Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for DC K.O. #4For decades, Batman has consistently stood next to Superman and Wonder Woman and held his own as one of the DC Universe’s most formidable heroes. Despite not having any conventional superpowers, Bruce Wayne himself just gave the perfect definition for one of his greatest advantages: “Being Batman.”
In the latest issue of DC K.O., The Dark Knight remarkably re-entered the major “King Omega” tournament against all odds, motivating a humorous yet solid explanation as to what “Being Batman” actually means. After all, “I’m Batman” has so often been the catch-all answer to how Bruce can achieve so many impressive things sans superpowers.
Batman Returns In DC K.O. #4 (Despite Being Eliminated In The First Round)
In DC K.O. #4, Batman reenters the brutal tournament despite being eliminated in the first round after he was killed by The Joker. However, K.O.’s tie-in Knightfight series saw Batman facing multiple trials from the Heart of Apokolips that allowed him to rejoin the contest, defying the odds and getting Joker back in this new issue.
Likewise, Batman’s return in DC K.O. features another key flashback to the DC Trinity’s recent board game night, where Superman accuses Batman of cheating, questioning how Bruce always manages to win with the exact dice rolls he needs. Confirming that he identified and memorized the small imperfections on the dice to achieve the right rolls, Bruce confirms that his winning strategy is simply called “Being Batman.”
Whether it’s rolling rice to guarantee a win or surviving impossible trials within the Heart of Apokolips, Bruce is willing to do whatever it takes to achieve victory, hence his return to this contest where the victor will become one of the DC Universe’s most powerful beings, rivaling Darkseid.
“Being Batman” Is Basically Just Cheating (With Extreme Style/Skill)
Hilariously, we now have the best definition of what “Being Batman” means straight from Bruce himself, thanks to DC K.O.
Being Batman means finding the loopholes and exploiting them, mastering every rule so you can weaponize them to your best advantage, and being so expertly skilled that the normal rules often don’t apply. It’s cheating with extreme skill, and all kinds of impressive style on an insane level most normal people can’t even think of achieving. It’s practically a superpower in and of itself.
Honestly, we couldn’t imagine a better explanation for every time “I’m Batman” has been used to explain how impressive The Dark Knight is, both on the page and beyond.
DC K.O. #4 is available now from DC Comics.
Created By
Bob Kane, Bill Finger
Alias
Bruce Wayne
Alliance
Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
Race
Human
Franchise
D.C.