“Dark Crisis” is the next DC big event. The Justice League has been seemingly killed leaving a world without them and a new generation of heroes that need to stand up. We know this won’t last long and at the end, hope will win, but the setup is ominous and “epic” in scope. With the League killed in Justice League #75, Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1 is the next chapter in the event, leading into its official kick-off the following week. If this one-shot is supposed to get readers excited, it falls very short in achieving that.
Featuring five stories from a wide range of creators, we get everything from a team-up and discussion on hope to some more info on Pariah, and a lead up to what the heroes on Earth will be dealing with. It’s not bad but none of it left me excited to see what’s next. Ironically, the most emotion came from a story involving Hal Jordan, who despite being a classic character was left out of the Justice League being murdered. The stories as a whole go through the motion but generally lack emotion.
The best of the bunch features Pariah as he’s haunted by ghosts in a story that feels like it should feature Scrooge and Christmas. There’s an odd holiday feel to it.
The art is good throughout the comic but, like the stories themselves, never quite deliver a memorable moment. They too feel like it’s going through the motions. There’s far too many moments and panels that get you to pause for the wrong reasons than those that stand out to excite. The highlight for the art is a story involving the new Aquaman and Hal Jordon which has some interesting page layouts and color.
Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1 isn’t bad but it also doesn’t get me excited for the major event to come. It feels like an annual that gets released because it’s on the schedule more than anything. While there’s a bit to catch readers up, it doesn’t do a great job explaining what has happened or the looming threat. It also doesn’t quite make it feel like there world is worse off for the Justice League not being there. Overall, things are going fine. That also might be the point. But, if it is, why should we care about what’s to come?
Story: Joshua Williamson, Jeremy Adams, Chuck Brown, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Stephanie Phillips
Art: Dan Jurgens, Rosi Kämpe, Fico Ossio, Leila Del Duca, Clayton Henry Ink: Norm Rapmund
Color: Hi-Fi, Matt Herms, Sebastian Chang, Jordie Bellaire, Marcelo Maiolo Letterer: Josh Reed
Story: 6.75 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Pass
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology/Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
