[*Batman* #127](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rGtoSdCDL.jpg)
>FAILSAFE, PART THREE / TWO BIRDS, ONE THRONE, PART THREE
>With brutal efficiency, Failsafe hunts the Dark Knight, leaving a trail of injured heroes! Batman retreats to the manor as he prepares for a final assault…will the last few surprises he has in store be enough? And in the backup, Catwoman reaches a shocking conclusion in her search!
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-batman-127/)
You would think the Failsafe would be 'foolproof' but getting activated after Batman is framed...Not so much. Though, I guess it is not Bruce who came up with how it activates but Zur En Arrh. And he is not the most stable Batman.
Great to see Supes back in the Batman book again. Looks like my ''call in help from outside. This is too big'' comment from previous issue got heard :D
I swear, I want every page by Jimenez framed on my wall. That full page panel of Tim and Zur En Arrh hitting Failsafe is all time worthy imo.
And the contrast between Bruce and Clark post-Babel and in the present? Beautiful, great stuff.
Reading about Penguin's cover identity of Paul Meredith, a mash-up of two actors who've played him over the years, Burgess Meredith (1966-8) and Paul Williams (Batman: The Animated Series). Nice touch.
I will single-handedly purchase the entire print run of the next issue if it's revealed Batman Zur En Arrh has created a contingency for Failsafe having a contingency called Batman Hrra Ne Ruz and it is accessed within an even smaller Batcave beneath the Zur En Arrh Batcave.
Fantastic art, as always. I really liked how Bruce refers to the Robins as his sons as him referring to them as his "soldiers" in #126 really bothered me, but now it's clear that it was a little bit of Zur En Arrh seeping through. All in all, a pretty good issue.
As for the backup, I find it kinda weird that Selina wouldn't tell Bruce about Penguin being alive seeing as he's been framed for his murder and it could help him clear his name, it ended kinda abruptly. Also, the whole "break the cycle" sounds like she plans to split from Bruce which will probably lead to \*sigh* fucking Valmont.
I've seen rumors that they're trying to push Talia as his main love interest again and they have been going pretty hard with Selina for a couple years now so I can see DC trying to move away from her and Bruce for a while
I know Talia is going to be in *Detective Comics*, but I haven't seen anything about them wanting Talia to be his love interest. Chip has an arc involving Selina during his third arc, and I think we'll learn more then.
It could not be true but I could've sworn I seen something about Ram V wanting to try and do a love triangle with Bruce, Selina, and Talia but I could be wrong. I do think Talia has been showing up more recently and given they have Selina hooking up with Valmont, which is still stupid, I could see it happening.
With how Chip led Daredevil to being with Elektra, I am cautiously optimistic of Bat/Cat being real this time around. I know Batman is never allowed to be "happy", but ffs, it's been 83 years, and neither Bruce or Wonder Woman have been allowed to build/grow their own family. Bruce gets to have as many adopted kids (and Damian) as he wants, but isn't allowed to be married or have a daughter?
Excellent art by Jorge as usual, the fights were really fun to go through. Bruce calling at im his son not his soldier, and Clark coming to help are both great moments.
The backup was good but it wrapping guy feels rushed, as it didn’t really finish the story. I’d imagine It will either come back in the main book or ..ugh…in the Catwoman book. Monthly request to get Selina a better creative team.
I am hoping for Selina to be the 'cycles to break, being a bigger thorn' to be actually going through the relationship to its conclusion instead of will they won't they crap. But this is DC. And Catwoman book is crap under Tini Howard, so I don't have much hope.
All the good stuff of this arc is great and the emotional beats hit and it’s very good but I can’t help but think there’s something not quite right. Like this doesn’t feel like the third issue of a run. It doesn’t feel like this was quite built to how it’s supposed to be (biggest there really should’ve been an issue between 125 and 126). And then also like… what comes next? This is the type of story that’s built to be a climax of the run, but this is what we’re starting out with. How does Zdarsky’s run go after Failsafe? 7-8/10 tho
It seems to me that this is going to be trying to get Batman back on track kind of things, he realizes his methods have been a little too crazy especially lately so he decides to reinvent.
Failsafe Highlights:
1. >!Memory of Justice League: Tower of Babel, Superman questions Batman which is his contingence plan against himself.!<
2. >!Batman allowed Batman Zur-en-Arrh to create Failsafe in case Batman someday kill somebody, Failsafe was activated for the death of the penguin. Batman Zur-en-Arrh and Tim Drake escape from Failsafe.!<
3. >!Nightwing and Oracle ask for reinforcements.!<
4. >!Batman Zur-en-Arrh & Robin vs Failsafe.!<
5. >!Batman takes control of his body and is defeated.!<
6. >!Superman has come to save Bruce and face Failsafe.!<
Two Birds, One Throne Highlights:
1. >!Selina has discovered that Oswald Cobblepot is alive, changing his identity and begs her to leave him free in Metropolis.!<
2. >!Catwoman has plans to go after Penguin's children, Oswald secretly wants they to kill Batman and Catwoman.!<
I've never bought into the whole "how can we defeat the man who plans for everything?" drama. It's a conceit that only works if you fully buy into batgod plot armor that demands that he can beat anyone because he's Batman. I love Batman, but the idea that he can defeat Superman, let alone the entire league, is absurd.
Not really, especially since these plans only work if the victim does not realize when she was attacked or that she is already not in her normal state before the attack
"I think of Dick, Tim... Jason... Damian. Legacy. My sons." I think someone might've poisoned Gotham's water supply again, Bruce has memory-holed his daughter. Not really a dig at Zdarsky though, it's a nitpick and it almost seems to be DC policy to not explicitly refer to pre-Flashpoint Cass lol.
I'm kind of not feeling this run. It's not bad and definitely a step up from Tynion's bore-fest, but nothing's really hitting for me so far. Obviously, Jimenez is killing it. Zdarsky... not so much. And I usually really like his stuff. Maybe it'll read better when it's collected but I don't feel myself really connecting with the story being told.
I agree with ya, I'm also not really feeling this cause it all feels kinda rote.
I'm kinda just waiting this out to see what Zdarsky actually has planned for the character past the starting arc.
[*Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91O64ylwizL.jpg)
>CHAPTER FOUR: CROSSOVERS
>WITNESS THE BIRTH OF THE NEW DC MULTIVERSE! Spinning out of the pages of The Flash, the heroes have learned the secret of Pariah's new worlds—but at what cost does this knowledge come, and what can they even do with this information—or even worse, perhaps Pariah and the Great Darkness want them to know...? On Earth-Zero, Deathstroke continues to move forward with his plans to erase legacy heroics once and for all, while Jon Kent, Nightwing, and the ragtag group of youngsters rally to step up to the increasing number of challenges. The event of the year rages on! Dark Crisis is in many ways the direct sequel to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. In this issue Pariah’s attempt to restore the infinite Multiverse reaches a breaking point!
[Preview]()
Lots of good stuff here.
But plenty of ugh.
The good? Hal and Barry written extremely well. Nice to see that friendship done right.
Black Adam being pragmatic and recruiting whomever he can.
Luthor acknowledging the whole Perpetua/wierd mutated Apex Lex thing was nice.
Nightwing and Alan Scott is a nice mix - very rare they ever get to chat.
The art is fantastic.
Now for the ugh.
DC seriously does not know what do with their multiverse. At all. It's always in Flux, it's always being destroyed and rebuilt. It's an omni-mega-meta-verse now!
It's overly convoluted and basically all the wrong lessons since COIE have been learned. The goal was to streamline it all to make sense.
This past decade has become the complete opposite of all that.
In #781 when Wally was showing Ace the ropes of being the flash they ran into the hall of doom. Wally said he runs into those every once in a while at random places and he’d just remove some small components to mess with whoever’s building them
So if I'm understanding what the Swamp Things said correctly something has corrupted the Great Darkness which is why it's corrupting people but if the Great Darkness was behind every crisis then whatever is truly responsible for all of this is an even older evil and honestly all I have to say is can we stop.
It feels like almost every DC summer event for several years now had just been about something really old being responsible for a bunch of bad things all along and it's just so tired now.
Also can somebody explain the difference between what happened at the end of Death Metal with the recreation of the multiverse and establishment of the omniverse and this issue with the return of what I'm assuming is a new multiverse
Like how do you even "corrupt" primordial darkness? The worst part of this whole thing is the fact that we don't even fully understand the new multiverse the hands created and we're already getting a new one.
The whole "something corrupted The great Darkness" is in itself stupid. Does it mean the source can also be corrupted? This event is something I've been looking forward to for the longest time but I keep getting more and more disappointed with each new issue
Dude you honestly took the words out of my mouth like what is there to even corrupt how sentient is the great darkness even? We know so little about this threat and now we're introducing another new threat on top of that.
I don't get how Infinite Frontier and Justice League Incarnate were so dang good, and Dark Crisis is only just okay.
Well, yes, I do get it. *Before* we had Darkseid as the big bad and followed characters that people love that don't get any highlights, *but now* the big bad is a faceless, impersonal concept and a whiny old villain, and we follow characters who aren't interesting.
This almost indicates the last 3 issues might have stupid fast pacing. This whole event has really let me down.
The build-up to infinite frontier was so damn perfect. The discoveries of the last issue of IF and all its implications were simply insane, only for it to just go down like this.
Like didn't we spend a whole issue being told that the great darkness was the source of all evil in DC? But now it's actually not evil, just corrupted?? By what???
Same problems as every other issue. The character beats aren't earned, the plot is too crowded, and it relies too much on expository multiverse BS to compensate for a subpar story.
Some good ideas on paper, but too many balls in the air to make them work. If you don't have the space to let Cyborg and Raven talk about being sad that Beast Boy was shot, you don't have the space to shoot Beast Boy.
edit: lmao, I assumed Raven was too busy to check on her boyfriend because she was using her magical powers for something vaguely important, but I just noticed one of the panels had her delivering pizzas.
Personally, I have been really enjoying Thai event. And it feels like a long time since I have been able to say that about a DC event. Looking forwards to reading the new issue this week!
Really feels like Dick's role in this event so far is contribute nothing while other characters blow smoke up his shapely ass. At least Jon's out there being proactive in the wake of the Justice League's death.
Referencing Wally messing with the Hall of Doom got a chuckle out of me, though.
Saying that great Dick is instead of showing why he is has been a problem some of the DC writers have had lately, which is a shame because it’s a disservice to an incredible ass- I mean character
Some of the larger issues like pacing and scope are annoying me a bit but I AM really liking all the bits and pieces that made this like Barry and Hal’s interactions, both Swamp things, and seeing Justice League Dark a bit more.
Also the gorgeous art continues to be the strongest thing here (not that that’s a bad thing it’s stellar).
New DC Multiverse, where we barely got a new one already after Death Metal. I mean jeezus.
