Written by Marv Wolfman & Art by George Pérez
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2000, this 364-page epic paperback collects the complete twelve-issue 1985-86 series commemorating DC’s 50th Anniversary.
An unknown cosmic force is annihilating DC’s innumerable parallel universes one after another via unstoppable waves of anti-matter. Having analyzed Earths-One & Two for the past year, the mysterious Monitor assembles a group of possible saviors (including Earth-Two’s Superman) to protect these two Earths from imminent destruction. Three other endangered Earths: “S” (for Fawcett’s Shazam Family); “4” (for Charlton’s Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, etc.) and “X” (for Quality’s Freedom Fighters) later join this coalition.
The Monitor’s associates: Harbinger; Pariah; and Earth-Three’s Alex Luthor must unite the remaining heroes and villains, if there is any chance of survival. At least three heroic Silver Age icons will fall defying the monstrous Anti-Monitor.
Lex Luthor and Brainiac unleash an interdimensional insurrection that may doom the remaining Earths. As the hourglass runs out for DC’s legendary multi-verse, the greatest assembly of super-heroes and super-villains ever in comic history mount a last-ditch counter-strike to thwart the destruction of DC’s reality.
REVIEW:
To accommodate DC’s intent to simplify future storytelling, Wolfman and Pérez overcome innumerable logistics to reward readers with a timeless epic. Wolfman’s expertise is stunning, as he coherently builds several pivotal moments without relying upon filler material. Even more so, the complexity of this series somehow keeps its sub-plots mostly self-contained, so readers won’t have to frequently search elsewhere for answers. Still, Wolfman couldn’t have accomplished this staggering feat without Pérez’s stellar artwork. How Pérez penciled so many distinct characters in such tight spaces is nothing short of visual magic.
Unlike its belated sequels (i.e. Infinite Crisis and Final Crisis), this Crisis isn’t fixated on nonsensical plot twists, mindless battles, and excessive gore. Wolfman capably divvies up necessary depth and insights to a vast multitude of characters (from the front-liners to Earth-Two’s Lois Lane-Kent) — having twelve issues (including two double-sized installments) to operate obviously helps, too. Hence, Wolfman’s characters express consistent personalities that have long defined them vs. exchanging clichéd cardboard statements interchangeable amongst a large cast (like in a standard Silver Age JLA-JSA cross-over).
Comparatively speaking, Wolfman’s poignant storytelling (especially, its dialogue) vastly outclasses Geoff Johns’ 2005 controversial sequel: Infinite Crisis, where Johns’ bewildered characters (much like readers) far too often comment that they have no idea what’s going on.
Another asset is how Crisis screen time is surprisingly distributed. Case in point: Earth-One’s Batman, Atom, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Hawkman, and Wonder Woman have surprisingly minor roles or even mere cameos, as opposed to Firestorm being a major participant. Silver Age icons, such as Supergirl and Barry Allen’s Flash play significant supporting roles, but newer heroes like Blue Devil; John Stewart’s Green Lantern; Firehawk; the New Teen Titans; and Batman’s Outsiders squad make worthy appearances.
The two Supermen predictably play vital roles, in comparison to various members of the Justice League and Justice Society appearing in supporting roles. Wolfman smartly integrates Earth-4’s Blue Beetle (Ted Kord) and Captain Atom; Earth-X’s Uncle Sam; and Captain Marvel/Shazam of Earth-S into strong contributors later in the saga.
While the female Dr. Light’s debut is memorable, other heroes, i.e. Kid Flash (Wally West), Hawk & Dove, a second-generation Doom Patrol, and Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern, are recruited back into action. Only a few familiar faces don’t resurface, i.e. Bizarro and the briefly-retired Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern (whose contributions are limited to his own series that he now shared with Stewart & Gardner).
Wolfman’s unpredictable plot twists boost Crisis on Infinite Earths far beyond a glorified JLA-JSA team-up. As for this book’s purported casualty list, several familiar names vanish — many of whom DC Comics would eventually resurrect in some capacity while others haven’t been. Yet, if one contemplates why certain characters don’t survive — in most instances, the casualties make sense. To his credit, Wolfman subtly dispatches familiar characters suddenly deemed expendable with a great deal of class.
Still, Crisis on Infinite Earths is overwhelming for a first-time read — just for its massive cast alone. What may work best is to consuming this storyline in smaller doses and casually enjoy the saga for what it was meant to do. Also, this super-epic amply earns its creative license in justifying all the impossible elements (i.e. talking and breathing in outer space, let existing in an anti-matter universe). As a DC Comics treasure trove, Crisis is first-class entertainment. This gem richly deserves its special place in comic history.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Wolfman’s insightful 1998 introduction book-ends with former editor Dick Giordano’s afterword. Remarkably, their commentaries don’t shamelessly shill for DC Comics. They even concede that Crisis on Infinite Earths dubiously inspired comics’ copycat mega-event trend (including the ‘necessity’ for endless cross-overs). Pérez’s black-and-white sketch gallery consists of Pariah; the new Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi), Harbinger; and the Monitor.
Note: One consideration to make between this bare-bones 2000 release and DC’s series of bells-and-whistles re-releases is that this first compilation delivers the story in a first-class manner and is worth the price of admission itself. Bonus features aren’t necessary.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars
Note: DC has published at least two Crisis tie-in collections. However, for some recommended mid-80’s back issues, readers may like:
- In a Pre-Crisis storyline, there’s All-Star Squadron # 36-37, which includes Earth-Two’s Golden Age Superman, Wonder Woman, & Green Lantern (Alan Scott) vs. a Nazi-controlled Shazam Family over London. Highly recommended!
- All-Star Squadron # 50-53 is a direct Crisis crossover including the Golden Age Captain Marvel/Shazam’s return, Mr. Mind’s invasion of Earth-Two, and the Monster Society of Evil vs. the Golden Age Superman; and
- Green Lantern # 198 is a Crisis crossover heralding Hal Jordan’s return as Green Lantern, which simultaneously occurs during the final events of Crisis.
