Lead Story & Back-Up Feature Written by Len Wein.
Lead Art by Scott Kolins; George Pérez; Scott Koblish; Rob Leigh; Mike Atiych; & Allen Passalaqua. Back-Up Art by Walter Simonson; John Workman; & Allan Passalaqua.
Cover Art (Seen Below) by George Pérez. Alternate Cover (Image Not Included) by Walter Simonson.
SUMMARY:
DC Comics released this issue for November 2010. Simply titled “Crisis!,” it’s the midpoint of the ten-issue mini-series. Retired Metropolis cop Paul Lincoln narrates how the demise of the Silver Age’s Doom Patrol seemingly precipitates the world spinning into a dark spiral.
Among the incidents he cites are the Joker’s first mass homicide during a Gotham bank heist, Batman quitting the Justice League, and Green Arrow’s abrupt change of appearance. Lincoln relates how his faith in brother-in-law Jimmy Mahoney helps get his troubled relative paroled. As a STAR Labs security guard, Jimmy’s heroism later merits a handshake from Superman in an encounter with Chemo.
Meanwhile, Lincoln details the emergence of a new generation: Firestorm, the New Teen Titans, the Quality Comics heroes (i.e. Captain Atom, the Question, & Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle), Batman’s Outsiders, and a new Doom Patrol. The onset of Crisis on Infinite Earths has Lincoln departing a family dinner to work amidst the chaos. Jimmy is left to protect their shared families.
Lincoln observes DC’s combined heroes (including Pariah) respond in force to the red skies and anti-matter destruction. This sequence evidently occurs sometime during Crisis # 3-5, though the time-warping parallel-earths concept isn’t referenced. During the mass chaos, Lincoln risks his life to rescue a terrified child, as Metropolis crumbles around them.
The eight-page one-shot is entitled “Snapshot: Resistance!” Adam Strange recalls a shootout after the Zeta-Beam takes him from Australia to an armed stand-off on a desolate planet. Along with fellow abductees Tommy Tomorrow, Space Ranger Rick Starr & Cryll, and Captain Comet, Strange tangles with an intergalactic desperado crew, including Dust Devil. Ingenious teamwork is key to finagling a ride from Kanjar-Ro back home to Rann.
REVIEW:
Though series narrator Paul Lincoln’s dialogue is well-written, this element pales in comparison to George Pérez’s Crisis nostalgia. It’s mighty impressive absorbing how Pérez recreates the artistic magic he used for Crisis a quarter-century before. Case in point: his cover image is a major ‘wow” moment. The only item that isn’t clear: why is Metropolis apparently the only Earth city affected by the anti-matter? Wouldn’t DC’s biggest names be spread out all across the globe, as indicated in the original Crisis? Still, Pérez & writer Len Wein’s teamwork delivers some high-caliber DC entertainment.
Wein’s back-up tale is an amusing shoot-em-up featuring DC’s Silver Age sci-fi heroes. His take on Adam Strange is well-played, including a quick scene conferring with the shape-shifting Cryll. The artwork is more than sufficient for Wein’s reliable brand of storytelling. Though the issue isn’t an absolute must-have, DC Universe: Legacies # 5 is a worthwhile read for DC fans of any age.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Senior Story Editor Ian Sattler, in the “DC Nation” column, hypes the Superman: Earth One graphic novel.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
