat field. However, one thing is for certain: since the start of the series, Gooden has been pushing the boundaries of the artwork. With Dark Knights of Steel #7, he takes his time to foment the action, literally bringing a dragon to a demonic fight. Colorist Arif Prianto paints a layer of gloss over the panels, using ample lighting and bright colors to breathe life into the pages.
Dark Knights of Steel #7 begins with an omen, meanders through some solemn, heartfelt moments, and concludes with a bang, offering readers everything they could want from a fantasy adventure. It is fascinating the way Tom Taylor weaves the DC Comics universe into his story, often creating composites of multiple characters but with enough tinkering to make them his own. While the previous issues had multiple narratives crisscrossing over each other like a country road, building the world around the Els, as the series has progressed, the focus is now on character development. Dark Knights of Steel #7 ends with an intriguing reveal, giving Prince Wayne a knight's quest of forging a League to save the world.
