Tom Taylor's biggest Elseworld yet, Dark Knights of Steel, depicts a new universe set in a Medieval time shaken by the political conflict between two kingdoms. After the Kingdom of Storms assassinates the king of the House of El, an unstoppable feud between both families forces out many secrets and changes the status quo forever.
For Dark Knights of Steel, Tom Taylor didn't just transplant the original DC characters to a different setting. Instead, he created new stories for them based on what truly makes them who they are. Some of these changes are small; however, others are modifications never before seen in the DC Universe. Dark Knights of Steel only has five issues so far, but it's already changing what fans know about their favorite characters.
9 It Is Set In A Medieval Universe
First things first. Dark Knights of Steel stands out among the other DC Elseworlds because it's the only medieval alternate universe in the Multiverse so far. Because of this, it reminds the readers of fantasy sagas such as The Lord of The Rings and Game of Thrones, which is exactly what Tom Taylor wanted when he created it.
In Dark Knights of Steel, every character that's featured has a role based on a fantasy archetype. This archetype matches who they are in the main continuity without just being transplanted into the story. Additionally, nothing in the universe is explained using science. Instead, the characters battle using swords while coexisting with magical abilities they fear because they can't understand them.
8 Harley Quinn Is The Kingdom's Voice Of Reason
Since she first appeared as the Joker's henchwoman and love interest in Batman: The Animated Series, Harley Quinn has been an unstoppable force of chaos. Now that the Clown Prince of Crime isn't behind her actions and her moral alignment has slightly shifted, Harley still enjoys destruction a bit too much.
This isn't the case in Dark Knights of Steel. Faithful to her aesthetics in the main continuity, Harley Quinn is the Kingdom of El's jester. Additionally, she's an advisor in the service of the El family. While she's still a witty gal firing off jokes (to the annoyance of her peers), she's also the voice of reason in the court, which is full of alien members who are often strangers to Earthly perspectives.
7 Black Lightning Has A Different Backstory & A New Son
Created by Tony Isabela and Trevor Von Eeden, Jefferson Pierce (also known as Black Lightning) is a schoolteacher in the dangerous Suicide Slam in Metropolis who uses his electrical superpowers to fight crime in his neighborhood. In Earth-Prime, he has two daughters who inherited his metahuman abilities: Anissa who goes by the moniker of Thunder, and Jennifer, also known as Lightning.
In Dark Knights of Steel, Jefferson Pierce is the king of the Kingdom of Storms: the main enemy of the House of El. In addition to having two daughters, he has a son, Jacob, who, according to King Jefferson, is the first one of his family to control rain instead of thunder. Unfortunately, Prince Jacob dies at the hands of Zala in the second issue of this Elseworld. However, hopefully his appearance in this story will plant the seed for a new character in Earth-Prime.
6 Wonder Woman & Supergirl Are A Couple
After the news of Jor-El's death in Dark Knights of Steel #1 arrives on Amazon Island, a distraught Lois Lane reveals the information to Princess Diana and Princess Zala Jor-El. Affected by the news about her father, Zala leaves the island, but not without kissing Diana goodbye first, which confirms a romantic relationship between them.
This isn't the first time these heroes have had a same-sex relationship in the comics. Kara Zor-El dated Lois Lane in DC Bombshells (the WWII Elseworld created by Marguerite Bennett) while Wonder Woman has been confirmed as bisexual with at least two women on her list of lovers. However, Diana and Zala haven't been depicted as being in a relationship with each other before. It's unlikely it will become a part of DC's main continuity, but it's a step in the right direction towards LGBTQ+ representation in comics.
5 Harlivy Isn't Canon (But They Totally Should)
Around 2011, Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti hinted at a romantic relationship between Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy in the New 52 Harley Quinn series. However, they didn't kiss until Harley Quinn #25, in 2017. After this, they became one of the most beloved couples in the DC universe. Unfortunately, they aren't together in Dark Knights of Steel... yet.
Dark Knights of Steel #5 marks the first appearance of Poison Ivy in this Elseworld as the Lady of the Forest. Here, she shows the same chloro-kinetic abilities as in the main continuity. In this issue, it becomes apparent that she's in love with Harley Quinn. However, the jester doesn't feel the same, which is a shame. Since this limited series is still in the middle of publication, there's still hope that they'll become romantically involved soon.
4 Kal-El Isn't An Orphan; He's A Prince With A Sister
In pretty much every iteration of Superman throughout the Multiverse, Kal-El is an orphaned alien raised by the Kents – a small-town family. In these Earths, knowing he's the sole survivor of his planet usually influences Kal-El's sense of duty, which prompts him to become Superman. However, Dark Knights of Steel is the exception.
In this Elseworld, the El's don't die during the destruction of Krypton. Instead, they travel together in the pod to Earth, where Lara gives birth to Kal-El and years later, to Zala Jor-El, his sister. On this planet, they become friends of King Thomas and Queen Martha, so after they died, the Els become monarchs. Because of this, Kal-El grows up as a prince.
3 Batman Is A Half-Kryptonian Knight
Also known as the Bat-Prince, Bruce Wayne is the bastard son of Queen Martha, raised as his own by King Thomas. Since he's very close to the El's court, he works as the protector of the Royal Family, specifically neutralizing magical beings who may affect the aliens. Although he's fine with his role in the kingdom, everything changes when King Jor-El confesses he's his father right before he dies.
Who hasn't dreamt of a Batman with superpowers? As of Dark Knights of Steel #5, Bruce has only displayed superhuman strength, enhanced resilience, and heat vision, as well as a weakness to Kryptonite. However, fans are excited to find out if the Bat-Prince will be able to match Kal-El's abilities in the next issues of the series.
2 The Kryptonians Aren't Heroes
Everyone in Dark Knights of Steel is a modified version of a DC character. Even if they're different, their essence is still there in some way. However, this doesn't seem to be true for Kal-El, nor his sister, Zala, who is very violent and has no issues murdering people if she deems it necessary. This goes against her set of values in the main universe, where she stands for hope, help, and compassion for all.
The fifth issue of Dark Knights of Steel features Kal-El stabbing Bruce with Kryptonite as he tells him that "there can be no challengers" now that "the world is theirs to rule." Nothing else is said about Kal-El's true intentions, but this is a very different attitude from the noble Superman everyone knows and loves.
1 The Main Villain Is A Mix Of Three Other Characters
In the earliest issues of the story, the Green Man appeared in Dark Knights of Steel as the owner of the Kryptonite arrow that killed Jor-El. However, the comic showed only a hand, which was clearly bearing a Green Lantern ring. It wasn't until Dark Knights of Steel #4 that readers learned the terrifying nature of this villain.
In reality, the Green Man is Alexander Luthor, a former advisor of King Thomas and Queen Martha who was exiled from the Kingdom for his negligence. On his way out, Luthor found an unknown green material, very similar to Kryptonite, which gave him Green Lantern-like abilities. This power drove him to madness and turned him into a variant of the Joker and a combination of Lex Luthor and a Green Lantern.