A New Multiverse Is Born In 'Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths' #4
Image Source: Batman News
As the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths event continues to grow, so does the darkness enveloping the DC Universe. Where hope once burned within the heroes, there is now dread. With each step the heroes take, it seems that Pariah is five steps ahead of them. As new alliances form and old ones reappear, it may not be enough to stop the power of Pariah.
Black Adam had left the new Justice League to fend for themselves, and the Justice Society reappeared to help guide them through this crisis. While the heroes met to plan how to combat a threat that encompasses the entirety of the multiverse, Alan Scott visited Nightwing at Beast Boy’s bedside. Nightwing has been grieving for his friend who may never wake up from his coma. Alan Scott reminds him that he needs to return to their fight in order to avenge his friend and stop others from meeting the same fate or worse. Seeing one of DC’s oldest heroes reignite the flame of hope within one of DC’s oldest sidekicks is a landmark moment. It is genuinely touching as Scott reminisces on seeing The Flying Grayson’s act long before Nightwing was born and tells him, “…[W]hen your parents performed, they had everyone’s eyes on them. Just like you do now, kid.” He follows this up with the important reminder:
“‘Justice League.’ ‘Justice Society.’ They’re all just titles. They have meaning, sure. But you don’t need those to be a hero.”
Image Source: Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4
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As DC’s first Green Lantern comforts Nightwing, the Green Lantern Corp. is still fighting Pariah while Hal Jordan is stuck inside a world of his own creation. After being trapped in the worlds Pariah created for each Justice League member, Hal is saved by none other than Barry Allen. Everyone thought Barry was dead until he was rediscovered and saved by Wally West. Now, Barry looks to do the same for his friends and fellow League members. He explains to Hal that the Justice League is not truly dead, but simply trapped in Pariah’s worlds that have been crafted to suit their individualities. This issue alludes to the fan theory that the Justice League would return in the usual comic book fashion. While this is an exciting twist of events, it is also deflating to the fact that Crisis On Infinite Earths took great risks in killing off numerous characters and universes in order to rebrand the entirety of DC. Allowing DC’s biggest characters to remain alive in some form for a major comeback seems to be the safer route. This may be due to the mixed reception of Future State in which all of the major characters were rebranded, and new characters took up the mantles. Time will tell if these characters truly are safe.
As this battle rages on, another one begins. Black Adam meets with the Legion of Doom to discuss them filling the void that has been left in the absence of the Justice League. However, not all the members are so keen on stepping in and saving the day. Lex Luthor seems to understand the gravity of the situation after being privy to knowledge of the multiverse, though Gorilla Grodd believes that they should allow Deathstroke to destroy everything and allow the Legion of Doom to rise up and take control in light of the chaos. Before a decision can be made, Deathstroke is knocking on their door. The battle that follows feels similar to the one that had occurred at Titans Tower except less exciting. One would think that seeing this many villains face off would warrant an entire comic on its own instead of a few panels before Lex Luthor subdues Deathstroke to prevent everyone there from being infected by the same darkness that infects Deathstroke.
Image Source: Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4
Meanwhile, Barry Allen takes Hal Jordan to the world Pariah has crafted for Batman. Barry explains that he has attempted the same rescue for Batman that he did for Hal, although it ends in a much different result. Batman does not want to be saved. Buying into the delusion that has been crafted for him, he believes that Barry is interrupting an important investigation. Once Barry and Hal arrive, Batman once again makes it clear that they are in the way and immediately attacks them. Batman in his own universe gives way to a new and truly great design for the Dark Knight. He is clad in steampunk-inspired gold and black armor similar to the Batsuit, now with a clock cog insignia.
Image Source: Screen Rant
Back in the main timeline, Alan Scott takes Nightwing and the rest of the new Justice League to an undisclosed location in search of more help for the oncoming battle. Upon descending the stairs and entering a room with a living portrait of Zatanna, they are greeted by the Justice League Dark. It would only make sense that Justice League Dark would make an appearance as teams disband and resurface during this cosmic threat. They are the foremost mystical team and include members much more attuned to the grander scope of things through their connections to the mystic arts and the Green. Swamp Thing informs the new Justice League that even The Darkness may have now been corrupted as it previously had “…[n]o desire to control anyone. Now more than the night sky or our own shadows.”
As always, Swamp Thing is correct. In the midst of all of the chaos seen throughout this issue, Pariah has only grown stronger. Now, he laughs and rejoices as Barry Allen races across the worlds crafted by him. Little did Barry know that his attempts to save his friends only help Pariah grow stronger. As Barry crosses each world, his energy only adds more power to the links between them. In doing so, he inadvertently causes a chain reaction that results in the birth of a new multiverse.
Image Source: DC
It is impossible to say where the story goes from here. The revelation that the members of the Justice League is alive on newly formed worlds could be leading to a major comeback at the end of the storyline. That may be the too obvious answer, though. The renaming of Dark Crisis as Dark Crisis On Infinite Earths is too bold of a statement not to end in some sort of major rebranding for the DC Universe. There are only three issues left in this arc, so expect major twists from here. The main players have been revealed, a new multiverse has been formed, and Pariah only grows closer to achieving their ultimate plan. The future is grim for our heroes, but exciting for us as readers.
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