Crisis on Infinite Earths

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Summary: Infinite Crises for DC Writers
Review: There are three main reasons that the CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS 12 issues maxi-series was written: marketing publicity, a "youth movement" involving DC characters, and the "infinite earths" concept which (apparently somewhat inept) DC writers could not handle. In the case of the first, one cannot blame any publisher for attempting to publicize any publication and project (although in this case I think DC went a bit too far with a project that was unnecessary, and "unnecessary" elements included the deaths of various super-heroes). The second reason for CRISIS, the "de-aging" of sorts of its various characters and heroes, is also understandable to a degree. But, I'm not sure that a universal cataclysm was needed to accomplish that goal. As for the last reason, any "garbage" accumulated by the "infinite earths" concept -- which did NOT initiate as "infinite," but rather as MULTIPLE parallel earths -- could have been avoided by observant and detail-oriented writers and editors. In essence, DC supposedly felt the neccessity of correcting problems which NEVER should have existed.

As time had passed, and it's difficult to believe, various DC writers/editors sometimes became confused about which super-characters existed the various parallel earths. And, there often was criticism about the many "Super-" characters within the Superman Family of comics magazines. Following CRISIS, DC was revamped to but a single universe -- well, at least until the "parallel worlds" concept rears its head at some future date. And, the various "Super-" beings which spun off from Superman disappeared. Or, at least for a time they did, because a Supergirl and a Superboy are now back, albeit in somewhat different concepts!

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS is NOT a "terrible" series, rather an average and unnecessary one. To quote the famous Bard, CRISIS could be summed up as "Much Ado About Nothing." And, CRISIS will no doubt be outdated fairly soon. Many writers following CRISIS themselves had no clear idea of exactly what had occurred and was newly defined, and new "clutter" continues to be introduced into the newly-formed DC Universe. Whether the new guard of writers will simply ignore, or othewise cogently explain away such clutter -- either or both of what should have been done in lieu of CRISIS -- remains to be seen.

Art-wise CRISIS is a gem! It contains beautiful pencil art by the great George Perez, and the inking by Jerry Ordway is also exquisite. Add the book's new cover art by the team of Perez and the awesome Alex Ross and you have a breathtaking visual package, which somewhat atones for the lack of concept and writing.

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Summary: Worthwhile overview of DC Universe
Review: Originally issued in 12 installments back in 1985, Crisis On Infinite Earths is a comprehensive revision of the gigantic, sprawling, multileveled DC Universe. Marv Wolfman and George Perez took on the challenge of simplifying things with entertaining and relatively definitive results.

This epic tale is very much "old school", with Wolfman's dialogue and plot devices representing the traditional DC style of storytelling at the time. There's cliched dialogue, as well the heavy handed emphasis on true blue heroism. But then, that's pretty much what one would have expected from mainstream comics circa 1985. Perez does a great job cramming the panels full of the hundreds of heroes and villains. He obviously did his research, faithfully rendering everyone in great detail. He also manages to keep the plot moving despite being burdened with so many characters.

As a semi-regular follower of the DC Universe for the decade or so preceding Crisis, I was pleased with the multitudes of cameos from familiar, as well as unfamiliar, characters. This work brings virtually all of the existing DC characters together in a reasonably plausible tale. What else, but the end of everything, could result in such unification? Even the bad guys sign up to face this even greater evil. Sure, there are too many characters, and some of the characters' contributions to the overall plot becomes muddled at times, but the scope of this project is so huge that I can easily forgive Wolfman and Perez.

If you're looking for something ground breaking, look into Alan Moore, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman, or Grant Morrison (to name a few). If you're looking for some old school DC action, a superhero tale of epic proportions, featuring virtually the entire DC Universe up to 1985, then get Crisis On Infinite Earths. Read it, then keep it on your shelf for later reference. Plus you may be intrigued enough to search for back issues of DC titles featuring the likes of The Phantom Stranger, Captain Atom, Deadman, Green Lantern Corps, Freedom Fighters, and on and on.

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Summary: One of the best maxiseries ever! Wolfman & Perez's best!
Review: Crisis on Infinite Earths was originally proposed as a way to simplify the convoluted multiple earths and realities and characters of the DC Universe (which also had to absorb the Charlton Comics characters like Blue Beetle). Wolfman and Perez were, at the time of this series, putting out great work on the New Teen Titans which crashed and burned when DC made the stupid mistake of turning that series into a prestige format series available only at direct outlets and thus alienating many fans. With Crisis though, Wolfman and Perez formulated a plan that would make the DC universe coherent and also entertain the socks off of comicbook afficionados. They suceeded with great style. Most of the characters who meet with tragic ends are unimportant bit players (obviously killing Batman permanently would make about as much sense as killing Spiderman or Superman) or characters with little appeal. It can be confusing to many people to see an elderly Superman, Superboy, and Superman or Green Lanterns of various types, but it all made sense in the old DC pre-Crisis universe! The cosmic battle between the Monitor and Anti-Monitor is interesting as are is the story of the Guardians of Green Lantern fame and how ancient they are in the universe. Wolfman's script ranging from dealing with cosmic infinity (and done far better than the laughably inept Secret Wars from Marvel) to dealing with regular people's lives. It's kind of cool when timelines start to overlap and you have dinosaurs and cowboys in one place. It's no secret that Barry Allen (the Flash before Wally West) and Supergirl die in this series and they die memorably (especially Supergirl). Perez's art is crisp and detailed and some of his best work. Wolfman and Perez treated all the characters as if they were legendary greats whether they were 2nd rate heroes or flagship characters and that added to the drama and importance of the story. I won't give anything away for new readers, but what enhances reading this series is checking out the History of the DC Universe also. This book is highly recommended for the young and young at heart.

