Writer: Joshua Williamson
Art: Daniel Sampere, Daniel Henriques, Danny Miki, Alejandro Sánchez, and Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC Comics
Price:$4.99
Release Date: August 2nd, 2022
HAL JORDAN has rallied the Green Lantern Corps towards an all-out crusade against Pariah to punish him for what he’s down to the JUSTICE LEAGUE. And now, he’s standing right on his doorstep! Meanwhile back on Earth, the TITANS are decimated and DEATHSTROKE has destroyed anyone and everyone in his path. Let’s dive into DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #3 by Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere as our young heroes begin to realize that they may not have any other choice than to trust the violent wiles of BLACK ADAM.
If you’re interested in this comic, series, related trades, or any of the others mentioned, then simply click on the title/link to snag a copy through Amazon as you read the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #3 Review.
THE DISPATCH
Readers, DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #3 hits a reasonably substantial and informational climax. Pariah’s plan is revealed, what’s happened to the JUSTICE LEAGUE is presumed, and new factions are formed. However, I just can’t get connected to the emotion surrounding Gar, the TITANS, and DEATHSTROKE as a puppet villain. The story is missing motive and purpose causing the excitement to feel a bit flat.
Overall, it seems like the intent was for DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS to be this era and generations CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS (hence the name change) but replacing the old hats with new hats. Yet, some of the new hats are… too new. Jon Kent is the new SUPERMAN alongside Yara as the new WONDER WOMAN and Damian as the “BATMAN”. However, Williamson ultimately benches the TITANS using DEATHSTROKE as the vessel to do just that. For long-time fans invested in DC COMICS, it would feel better for the TITANS to finally get their fair shake instead of the extra new recruits.
Nevertheless, my favorite aspect of DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #3 is BLACK ADAM. He has the most character development and the most emotion, as well as his almost totalitarian heroism screaming through each page. Moreover, readers will begin to see his true colors before the issue wraps. Now, as much as the character development of BLACK ADAM was powerful, and by and large, my favorite aspect of the issue, the follow-up to that would be the narrative development/ crusade led by HAL JORDAN. Hal makes this story worthwhile. Take him away, and you got nothing. Let’s just say, things get real whenever he enters the picture.
ART
Daniel Sampere, Daniel Henriques, Danny Miki, and Alejandro Sánchez do an absolutely phenomenal job in this week’s DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #3. The detail and line work mixed with the definition involving the inks was very impressive, especially with the enormous cast of characters involved in the issue. This issue must have taken forever to prep and illustrate with such dynamic features. However, there is one jaw-droppingly awesome moment involving BLACK ADAM and Count Vertigo. The art team completely nails the raw power and emotion of that singular scene so well. It’s scary good… and by scary I mean literally horrifying. That scene alone shows the utter fright in Vertigo’s face while simultaneously mirroring that fear with our own as to who would even want to cross BLACK ADAM. That scene could very well be the panel of the week.
FINAL THOUGHTS
DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #3 pulls out some big reveals and lands some heavy plot threads clearing up some story beats well. Nevertheless, a few of the explanations, as well as characters in the limelight fall a bit flat. DEATHSTROKE doesn’t fit the persona as someone being “used” like this nor does it seem realistic that no one else has pushed back against his World Domination strategies yet including other villains. Granted, it does appear as though that’s about to change.
Moreover, it should be the TITANS next in line and not Jon Kent, Yara, and Damian. And what was the point of Gar being shot and not killed? And how is that enough to sideline the entire TITANS team? Again, it’s these story beats that are taking up too much of the narrative. More focus needs to be on HAL JORDAN and Pariah. That’s where the meat of DARK CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS truly resides. I wish the TITANS weren’t sidelined. But alas, they are… so let’s move on and focus on Hal now! Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!