With DC K.O. ramping up, DC unleashes one of its wildest twists yet: Batman arrives in a reality where Red Hood has taken up the mantle as a crossbow-wielding Dark Knight. DC’s earlier tease of Jason’s Red Hood-themed Batsuit only scratched the surface, as the full issue reveals even more shocking details.
Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora’s DC K.O. tie-in, Knightfight #1, previously took the Dark Knight to a reality where Dick Grayson assumed the Batman mantle.
Now, issue #2 sees Batman’s commandeered Mother Box and the Heart of Apokolips transport him to a reality where Jason Todd has replaced Bruce as Batman. This leads to a confrontation between Jason and Bruce, where readers not only see the Red Hood-themed Batsuit in action, but also witness a shocking unmasking and the reveal that, in this reality, “Gotham is Arkham now.”
The Dark Reality Where Jason Todd Becomes Batman (& Claims Daddy Status)
Comic Page Comes From Joshua Williamson’s DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora
Bruce wakes up in this alternate reality imprisoned in an Arkham cell, with Jason as his warden. Jason appears in full vigilante regalia, wearing a suit that’s a hybrid of the Batman and Red Hood costumes. The most notable elements are the Red Hood mask with bat ears, the red cape, and a stylized red bat logo, creating a fusion of both identities.
However, what is perhaps even more notable is when Jason demasks, revealing himself to be in his 50s. With graying hair, a face full of scars, and the wrinkles of time, Jason Todd has officially been daddyfied by DC, looking as handsome as ever despite being 30 years older than fans usually see him. Notably, Jason also looks startlingly similar to Bruce.
During this interaction, Bruce learns that Jason believes Bruce is actually the rogue Clayface, who shapeshifted into Bruce and has gone insane, now truly convinced he’s the real Batman. Despite Bruce trying to explain the situation, Jason writes it off as another Clayface delusion, making it clear he has no intention of releasing Bruce from his cell.
“Gotham Is Arkham Now”: Gotham’s Fate in the Alternate Reality Where Jason Todd Is Batman
Comic Page Comes From Joshua Williamson’s DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 (2025) – Art by Dan Mora
Despite Jason’s disbelief and refusal to free him, Bruce, in true Batman fashion, makes his escape. However, the victory is short-lived. When he reaches the roof and finally sees Gotham, he’s met with eerie silence and a red sky. Jason joins him there, delivering the chilling reveal: “You thought you were escaping Arkham but… Gotham is Arkham now.”
When Bruce asks what happened to the city, Jason reveals that Joker essentially nuked Gotham with his Joker gas. While most of the population was evacuated, Jason stayed behind to keep the gas contained and isolated. The result is a ghost-city quarantine zone, with Gotham sealed off from the world and the Red Hood–Batman serving as its unflinching keeper and last line of containment.
DC K.O.: Knightfight #2 is available now from DC Comics!