Justice League Road to Dark Crisis is the prelude to Dark Crisis, we get five stories that set up the paths of many characters in the DC Universe. I have to say this is quite the ride and gets you into the spirit of things to come; this issue elicits hope, adventure, and wonder. It’s out today in comics shops.
I love how many generations of heroes come together to stand up for the fallen, how they come together to inspire, and how the villains might be biting off more than they can chew. Altogether this is a superb read that will have you ready for the upcoming event and maybe get you to check some back issues for a double check on character motivations.
Looking at the cover, it’s interesting to see the shattered images of Pariah, Darkseid, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, Nightwing, and Superman. At the same time, all at its center is a set of cold, dark eyes looking right at you. I enjoy showcasing legacy here in this image with four of the heroes inheriting their titles, and even Nightwing as a heritage hero. That idea of legacy feels like it will be quite the theme for this upcoming Dark Crisis event, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out, but those eyes intrigue me more. Is this the Great Darkness or something more?
The first story features Dick (Nightwing) Grayson and Jon (Superman) Kent, and it is quite the process of how they handle their grief. Titled “Team-Up” by Joshua Williamson and Dan Jurgens with Norm Rapmund, is a great character piece. Joshua has a great point of having Jon rush to Dick to get things moving again, and I love how Dick is acting like this isn’t a big problem with death, especially since both Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent have passed away before.
There is a great moment where Jon tires of Dick’s attitude and asks about the Dark Army and their potential attack that seems to get Dick to get his head out of his “Bat” and realize that heroes need hope. Wrap all that up in Dan’s art, and you’ll be blown away with his revisits to Funeral for a Friend and Final Crisis.
“Life of Purpose” by Jeremy Adams and Rosi Kampe with Matt Herms is our second story, and it is so exciting to see the Flash family back in action. Jeremy Adams has brought such positive energy to the Flash series, and I enjoy his nickname of Ace for Wallace West. The story is another fun character piece about how the heroes need hope and how Wally finds his way of helping his family break out from their worries to being proactive.
The third story, “Survivors” by Chuck Brown and Fico Ossio with Sebastian Cheng, showcases a first meeting between Hal (Green Lantern) Jordan and Jackson (Aquaman) Hyde. I enjoy this story because it is such an excellent bridge for fans of classic and new characters; by showing them work together, the story helps to inspire that heroism will never end. Sebastian Cheng’s colors also pop very nicely within the deep realm, making the art vivid.
Next up is “The Pariah” by Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Leila Del Duca, and Jordie Bellaire, which helps introduce readers to Kell (Pariah) Mossa. This portion was an excellent add-in as I have to wonder about Pariah’s actions in stories like Infinite Frontier, Justice League Incarnate, and Death of the Justice League. Pariah is haunted by his deceased wife and the tears of darkness surrounding her that leads to a wild confrontation. Then he ends up in a decayed area, and I have to wonder if the Great Darkness will possess him, or does he believe in the philosophy of the Great Darkness?
All I know is this story had me go back to Justice League #75 and question that moment of hesitation from Pariah. The last story, “Because the Night,” by Stephanie Phillips, Clayton Henry, and Marcelo Maiolo, brings us to the character of Nocturna. There doesn’t seem to be much to this story at first, but in the end, you’ll notice that she is being offered a spot on the team; which might explain all the attacks we’ve seen so far in FCBD Dark Crisis #0 and the preview of Dark Crisis #1. Maybe the Great Darkness’ reach is more expansive than we thought?
The Road to Dark Crisis is an excellent aftermath to the “Death of the Justice League.” It’s a simpler version of “Funeral for a Friend” that nicely showcases hope, heroics, and heritage. This comic will have you do a couple of double takes to what you’ve read before when it comes to Pariah and sets the stage for Dark Crisis #1!
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