FINAL CRISIS #1 by Grant Morrison and J.G Jones(2008).
© DC Comics

Mania Grade: B-
Comic Series: Final Crisis
Issue: 1
Authors: Grant Morrison, J.G Jones
Publisher: DC
Price: $3.99

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FINAL CRISIS #1

With this first issue of Final Crisis, DC, writer Grant Morrison, and artist J.G. Jones begin the final installment of the trilogy began in 1985 with Crisis on Infinite Earths. The publisher promises that this will serve as the last crisis, and the lead into a very different DC universe. Healthy skepticism about lasting change is duly warranted, but the issue has arrived nonetheless. The issue begins with the New God Metron bestowing fire on Anthro, the first boy, in the midst of a tribal war with Vandal Savage. In the modern day, Morrison begins with a first person narrative dictated by Detective Dan Turpin—a gumshoe who serves as the voice of readers less familiar with DC’s continuity. While investigating the disappearance of six children with superpowers, Turpin discovers the New God Orion, dying and having fallen to Earth. Orion gives Turpin a cryptic warning about the breaking of the heavens before expiring. The Green Lanterns and the Justice League move into action, as Turpin learns from the new Question about an exclusive night spot called the Dark Side Club—a spot that may lead him to the six missing children. At the same time, the Secret Society of Super Villains learns that, Libra—the man that would bring about the end of heroes—is much more than talk. When he personally executes a hero in their midst, they know he means business. The question remains, though—what does he want in return? Elsewhere, in the farthest reaches of the cosmos, the Monitors conclude their trial of one of their own, whom they hold responsible for the destruction of Earth-51. Finally, we learn that Anthro’s act of heroism at the dawn of time—according to Morrison, the first heroic act—may have ramifications in the present DC Multiverse.

Dear Maniacs, the only way to fully appreciate Final Crisis #1 is to read it with the series’s Wikipedia page open. To do otherwise means to miss half of the story, which is deeply rooted in DC’s history. New readers will find something of a foothold in Detective Turpin’s narrative, but not much of one. In that regard, it makes it extraordinarily difficult to review this first issue of Final Crisis. New readers will feel completely lost, outside of the appearance of familiar characters like the Green Lanterns and the Justice League. On its own terms, it rewards longtime readers with a tale deeply rooted in stories going back to Jack Kirby’s time with DC. Indeed, Morrison’s love of Kirby’s work shines through like a blazing love letter. The issue relies heavily on the ground broken by Kirby with his Fourth Worldsaga, and anyone that has read DC’s collections of that series will appreciate its continued influence.

Artist J.G. Jones has produced a fine looking comic, with a degree of muted realism that the story demands. The events of Final Crisis, if we are to believe DC, are extraordinarily dire, and visual sensationalism would fail the story. As such, Jones makes the reader believe in a way that lends credibility to people in spandex. Alex Sinclair’s drab colors compliment his work perfectly, making the first issue of Final Crisis a pleasure to look at.

The first issue of Final Crisis shows Grant Morrison’s skill as a writer, but it sits deeply rooted in DC continuity. New readers will likely not have read the many stories that came before it, effectively leaving them in the dark. Though diehard DC fans will appreciate the issue for its density, it won’t win any converts.

Questions? Comments? Let us know what you think at comicscape@mania.com.