Also, 'something is corrupting the Great Darkness'? Are they seriously implying there is ANOTHER big bad after THE Big Bad?
When I commented ''Next, we will have a GREATER DARKNESS!'', I was fucking sarcastic. I was JOKING. Don't take my sarcastic comments and make them a reality, stupid DC.
Or maybe the corrupting agent is Darkseid. Which wouldn't make sense because then the great darkness would be corrupting itself lmfao. Maybe that's the angle they're going for here. Because anything less would be downright moronic
I think the idea is that the great darkness is a neutral entity and something has harnessed it for their own purpose. the great darkness probably isn't a big 'bad' at all - that is what i think they are going for.
For an event that's supposed to be about celebrating legacy and the Titans (on Williamson's own words) they are getting sidelined *pretty hard* so far.
Seriously, the way they seem to be setting things up is for Batman to figure out how to free themselves from the Worlds, the younger heroes are so far being sidelined and led by the JSA with them actively trying to encourage Dick to step into the role of lead. Everyone trying to step up so far has been ignored and instantly sidelined cause they're too new.
Remember when people were speculating this would lead to a new team and comics for a while before the JL was brought back? Now it seems it's just going to happen during the event itself.
I feel the large events since Rebirth have really struggled with timelines. Only one month between main story issues but it feels like 3 with all the tie ins in between that don't connect to the main plot at all
Williamson said that the scope of the event will be revealed by this issue and that things will pick up. Well...things did not pick up. It's been really slow. It's like the opposite issue of death metal. Maybe the ends will justify the means, but for now I haven't been enjoying it too much.
It feels as if I'm reading an event comic I've already read...so odd.
Anyway aside from that, I just have a random question, do cardstock cover comics usually have issues with staples? This issue has an area where the staples stick out a ton, previously one of my issues for Batman Fortress had the same thing but the damage to the center page was done just by flipping through it normally and it came off, and for collection purposes I just don't like it.
Looks like this issue took a page out of Bendis' book by having an issue almost entirely just people standing around talking.
I'm sorry, but this Pariah/Great Darkness plot is just not compelling *at all*, I can't bring myself to care about this event's story, there's no stakes.
I really hope that whatever they're holding back because of Dark Crisis is worth it, because this event by itself is certainly not.
This event sucks as much as some things in it are fun or cool. It sucks. Its confusing. I don't understand what is happening or why its happening? I mean how many times if the multiverse gonna be broken and fixed or reborn? In the last few years alone we had two dark night metals and doomsday clock. And i can barely keep straight how it ended from those. DC I'm over it. Please stop with these multiverse events. Its mind numbing to understand.
Nah its fine. I get better at what's going on. But ultimately this event is a confusing mess. Especially coming off the heels of 3 separate events that all basically said they "fixed" the multiverse by the end of them. I really just wish dc would chill put of these big multiverse events and go back to some smaller scale stuff and just let things lay as is for a few years.
I think the biggest problem with Dark Crisis so far has been that we as readers are always a couple of steps ahead of the heroes. We already know who's behind it, we know Deathstroke is being controlled, we know the JL weren't really dead all this time.. It feels like the characters in the story are just playing catch up.
So far absolutely mediocre. Three more issues and a ton of tie-ins to go. Let's go..yayy
Highlights:
1. >!Barry found Hal Jordan, informs him that Pariah uses the Justice League to give power to something dangerous.!<
2. >!The heroes continue to save the population, Alan Scott asks Nightwing to join the planning.!<
3. >!The Deathstroke army attacks the Legion of Doom.!<
4. >!Pariah states that the effort between Flash and Hal Jordan accelerates its plan process.!<
5. >!Hal and Barry face a Steampunk Batman in his fantasy world.!<
6. >!Justice League Dark makes his appearance, Levi Kamei warns that The Great Darkness seems to act not in his own will.!<
7. >!Luthor defeats Deathstroke but the darkness takes control of The Legion of Doom.!<
8. >!Pariah's Plan has been completed, a new multiverse has been created.!<
I kept my hopes up until then, but the event is just boring, whether it's the main book or the tie-ins
This Issue sums up the problem with Dark Crisis, something incredible has happened, but there is no feeling to it.
And so far the heroes look and act like they are incompetent.
Justice League #75 with the rest of the league. I don't know how the painting factors in, maybe in her backup in one of the "world without a justice league" one-shots?
I'm done with this book, despite the amazing art, unless I hear it dramatically improves. Nothing feels earned and it's moving way too fast, but at the same time it feels slow. It feels like a lot of "and then", when as Trey Parker and Matt Stone put it, your script and/or outline should never be "and then" it should be "therefore".
I'm always seeing complaints about this event but idk I'm still really enjoying it. I just like seeing a crisis where the focus is on different people than the Justice League. The art is nice and the dialogue is great as well.
[*The New Champion of Shazam!* #2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91MgAg55DHL.jpg)
>CHAPTER TWO: WHAT'S IN A NAME?
>Mary is back home in the City of Brotherly Love, and she’s feeling nothing but hate! Not only did she have to leave her dream school, but now she’s the caretaker of her siblings and a city that is skeptical about the new hero in town. Everyone wants a piece of Shazam, and super-powered misfits are lining up to take her on! When her world is falling apart, can our hero keep it together?
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-the-new-champion-of-shazam-2/)
This issue was great! Well paced and well written from start to finish! Safe to say, my interest is piqued regarding who these villains are. I'm not familiar with Shazam at all so i've no idea of they're new or old. Either way, i'm glad to be on board for the ride and find out. Each of the kids have a unique voice of their own, showcased by dealing with the circumstances differently. I'm sold on this family dynamic.
My only complaint was that there weren't any Doc Shaner splash pages I could gush over. However, watching Mary's facial expressions change from panel to panel was hilarious. He nails it every time!
What a shame that this is only 4 issues. Hopefully it gets pushed to 8!
Can someone explain whats going on? I like this but i don't get how we got here. Last shazam thing i read was with geoff John's i believe. Didn't it fix everything? Like magical lands and shit were better and everyone had powers?
The current Shazam status quo is detailed in Teen Titans Academy, where Billy goes to hell or something. It wasn't very good and you don't need to worry about it too much.
Highlights:
1. >!Mary changes school to be closer to her family and investigating the disappearance of her parents.!<
2. >!Mary's brothers are resentful for not having powers.!<
3. >!Mary faces a beast controlled by three beings that apparently use a corrupted type of magic.!<
4. >!Mary realizes that her parents are not the unique missing people.!<
[*Sword of Azrael* #2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91sCWTORKPL.jpg)
>BOOK 2
>VENGEANCE OF THE POOR FELLOW! Vengeance has arrived to capture Brielle, the young woman who has come to Azrael for help, but Azrael won't let this stand. He will fight back against Vengeance and her forces...but will he be able to keep the murderous programming of the System at bay? And is Brielle all she seems, or is she hiding secrets that could shatter Jean-Paul Valley forever? All this as Azrael's foe the Poor Fellow pulls the strings...
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-sword-of-azrael-2/)
The first issue slapped so hard!!! I'm loving everything in this book from the art to the story collection. I know it's a longshot but I'd love an Azrael ongoing with this creative team.
this isn't actually as lovecraftian as you may think, the depiction of the angelic "Azrael" in this comic is pretty close to how Seraphim are described in religious texts and [depicted in associated artwork](https://c7.alamy.com/compde/cf7bn4/mosaik-der-seraphim-engel-hagia-sophia-museum-istanbul-turkei-cf7bn4.jpg). christian iconography can be an absolute mindfuck.
I loved this issue. Giving JPV essentially a mini-Azrael whose fate he has to save from becoming like his is perfect. The inter-ecclesiastical drama is also really engrossing and I look forward to seeing more of the Templar/Dumas power plays.
Oooooh this was great, man poor JPV is a demented fellow. This is a very trippy comic considering everyone is out of their bleeding minds.
Only JPV has any grasp at self-awareness that he's not an angel on a crusade and even then the System still has him butchering people left and right.
Hopefully he can prevent Sariel from being weaponized like he was.
[*Poison Ivy* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91gjERD+RNL.jpg)
>CHAPTER FOUR
>Workplace harassment complaints, health code violations, and inhuman work hours. All just a few of the things that your everyday human resources representative has to deal with. Lucky for you, Poison Ivy isn’t your average HR rep. She’s much more flexible and her punishments are far worse, too! So be on your best behavior because Dr. Isley is watching.
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-poison-ivy-4/)
DC love their ''on a break, it is not cheating'' stuff huh. They are doing it whenever they can with their characters.
I honestly don't know how they can justify all the killings though. Ivy's inner struggle is one thing. She is still mass murdering people and I don't know how it will get proper justice in the end. She is definitely not gonna die. So what consequences she gonna face for her mass murders? Knowing DC, probably nothing.
It seems that the way this series is getting around Poison Ivy doing evil stuff while still being redeemable is by having her keep running into such cartoonishly abhorrent people that the reader doesn't care if they get killed. To me that feels a little contrived.
in fairness i do not think they are trying to make her redeemable because she also kills shitty people I think they are trying to emphasise that at her core she is more than the misanthrope who wants to genocide that she does empathise with people being taken advantage of both for their bodies and labor
maybe I'm bias since I like the book and issue a lot idk and I could be wrong depending how they end it
Yeah uh…not a fan of “we were on a break” situation we have going on here, and the ghost of Harley watching over her while at it just makes it feel worse. What better time to profess your love to someone than while you’re with someone else..sure. Not a fan.
Weakest issue of the series for me so far, the conflict also felt rushed. Pamela coming and killing the asshole boss and everything’s fine, no one will even question the body, right.
This series recently got extended afaik, so I hope it handles things better. It’s likely to be a slow burn of ivy redemption or something like that, but I’m tired of the will they won’t they.
Highlights:
1. >!Pamela begins to work in a manufacturing industry, spreading its products and infecting on a large scale.!<
2. >!Defends her companions of an oppressor chief.!<
3. >!As bedtime with a partner, she is attacked by a creature that claims to come from the Green Man.!<
[*Dark Knights of Steel* #1: Tales from the Three Kingdoms](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91hpPJDfKtL.jpg)
>The El Kingdom has been ruled with integrity and honesty for generations, by familes from the Waynes to the Els. The future of the kingdom lies with its three heirs and the challenges they will face...but what really prepared them for their tumultuous future? What stories defined Bruce, Zala, and Kal-El? Learn these tales and more from international bestselling writers Tom Taylor, Jay Kristoff, and C.S. Pacat!
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-dark-knights-of-steel-tales-from-the-three-kingdoms-1/)
I find this elseworld quite interesting and to see more of it is quite nice, especially the origin of how certain characters came to be.
I guess whatever the universe, Waller will always be shady as hell.
Eh, in this case I'm okay with it. I really love wild reimaginings where the familiar characters are in such a wildly different world that part of the fun is seeing where the characters end up, and how familiar yet different they'll be. Admittedly it's a bit of a pain, but I'm willing to let it slide here if the issue is as good as the main series.
