DC Comics is renowned for their “Crisis” storylines, which hold significant meaning for DC enthusiasts. The term “Crisis” goes back to the Silver Age of comics when it was used in the title for multiversal crossovers, making 1985’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” an apt title. Following this, multiple “Crisis” events have occurred, such as “Zero Hour: Crisis in Time,” “Identity Crisis,” “Infinite Crisis,” “Final Crisis,” and “Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths.” These tales have had profound impacts on the DC Multiverse, each with their unique strengths and weaknesses. However, one stands out among the rest, although it has a somewhat divisive reputation among DC fans – “Final Crisis,” penned by Grant Morrison and illustrated by J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco, and Doug Mahnke.
Among the most illustrious figures in the comic book world, Grant Morrison holds a prestigious position, sharing the limelight with comics greats such as Alan Moore, Gardner Fox, Otto Binder, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Denny O’Neil and numerous others. Final Crisis, in particular, encapsulates Morrison’s magnum opus when it comes to superheroes. This complex narrative employs Morrison’s penchant for meta-commentary to weave a tale of the climactic struggle against evil. Final Crisis is an exceptional event book, offering a fitting conclusion to the DC Multiverse in many ways.
Final Crisis Shows Readers the Day that Evil Won
The background of “Final Crisis” is nearly as intriguing as the comic itself. Since his days writing JLA, Morrison had been developing a vast crossover event, initially referred to as “Hypercrisis”. Morrison was one of the minds behind Hypertime, a perspective on DC history that allowed all events in DC’s past to have taken place, regardless of retcons. He frequently introduced grand concepts related to the cosmic structure of the DC Multiverse. However, DC wasn’t fond of “Hypercrisis”, which led to Morrison revising the concept and eventually getting approval for “Final Crisis”. To set the stage for the story, DC started with 52, which later morphed into the weekly DC book, Countdown, leading up to “Countdown to Final Crisis”.
The development of this series was flawed right from the start, as Morrison didn’t share many details about the forthcoming storyline and DC editorial tightly controlled Countdown to Final Crisis. Consequently, much of what the series established didn’t align with the plot of Final Crisis. The intricate narrative of Final Crisis echoed the anticipation of Kirby’s Fourth World books. In a pivotal battle, Darkseid’s physical form is destroyed by Orion, causing the universe to warp around him. Despite this, Darkseid and the other New Gods of Apokolips were able to transfer their essences to Earth, seizing control of other beings and experimenting with the newly discovered Anti-Life Equation. During this time, they managed to keep the Justice League disoriented just long enough to release the Anti-Life Equation, taking over the Earth. This sets the stage for a desperate battle by the heroes, made all the more challenging when an ancient evil force is awakened by the Monitors, seeking the destruction of all existence.
The epic “Final Crisis” is a superhero story that only Grant Morrison could craft. It was rich with compelling narratives, making it worthwhile for attentive readers. Notably, it served as a critique of the superhero comic genre through the depiction of the Monitors as bloodthirsty entities, feeding on the tales of superheroes for their power. This symbolized editors and corporate influences in creative industries; a bold move by Morrison to portray his own editors as creatively bankrupt vampires.
“Final Crisis” delivers the grand battles expected from a crisis event, expertly handling both the heroes and villains of DC Comics. It effectively sells the quiet moments alongside the loud ones. The story aims to tell the ultimate tale of good versus evil and accomplishes this masterfully.
Darkseid, initially conceived by Jack Kirby as the ultimate villain, reached his zenith under Morrison’s pen. Moreover, Morrison utilized the concept of Superman to symbolize the greatest power of hope, a theme that would later become a part of the DC Multiverse lore.
To put it simply, “Final Crisis” by Grant Morrison isn’t a light read. Known for intricate narratives, this story is one of his most complex works. A significant portion of the plot, found in “Final Crisis: Superman Beyond 3-D”, a two-issue series included with reprints of the book, is crucial to understanding the whole story. Despite its complexity, when fully grasped, it reveals a coherent narrative that illustrates Darkseid’s corruption of the DC Multiverse. The story serves as a fitting conclusion to DC’s superhero saga, although it subtly hints at its 2008 origin without feeling outdated. Morrison skillfully employs timeless elements of DC superheroes rather than relying heavily on contemporary DC continuity. In essence, “Final Crisis” is a fitting finale to a DC Comics journey, but it also underscores that the fight against evil is an ongoing struggle – another layer in the intricate tapestry of this captivating comic book.
Final Crisis Is a Difficult Yet Rewarding Read
As a devoted admirer, I’ve always found Grant Morrison to possess an intuitive grasp of the essence that drives DC Comics, a quality that sets him apart from many other creators. His work is marked by maturity and at times a dark undertone, yet he masterfully encapsulates the enchanting sense of wonder and humor that defines DC uniquely.
“Final Crisis” serves as an exemplary demonstration of their core beliefs about superheroes, portraying a colossal struggle between good and evil that showcases both the best and worst aspects of humanity. It’s not an effortless read; on the contrary, it leaves you with a persistent feeling that you might be missing something – but that’s part of its charm. Each re-read uncovers new layers to the narrative.
In my opinion, “Final Crisis” epitomizes the quintessential superhero story. It showcases the very best of DC Comics, overcoming growing pains to tell a tale unlike any other.
Event comics can be challenging, as they aim to deliver the most significant story of the year. Yet, they sometimes fall short due to various factors. Finding a flawless event comic is tricky, but “Final Crisis” stands out as an exceptional example. At first glance, “Final Crisis” offers an entertaining, yet puzzling narrative. But delve deeper, and you’ll discover a wealth of commentary on superheroes, morality, the commercialization of art, and much more. Unlike the frequent Marvel events or the multiverse-altering DC epics, “Final Crisis” isn’t just about spectacle; it requires thoughtful engagement from readers. It’s unique in its complexity and demands to be experienced to truly comprehend. In essence, “Final Crisis” embodies what superhero comics ought to strive for.
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2025-03-09 15:11