REVIEW: ‘Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special’ Issue 1

Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1 is published by DC Comics. Written by Marc Guggenheim and Mark Waid, art by Cian Tormey, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr, and letters by Dave Sharpe.

A team of heroes is launched into the time stream to rescue time travelers, who are being hunted and killed.

This is an adventure that is instantly energetic and rapid. Two heroes are suddenly killed early on, which creates an immediate sense of dread and peril. Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1 is a vast book, encapsulating the start of an epic event and an upcoming crisis within the DC Universe. It explores a fractured cosmos, fighting demonic beings at various points in time. It’s exciting, chaotic, and enthralling. However, the story takes little time to take stock of assets happening, so it can difficult to make sense of it.

It’s part of a wider storyline, connected to what just happened with the ‘We Are Yesterday’ crossover, and also what’s to come. It means there’s a lot of story to tell, then just what’s happened on the page. There are good guys and bad guys, and an adventure across time, but the finer details can get lost. The epic feel of the comic is what draws the excitement, relishing in the breakneck speed of the plot.

The selection of heroes cram themselves into the Waverider, the same ship that became such a pivotal character and home in the Legends of Tomorrow TV series, and they’re off. The spirit of that show can be seen in the threads of Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1. The comic comes to a sudden end, which prevents it from being conclusive and causes further damage to a fragile time stream.

The cast of Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1 is the perfect example of what this era of the Justice League Unlimited is capable of. The team selected for the expedition is mostly focused on time, either travelling through it or displaced. It’s a huge cast, collecting a selection of heroes that are out of time in multiple ways. There are displaced fan favorites like Jonah Hex and Batman Beyond, along with additional classic heroes such as Plastic Man and Huntress.

That ragtag grouping of heroes is precisely what the concept of this seemingly infinitely sized team can generate. With the comic moving so quickly, not all the characters get a chance to shine, instead bulking out the script and making the whole adventure even cooler. Air-Wave is one of the more intriguing figures in Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1. Recently returned after being manipulated by Grodd, the young hero is crestfallen and trying to redeem himself for his perceived betrayal.

At the heart of the comic is a hero we know nothing about. Calling himself Legend, this faceless, entirely armored character is the leader of this team of heroes. It’s peculiar to have a narrator whom you don’t know, but Legend knows a lot. There’s a mystery to the issue as the protagonist’s identity is hidden the entire time, yet there’s a terrific leadership quality to him.

The art is phenomenal, embracing the intensity of the page. Tormey helps to develop the magnitude of everything about Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1. The characters look fantastic, outfitted with new weapons by the Waverider. The ship itself is back, big and awe-inspiring. Legend’s face is completely obscured in an armor that’s built yet fascinating. Every panel is busy, especially when the Justice League is introduced. There are bodies everywhere, all doing more than just standing around.

For a few pages, the time travelers are alone against a swarm. They’re getting hunted by relentless beings, and that isolation is haunting. The Omega Demons are shadowy creatures, fast and savage, with their only notable feature being the Omega Symbol on their faces. Their claws are vicious, meaning that if they catch up to their target, the odds of survival aren’t great. That sense of speed, especially in the opening, is incredible.

The colors are gorgeous. Around the Justice League, there’s a wonderful sense of brightness and positivity. The colors generate a feeling of spaciousness and vibrancy. And then come the demons, jet black beings that flock the sky, representing death and oblivion. The contrast is startling and brilliantly crafted. The lettering is calm and easy to read.

Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1 is a tremendous time travel adventure. It’s a giant rescue mission that moves at the speed of light. It’s not a stickler for small moments and lingering in moments in time, but the relentless nature of the comic makes it enthralling to read. It also holds an important place within the impending crisis. It makes use of some of the time-displaced characters that weren’t being utilized. The intense energy is intoxicating, even if we’re not entirely sure what’s going on.

Justice League: Dark Tomorrow Special Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.