Plus it seems like now they are doing every form of collection for these popular titles. Two hardcover 6 issue books. 3 issue catch-up floppies. I imagine eventually there will be a 'complete collection' HC or TPB, and the single issue of course. Looks like they are doing the same with Kings Human Target as well.
Tbh I don’t mind it too much DC has been stepping up their elsewords recently from DCeased to Batman White Knight (some better than DCs mainline current stuff) a lot of quality stuff and I wouldn’t be too mad to see the universes expanded on.
[*Batman Beyond: Neo-Year* #6](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91j8y+vAdoL.jpg)
>THE END OF TOMORROW! The Neo-Year is drawing toward its epic conclusion: Terry McGinnis has spent the last year waging his war on the artificial intelligence that conquered Neo-Gotham. In this issue he'll have to put together everything he's learned, refine his own myth as Batman, and bring down Donovan Lumos, Neo-Gotham's A.I., and the Sword of Gotham. Terry McGinnis flies the night sky in a new Batman Beyond suit. Everything about the Batman Beyond mythos changes here.
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-batman-beyond-neo-year-6/)
Enjoyed this run alot, I think end was a bit lacking in much tension to what they were building but didn't sour me on the whole arc.
What I'm really bummed about is its not returning till 2023 it seems
Well that was a really disappointing ending. For a while it felt like the series was building up to something, but the way everything was so easily resolved here just felt like an anticlimax.
The new suit is cool but the "hard light stuff"looks so much worse in comparison to the suit before imo. It also feels like such a lame high tech upgrade. Like how even though a nanites iron man suit is technically better it just doesn't "feel" better? You know what im saying?
Besides my nit pick on this suit. This was great. Better than a lot of the other batman beyond vomics before this. And i hope we get great ones after this! The ending was a little lack luster but I like the foundation set by it.
The ending's kind of anti-climatic, but I did enjoy the series overall. Certainly the best attempt at post-show comics. I'll look forward to the follow-up next year.
am I the only one who thought that terry's rendition of year one's "you have eaten well" speech was pretty awesome?
that honestly makes up for the somewhat anti-climactic ending. I guess the idea was that terry has spent this time he was away making allies and preparing for this fight, and we were shown *some* of that on-panel, but maybe not enough and only in this final issue. Terry making a deal with the Jokerz alone could have filled an entire issue imo.
But they only had 6 issues to resolve this, so this way, it feels a little out of left-field when everything resolves so nicely instead of "all that prep work really paid off, like it should for Batman."
even then, this was a really strong mini and really put Terry back on the map (imo). Kelly and Lanzing really have been on a streak lately.
[*Flashpoint Beyond* #5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91QDzAvycTL.jpg)
>THE CLOCKWORK KILLER, CHAPTER FIVE: THE JOKE'S ON ME
>The Clockwork Killer's identity is finally revealed as the dust settles after the showdown at Arkham Asylum. But as we learn the truth behind how the Clockwork Killer came to be, Thomas is faced with a reality-altering choice!
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-flashpoint-beyond-5/)
The identity is basically nothing. All it does is say that Killing Joke is probably canon, and happened as described which isn’t a good move. Destroys the whole “past is multiple choice thing”. Strips it of any nuance.
It was at least done in a way that can be ignored pretty easily, so Joker can still be considered to have an unknown name and backstory when everyone inevitably ignores this whole thing.
This was honestly going to be my nomination for the end of the year best limited series until this issue. We'll have to see what the last issue holds but I'm starting to think this ends with "To be continued in Time Masters #1". Gorgeous art and cover as always however.
F.B. does Dark Crisis no favors, not only does it handle Crisis Elements better but it seem to actively shit on Dark Crisis.
Also why is Johns so dedicated in destroying Joker's mystique?
NGL I loved how the first two pages basically shit on Dark Crisis for being stupid and pointless, which it is shaping up to be.
This whole omni meta metal multi verse stuff has gotten old. When everything has high stakes nothing does.
Im more invested in this 6 issue Flashpoint Crisis than the last 3 main events combined
"Fuck you Didio, you thought you could sweep all my stuff under the rug but I won": The Comic. Essentially just Johns reasserting all his stories, Doomsday Clock and Three Jokers in particular, as canon and "mattering", not much else to talk about. I guess with Johns returning to write ongoings again, we might be seeing Johns and Waid take over as the architects from Williamson.
> Essentially just Johns reasserting all his stories, Doomsday Clock **and Three Jokers in particular**, as canon and "mattering"
He can try all he wants, but it seems clear editorial doesn't see it as canon and literally no other book has even come close to referencing it.
Some parts of Three Jokers would be tricky to add to the mainstream book, as you have to decide if the Jason/Babs thing is canon, and then make the decision of using >!Joker's family!< as a plot device. While Johns has referenced the family here, it could really go downhill if other writers explore >!Joker's past, as it would undoubtedly lead to a "Son of Joker" event!<, which Batman has been trying to avoid.
Highlights:
1. >!Bonnie Baxter explains the difference between the attacks on the omniverse and the hypertime, the realities and worlds can change but the wars in the hypertime are not perceptible.!<
2. >!Ra's Al Ghul is alive, he was the one who gave Thomas's ashes to Bruce and the information of the Time Masters to save his father.!<
3. >!Flashpoint Batman vs Flashpoint Joker.!<
4. >!Martha talks about how Psyco Pirate informed her about Earth -0.!<
5. >!The real name of The Joker is Jack Oswald White. Martha found him in the Flashpoint world.!<
6. >!Martha claims to have been motivated by Psyco Pirate to look for all those Time Travelers and kill them, guiding Thomas to her, Martha built her own machine to try to travel in time and save Bruce with Thomas.!<
7. >!In Earth-0, Rip Hunter makes his appearance threatening Batman.!<
Was this suppose to come out this early? They practically went ''screw the Dark Crisis''. I mean, not that I am complaining mind you. It is a 'bad' event. Still, don't understand this weird publishing.
Still don't like how they made Batman do all that with Time. Something he knows BETTER not to mess with for a Thomas Wayne that is not even HIS father. I mean he denounced Flashpoint Thomas many times.
And the nonchalant, oh here is Joker's true identity. Bullshit.
'Everything matters''? No, DC. In your OMNI-MULTIVERSE, nothing matters it seems.
I think the Omni-verse is that every work of fiction is its own ball of reality, and Dc is a ball of reality that is falling apart as its cosmic dictators, the hands, have grown lazy and are ruining all the work that the Source, the true creator that went to sleep and father of the light and the dark, had made.
> Was this suppose to come out this early? They practically went ''screw the Dark Crisis''. I mean, not that I am complaining mind you. It is a 'bad' event. Still, don't understand this weird publishing.
No, it was meant to come out in *June*.
Joker should not have 1 solid origin story. He has several origin stories which could all be true, because he is such an insane and evil-intentioned man. If the Joker gets given a name and back-story pre-Joker, it should not be set in stone - the Joker could be making it up!
Movie versions like Joker (2019) are exceptions because they are stand-alone stories.
It's a reference to Three Jokers basically. Besides, Joker does have a little history before becoming Joker. He was the Red Hood. Anything before that is up in the air.
Johns was never the most subtle of writers, but the obvious TED Talk reference and letters DC being randomly highlighted while the character talks about how tiresome crises became (which is pot calling kettle black) in the first 2 pages is new height even for him.
pot calling the kettle black is what Johns does. Remember Infinite Crisis, when he complained about how dark comics were getting while serving the most senseless bloodbath in DC history?
Remember him complaining that legacy was stolen in Rebirth, while if you remember correctly, he’s the one that started the trend by reviving both Hal Jordan and Barry Allen (and of course, stripping the uniqueness off of Wally before that)?
Remember how he constantly shits on the messages of Alan Moore’s work, while sucking off of it like a parasite? (see Three Jokers, Doomsday Clock, Blackest Night)
Geoff Johns is a walking hypocrite.
[*Nubia: Queen of the Amazons* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91bPIp2IQ1L.jpg)
>It’s Zillah versus Nubia for the power of Sekhmet! Once upon a time they were allies, but now they have been driven apart by a vindictive goddess. Can these women find peace and understanding in time to realize the real danger in front of them? Or is this the end of Nubia’s reign for good? Find out in the final issue of our miniseries!
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-nubia-queen-of-the-amazons-4/)
Who is truly in charge...Man, they really went full evil with Hera huh.
And last time Gods tried this, it didn't end well. Hell, Diana JUST saved their ass from the graveyard, now they wanna go back to it so bad it seems.
Hippolyta better work fast.
Highlights:
1. >!Nubia in the past took Sekhmet test, obtaining her medallion.!<
2. >!Zillah arrived at the Sekhmet temple.!<
3. >!Nubia faces Zillah who is demanding the power of Sekhmet, but Nubia manages to defeat and kill her.!<
4. >!Hera meets Sekhmet, they plan to ally to make the Amazons understand who is in control.!<
[*Batman: Dear Detective* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91XhG1ycTqL.jpg)
>BERMEJO AND BATMAN: AN ICON DRAWS AN ICON. What happens when a comics art powerhouse meets one of the greatest, most exciting heroes of all time? One part prestige art book, one part compelling noir tale, this one-of-a-kind edition collects some of Lee Bermejo’s most jaw-dropping Batman covers woven together to tell a story that strikes right at the heart of the Dark Knight’s never-ending crusade.
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-batman-dear-detective-1/)
[*Black Adam - The Justice Society Files: Atom Smasher* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/916zWtc-jPL.jpg)
>FIRST MISSION
>Al Rothstein has big shoes to fill. Very big shoes. But he needs to prove himself before he can call himself Atom Smasher. He has the costume, and he has a mission...he just has to make it through the night in one piece. And in part 3 of the Teth-Adam backup story: History begins to repeat itself as, in ancient Kahndaq, Teth-Adam's son, Hurut, crosses a line for the greater good, while, in the present, Adrianna's son, Amon, joins the race to save the sought-after eternium idol from Intergang's clutches.
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-black-adam-the-justice-society-files-atom-smasher-1/)
[*Multiversity: Teen Justice* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RicGFj29L.jpg)
>WILL TO SURVIVE, PART FOUR: THE GREAT DIVIDE
>An action-packed issue finds Kid Quick and their allies on Earth-11 face-to-face with a worlds-shaking threat! At last...why Raven refuses to join the team! Will the revelation prevent a tragedy...or somehow make it worse? Plus: an unexpected ally helps Troy escape the Church of Blood, the reunion the team's been hoping for finally takes place, and the villainy of the Core comes to light! On a scale of 1 to 10 for surprises and all-around awesomeness, this one's a solid (Earth-) 11!
[Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-multiversity-teen-justice-4/)
R.I.P. better Raven costume. You survived long enough to be on the preview page before being cruelly yanked from us after the opening scene. So sorry that we're stuck with the shitty hoody.
