Get ready to see some wild action and many of DC Comics’ best characters in this issue. If you missed the news at SDCC, this series is now called Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths, so you’ll have to wait for the second print for it to have the new official dress logo. In this issue, we are reunited with much-missed heroes, a connection to the Great Darkness reveals itself, and we get more information on Pariah’s plans.
As a Green Lantern fan, I love that Hal Jordan is leading the charge to Pariah on the main cover for this issue. Daniel Sampere having Hal use his ring to make constructs of the fallen Justice League is a sight to see, and for once, the cover plays to the issue very nicely. This series has done a great job with front covers that capture the point well. There are quite a few covers to choose from in this series, so get to your LCS and see what you can get before they’re gone. I know I’ll be tracking down that JSA variant and the Mike Allred Crisis homage for my collection.
In our preview of the issue, we get Donna Troy’s narration, and the hopelessness is laid bare as the Titans have suffered. Yet if you look at the panels on the first page, you’ll notice one of the characters is going to rise against the despair and become a hero – it seems like we’re seeing the debut of Red Canary. I like how writer Joshua Williamson uses the actions from previous issues as a way to get the Titans gathered which leads to some great reunions and real talk between these heroes. Colorist Alejandro Sanchez does a fantastic job with the color tone, creating a feeling like you’re in the hospital with the characters.
Our next visit is with Black Adam and the new Justice League. Williamson creates great conflict by allowing the personalities to clash with the philosophies of what makes a hero. I was impressed with Jon Kent in this issue as he stands for what he believes to be the right course of action. Sadly with all that inner conflict, it looks like the new League is testing itself and they choose to part from this predicament, but it is a growing pain they’ll need to help forge their team.
You can see that some of the heroes will begin their side quests for adventure in future tie-in issues. I know it can sometimes feel like a hassle collecting other comics for the complete story, but I’m all in with the idea that it will expand that adventure. Before Jon and Damian begin their new exploits, we get the big moment: the JSA arrives. Such a beautiful page by Daniel Sampere and Alejandro Sanchez, and it makes sense why DC made this a variant cover. They look so heroic and majestic in this image, and Alejandro’s colors help to brighten the page and mood, giving us hope that the Crisis isn’t so dark; I can’t wait to see them in action.
The next focus in this issue is on the Darkness. Williamson creates a scene with Deathstroke and various villains that look paramount to what the Darkness plans for later problems. I like this bit of mystery as it improves the villains’ actions instead of just taking advantage of the missing heroes. Continuing with the Darkness, we find the GLC in their moment, and if you were a fan of Blackest Night, then this set of pages will bring much joy to you. Joshua and Daniel need to be on Green Lantern after this event because fans of GL will be super happy and spoiled.
This issue delivers from the cover to that last page reveal. Daniel must be looking at his Who’s Who comics to give us this massive collection of DC characters. Joshua peels back the layers perfectly to show and tease so that we will be back for more. I can’t wait to see how the Crisis will step up to this gathering of heroes.
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