REVIEW: ‘Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse: Infinite Crisis,’ Issue #1

Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse: Infinite Crisis #1 is published by DC Comics, written by James Tynion IV, with art by Aaron Lopresti, inks by Matt Ryan, colors by Romulo Fajardo JR. and letters by Rob Leigh. What would have happened if Maxwell Lord had not ended The Blue Beatle’s life? Surely the Multiverse would be the better for it. Right?

Like the previous Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse titles, Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse: Infinite Crisis #1 looks at the events of a critical DC Comics storyline and sees what would’ve happened if the event had played out differently. And as always, with a far worse result. This story does put a unique twist on the formula laid out by its predecessors. While the other entries in the series all had its divergence point be when someone did something bad this story takes a turn for the worse when a seemingly good thing happens; Ted Kord doesn’t die.

It is certainly a hard thought to wrap your brain around initially. How could the presence of one of the most down to earth heroes in the DC Universe lead to tragedy? But, Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse: Infinite Crisis #1 does an excellent job of playing this scenario out. It uses its entire 48 pages to show how Ted Kord ends up making everything go so wrong. His initial victory plants in him a level of self-confidence he wasn’t usually portrayed with. In addition to his increased confidence, he is given access to more authority than he has wielded previously. This combination sees Kord become something he never should’ve been. But does it in a way that feels gradual and possible.

Tynion’s writing propels the plot skillfully. He somehow manages to give Kord’s character plenty of time to develop, while making room to address the myriad plotlines that made up the original Infinite Crisis storyline. He also does a solid job of capturing this era of Batman within the story. This was Bruce Wayne at his most distrustful and paranoid. And he responds to Blue Beatle’s actions just as you would expect, in the worst way possible.

Lopresti’s art in Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse: Infinite Crisis #1 does a solid job of presenting its story in a clear readable manner with Ryan’s inks adding depth. The emotional moments are given their due weight and there are a number of callbacks to some classic DC images among the pages. The visual design of Blue Beatle is handled with skill as well. With each step down his own dark road, Kord visually changes to reflect his darkening state of mind.

I enjoyed this voyage into the Dark Multiverse. And while it didn’t hit the highs of some of the other entries in the series it was a very good read. The creative team’s excellent use of pacing allowed it to come together in a smooth natural way. It’s pay off is well worth the extra-long read.

Tales from the DC Dark Multiverse: Infinite Crisis #1 is available now wherever comics are sold.