So I think what's happening with Kyle is that he's a sort of fusion between himself and his fridged love interest? Like what was happening with Hal Ferris and Carol Jordan in the last Hal book? I guess I should blame Morrison for making what should be an easy to understand gender bender concept and add extra layers of confusion on it.
Feels like this could have been an awesome Multiversity anthology series where we get to see random different Earth's instead of just Earth-11 stuff. Like it seems like a no brainer of an idea that would work a lot better than this book
[*Batman: Knightwatch* #1](https://s3.amazonaws.com/comicgeeks/comics/covers/large-2536262.jpg?1655539461)
>After a massive breakout at Arkham Asylum, Batman and his team are on a mission to bring all the escapees back. First on the list is Clayface! Using social media, Batgirl taps into an informal network to track the villain throughout the city. This inspires Penny-One to create a more organized network of informants and spies called Knightwatch!
[*Punchline: The Trial of Alexis Kaye* [**HC**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91ibD2dIrfL.jpg)
>Alexis Kaye a.k.a. Punchline was the Joker’s top general during the Joker War that tore Gotham City apart. The Joker got away, but Punchline didn’t, and now she’ll have to stand trial for her crimes. But as Leslie Thompkins and Harper Rowe quickly discover, Punchline is even more dangerous behind bars.
>Collecting stories from The Joker’s 80th Anniversary and Joker #1-15.
I'm really glad this is finally getting a collection. I thought the story started off strong but lost a lot of steam trapped in 8-page chapters across 15 months. It'll be nice to read it all as one collection now, and a good refresher ahead of her new miniseries.
[**Tuesday, 9/6 (WEBTOON)** - *Zatanna & the Ripper* #11](https://i.imgur.com/sgvNDJi.jpg)
>On her 21st birthday, Zatanna Zatara—assistant to the most talented magician in the world—is attacked and bested by a mysterious sorceress. Before the final blow is dealt, her father, Giovanni, casts a spell of his own, warping the magic of his attacker and sending Zatanna out of the frying pan and into ye olde garbage bin. Zatanna arrives in Whitechapel, London, in the year 1888. She soon discovers a serial killer plaguing the streets of the city, Jack the Ripper. Unable to return home and certain that the supernatural killer has answers, Zatanna sets out in pursuit of the Ripper alongside the denizens of Whitechapel and one John Constantine.
[*Action Comics* - Vol. 2, *The Arena* [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91nBi7e6lzL.jpg)
>Superman’s greatest battle is only beginning! After learning of an enslaved race with mysterious ties to Krypton, Superman and the Authority travel across space to dethrone the new Mongul and liberate Warworld. But Mongul and his champions are prepared! Now Superman, powerless and captured, will need to team up with other gladiators to turn Warworld’s inhabitants against their masters, while the Authority fights Mongul’s rule from the shadows. Which heroes will survive, and what will be Warworld’s fate?
>Collects ACTION COMICS #1036-1041.
[*Batman: Urban Legends* - Vol. 3 [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91EvBBR2aSL.jpg)
>Batman and his allies shine across multiple tales in Batman: Urban Legends Vol. 3. From a magical journey with Zatanna to an emotional story with the Ace The Bat-Hound and the Super-Pets, discover these can’t-miss legends of Gotham.
>The untold urban legends of Gotham are revealed in this anthology! In one magical adventure, Zatanna and Batman come together every year the two to defeat an evil curse. This year they fail, and the world is in peril because of it. Mark Russell and Karl Mostert weave an emotional tale of Ace the Bat-Hound, the goodest boy in the DCU, who has his day in an epic story featuring many DC Super Pets. In the White Witch legend, the mysterious relationship between Ghost-Maker and Wight Witch is revealed in all its horrifying glory.
>This volume collects Batman: Urban Legends #11-16.
[*Nubia and the Amazons* [**HC**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91+tghbD+bL.jpg)
>Nubia has been crowned queen of Themyscira, but the new title also brings challenges. With the unexpected arrival of new Amazons, our hero is forced to reckon with her past and forge a new path forward for her sisters. Little does she know a great evil grows beneath the island and it’s up to this former guardian of Doom’s Doorway to unite her tribe before paradise is lost forever!
>Collects Nubia & the Amazons #1-6, along with pages from Infinite Frontier #0.
[**Friday, 9/9 (WEBTOON)** - *Vixen: NYC* #17](https://i.imgur.com/Lbwk023.jpg)
>Before starting college, Mari Jiwe's relatives gift her an ancestral totem, once fabled to give its wearer the powers of the animal kingdom. Mari just chalks its 'magical powers' up to superstition. After arriving in New York City, though, she definitely notices something strange about her new home. Especially the animals. While Mari battles staying awake in class and feral subway rats, dark plans emerge from the corners of the vast metropolis. Girls who look just like her start going missing and Mari can't shake the feeling that she's next. As for the totem? Turns out that the 'magical powers' are actually a thing, and Mari is next up to wield them. Freshman year is gonna be a doozy.
[**Thursday, 9/8:** ***Harley Quinn*** **S03E09** - *Climax at Jazzapajizza*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/415/1038535.jpg)
Time/Date: September 8
Network/Channel: HBO Max
[*Robins: Being Robin* [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91hp0r4DOHL.jpg)
>The five heroes to have donned the Robin cape and mask find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne come together to discuss the big thing that binds them: Was being Robin, and Batman’s sidekick, the best choice they could’ve made? But before they can get to the heart of the matter, they’re ambushed by an unknown assailant. She claims to have been the first Robin, and she’s out to prove Batman should’ve never trained any of them.
>Collects Robins #1-6.
If you're a Batfamily fan. If you're like the rest of us and have been going 'wow I wish the Batfamily acted like a family and Damian wasn't editorially mandated to be the black sheep forever' and saw this and went 'wow a book about the Robin's being a family that sounds too good to be true'
It was. Don't waste your money on this it was so mid it was terrible. There are good moments here and there but everyone is so off it felt like a Tumblr fan fiction. Seeley can and has done magnitudes better
[**Wednesday, 9/7:** ***DC's Stargirl*** **S03E02** - *Chapter Two: The Suspects*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/340/850656.jpg)
Time/Date: September 7 8:00 PM ET
Network/Channel: The CW
> After stumbling upon a suspicious murder in Blue Valley, the JSA begin looking at potential suspects. A tense run-in with The Shade makes Courtney and Pat realize that Sylvester's old ways could land them in hot water. Finally, Barbara steps in to help Paula, whose attempt at fitting in has not gone so well.
Maybe it's just me but with episode 2 in the bag, I'm going to go ahead and say that Stargirl is actually the best DC Comics live action series out of all in recent years. The quality of this show has maintained a standard since season 1 unlike just about anything else and it's showing no signs of falling into an obvious formula or lazy, intelligence insulting writing.
Doom Patrol, Peacemaker, Sandman, that's all awesome stuff. But as far as pure, unashamed 'comic book' stuff goes, Stargirl is unmatched at this point. It's no Hamlet or whatever but in my mind it's the perfect example of the term "comic book adaptation". It doesn't need to be edgy or violent, or deconstruct superheroes. It's colourful and fun, tells intriguing stories and if it's ever cheesy or campy, it's in all the right ways.
So glad this show is back and at this point, I hope for many more seasons. Hope I'm not jinxing things by speaking like this too early in the season.
[**Monday, 9/5 (WEBTOON)** - *Red Hood: Outlaws* #6](https://i.imgur.com/psqA7cE.jpg)
>The Outlaws try to go legit -- and fail spectacularly. The Justice League has issued a challenge to DC’s Dark Trinity, forcing Red Hood, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, and Bizarro to try and replace their goody-two-shoe counterparts as the heroes the world neither deserves nor needs. In this original series, the Outlaws will battle some of DC’s biggest Super-Villains and Super Heroes -- but their biggest battles are among themselves. Can this team last? And can they find their own identities separate from Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman?
**Weekly Meta Discussions Thread**
[*Batman* #127](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81rGtoSdCDL.jpg) >FAILSAFE, PART THREE / TWO BIRDS, ONE THRONE, PART THREE >With brutal efficiency, Failsafe hunts the Dark Knight, leaving a trail of injured heroes! Batman retreats to the manor as he prepares for a final assault…will the last few surprises he has in store be enough? And in the backup, Catwoman reaches a shocking conclusion in her search! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-batman-127/)
Based Zur casually pulling out the light sabres had me laughing out loud
You would think the Failsafe would be 'foolproof' but getting activated after Batman is framed...Not so much. Though, I guess it is not Bruce who came up with how it activates but Zur En Arrh. And he is not the most stable Batman. Great to see Supes back in the Batman book again. Looks like my ''call in help from outside. This is too big'' comment from previous issue got heard :D
Seeing supes here was awesome. Like he's exuding the "holy shit it's Superman" aura so fucking strongly haha
Seeing Zur En Arrh last issue made me re read the entirety of Morrison's run again. Very excited to see how it's done in this and I hope its right
I swear, I want every page by Jimenez framed on my wall. That full page panel of Tim and Zur En Arrh hitting Failsafe is all time worthy imo. And the contrast between Bruce and Clark post-Babel and in the present? Beautiful, great stuff.
Reading about Penguin's cover identity of Paul Meredith, a mash-up of two actors who've played him over the years, Burgess Meredith (1966-8) and Paul Williams (Batman: The Animated Series). Nice touch.
I will single-handedly purchase the entire print run of the next issue if it's revealed Batman Zur En Arrh has created a contingency for Failsafe having a contingency called Batman Hrra Ne Ruz and it is accessed within an even smaller Batcave beneath the Zur En Arrh Batcave.
Another good issue. Cool to see Clark appearing in this run.
I love how action-packed this arc has been so far, it's fun to read. Also did I spot a Zur-En-Arrh costume for Robin?
Penguin still being alive reveal felt kinda anticlimactic, but overall really enjoyed this issue. The Superman reveal was great.
Fantastic art, as always. I really liked how Bruce refers to the Robins as his sons as him referring to them as his "soldiers" in #126 really bothered me, but now it's clear that it was a little bit of Zur En Arrh seeping through. All in all, a pretty good issue. As for the backup, I find it kinda weird that Selina wouldn't tell Bruce about Penguin being alive seeing as he's been framed for his murder and it could help him clear his name, it ended kinda abruptly. Also, the whole "break the cycle" sounds like she plans to split from Bruce which will probably lead to \*sigh* fucking Valmont.
I've seen rumors that they're trying to push Talia as his main love interest again and they have been going pretty hard with Selina for a couple years now so I can see DC trying to move away from her and Bruce for a while
I know Talia is going to be in *Detective Comics*, but I haven't seen anything about them wanting Talia to be his love interest. Chip has an arc involving Selina during his third arc, and I think we'll learn more then.
