Lettering: Josh Reed

Cover: Daniel Sampere and Alejandro Sanchez

Publisher: DC comics

Price: $5.99

Release Date: May 31st, 2022

Somehow, the JUSTICE LEAGUE has been lost in battle, and the only one to witness this defeat (other than the reader) was BLACK ADAM. So, how does the globe handle their death? What champions will emerge and which new villains will rise to the top? Let’s dive into JUSTICE LEAGUE: ROAD TO DARK CRISIS #1 as we attempt to discover the darkness waiting in the wings. Come witness an all-out roster of DC COMIC genius showcasing what a world looks like without the JUSTICE LEAGUE while setting the stage for DARK CRISIS in the process.

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 Justice League: Road To Dark Crisis #1 Review.

TEAM-UP

Writer: Joshua Williamson 

Art: Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, and Hi-Fi

Picture this short story as a trip down memory lane. To anyone who thinks this is the first time members of the JUSTICE LEAGUE have died, this story reiterates the past and makes readers wonder about the purpose of this event. Why kill the JUSTICE LEAGUE again? They always come back. So, what’s going to be different this time? Well, after a somewhat heartfelt moment between Jon and Dick, the story wraps with the next generation getting ready for battle. Overall, this mini tale was a good opener but simply didn’t have enough page count to really showcase all that it could.

LIFE OF PURPOSE

Writer: Jeremy Adams  

Art: Rose Kämpe and Matt Herms

If you’ve been following Jeremy Adams’ FLASH run, more importantly, the last issue of the FLASH, this story is basically a summary of that exact issue. It connects both Wally’s well and brings Wally back into the light as the beacon of hope the FLASH family has always been to the DC COMIC landscape. That said, because this was a quick summary of the last issue, it seems redundant and unnecessary. Plus, the art was different, and painted Wally almost like a child instead of an adult male with two kids. If you’re looking for the same type of story with better art, check out the FLASH #782.

SURVIVORS

Writer: Chuck Brown 

Art: Fico Ossio and Sebastian Cheng

Hal Jordan teams up with Jackson Hyde and learns the fate of the league while trying to stop some fish-alien creatures. Other than fans getting a taste of Hal Jordan again, there really isn’t much to elaborate on in this story. However, it was the most action-packed tale within JUSTICE LEAGUE: ROAD TO DARK CRISIS #1, and the story I wish was the longest. The potential and team-up were by far the most interesting of the bunch.

THE PARIAH

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson 

Art: Leila Del Duca and Jordie Bellaire

Prepare for confusion and uber-deep meta conversations that are ready to astound and amaze (that’s sarcasm… well at least the last part of that statement). Readers find Pariah before the JUSTICE LEAGUE dies and we basically discover that he’s been hiding out in places that are insignificant so as to not disrupt the multiverse. However, someone or something is pressuring him to bring himself back into the light again. Do we find out who? Nope. Do we know why? Nope. Moreover, not only do we not know how or why but the narrative was cluttered with cyclical dialogue that frankly made very little sense. New readers of DC COMICS beware. If longtime fans will read this and be confused, you’re going to be absolutely lost.

BECAUSE THE NIGHT

Writer: Stephanie Phillips 

Art: Clayton Henry and Marcelo Maiolo

Stephanie Brown and Nocturna take center stage as they discuss the void left in Gotham after BATMAN’S death. Even though there are heroes set up to continue the fight, something still seems to be missing with BATMAN not around. Ultimately, readers get another heart-to-heart between two characters that leads to yet another story with little to no answers. However, readers discover a “society” that’s forming in the absence of the JUSTICE LEAGUE. But… that’s it, folks. This story has little to no action and merely showcases low-profile characters talking it out in the middle of what appears to be a robbery. Plus, Stephanie runs off trusting Nocturna to not steal anything… really?!?

FINAL THOUGHTS

The overall premise is to showcase the replacement heroes and what they’re capable of cluttered with a few “emotional moments” that just didn’t hit the mark. JUSTICE LEAGUE: ROAD TO DARK CRISIS #1 contributes a scene where fans are led to believe the world is in good hands with the next generation of heroes but still have a “Black Hole” of responsibility to fill. From Jackson Hyde to Jon Kent and beyond, DC COMIC fans witness the “new” JUSTICE LEAGUE. However, we learn absolutely nothing about DARK CRISIS other than Pariah is involved and another evil society is forming in the JUSTICE LEAGUE’S wake. We learn nothing about what actually happened to the heroes nor do we discover the direction of this crisis event.

This causes some concern for this reviewer and ultimately has me leaning more towards referring fans to save their money on this oversized issue. If it provides fans with no new information or direction, then what was the point? Plus, the characters used in JUSTICE LEAGUE: ROAD TO DARK CRISIS #1 are all over the place. Sure, learning about Pariah makes sense. But is Stephanie Brown, Nocturna, and Jackson Hyde going to be a focal point of DARK CRISIS? Readers, when I hear “road to”, the implication in the phrase is direction. I’m sorry to say that we learn nothing of value with this plethora of cast, characters, and diatribes. If anything, JUSTICE LEAGUE: ROAD TO DARK CRISIS #1 actually fizzled my flame for DARK CRISIS and made me pump the breaks instead of building up my excitement. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!

7/10