Tom Taylor and Bengal’s Dark Knights of Steel #4 changes the violent series’ pace for a welcome relief (and character development)
The 12-part series Dark Knights of Steel promised swords, sorcery and superheroes right from its very first issue and so far, it has delivered. In an alternate universe that turns familiar DC characters into Medieval kings, queens, peasants and warriors, Prince Kal-El and the Bat-Prince Bruce Wayne are tangled up in a war of political intrigue and regicide that would make Game of Thrones proud. Tom Taylor and Bengal’s Dark Knights of Steel #4 stays true to the violent spirit of the series but with a drastic narrative shift that provides a welcome relief.
In Dark Knights of Steel #4, war has escalated between the El Monarchy and the Kingdom of Storms, with the Amazonians caught right in the middle. Both Prince Kal-El and Bruce are preparing for war, while Princess Zala has gone rogue and killed two members of the Storm clan without permission, leaving Princess Diana of the Amazons in a tight spot. Bruce is struggling with his secret identity as the half-Kryptonian illegitimate son of the murdered King Jor-El. After discovering his weakness to kryptonite in the last issue, he’s hit his lowest point — but his faithful man-at-arms Alfred is able to set him straight and reveal the truth behind his heritage just in time to turn the tide.
The last few issues of Dark Knights of Steel have been intense, with Zala killing Prince Jacob and King Jefferson in retribution for their assassination of her father and Bruce’s self-hatred following the reveal of his heritage. So it comes as a surprise that this issue pauses the war story in favor of a flashback told by Alfred. Normally this would be unwelcome, but Dark Knights of Steel #4 wisely uses this time to develop Bruce and Alfred’s characters, do some world building and explore the friendship between the Wayne Monarchy and the El family.
The latest issue answers some important questions about the main antagonist the Green Man, the Medieval counterpart of both Lex Luthor and the Joker with a little dash of the Green Lantern. This choice to create a composite character when everyone else been a straightforward adaptation of their prime universe counterparts might seem odd but it proves to be a smart move to connect both Bruce and Kal-El’s pasts and current motives.
The best part of Dark Knights of Steel #4, apart from this touching backstory, is Alfred himself. In every continuity, fan-favorite Alfred Pennyworth has been the voice of reason and a gentle paternal figure for Bruce Wayne — a role he plays in this story as a loyal friend of both the Wayne and the Els and as a war veteran. For all the intense political intrigue, death, destruction and drama, Alfred is the human backbone of this Medieval tale. His affirmation of Bruce’s heritage and his assertions that everyone is imperfect but capable of greatness are a powerful message that elevates Dark Knights of Steel as being more than a fantastical reimagining of the DC Universe. While this issue is quite serious and the pacing slow, Dark Knights of Steel #4 is a much-needed break from the escalating violence and drama of the last few issues.
The entire series boasts beautiful, elegant art with a soft, romantic sensibility fitting for the medieval high fantasy setting thanks to regular artist Yasmine Putri. In this issue, Bengal takes over for Putri as artist, evoking the aesthetic of the Pre-Raphaelites while staying true to Putri’s established style. The watercolor style, palette and textures, with lush verdant tones and sweeping, atmospheric landscapes, are breathtaking to behold. Similarly, Tom Taylor’s writing is consistent, holding true to the historical fiction-style dialogue that feels appropriately old-fashioned without being obviously Medieval, and stays true to every character’s quirks and personalities. Dark Knights of Steel #4, focused around flashbacks, philosophy and some feel-good musings on the meaning of family and humanity, is a good opportunity for Taylor to shine as a conventional writer.
Dark Knights of Steel #4 is another strong issue in a series that continues to improve with every chapter. Although it’s fun to see familiar characters being cast in a Medieval drama, and it’s a thrill to see the nail-biting suspense mount with each new issue, Dark Knights of Steel #4 is a welcome break in that tension in favor of genuine human tenderness, making the series even stronger.
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