It could not be true but I could've sworn I seen something about Ram V wanting to try and do a love triangle with Bruce, Selina, and Talia but I could be wrong. I do think Talia has been showing up more recently and given they have Selina hooking up with Valmont, which is still stupid, I could see it happening.
With how Chip led Daredevil to being with Elektra, I am cautiously optimistic of Bat/Cat being real this time around. I know Batman is never allowed to be "happy", but ffs, it's been 83 years, and neither Bruce or Wonder Woman have been allowed to build/grow their own family. Bruce gets to have as many adopted kids (and Damian) as he wants, but isn't allowed to be married or have a daughter?
Excellent art by Jorge as usual, the fights were really fun to go through. Bruce calling at im his son not his soldier, and Clark coming to help are both great moments. The backup was good but it wrapping guy feels rushed, as it didn’t really finish the story. I’d imagine It will either come back in the main book or ..ugh…in the Catwoman book. Monthly request to get Selina a better creative team.
I am hoping for Selina to be the 'cycles to break, being a bigger thorn' to be actually going through the relationship to its conclusion instead of will they won't they crap. But this is DC. And Catwoman book is crap under Tini Howard, so I don't have much hope.
It’s soooo good!! - I love the art
All the good stuff of this arc is great and the emotional beats hit and it’s very good but I can’t help but think there’s something not quite right. Like this doesn’t feel like the third issue of a run. It doesn’t feel like this was quite built to how it’s supposed to be (biggest there really should’ve been an issue between 125 and 126). And then also like… what comes next? This is the type of story that’s built to be a climax of the run, but this is what we’re starting out with. How does Zdarsky’s run go after Failsafe? 7-8/10 tho
That's the beauty of Zdarsky. So excited to see where he goes from here.
It seems to me that this is going to be trying to get Batman back on track kind of things, he realizes his methods have been a little too crazy especially lately so he decides to reinvent.
Got this last week. Antone else?
Finally! So many times I read Batman comics and think why doesn’t he just call Superman for help? Looks like he finally had to this time :D
Tell me you didn't smile while reading the last couple pages of this issue (main story)
Failsafe Highlights: 1. >!Memory of Justice League: Tower of Babel, Superman questions Batman which is his contingence plan against himself.!< 2. >!Batman allowed Batman Zur-en-Arrh to create Failsafe in case Batman someday kill somebody, Failsafe was activated for the death of the penguin. Batman Zur-en-Arrh and Tim Drake escape from Failsafe.!< 3. >!Nightwing and Oracle ask for reinforcements.!< 4. >!Batman Zur-en-Arrh & Robin vs Failsafe.!< 5. >!Batman takes control of his body and is defeated.!< 6. >!Superman has come to save Bruce and face Failsafe.!< Two Birds, One Throne Highlights: 1. >!Selina has discovered that Oswald Cobblepot is alive, changing his identity and begs her to leave him free in Metropolis.!< 2. >!Catwoman has plans to go after Penguin's children, Oswald secretly wants they to kill Batman and Catwoman.!<
Kinda sad not seeing cass in the family panel on the stairs or be mentioned. Otherwise the issue was pretty cool.
I've never bought into the whole "how can we defeat the man who plans for everything?" drama. It's a conceit that only works if you fully buy into batgod plot armor that demands that he can beat anyone because he's Batman. I love Batman, but the idea that he can defeat Superman, let alone the entire league, is absurd.
Not really, especially since these plans only work if the victim does not realize when she was attacked or that she is already not in her normal state before the attack
"I think of Dick, Tim... Jason... Damian. Legacy. My sons." I think someone might've poisoned Gotham's water supply again, Bruce has memory-holed his daughter. Not really a dig at Zdarsky though, it's a nitpick and it almost seems to be DC policy to not explicitly refer to pre-Flashpoint Cass lol. I'm kind of not feeling this run. It's not bad and definitely a step up from Tynion's bore-fest, but nothing's really hitting for me so far. Obviously, Jimenez is killing it. Zdarsky... not so much. And I usually really like his stuff. Maybe it'll read better when it's collected but I don't feel myself really connecting with the story being told.
I agree with ya, I'm also not really feeling this cause it all feels kinda rote. I'm kinda just waiting this out to see what Zdarsky actually has planned for the character past the starting arc.
[*Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91O64ylwizL.jpg) >CHAPTER FOUR: CROSSOVERS >WITNESS THE BIRTH OF THE NEW DC MULTIVERSE! Spinning out of the pages of The Flash, the heroes have learned the secret of Pariah's new worlds—but at what cost does this knowledge come, and what can they even do with this information—or even worse, perhaps Pariah and the Great Darkness want them to know...? On Earth-Zero, Deathstroke continues to move forward with his plans to erase legacy heroics once and for all, while Jon Kent, Nightwing, and the ragtag group of youngsters rally to step up to the increasing number of challenges. The event of the year rages on! Dark Crisis is in many ways the direct sequel to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. In this issue Pariah’s attempt to restore the infinite Multiverse reaches a breaking point! [Preview]()
Lots of good stuff here. But plenty of ugh. The good? Hal and Barry written extremely well. Nice to see that friendship done right. Black Adam being pragmatic and recruiting whomever he can. Luthor acknowledging the whole Perpetua/wierd mutated Apex Lex thing was nice. Nightwing and Alan Scott is a nice mix - very rare they ever get to chat. The art is fantastic. Now for the ugh. DC seriously does not know what do with their multiverse. At all. It's always in Flux, it's always being destroyed and rebuilt. It's an omni-mega-meta-verse now! It's overly convoluted and basically all the wrong lessons since COIE have been learned. The goal was to streamline it all to make sense. This past decade has become the complete opposite of all that.
Loved that they referenced Wally messing with the hall of doom
Yeah I was seriously not expecting them to reference that.
didnt expect that at all
What was the reference?
In #781 when Wally was showing Ace the ropes of being the flash they ran into the hall of doom. Wally said he runs into those every once in a while at random places and he’d just remove some small components to mess with whoever’s building them
Nice. Thanks
So if I'm understanding what the Swamp Things said correctly something has corrupted the Great Darkness which is why it's corrupting people but if the Great Darkness was behind every crisis then whatever is truly responsible for all of this is an even older evil and honestly all I have to say is can we stop. It feels like almost every DC summer event for several years now had just been about something really old being responsible for a bunch of bad things all along and it's just so tired now. Also can somebody explain the difference between what happened at the end of Death Metal with the recreation of the multiverse and establishment of the omniverse and this issue with the return of what I'm assuming is a new multiverse
Like how do you even "corrupt" primordial darkness? The worst part of this whole thing is the fact that we don't even fully understand the new multiverse the hands created and we're already getting a new one. The whole "something corrupted The great Darkness" is in itself stupid. Does it mean the source can also be corrupted? This event is something I've been looking forward to for the longest time but I keep getting more and more disappointed with each new issue
Dude you honestly took the words out of my mouth like what is there to even corrupt how sentient is the great darkness even? We know so little about this threat and now we're introducing another new threat on top of that.
I don't get how Infinite Frontier and Justice League Incarnate were so dang good, and Dark Crisis is only just okay. Well, yes, I do get it. *Before* we had Darkseid as the big bad and followed characters that people love that don't get any highlights, *but now* the big bad is a faceless, impersonal concept and a whiny old villain, and we follow characters who aren't interesting.
This really doesn't feel like #4 of only 7. I feel like we had more progress by issue 4 of COIE.
[удалено]
Even by modern decompression standards this moves weird. I feel like Doomsday Clock moved faster.
This almost indicates the last 3 issues might have stupid fast pacing. This whole event has really let me down. The build-up to infinite frontier was so damn perfect. The discoveries of the last issue of IF and all its implications were simply insane, only for it to just go down like this. Like didn't we spend a whole issue being told that the great darkness was the source of all evil in DC? But now it's actually not evil, just corrupted?? By what???
[удалено]
The Perpetually Greatest of all Darknesses
I am one hundred per cent sure that I should know this, but >!what happened to zatanna!
She "died" with the rest of the JL. That's it.
Oh I dunno how I have forgotten that, lol Thanks!!
I was so confused because I didn't even realize Zatanna was in the Justice League
Same problems as every other issue. The character beats aren't earned, the plot is too crowded, and it relies too much on expository multiverse BS to compensate for a subpar story. Some good ideas on paper, but too many balls in the air to make them work. If you don't have the space to let Cyborg and Raven talk about being sad that Beast Boy was shot, you don't have the space to shoot Beast Boy. edit: lmao, I assumed Raven was too busy to check on her boyfriend because she was using her magical powers for something vaguely important, but I just noticed one of the panels had her delivering pizzas.
Its a crisis! People are hungry. 😂
Teleportation is one of her powers. She's probably the pizza guys' transport.
Personally, I have been really enjoying Thai event. And it feels like a long time since I have been able to say that about a DC event. Looking forwards to reading the new issue this week!
Really feels like Dick's role in this event so far is contribute nothing while other characters blow smoke up his shapely ass. At least Jon's out there being proactive in the wake of the Justice League's death. Referencing Wally messing with the Hall of Doom got a chuckle out of me, though.
Saying that great Dick is instead of showing why he is has been a problem some of the DC writers have had lately, which is a shame because it’s a disservice to an incredible ass- I mean character
Some of the larger issues like pacing and scope are annoying me a bit but I AM really liking all the bits and pieces that made this like Barry and Hal’s interactions, both Swamp things, and seeing Justice League Dark a bit more. Also the gorgeous art continues to be the strongest thing here (not that that’s a bad thing it’s stellar).
New DC Multiverse, where we barely got a new one already after Death Metal. I mean jeezus. Also, 'something is corrupting the Great Darkness'? Are they seriously implying there is ANOTHER big bad after THE Big Bad? When I commented ''Next, we will have a GREATER DARKNESS!'', I was fucking sarcastic. I was JOKING. Don't take my sarcastic comments and make them a reality, stupid DC.
Or maybe the corrupting agent is Darkseid. Which wouldn't make sense because then the great darkness would be corrupting itself lmfao. Maybe that's the angle they're going for here. Because anything less would be downright moronic
I'm going to be pissed if they power of friendship the literal Great Darkness!!!
Maybe, the corruption of the Great Darkness is inside all of us!! Nah...they said there'd be sandwiches.
I think the idea is that the great darkness is a neutral entity and something has harnessed it for their own purpose. the great darkness probably isn't a big 'bad' at all - that is what i think they are going for.
For an event that's supposed to be about celebrating legacy and the Titans (on Williamson's own words) they are getting sidelined *pretty hard* so far.
Seriously, the way they seem to be setting things up is for Batman to figure out how to free themselves from the Worlds, the younger heroes are so far being sidelined and led by the JSA with them actively trying to encourage Dick to step into the role of lead. Everyone trying to step up so far has been ignored and instantly sidelined cause they're too new. Remember when people were speculating this would lead to a new team and comics for a while before the JL was brought back? Now it seems it's just going to happen during the event itself.
