Long before the struggle between the Els, Pierces, and the Amazonians began, there was a period of peace and prosperity among the nations. The Kryptonians ruled secure in their lineage, with Prince Kal-El and Princess Zala Jor-El living their lives in princely fashion while Jor-El’s illegitimate child, Bruce Wayne, devoted himself to service in his parent’s memories. The future of the Kingdom lies in their hands as they meet their own set of challenges growing up. A prequel spin-off of Dark Knights of Steel from DC, Dark Knights of Steel: Tales From the Three Kingdoms #1 collects three written by Tom Taylor, Jay Kristoff, and C.S. Pacat with artwork from Caspar Wijngaard, Sean Izaakse, Michele Bandini, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Antonio Fabela and letters from Wes Abbott that showcases the teen years of the royal heirs.
Dark Knights of Steel: Tales From the Three Kingdoms #1 turns the clock back to the past. Each tale expands the world beyond the walls of the castles, introducing readers to monsters, magic, jovial carnival-crashers pinching coins from the rich, and the balancing act of duty and vengeance. The personalities that define the characters simmer up through the trials presented before them as they learn about life beyond their purview for the good of the realm.
Series co-creator Tom Taylor sets the ball rolling with a tale that brings the siblings together for a mysterious encounter. The sword and sorcery theme presents the characters’ relationships in a different light, but the roots remain the same. In true Tom Taylor fashion, the friendship between Kal-El and his friend Jimmy Olsen is the driving factor of the narrative. Caspar Wijngaard’s artwork holds everything together, embracing the beauty and horror of Gotham. The soft colors accentuate the characters against the bright surroundings and give them a bubbly appearance.
“The Flock” by Jay Kristoff sends Harley Quinn, Kal-El, and a reluctant Bruce Wayne on an evening of fun and frolic that culminates into an important life lesson. The dialogues flesh out the ideological differences between Kal and Bruce, each viewing the world from their extremely unique perspective. Harley’s sense of humor and the sudden appearance of a young acrobat keep the issue moving at a fun, fast pace. Using crisp lines, Sean Izaakse creates a bustling medieval setting that colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. paints lavishly, allowing light and shadow to co-exist in the same panel.
Michele Bandini and Antonio Fabela give the next story a colorful and animated appearance even though it is the darkest tale in the book. Aptly named “King’s Bane,” by C.S. Pacat, the story calcifies Bruce’s hatred for magic and foreshadows the bitter road the little prince is about to head down. The armor and sword designs are reminiscent of Gut’s attire from the manga Berserk, which is both a homage and a great artistic choice for a conflicted character like Bane.
Dark Knights of Steel: Tales From the Three Kingdoms #1 highlights the moments that locked the characters in their respective paths, honorable or otherwise. The stories do well to portray the multiple facets of each character in the Dark Knights of Steel universe, which is a flourishing world in and of itself. While fans are waiting with bated breath to learn more about Bruce Wayne and the Kingdom of El in future issues, the prequel one-shot will give them plenty to think about.