Overview:
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths is a 2022 DC Comics event written by Joshua Williamson, with artwork by Daniel Sampere. It follows the major legacy of previous Crisis events and explores a massive threat to the DC Multiverse after the Justice League is seemingly defeated.
The story focuses on the next generation of heroes stepping up to fill the gap left by the Justice League. Key characters include Nightwing, Jonathan Kent (Superman), and a variety of younger heroes who must unite to stop a new multiversal threat led by a mysterious dark force. Meanwhile, long-standing villains, including Deathstroke, have their own major roles, pushing events toward chaos.
Critical reception has been somewhat mixed. Some praise the event for its focus on legacy characters and emotional beats, while others find the plot a bit repetitive or lacking fresh ideas compared to previous Crisis events. Artistically, Sampere’s visuals receive high praise for their detailed and dynamic approach, helping elevate the epic feel of the event. Fans, particularly those familiar with DC’s Crisis history, have shown appreciation for its scope and ambition, though newer readers might find it dense. Overall, it is a significant entry in DC’s recent narrative.
Background Reading:
- Crisis on Infinite Earths
- Infinite Frontier
- Shadow War
Related Guides
Best Way To Read:
Main Collection
Not yet collected
Additional Collections
- Justice League Incarnate
- Collects: Justice League Incarnate #1-5
For crossover and significant events, I typically only read the main story the first time I encounter it. Trying to read all of the tie-ins with the story tends to make them increasingly convoluted and are not crucial to the main narrative. However, I think they are important to read, as many series-shifting plotlines can happen.
For the tie-in issues, I only read them as they come up in the reading guide that I am working through. This can become problematic because the tie-in issues are not always included in collected editions of the event. So you may need to hunt for them.
Reading Order:
| Title | Importance | Collected |
|---|---|---|
| Justice League Incarnate #1 | Prelude | Justice League Incarnate |
| Justice League Incarnate #2 | Prelude | Justice League Incarnate |
| Justice League Incarnate #3 | Prelude | Justice League Incarnate |
| Justice League Incarnate #4 | Prelude | Justice League Incarnate |
| Justice League Incarnate #5 | Prelude | Justice League Incarnate |
| Superman: Kal-el Returns Special #1 | Prelude | |
| Green Lantern: Emerald Knight #1 | Prelude | |
| Justice League vol. 4 #75 | Prelude | |
| Aquamen #6 | Prelude | |
| Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1 | Prelude | |
| Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: Young Justice #1 | Young Justice Arc | |
| The Flash #783 | Flash Arc | |
| Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #2 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: Young Justice #2 | Young Justice Arc | |
| The Flash #784 | Flash Arc | |
| Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #3 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: Young Justice #3 | Young Justice Arc | |
| The Flash #785 | Flash Arc | |
| Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League: Superman #1 | World without Justice League Arc | |
| Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League: Wonder Woman #1 | World without Justice League Arc | |
| Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League: Green Arrow #1 | World without Justice League Arc | |
| Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League: Green Lantern #1 | World without Justice League Arc | |
| Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League: Batman #1 | World without Justice League Arc | |
| Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: Young Justice #4 | Young Justice Arc | |
| The Flash #786 | Flash Arc | |
| Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1 | World without Justice League Arc | |
| Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #5 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: Young Justice #5 | Young Justice Arc | |
| Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #6 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: Young Justice #6 | Young Justice Arc | |
| I Am Batman #15 | World without Justice League Arc | |
| Dark Crisis: The Dark Army #1 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: War Zone #1 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 | Main Story | |
| Dark Crisis: Big Bang #1 | Main Story |
Publications Impact
Dark Crisis is one of the lead-in events in the “Dawn of DC” relaunch.
- Series Ended in the Event
- Justice League (2018)
- Aquamen
- Teen Titans Academy
References:
Feature Image from Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 cover art by Todd Nauck, Daniel Sampere, Alejandro Sanchez, and Chris Burnham
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