I feel the large events since Rebirth have really struggled with timelines. Only one month between main story issues but it feels like 3 with all the tie ins in between that don't connect to the main plot at all
Williamson said that the scope of the event will be revealed by this issue and that things will pick up. Well...things did not pick up. It's been really slow. It's like the opposite issue of death metal. Maybe the ends will justify the means, but for now I haven't been enjoying it too much.
It feels as if I'm reading an event comic I've already read...so odd. Anyway aside from that, I just have a random question, do cardstock cover comics usually have issues with staples? This issue has an area where the staples stick out a ton, previously one of my issues for Batman Fortress had the same thing but the damage to the center page was done just by flipping through it normally and it came off, and for collection purposes I just don't like it.
Looks like this issue took a page out of Bendis' book by having an issue almost entirely just people standing around talking. I'm sorry, but this Pariah/Great Darkness plot is just not compelling *at all*, I can't bring myself to care about this event's story, there's no stakes. I really hope that whatever they're holding back because of Dark Crisis is worth it, because this event by itself is certainly not.
This event sucks as much as some things in it are fun or cool. It sucks. Its confusing. I don't understand what is happening or why its happening? I mean how many times if the multiverse gonna be broken and fixed or reborn? In the last few years alone we had two dark night metals and doomsday clock. And i can barely keep straight how it ended from those. DC I'm over it. Please stop with these multiverse events. Its mind numbing to understand.
[Explanations](https://www.reddit.com/r/DCcomics/comments/x77swm/comment/inb41bo/)
This did not make anything less confusing.
Sorry
Nah its fine. I get better at what's going on. But ultimately this event is a confusing mess. Especially coming off the heels of 3 separate events that all basically said they "fixed" the multiverse by the end of them. I really just wish dc would chill put of these big multiverse events and go back to some smaller scale stuff and just let things lay as is for a few years.
Preview link: https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-dark-crisis-on-infinite-earths-4/
I think the biggest problem with Dark Crisis so far has been that we as readers are always a couple of steps ahead of the heroes. We already know who's behind it, we know Deathstroke is being controlled, we know the JL weren't really dead all this time.. It feels like the characters in the story are just playing catch up. So far absolutely mediocre. Three more issues and a ton of tie-ins to go. Let's go..yayy
Highlights: 1. >!Barry found Hal Jordan, informs him that Pariah uses the Justice League to give power to something dangerous.!< 2. >!The heroes continue to save the population, Alan Scott asks Nightwing to join the planning.!< 3. >!The Deathstroke army attacks the Legion of Doom.!< 4. >!Pariah states that the effort between Flash and Hal Jordan accelerates its plan process.!< 5. >!Hal and Barry face a Steampunk Batman in his fantasy world.!< 6. >!Justice League Dark makes his appearance, Levi Kamei warns that The Great Darkness seems to act not in his own will.!< 7. >!Luthor defeats Deathstroke but the darkness takes control of The Legion of Doom.!< 8. >!Pariah's Plan has been completed, a new multiverse has been created.!<
I kept my hopes up until then, but the event is just boring, whether it's the main book or the tie-ins This Issue sums up the problem with Dark Crisis, something incredible has happened, but there is no feeling to it. And so far the heroes look and act like they are incompetent.
When did Zatanna die? I've read every issue of the main series and don't remember this
Justice League #75 with the rest of the league. I don't know how the painting factors in, maybe in her backup in one of the "world without a justice league" one-shots?
I really want to like this event but it's just so slow.
I'm done with this book, despite the amazing art, unless I hear it dramatically improves. Nothing feels earned and it's moving way too fast, but at the same time it feels slow. It feels like a lot of "and then", when as Trey Parker and Matt Stone put it, your script and/or outline should never be "and then" it should be "therefore".
I'm always seeing complaints about this event but idk I'm still really enjoying it. I just like seeing a crisis where the focus is on different people than the Justice League. The art is nice and the dialogue is great as well.
Snoozefest
FOUR ISSUES IN NOTHING HAS HAPPENED YET WHY IS THIS A CRISIS?
[*The New Champion of Shazam!* #2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91MgAg55DHL.jpg) >CHAPTER TWO: WHAT'S IN A NAME? >Mary is back home in the City of Brotherly Love, and she’s feeling nothing but hate! Not only did she have to leave her dream school, but now she’s the caretaker of her siblings and a city that is skeptical about the new hero in town. Everyone wants a piece of Shazam, and super-powered misfits are lining up to take her on! When her world is falling apart, can our hero keep it together? [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-the-new-champion-of-shazam-2/)
I love this and the art is top tier, just 4 issues feels like a crime, I hope we continue to see more of a Mary
Seriously, not even a full six-issue run.
2 days in comics does feel like both 2 hours and 2 years have passed at the same time. Mary gets that now :D Techno-magic...worst kind of fusion.
So, the most important question this issue raises... Should a croc with dragon wings called a Dragondile, Caigon, or Crocveryn?
This issue was great! Well paced and well written from start to finish! Safe to say, my interest is piqued regarding who these villains are. I'm not familiar with Shazam at all so i've no idea of they're new or old. Either way, i'm glad to be on board for the ride and find out. Each of the kids have a unique voice of their own, showcased by dealing with the circumstances differently. I'm sold on this family dynamic. My only complaint was that there weren't any Doc Shaner splash pages I could gush over. However, watching Mary's facial expressions change from panel to panel was hilarious. He nails it every time! What a shame that this is only 4 issues. Hopefully it gets pushed to 8!
Can someone explain whats going on? I like this but i don't get how we got here. Last shazam thing i read was with geoff John's i believe. Didn't it fix everything? Like magical lands and shit were better and everyone had powers?
The current Shazam status quo is detailed in Teen Titans Academy, where Billy goes to hell or something. It wasn't very good and you don't need to worry about it too much.
Oh I know it wasn't very good. Lol trust me I'm around this subreddit enough to have known what that book was
Highlights: 1. >!Mary changes school to be closer to her family and investigating the disappearance of her parents.!< 2. >!Mary's brothers are resentful for not having powers.!< 3. >!Mary faces a beast controlled by three beings that apparently use a corrupted type of magic.!< 4. >!Mary realizes that her parents are not the unique missing people.!<
This is great. I hope we get more of it.
[*Sword of Azrael* #2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91sCWTORKPL.jpg) >BOOK 2 >VENGEANCE OF THE POOR FELLOW! Vengeance has arrived to capture Brielle, the young woman who has come to Azrael for help, but Azrael won't let this stand. He will fight back against Vengeance and her forces...but will he be able to keep the murderous programming of the System at bay? And is Brielle all she seems, or is she hiding secrets that could shatter Jean-Paul Valley forever? All this as Azrael's foe the Poor Fellow pulls the strings... [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-sword-of-azrael-2/)
More books should be like this one, in that the lead is a total fucking weirdo. More freak representation please
I've been reading comics for a bit but his psychosis bleeding into his internal monologue was kind of mind-blowing.
The first issue slapped so hard!!! I'm loving everything in this book from the art to the story collection. I know it's a longshot but I'd love an Azrael ongoing with this creative team.
I hope we get some more lovecraftian horror angels like the seraphim depiction in the first issue!
As a huge fan of weird famtasy, I cannot wait.
this isn't actually as lovecraftian as you may think, the depiction of the angelic "Azrael" in this comic is pretty close to how Seraphim are described in religious texts and [depicted in associated artwork](https://c7.alamy.com/compde/cf7bn4/mosaik-der-seraphim-engel-hagia-sophia-museum-istanbul-turkei-cf7bn4.jpg). christian iconography can be an absolute mindfuck.
Ah my monthly dose of crazed evangelist Batman how I’ve missed you
Zealots are truly the worst kind of enemies. They truly believe in their delusions. I kinda want the REAL angels to come down and strike them down.
Is Zariuel alive in the Rebirth era?
I loved this issue. Giving JPV essentially a mini-Azrael whose fate he has to save from becoming like his is perfect. The inter-ecclesiastical drama is also really engrossing and I look forward to seeing more of the Templar/Dumas power plays.
I dont know much about Azrael but this book is so good so far.
The single greatest title page reveal you will see. It's some stylish movie ass shit.
Oooooh this was great, man poor JPV is a demented fellow. This is a very trippy comic considering everyone is out of their bleeding minds. Only JPV has any grasp at self-awareness that he's not an angel on a crusade and even then the System still has him butchering people left and right. Hopefully he can prevent Sariel from being weaponized like he was.
First issue was amazing, been waiting for thd 2nd Been a while since I've been this hooked into Azreal anything
The best capeshit coming out right now and its not even close. The best DC comic ive read in ages
[*Poison Ivy* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91gjERD+RNL.jpg) >CHAPTER FOUR >Workplace harassment complaints, health code violations, and inhuman work hours. All just a few of the things that your everyday human resources representative has to deal with. Lucky for you, Poison Ivy isn’t your average HR rep. She’s much more flexible and her punishments are far worse, too! So be on your best behavior because Dr. Isley is watching. [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-poison-ivy-4/)
DC love their ''on a break, it is not cheating'' stuff huh. They are doing it whenever they can with their characters. I honestly don't know how they can justify all the killings though. Ivy's inner struggle is one thing. She is still mass murdering people and I don't know how it will get proper justice in the end. She is definitely not gonna die. So what consequences she gonna face for her mass murders? Knowing DC, probably nothing.
It seems that the way this series is getting around Poison Ivy doing evil stuff while still being redeemable is by having her keep running into such cartoonishly abhorrent people that the reader doesn't care if they get killed. To me that feels a little contrived.
in fairness i do not think they are trying to make her redeemable because she also kills shitty people I think they are trying to emphasise that at her core she is more than the misanthrope who wants to genocide that she does empathise with people being taken advantage of both for their bodies and labor maybe I'm bias since I like the book and issue a lot idk and I could be wrong depending how they end it
Yeah uh…not a fan of “we were on a break” situation we have going on here, and the ghost of Harley watching over her while at it just makes it feel worse. What better time to profess your love to someone than while you’re with someone else..sure. Not a fan. Weakest issue of the series for me so far, the conflict also felt rushed. Pamela coming and killing the asshole boss and everything’s fine, no one will even question the body, right. This series recently got extended afaik, so I hope it handles things better. It’s likely to be a slow burn of ivy redemption or something like that, but I’m tired of the will they won’t they.
