Dark Crisis #2 is an event comic published by DC, written by Joshua Williamson, art by Daniel Sampere, colours by Alejandro Sánchez, and letters by Tom Napolitano. After the death of the Justice League, Earth’s heroes were left reeling. By the end of the last issue, Deathstroke started a massive assault on Titan’s Tower. In this issue. The Titans try to save their home from the invasion.
The plot of this issue is epic. From the very start of the comic, the danger is pertinent and real. Williamson has already proven that anything can happen so the anticipation is high throughout the issue. Not just the murder or the League, but what Deathstroke did to Beast Boy sets a terrifying precedent. The stand-off is full of tension as the villains have the upper hand, the pace agonisingly methodical at times. It isn’t pure fighting, with the threat of death being just as intense as the violence. When it does ignite though, the combat is fantastic. A huge amount rides on every single one and the victor can never be predicted, but each one is satisfying. New threats are introduced that make it so that even a glimmer of hope is quickly quashed. The final part of the comic shows some of the other forces gathering, and it at least ends Dark Crisis #2 by putting a smile on my face.
The characters in this comic are scripted beautifully. The dynamics have drastically changed in this event, altering the hierarchy of the whole universe. Before, the Titans could always count on the Justice League if things got truly desperate. But there is no longer a League to defend them. The Titans, Superman, and a few others are now the last line of defense. This makes it so much more nail-biting when their headquarters is under attack and their members are being hurt.
One of those that will have to be the new figureheads of the community is Nightwing, and Williamson writes him beautifully. He shows himself as a true leader and hero, staring down immense danger knowing that no one else can help. Deathstroke as the villain of the issue increases the suspense of the issue as Slade is one of the most unpredictable characters around. The level of violence he is capable of is unnerving. But his dialogue also leads to much mystery and confusion, as he seems into two minds at some stages. This is an issue absolutely rife with cameos too, with characters either part of the academy or Deathstroke’s army.
The art in the comic is jaw-dropping. The sense of danger is brought to an even bigger spectacle by the crumbling surroundings the heroes find themselves in. There is a huge cast in this issue and Sampere draws every individual figure perfectly. The injuries on certain characters are heartbreaking to see, and the body language is sensational. The hatred between heroes and villains is expertly captured. The battles are terrific, the brutality of the hits displayed with a spine-chilling specificity. There are some clever panel layouts that can show off a lot in a short space of time. There is also an excellent understanding of scope and scale, altering from wide shots to close-ups to fit the intended effect. By the conclusion, every character has a distinct change in their look that demonstrates the ordeal they have been in.
The colours are marvelous. With fire burning all around them, every character and surface is bathed in orange. This adds a claustrophobic, dangerous element to every single panel. At the same time, the shades of individual costumes remain as Sánchez blends all of the colours together. This helps to identify who is fighting whilst never detracting from the ferocity of the situation. The lettering has some excellent examples of dynamism and truly adds impact to the voices of those speaking.
Dark Crisis #2 is a powerful challenge for the next generation of heroes. Without backup, the fascinating story puts the characters to the test against villains that even the Justice League could have struggled against. The Crisis has barely begun and the enemies the Titans and others have been facing threaten to destroy all of them. With glorious art that refuses to pull any punches, the comic is impossible to look away from until the final page. And the Crisis will only get more intense as it deepens
Dark Crisis #2 is available where comics are sold.
Dark Crisis #2
TL;DR
Dark Crisis #2 is a powerful challenge for the next generation of heroes. Without backup, the fascinating story puts the characters to the test against villains that even the Justice League could have struggled against. The Crisis has barely begun and the enemies the Titans and others have been facing threaten to destroy all of them. With glorious art that refuses to pull any punches, the comic is impossible to look away from until the final page. And the Crisis will only get more intense as it deepens
