Warning! Contains spoilers for Knight Terrors: First Blood #1!The terrifying comic event Knight Terrors is here to plunge the DC Universe into a world of bad dreams and torment. Knight Terrors: First Blood #1 kicks off the two-month crossover event in earnest with a disturbing opening salvo.
Since the end of Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths and Lazarus Planet, the DC Universe has been shining brighter than ever under the Dawn of DC initiative. Between the return of DC's limitless alternate Earths and metahumans spreading like wildfire, a lot of change has occurred. Superman has started working with Lex Luthor, and Batman has ventured all across the multiverse (and that's only scratching the surface of things). Things have been relatively calm in the DC Universe as of late. But ever since DC Comics announced Knight Terrors, it's been just a matter of time until it all came crashing down.
Knight Terrors: First Blood is a Wonderful, Creepy Start
The two-month crossover event all starts with Knight Terrors: First Blood #1 by Joshua Williamson and Howard Porter. The body of John Dee, aka the villainous Doctor Destiny, is found dead in the Hall of Justice, causing Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman to investigate. Along for the ride is DC's resident ghost with the most, Dean, who senses something foul in the air. The ethereal hero realizes something sinister is up when Batman discovers Dee's actual body is found in Arkham Tower, screaming bloody murder as he's in the throes of a violent nightmare. Dee warns that someone is trying to find the 'Nightmare Stone' before the villain suddenly dies. But the moment Doctor Destiny expires, he becomes possessed by the terrifying new villain Insomnia, who causes nearly everyone on Earth to fall asleep, sending them into a world of nightmares.
From nearly beginning to end, Knight Terrors: First Blood is filled with horrific imagery. Demons, monsters, spiders, and any unsettling thing one can think of are part of the malevolent forces summoned by Insomnia. Howard Porter pulls no punches with his art and makes every appropriate scene as creepy as possible. Williamson also does a fantastic job setting up the story beats of the event with this introductory issue. The story moves fast as fans learn about Insomnia and leaves them with just enough to get them curious about Knight Terrors' copious tie-in issues.
Knight Terrors: First Blood Gets DC's Spooky Event Started Right
Knight Terrors: First Blood is the first of many books DC has lined up for the crossover. While some may balk at the many books listed for the event, First Blood does a great job of setting up the basic story and allowing readers to go into whatever tie-in comic they'd like next. But beyond being a good opening of an overall story, Williamson and Porter's work is a fantastic comic in and of itself. It establishes the stakes and gets to the action instantly, but makes sure to leave fans curious for more. It also does a great job of elevating the seriously underrated Dean, the perfect hero for a horror-themed epic. Between the intense action and the wonderfully twisted art, First Blood is a strong open to a promising and perturbing summer event. DC Comics' Knight Terrors: First Blood #1 is on sale now.