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Summary: Essential Reading
Review: This huge comic event is the single most important event in the history to the DC comic universe. In an attempt to rid itself of confusing continuity, DC single handly created a historical series of uncanny proportions. Every single DC character was effected(some more than others i.e. Supergirl!). Next to the "Dark Phoenix Saga" and the amazing "Kingdom Come" this is essential historical reading. Perez's pencils are as immaculate and so fabulous--there isn't much more to say about this piece. Since it is collected here in a nice, revamped, and relatively cheap softcover there is no excuse not to grab a copy. Enjoy

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Summary: Judge It By It's Cover
Review: You Can tell a book by it's cover sometimes. For example, this graphic novel has tremendous art throughout the entire series. George Perez is the best there is at what he does, which is cramming in as many characters as humanly possible in a very small frame. However, the writing of Marv Wolfman could possibly have been better. It's hard to be too critical of him, though. It was a daunting task to clean up 60 years of convoluted DC history in twelve issues. What made this so enjoyable for me was the build up of this series before it ever hit the stands. The Monitor was pulling the strings of every hero and villain in the DCU for months, leaving everyone wondering "who is this guy?". It was also one of the first times in comic history when major characters were killed off and actually stayed dead. This is almost unthinkable to writers these days, who use death as a selling point for an issue and then, miraculously, they are somehow resurrected the next issue. Hats off to Marv Wolfman for writing it, and the bosses at DC for sticking with it.

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Summary: The Definitive Mini Series
Review: In one years time, DC Comics killed off the original Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Silver Age Flash and Supergirl and it all made sense. Written by legendary scribe Marv Wolfman and pencil genius George Perez, Crisis is by far, one of the more important masterpieces of comic book literature.

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Summary: Consolidation of the old earths
Review: In this mega graphic novel Marv Wolfman and George Perez consolidate the DC Universe by a cosmic crisis that's wiping out the old earths.

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Summary: COMIC BOOK ARMAGEDDON!
Review: "Crisis on Infinite Earths" is, without qualification, the greatest comic epic in the history of the medium. Originally released in 1985 to streamline the impossibly convoluted DC history and revitalize their product for a new generation of readers, "Crisis" continues to stand on its own as a classic of comic art storytelling. As soon as you open the magnificent cover by George Perez and Alex Ross, you know you're in for something special. While the hapless Pariah writhes in agony while the multiverse disintegrates one world at a time, you're right there with him thanks to Perez's exciting art. One after the other, heroes and villains that have been a part of the DC canon for decades fall prey to the evil from the Anti-Matter universe, dying coldbloodedly in the very act of either selfless heroism or craven wickedness alike. Somehow, writer Marv Wolfman manages to weave practically every major or minor character in DC's archive into the sweeping script, miraculously managing to avoid losing individual characterizations along the way. From Superman to Darkseid, Batman to Killer Frost, Sgt. Rock to Black Adam, every character is true to form. Definitely not a tale of invulnerable caricatures that never bleed, cry, or die, the ultimate humanity of even DC's most mighty heroes is explored in surprising detail. Though not entirely successful in its stated objective (in '02, DC continues to grapple with the continuity problem), "Crisis" remains unmatched for ambition and grand-scale adventure, boasting some of the most memorable moments in comic history: Supergirl's mortal combat with the foul Anti-Monitor; the Flash literally running for his life--and ours; the cold, heartless countenance of Brainiac gloating over the United Nations; the Spectre, wrestling hand-to-hand with evil incarnate; and most stirring of all, the battle royal between the Golden Age Superman (the godfather of all superheroes) and the devilish king of anti-matter. How to sum up the "Crisis?" Breathtaking. Visionary. Sometimes even gut-wrenching. But above all, one helluva good story.

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Summary: Only worth it if you are a major DC Fan
Review: Crisis on Infinite Earths is frankly not worth the money unless you have a desperate desire to learn some of the backstory of current DC characters.

The plot isnt particularly good, and is hampered by the desperate need to simplify the DC world (which failed in any case, as JLA:Earth 2 conveniently recycles ideas from the pre CoIE era).

Even if you think you're up to date on current JLA and Golden Age timelines there will undoubtedly be a lot of backstory you do not understand.

The DC universe changes so often that keeping up with it isnt worth it: it's a sucker's market. For a comic or this era that is readable I recommend 'The Return of Superman', which has its detractors but remains one of the few Superman books that doesnt bore me to death. Better still, check out Kingdom Come, Astro City, V for Vendetta or Sandman.

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Summary: CRISIS ON INFINITE WHAT???
Review: It started out as a great book. Then it got into the whole multiple earths thing and then to make it more confusing they introduced characters that had nothing to do with the plot. Don't get me wroung, it was a great idea for a book it just needed to stick to the game plan. I did enjoy the multiple characters meeting themselves and the heros of other world fighting eachother. They ruind that idea though by haveing them be brain washed. That was dumb. Overall it was OK. I wouldn't read it again though.