[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writers: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Joshua WIlliamson
Artist: Francis Manapul
Summary
In the events immediately following Dark Nights: Metal, Brainiac arrives on Earth to inform the world’s heroes and villains that they need to work together in very specific teams to stop the threat of four cosmic titans who have risen to consume worlds. The heroes are rightfully skeptical to align themselves with Brainiac, but quickly come to believe him when he shows what the colossal titan of Wisdom has already begun doing to his home world of Colu. If a race of supremely intelligent beings can’t stop the Titan, what chance to four ragtag teams of heroes, villains, and cosmic starfish have?
Brainiac is about to divulge the plan that represents the universe’s only hope when he is hacked by a task force of psychics controlled by Amanda Waller. Not again Waller!
Positives
The art by Francis Manapul is astonishing. Not only is he able to portray each and every character in this issue (and there are a lot) as if he had been drawing them for years, but he is also able to show all of the brilliant colors of the cosmos. Not to mention some of the more subtle features like Robin’s reflection in Dr. Fate’s helmet. This is some of the best art I have ever seen, and I cannot wait for more.
The writing in this issue is also unbelievable. Three writers are definitely worth it if it makes each character sound like they never left their original issues. Usually in these large crossovers, some of the characters sound a little different, but that is not the case here. From Lobo’s foul-mouth to J’onn J’onzz’s wisdom, nothing feels out of place.
There are so many characters in this issue that it is hard to follow them all, but this seems to be the introduction of something huge. This issue seems to suggest that the story arc won’t necessarily be as dark as Dark Nights: Metal. I am hoping that the nods of respect and subtle jabs that heroes and villains have been showing each other continue. While the threat to the universe may be just as great, the tone doesn’t suggest that all hope is lost yet.
Gotta love Amanda Waller getting in the way again. Seriously, how did she get access to Maxwell Lord?!
Negative
I honestly have nothing bad to say about this issue. It’s coming out weekly so there is little wait time, and everything is done so well. I am confident these three writers can manage such a large cast of characters.
Verdict
A fantastic introduction to a new large event. I am looking forward to how all of these characters are going to get to work together and I cannot wait to see more. Luckily, I’ll only have to wait a week.