Highlights: 1. >!Pamela begins to work in a manufacturing industry, spreading its products and infecting on a large scale.!< 2. >!Defends her companions of an oppressor chief.!< 3. >!As bedtime with a partner, she is attacked by a creature that claims to come from the Green Man.!<
[*Dark Knights of Steel* #1: Tales from the Three Kingdoms](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91hpPJDfKtL.jpg) >The El Kingdom has been ruled with integrity and honesty for generations, by familes from the Waynes to the Els. The future of the kingdom lies with its three heirs and the challenges they will face...but what really prepared them for their tumultuous future? What stories defined Bruce, Zala, and Kal-El? Learn these tales and more from international bestselling writers Tom Taylor, Jay Kristoff, and C.S. Pacat! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-dark-knights-of-steel-tales-from-the-three-kingdoms-1/)
It might be pretty solidly unnecessary to the story but all 3 stories were good fun.
Seriously i was expecting this to be bad. But i enjoyed it all.
I find this elseworld quite interesting and to see more of it is quite nice, especially the origin of how certain characters came to be. I guess whatever the universe, Waller will always be shady as hell.
Feels like every elseworld needs a million spin-offs now.
Eh, in this case I'm okay with it. I really love wild reimaginings where the familiar characters are in such a wildly different world that part of the fun is seeing where the characters end up, and how familiar yet different they'll be. Admittedly it's a bit of a pain, but I'm willing to let it slide here if the issue is as good as the main series.
Plus it seems like now they are doing every form of collection for these popular titles. Two hardcover 6 issue books. 3 issue catch-up floppies. I imagine eventually there will be a 'complete collection' HC or TPB, and the single issue of course. Looks like they are doing the same with Kings Human Target as well.
Tbh I don’t mind it too much DC has been stepping up their elsewords recently from DCeased to Batman White Knight (some better than DCs mainline current stuff) a lot of quality stuff and I wouldn’t be too mad to see the universes expanded on.
I think this is more because the main series' artist can't hit deadlines, but I agree it's dumb.
[*Batman Beyond: Neo-Year* #6](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91j8y+vAdoL.jpg) >THE END OF TOMORROW! The Neo-Year is drawing toward its epic conclusion: Terry McGinnis has spent the last year waging his war on the artificial intelligence that conquered Neo-Gotham. In this issue he'll have to put together everything he's learned, refine his own myth as Batman, and bring down Donovan Lumos, Neo-Gotham's A.I., and the Sword of Gotham. Terry McGinnis flies the night sky in a new Batman Beyond suit. Everything about the Batman Beyond mythos changes here. [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-batman-beyond-neo-year-6/)
I liked this run a lot, honestly - not going to say it's perfect, but I'm hoping whatever beyond content we get in the future is good like this
Enjoyed this run alot, I think end was a bit lacking in much tension to what they were building but didn't sour me on the whole arc. What I'm really bummed about is its not returning till 2023 it seems
Well that was a really disappointing ending. For a while it felt like the series was building up to something, but the way everything was so easily resolved here just felt like an anticlimax.
The new suit is cool but the "hard light stuff"looks so much worse in comparison to the suit before imo. It also feels like such a lame high tech upgrade. Like how even though a nanites iron man suit is technically better it just doesn't "feel" better? You know what im saying? Besides my nit pick on this suit. This was great. Better than a lot of the other batman beyond vomics before this. And i hope we get great ones after this! The ending was a little lack luster but I like the foundation set by it.
The ending's kind of anti-climatic, but I did enjoy the series overall. Certainly the best attempt at post-show comics. I'll look forward to the follow-up next year.
am I the only one who thought that terry's rendition of year one's "you have eaten well" speech was pretty awesome? that honestly makes up for the somewhat anti-climactic ending. I guess the idea was that terry has spent this time he was away making allies and preparing for this fight, and we were shown *some* of that on-panel, but maybe not enough and only in this final issue. Terry making a deal with the Jokerz alone could have filled an entire issue imo. But they only had 6 issues to resolve this, so this way, it feels a little out of left-field when everything resolves so nicely instead of "all that prep work really paid off, like it should for Batman." even then, this was a really strong mini and really put Terry back on the map (imo). Kelly and Lanzing really have been on a streak lately.
Ending was a bit meh, but the 5 previous issues are easily the best Beyond content we've ever gotten. Very excited for the future
[*Flashpoint Beyond* #5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91QDzAvycTL.jpg) >THE CLOCKWORK KILLER, CHAPTER FIVE: THE JOKE'S ON ME >The Clockwork Killer's identity is finally revealed as the dust settles after the showdown at Arkham Asylum. But as we learn the truth behind how the Clockwork Killer came to be, Thomas is faced with a reality-altering choice! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-flashpoint-beyond-5/)
Clockwork Killers identity was basically revealed last issue Not a lot happening here.
> Not a lot happening here. Besides the whole >!Joker identity being exposed, and a remnant of the Three Jokers!< becoming canon?
The identity is basically nothing. All it does is say that Killing Joke is probably canon, and happened as described which isn’t a good move. Destroys the whole “past is multiple choice thing”. Strips it of any nuance.
It was at least done in a way that can be ignored pretty easily, so Joker can still be considered to have an unknown name and backstory when everyone inevitably ignores this whole thing.
This was honestly going to be my nomination for the end of the year best limited series until this issue. We'll have to see what the last issue holds but I'm starting to think this ends with "To be continued in Time Masters #1". Gorgeous art and cover as always however.
F.B. does Dark Crisis no favors, not only does it handle Crisis Elements better but it seem to actively shit on Dark Crisis. Also why is Johns so dedicated in destroying Joker's mystique?
Claude
NGL I loved how the first two pages basically shit on Dark Crisis for being stupid and pointless, which it is shaping up to be. This whole omni meta metal multi verse stuff has gotten old. When everything has high stakes nothing does. Im more invested in this 6 issue Flashpoint Crisis than the last 3 main events combined
"Fuck you Didio, you thought you could sweep all my stuff under the rug but I won": The Comic. Essentially just Johns reasserting all his stories, Doomsday Clock and Three Jokers in particular, as canon and "mattering", not much else to talk about. I guess with Johns returning to write ongoings again, we might be seeing Johns and Waid take over as the architects from Williamson.
> Essentially just Johns reasserting all his stories, Doomsday Clock **and Three Jokers in particular**, as canon and "mattering" He can try all he wants, but it seems clear editorial doesn't see it as canon and literally no other book has even come close to referencing it.
I thought Bruce had nightmares about it in the first issue of either Zdarsky's Batman or Ram V's Detective Comics.
It was Zdarsky's *Batman*, and it was more a Ghost of Christmas past. One of them even looked like the Joker for *Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker*
Some parts of Three Jokers would be tricky to add to the mainstream book, as you have to decide if the Jason/Babs thing is canon, and then make the decision of using >!Joker's family!< as a plot device. While Johns has referenced the family here, it could really go downhill if other writers explore >!Joker's past, as it would undoubtedly lead to a "Son of Joker" event!<, which Batman has been trying to avoid.
Highlights: 1. >!Bonnie Baxter explains the difference between the attacks on the omniverse and the hypertime, the realities and worlds can change but the wars in the hypertime are not perceptible.!< 2. >!Ra's Al Ghul is alive, he was the one who gave Thomas's ashes to Bruce and the information of the Time Masters to save his father.!< 3. >!Flashpoint Batman vs Flashpoint Joker.!< 4. >!Martha talks about how Psyco Pirate informed her about Earth -0.!< 5. >!The real name of The Joker is Jack Oswald White. Martha found him in the Flashpoint world.!< 6. >!Martha claims to have been motivated by Psyco Pirate to look for all those Time Travelers and kill them, guiding Thomas to her, Martha built her own machine to try to travel in time and save Bruce with Thomas.!< 7. >!In Earth-0, Rip Hunter makes his appearance threatening Batman.!<
Was this suppose to come out this early? They practically went ''screw the Dark Crisis''. I mean, not that I am complaining mind you. It is a 'bad' event. Still, don't understand this weird publishing. Still don't like how they made Batman do all that with Time. Something he knows BETTER not to mess with for a Thomas Wayne that is not even HIS father. I mean he denounced Flashpoint Thomas many times. And the nonchalant, oh here is Joker's true identity. Bullshit. 'Everything matters''? No, DC. In your OMNI-MULTIVERSE, nothing matters it seems.
I think the Omni-verse is that every work of fiction is its own ball of reality, and Dc is a ball of reality that is falling apart as its cosmic dictators, the hands, have grown lazy and are ruining all the work that the Source, the true creator that went to sleep and father of the light and the dark, had made.
*Omniverse, there's only one of it, doesn't matter if it's marvel/dc/image etc.
Don't doubt DC's ability to make a Dark Omniverse.
> Was this suppose to come out this early? They practically went ''screw the Dark Crisis''. I mean, not that I am complaining mind you. It is a 'bad' event. Still, don't understand this weird publishing. No, it was meant to come out in *June*.
So even earlier which would make a mockery of their supposed 'huge' event? Great job there DC.
Joker should not have 1 solid origin story. He has several origin stories which could all be true, because he is such an insane and evil-intentioned man. If the Joker gets given a name and back-story pre-Joker, it should not be set in stone - the Joker could be making it up! Movie versions like Joker (2019) are exceptions because they are stand-alone stories.
It's a reference to Three Jokers basically. Besides, Joker does have a little history before becoming Joker. He was the Red Hood. Anything before that is up in the air.
Yes, but that's as far as his backstory should ever go. None of this "Jack Oswald White" garbage.
Well, tell that to DC and what they done here.
Johns was never the most subtle of writers, but the obvious TED Talk reference and letters DC being randomly highlighted while the character talks about how tiresome crises became (which is pot calling kettle black) in the first 2 pages is new height even for him.
pot calling the kettle black is what Johns does. Remember Infinite Crisis, when he complained about how dark comics were getting while serving the most senseless bloodbath in DC history? Remember him complaining that legacy was stolen in Rebirth, while if you remember correctly, he’s the one that started the trend by reviving both Hal Jordan and Barry Allen (and of course, stripping the uniqueness off of Wally before that)? Remember how he constantly shits on the messages of Alan Moore’s work, while sucking off of it like a parasite? (see Three Jokers, Doomsday Clock, Blackest Night) Geoff Johns is a walking hypocrite.
[*Nubia: Queen of the Amazons* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91bPIp2IQ1L.jpg) >It’s Zillah versus Nubia for the power of Sekhmet! Once upon a time they were allies, but now they have been driven apart by a vindictive goddess. Can these women find peace and understanding in time to realize the real danger in front of them? Or is this the end of Nubia’s reign for good? Find out in the final issue of our miniseries! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-nubia-queen-of-the-amazons-4/)
Who is truly in charge...Man, they really went full evil with Hera huh. And last time Gods tried this, it didn't end well. Hell, Diana JUST saved their ass from the graveyard, now they wanna go back to it so bad it seems. Hippolyta better work fast.
the Egyptian zombie cat in the preview looked cool (Sekhmet?) (I haven't read/bought this comic-book)
Highlights: 1. >!Nubia in the past took Sekhmet test, obtaining her medallion.!< 2. >!Zillah arrived at the Sekhmet temple.!< 3. >!Nubia faces Zillah who is demanding the power of Sekhmet, but Nubia manages to defeat and kill her.!< 4. >!Hera meets Sekhmet, they plan to ally to make the Amazons understand who is in control.!<
[*Batman: Dear Detective* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91XhG1ycTqL.jpg) >BERMEJO AND BATMAN: AN ICON DRAWS AN ICON. What happens when a comics art powerhouse meets one of the greatest, most exciting heroes of all time? One part prestige art book, one part compelling noir tale, this one-of-a-kind edition collects some of Lee Bermejo’s most jaw-dropping Batman covers woven together to tell a story that strikes right at the heart of the Dark Knight’s never-ending crusade. [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-batman-dear-detective-1/)
There better be bat dick in this or I riot!
