Warning: contains spoilers for Dark Knights of Steel #2!
After Kryptonite, magic is Superman’s primary weakness, and in a medieval kingdom on an alternate Earth, the House of El has declared war on all magic users. In Dark Knights of Steel #2, on sale now in print and digital, readers learn that magic users have been disappearing in the kingdom ruled by Jor-El and his family—leading Black Lightning to conclude war is inevitable.
Dark Knights of Steel begins with a fascinating premise: what if not only Kal-El was able to escape Krypton’s destruction, but his entire family as well? The family crash lands in England during the Middle Ages, and promptly set themselves up as rulers, albeit of the wise and merciful kind. Kal-El has grown up on Earth, raised side by side with Bruce Wayne, and the two are friends. Not all are happy with the rise of the House of El, including Jefferson Pierce, aka Black Lightning, who rules over the Kingdom of Storms. John Constantine, Pierce’s court magician, has foreseen a terrible future coming, one involving the House of El, and now Black Lightning must stop it. He has employed Green Arrow (here called the “Green Man”) to help him in his fight against the House of El; in the previous issue, Arrow assassinated Jor-El, hitting him with a Kryptonite laced arrow.
In Dark Knights of Steel #2—written by Tom Taylor, with art by Yasmine Putri, colors by Arif Prianto, and letters by Wes Abbott—Green Arrow reports back to Constantine that Jor-El is dead. Constantine takes the news to Black Lightning, who is watching his two children use their powers. After relaying the news, Constantine tells him he is not sure this is a good idea, and that the Els seem nice. Black Lightning tells him that all magic users in their kingdom have disappeared. Later, as Harley Quinn (the jester of the House of El) and Bruce leave the castle’s dungeon, readers see some of their prisoners, including Blue Devil and Detective Chimp—both of whom have magic-based powers. Readers learn these prisoners have been locked up even though they have committed no crime.
Imprisoning magic users may seem out of character for Superman and his family, but on this Earth, he never had Ma and Pa Kent’s influence to make him more human and teach him empathy. The House of El seen here is full-on Kryptonian, and not subject to Earth morals and laws—such as due process. Jor-El has attempted to rule wisely, but actions such as imprisoning magic users have alienated the kingdoms around him, and they are now preparing for war. Furthermore, Jor-El’s actions have disenfranchised those within his own kingdom—Harley Quinn rightfully calls this behavior out, but Bruce ignores it.
However, Bruce and Superman will not be able to ignore the magic users in their dungeon for long. Constantine’s prophecy comes closer to reality with each passing day—and the prisoners of the House of El will no doubt have a role in the horrors around the corner.