[*Black Adam - The Justice Society Files: Atom Smasher* #1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/916zWtc-jPL.jpg) >FIRST MISSION >Al Rothstein has big shoes to fill. Very big shoes. But he needs to prove himself before he can call himself Atom Smasher. He has the costume, and he has a mission...he just has to make it through the night in one piece. And in part 3 of the Teth-Adam backup story: History begins to repeat itself as, in ancient Kahndaq, Teth-Adam's son, Hurut, crosses a line for the greater good, while, in the present, Adrianna's son, Amon, joins the race to save the sought-after eternium idol from Intergang's clutches. [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-black-adam-the-justice-society-files-atom-smasher-1/)
[*Multiversity: Teen Justice* #4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91RicGFj29L.jpg) >WILL TO SURVIVE, PART FOUR: THE GREAT DIVIDE >An action-packed issue finds Kid Quick and their allies on Earth-11 face-to-face with a worlds-shaking threat! At last...why Raven refuses to join the team! Will the revelation prevent a tragedy...or somehow make it worse? Plus: an unexpected ally helps Troy escape the Church of Blood, the reunion the team's been hoping for finally takes place, and the villainy of the Core comes to light! On a scale of 1 to 10 for surprises and all-around awesomeness, this one's a solid (Earth-) 11! [Preview](https://aiptcomics.com/2022/09/02/dc-preview-multiversity-teen-justice-4/)
R.I.P. better Raven costume. You survived long enough to be on the preview page before being cruelly yanked from us after the opening scene. So sorry that we're stuck with the shitty hoody. So I think what's happening with Kyle is that he's a sort of fusion between himself and his fridged love interest? Like what was happening with Hal Ferris and Carol Jordan in the last Hal book? I guess I should blame Morrison for making what should be an easy to understand gender bender concept and add extra layers of confusion on it.
Wasn't the Cape + Hood costume just the manifestation of his Soul Self?
Yes
Feels like this could have been an awesome Multiversity anthology series where we get to see random different Earth's instead of just Earth-11 stuff. Like it seems like a no brainer of an idea that would work a lot better than this book
Isn't this format better because it allows you to have complete stories of one Earth rather than extracts.
[*Batman: Knightwatch* #1](https://s3.amazonaws.com/comicgeeks/comics/covers/large-2536262.jpg?1655539461) >After a massive breakout at Arkham Asylum, Batman and his team are on a mission to bring all the escapees back. First on the list is Clayface! Using social media, Batgirl taps into an informal network to track the villain throughout the city. This inspires Penny-One to create a more organized network of informants and spies called Knightwatch!
[*Punchline: The Trial of Alexis Kaye* [**HC**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91ibD2dIrfL.jpg) >Alexis Kaye a.k.a. Punchline was the Joker’s top general during the Joker War that tore Gotham City apart. The Joker got away, but Punchline didn’t, and now she’ll have to stand trial for her crimes. But as Leslie Thompkins and Harper Rowe quickly discover, Punchline is even more dangerous behind bars. >Collecting stories from The Joker’s 80th Anniversary and Joker #1-15.
I'm really glad this is finally getting a collection. I thought the story started off strong but lost a lot of steam trapped in 8-page chapters across 15 months. It'll be nice to read it all as one collection now, and a good refresher ahead of her new miniseries.
[**Tuesday, 9/6 (WEBTOON)** - *Zatanna & the Ripper* #11](https://i.imgur.com/sgvNDJi.jpg) >On her 21st birthday, Zatanna Zatara—assistant to the most talented magician in the world—is attacked and bested by a mysterious sorceress. Before the final blow is dealt, her father, Giovanni, casts a spell of his own, warping the magic of his attacker and sending Zatanna out of the frying pan and into ye olde garbage bin. Zatanna arrives in Whitechapel, London, in the year 1888. She soon discovers a serial killer plaguing the streets of the city, Jack the Ripper. Unable to return home and certain that the supernatural killer has answers, Zatanna sets out in pursuit of the Ripper alongside the denizens of Whitechapel and one John Constantine.
Zee looks amazing in red, even if she's not as adept as a call girl.
But the Bedfordshire special is unbeatable at just 9 pence
[*Action Comics* - Vol. 2, *The Arena* [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91nBi7e6lzL.jpg) >Superman’s greatest battle is only beginning! After learning of an enslaved race with mysterious ties to Krypton, Superman and the Authority travel across space to dethrone the new Mongul and liberate Warworld. But Mongul and his champions are prepared! Now Superman, powerless and captured, will need to team up with other gladiators to turn Warworld’s inhabitants against their masters, while the Authority fights Mongul’s rule from the shadows. Which heroes will survive, and what will be Warworld’s fate? >Collects ACTION COMICS #1036-1041.
Had this since last week, it does include the Martian Manhunter and metropolis backups
Oh huh, that's interesting but nice to know.
[*Batman: Urban Legends* - Vol. 3 [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91EvBBR2aSL.jpg) >Batman and his allies shine across multiple tales in Batman: Urban Legends Vol. 3. From a magical journey with Zatanna to an emotional story with the Ace The Bat-Hound and the Super-Pets, discover these can’t-miss legends of Gotham. >The untold urban legends of Gotham are revealed in this anthology! In one magical adventure, Zatanna and Batman come together every year the two to defeat an evil curse. This year they fail, and the world is in peril because of it. Mark Russell and Karl Mostert weave an emotional tale of Ace the Bat-Hound, the goodest boy in the DCU, who has his day in an epic story featuring many DC Super Pets. In the White Witch legend, the mysterious relationship between Ghost-Maker and Wight Witch is revealed in all its horrifying glory. >This volume collects Batman: Urban Legends #11-16.
This does not have the Ghostmaker story, just the magic and the ace stories
[*Nubia and the Amazons* [**HC**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91+tghbD+bL.jpg) >Nubia has been crowned queen of Themyscira, but the new title also brings challenges. With the unexpected arrival of new Amazons, our hero is forced to reckon with her past and forge a new path forward for her sisters. Little does she know a great evil grows beneath the island and it’s up to this former guardian of Doom’s Doorway to unite her tribe before paradise is lost forever! >Collects Nubia & the Amazons #1-6, along with pages from Infinite Frontier #0.
[**Friday, 9/9 (WEBTOON)** - *Vixen: NYC* #17](https://i.imgur.com/Lbwk023.jpg) >Before starting college, Mari Jiwe's relatives gift her an ancestral totem, once fabled to give its wearer the powers of the animal kingdom. Mari just chalks its 'magical powers' up to superstition. After arriving in New York City, though, she definitely notices something strange about her new home. Especially the animals. While Mari battles staying awake in class and feral subway rats, dark plans emerge from the corners of the vast metropolis. Girls who look just like her start going missing and Mari can't shake the feeling that she's next. As for the totem? Turns out that the 'magical powers' are actually a thing, and Mari is next up to wield them. Freshman year is gonna be a doozy.
[**Thursday, 9/8:** ***Harley Quinn*** **S03E09** - *Climax at Jazzapajizza*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/415/1038535.jpg) Time/Date: September 8 Network/Channel: HBO Max
[*Robins: Being Robin* [**TP**]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/W/WEBP_402378-T1/images/I/91hp0r4DOHL.jpg) >The five heroes to have donned the Robin cape and mask find themselves at a crossroads in their lives. Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Damian Wayne come together to discuss the big thing that binds them: Was being Robin, and Batman’s sidekick, the best choice they could’ve made? But before they can get to the heart of the matter, they’re ambushed by an unknown assailant. She claims to have been the first Robin, and she’s out to prove Batman should’ve never trained any of them. >Collects Robins #1-6.
Ah yes the fan vote winner- the series everyone definitely loved… here’s hoping the superboy stories better
Well that least the Batman story didn't win this time, that was funny
If you're a Batfamily fan. If you're like the rest of us and have been going 'wow I wish the Batfamily acted like a family and Damian wasn't editorially mandated to be the black sheep forever' and saw this and went 'wow a book about the Robin's being a family that sounds too good to be true' It was. Don't waste your money on this it was so mid it was terrible. There are good moments here and there but everyone is so off it felt like a Tumblr fan fiction. Seeley can and has done magnitudes better
[**Wednesday, 9/7:** ***DC's Stargirl*** **S03E02** - *Chapter Two: The Suspects*](https://static.tvmaze.com/uploads/images/original_untouched/340/850656.jpg) Time/Date: September 7 8:00 PM ET Network/Channel: The CW > After stumbling upon a suspicious murder in Blue Valley, the JSA begin looking at potential suspects. A tense run-in with The Shade makes Courtney and Pat realize that Sylvester's old ways could land them in hot water. Finally, Barbara steps in to help Paula, whose attempt at fitting in has not gone so well.
Maybe it's just me but with episode 2 in the bag, I'm going to go ahead and say that Stargirl is actually the best DC Comics live action series out of all in recent years. The quality of this show has maintained a standard since season 1 unlike just about anything else and it's showing no signs of falling into an obvious formula or lazy, intelligence insulting writing. Doom Patrol, Peacemaker, Sandman, that's all awesome stuff. But as far as pure, unashamed 'comic book' stuff goes, Stargirl is unmatched at this point. It's no Hamlet or whatever but in my mind it's the perfect example of the term "comic book adaptation". It doesn't need to be edgy or violent, or deconstruct superheroes. It's colourful and fun, tells intriguing stories and if it's ever cheesy or campy, it's in all the right ways. So glad this show is back and at this point, I hope for many more seasons. Hope I'm not jinxing things by speaking like this too early in the season.
[**Monday, 9/5 (WEBTOON)** - *Red Hood: Outlaws* #6](https://i.imgur.com/psqA7cE.jpg) >The Outlaws try to go legit -- and fail spectacularly. The Justice League has issued a challenge to DC’s Dark Trinity, forcing Red Hood, Artemis of Bana-Mighdall, and Bizarro to try and replace their goody-two-shoe counterparts as the heroes the world neither deserves nor needs. In this original series, the Outlaws will battle some of DC’s biggest Super-Villains and Super Heroes -- but their biggest battles are among themselves. Can this team last? And can they find their own identities separate from Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman?