BEST SHOTS EXTRA: FINAL CRISIS #1

[MattBrady]

Best Shots Extra
Final Crisis #1
From: DC Comics
Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: J.G. Jones
Color: Alex Sinclair
Lettering: Rob Leigh
Review by Troy Brownfield

Final Crisis #1 suffers the most from the weight of expectations. It comes, we’re told, as the third part of a decades-spanning trilogy. DC Universe #0 sold the fact that it’s the last “crisis” (defined by that issue’s narrator, Barry Allen, as an event that shakes the multiverse and slays worlds and heroes). Some DC fans who felt let down by Countdown or other recent missteps look to Final Crisis as if it’s supposed to simultaneously tell a great story, fix all the lingering problems, address some nagging questions, and potentially heal the sick. While I’m guessing that the power of healing is outside the wheelhouse, I’d have to say that the jury is still out on the other three. Final Crisis #1 is very much a first issue, with the positives and negatives that such things can frequently entail.

You know what? Spoilers On.

Let’s start with the easy part: the art’s gorgeous. J.G. Jones really knocks himself out on this issue. He has to cover a huge cast and frequent, dramatic changes of setting, and he gets it all right. Really, the settings are the most impressive part; Jones has to, in the space of one issue, convey prehistoric Earth, the Metropolis docks, Oa, downtown Metropolis, multiple secret bases, JLA HQ, outer space, and post Great-Disaster Earth. The scope is pretty damn impressive, and Jones makes it all look great. If there’s a knock here, it’s that many of the characters aren’t terribly expressive. Still, the detail work is incredible.

The problem with analyzing the first issue rests with the fact that there’s a lot of heavy lifting for the reader to do. I imagine that this issue would be extremely difficult for a reader new to DC to fully understand. I believe that the book would benefit greatly from some narrative captions indicating scene change or a minimal description of the new location; I followed it without much problem, but I could see someone not as versed in the universe as me getting lost rather quickly.

Issue #1 opens with Anthro (“the first boy”), though he’s never identified as such. He’s visited by Metron of the New Gods, establishing a link between that pantheon and Earth that goes back much further than many readers may have expected. We move from there to a brief visitation of the aftermath of Death of the New Gods, though it’s at least done in such a way that you can catch up without having followed that particular book. Things pick up steam from there as the story bounces quickly between different characters and events, rapidly establishing several subplots. Some of these transitions are smooth, but some are rather abrupt, leaving you wondering where things went (and oddly, Barry Allen, whose off-panel return in DCU #0 has been much ballyhooed, doesn’t even get a mention, much less an appearance).

One particularly abrupt scene will certainly be the flashpoint of all discussion for the issue. Something bad happens to a very familiar character, and the rather hasty nature of that event, accompanied by little to no build-up within this issue, will probably leave many dissatisfied (or even angry). I hope that there’s a long game associated with this occurrence; if not, it seems like a somewhat pointless exercise in using a shocking act to stimulate the plot.

To his enormous credit, Morrison displays a fundamental understanding of all of the characters that he uses. Whether it’s Turpin or Superman, Hal Jordan or Lex Luthor, he gets the “voices” right. An angry Green Arrow seems exactly like an angry Green Arrow should; Black Canary at a certain point is appropriately incredulous. One bit of characterization that I didn’t like was the use of Dr.Light; Morrison overplays slightly the creepy persona grafted onto the character with Identity Crisis, and I don’t think that it will sit well with portions of the readership.

For the most part, I thought that the first issue displayed more cohesion on a second reading. There’s frankly quite a bit going on, and not much of it really jumped out and grabbed me at this point. Obviously, there’s a lot of ground left to cover, and Morrison and Jones could take this in about a hundred different directions. As a single piece, it lacked the urgency that marked the first issues of Crisis on Infinite Earths and Infinite Crisis, but again, Morrison could simply be playing for the long term wrap-up.

At this point, I’ll still maintain a level of cautious optimism. The art is great and Morrison knows the characters, so this book could blossom into something rather cool. With the first issue, though, extremely hopeful fans will have to settle for something that reads like a transitional series of set-ups vs. some kind of line-wide savior.

[nietoperz]

I think people have to give this book a few issues to warm up. Morrison tends to know what he's doing with this type of thing, and I suspect small incidents will pay off in a big way further down the line.

[Blind Assassin]

Originally Posted by nietoperz

I think people have to give this book a few issues to warm up. Morrison tends to know what he's doing with this type of thing, and I suspect small incidents will pay off in a big way further down the line.

It's only a 7 issue series. Do we really need to wait 'a few issues' for it to 'warm up'?

But, I do agree with you. Grant is great at showing things that initially may make you scratch your head, but by the end it (almost) always makes (some sort of) sense.

[SeamusMcClernan]

...you know the drill.

I walk into my LCS and no sooner than I do, I think; "I'm a day early!"

[fmyii]

Originally Posted by nietoperz

I think people have to give this book a few issues to warm up.

I'm sorry but they've had 3 years of stories (and the last 50+ weeks specifically) to "warm up" this story. (granted, Morrison didn't write Countdown or anything like that. But still~ *pun intended*)

This was a huge disappointment. And there is NO WAY this issue is accessible to a non-DC fan boy.

I realize we have about 4,000 tie-ins to wade through before this is over, but I, for one, am let down.

I love Morrison's work, but this didn't even really feel like his work.

And Dark Side? geez-louise......

Darkseid is walking through the woods late at night holding a little boy's hand. The boy says, "Darkseid, I'm scared." To this Darkseid responds, "You're scared?? I have to walk back alone! and then I have to read Final Crisis #1"

[ZEBULON]

Duh, it's grant morrison. You were expecting to enjoy it without a dose of methadone, a tab of acid and 3d glasses? Noobs

[HopeLantern]

I am definitely excited about Final Crisis, which I hope to pick up at my LCBS later today. While I wouldn't call FC a saving grace for Countdown, after only 2 issues of SI, as well as the beginning slew of tie ins to SI, all I have to say is "Yawn" for Marvel's big event (outiside of the art). I agree with whomever said Grant's stuff typically pays off down the line. But knowing how much of a disappointment SI is turning into (IMHO), I know that Final Crisis can't be any worse.

[cynic79]

I enjoyed it. It's definitely a setup issue, but enough happened that I'm eager to see where the story goes from here.

Plus, the next issue promises that a certain long dead character will be making his reappearance.

[DigitalAtman]

I was lucky enough to get this issue yesterday, because apparently some of the overseas shipping isn't held up by American holidays. So Austria got all the new comics on Wednesday.

I wasn't overhwlemed by Final Crisis 1, and it's true, it was hurt some by the expectations. I was more excited by the latest Batman issue, where Morrison's RIP arc really gains a lot of steam. I'm in agreement with, apparently, nearly everyone, when I say that the art in FC was probably stronger than the script, which is very strange for a Grant Morrison book. I do realize, though, that this is only the first issue, and I have a feeling that it's going to get much stronger.

I really loved the Monitors' scene toward the end. It's curious that DC's central heroes took a back seat in this issue. I wasn't expecting that at all, and that's also something that could stir up disappointment for some fans... but I enjoy that this really seems to be more a story about these heroes' Universe than about the big guns themselves (so far). I feel like Morrison's giving us the big picture here, whirling around the globe to different events and the connection between those events isn't clear yet, but I trust it'll all pull together.

The issue itself was a good, solid read. Not absolutely amazing. But I'm still excited about the series.

[Doc_doom79]

This is what bugs the hell out of me.

I LOVE DC.

I WANT DC TO BE #1.

THE ONLY WAY THAT WILL HAPPEN IS TO ATTRACT NEW READERS.


DC IS DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR POWER TO CATER TO THE INSULAR DC READERS AND FANBOYS OF YESTERYEAR AND NOT GET NEW FANS TO READ.

[DonDaddyD]

You know I think DC fans are the most critical out of the all the comic publishers fans.

I

[jsf]

I'm one of the DC fans who's been put off by the direction of the DCU since Identity Crisis. I pretty much dropped all my books after Infinite Crisis, and have boycotted almost all their line of titles (except Jonah Hex, Hellblazer and Booster Gold). Still, given the creative team and promise that this will be the last crisis of the Didio era I gave this a shot.

The art is gorgeous, no doubt. But the story ... yeah, Morrison is "in voice" with the characters (no writes Luthor as well as he does) ... but the issue itself feels like a succession of events pasted together, with little narrative continuity. Three different stories are laid out (Orion's fate ... Turpin and the DS Club ... and the SSSV) ... and I'm sure they'll all weave together by the end ... but for this issue it all fell flat.

And yeah ... someone's death was really poorly done. Almost like a plot device that was fitted into the story just so something major happened in issue one. Given the similiarity between that event and the Hood's beat down of Tigra in New Avengers -- especially given the almost exact same justification for it ("See what I can provide you with? Join ME") -- that scene felt a bit derivative (even if it wasn't) and artificial.

Dunno. I'll flip through issue two, and if it seems like more of the same I'll pass. Compared to COIE, this really was a quick read that felt rather weak. Given that Didio once promised for a new era of heroism (post IC) -- and we're now being given a storyline which indicates the villians will "win" (given recent interviews) -- I remain sceptical of DC's current direction. I may just wind up trade waiting this, and then byrne stealing it in a store.

Yeah ... crappy thing to say. But I'm really unhappy with DC, and this didn't really do much to change my mind.

[nietoperz]

Originally Posted by Blind Assassin

It's only a 7 issue series. Do we really need to wait 'a few issues' for it to 'warm up'?

Well, look at it this way: Infinite Crisis hit the ground running - its forst two issues were packed with incident and were just great. Then the rest of the run was bollocks.

Let's allow Grant to set the story up properly, and see where it goes from there.

And as for the guy complaining about 'Dark Side' - I guess you didn't read Seven Soldiers, huh?

[DigitalAtman]

The similarities with Bendis's Hood stories are interesting. I'm often amazed by parallel events in the Marvel and DC Universes; it often happens so close together in time that the one creative team couldn't even know what was going to happen at the other company. In this case, Morrison has expressed his pleasure with Bendis's Avengers, so it's more likely a direct influence. But they didn't kill Tigra. The Hood and his people, they didn't really kill anyone, did they? It was a big story idea that only went so far because at the end of the day it was primarily low-end super-villains and the Avengers saved the day. It was an impressive setup but it's sort of amazing that the Hood and his goons didn't do more damage than they did.. With Final Crisis, Morrison's actually involving major players like Luthor and Savage, and that makes it all a bit more ambitious, and this first issue's murder tops it off.

And as for our famous victim... are we really that sad that the current version of the character is gone? When he comes back it'll be the familiar version that returns, surely, and we'll all be happier for it.

[rouge2]

While *I* really liked the issue, I suspect this will make a lot of people angry. Morrison's disjointed story-telling style is on full display here and takes a bit of getting used to, that a majority of fans coming in for an "event" comic may not appreciate.

I think the much talked about death worked well within the story in that it was so perfunctory and almost off-handed, that it shows the villain is dealing form a new set of cards, but the hero in question doesn't get much of a heroic send-off out of it, and that won't sit well with a lot of fans.

I'm just not sure how accessable it will be for people who haven't read Seven Soldiers or aren't familiar with Morrison's style. But then again everyone has to have their first exposure to Morrison at some point, so maybe this will light up the brains of the mainstream DCU readers just like his JLA did.

[Stormbreaker]

Originally Posted by nietoperz

And as for the guy complaining about 'Dark Side' - I guess you didn't read Seven Soldiers, huh?

And therein lies my problem with DC at present: if you haven't been reading for five, ten or even twenty years, so won't get anywhere near the big picture (or sometimes not even a basic understanding of what's going on) when it comes to their big events. They keep beating the dead Crisis horse when they should be moving on to different things. Yeah, when you come down to it, the entire medium is, to a certain extent, guilty of this all the time, but it doesn't always FEEL like they're recycling stories. Sinestro Corps was quite different than anything DC has done recently, and I consider it to be one of the best stories DC has ever put out.

Now I haven't read this issue yet and I honestly am not sure how much I'll like it. I loved COIE and I really liked Infinite Crisis (I never understood the hate for that one), though not as much as COIE. I just don't know if the same story given to me a third time by a writer that I feel is highly hit-or-miss (WE3 was great, his X-Men was interesting, but his Batman...not so much) will tread water.

Also, just because I am weary going into FC doesn't mean that I think Secret Invasion is the greatest thing to hit modern comics. It's been pretty underwhelming too thus far, and that's coming from a guy who LOVED House of M (even if I wasn't crazy about some of the fallout).

[KWillyVox]

CIVIL WAR: Got it. Not too complicated to get up to speed.

WWH: Got it. Easy to understand the central conflict.

FINAL CRISIS: WTH? Honestly. As a new DC reader, or a potential one, i'm already lost on an issue that should be a springboard. I guess i need a manual to figure out what the hell is going on before i dare read a comic book.

[Doc_doom79]

Originally Posted by DigitalAtman

And as for our famous victim... are we really that sad that the current version of the character is gone? When he comes back it'll be the familiar version that returns, surely, and we'll all be happier for it.

You, and the people that can't get past that rediculously outdated design for the character. You don't know how many non DC fans that thought "Wow, Martian Manhunter doesn't look like a tool anymore."

A shape shifter that looks like a human/Martian hybrid...that isnt a human/Martian hybrid. That was always retarded, and his costume looked horrible. I got people interested in reading about the character finally....

Guess some DC fans can't get their heads out of their 1984 asses.

[Stormbreaker]

Originally Posted by KWillyVox

FINAL CRISIS: WTH? Honestly. As a new DC reader, or a potential one, i'm already lost on an issue that should be a springboard. I guess i need a manual to figure out what the hell is going on before i dare read a comic book.

Thank you, sir, for proving my point. :-)

[spider985]

Originally Posted by HopeLantern

I am definitely excited about Final Crisis, which I hope to pick up at my LCBS later today. While I wouldn't call FC a saving grace for Countdown, after only 2 issues of SI, as well as the beginning slew of tie ins to SI, all I have to say is "Yawn" for Marvel's big event (outiside of the art). I agree with whomever said Grant's stuff typically pays off down the line. But knowing how much of a disappointment SI is turning into (IMHO), I know that Final Crisis can't be any worse.

How do you know SI is turning into a dissapointment?

Two issues in and I am enjoying it.

After i year of build up, you are prepared to say that FC will not be a big pile of steaming rubbish yet are prepared to write off marvel's event.

Double standards much?

Any way, I look forward to FC and how GM will save the pile of rubbish that has been the DCU since Identity Crisis.

[FireLight]

I agree and disagree with this review.

Page for page - there was more 'story' than in most 22 page comics these days. Each page - thanks to the art and the writing told a complete story and I was entertained by it.

But as a whole - I agree that it feels like too many pieces and players did NOT get as much fleshing out as they needed. The major death felt rushed and I hope there is an end game in mind - but I 'think' what Morrison may be stating is there are so many deaths in the DCU that this is just 'another' example and maybe the DCU is desensitized to Hero Death now (and the readers by default).

I do think WWH and even Secret Invasion got the 'drama vs. action' quotient much better and for the $ it felt more intense. Final Crisis I hope ramps up next issue - but I wish it did not TAKE a next issue to get that.

[holtom2000]

fair to say it has mixed reviews?
that can't be what DC wanted
the author was right - this was nothing like the first issue of Infinite Crisis or COIE

[theodoros]

Originally Posted by Blind Assassin

It's only a 7 issue series. Do we really need to wait 'a few issues' for it to 'warm up'?

LOOLLOLOLlooolloolLOloLOLOolOLloOLOLloLO LOlololll

[cynic79]

Originally Posted by DigitalAtman

I was lucky enough to get this issue yesterday, because apparently some of the overseas shipping isn't held up by American holidays. So Austria got all the new comics on Wednesday.

I wasn't overhwlemed by Final Crisis 1, and it's true, it was hurt some by the expectations. I was more excited by the latest Batman issue, where Morrison's RIP arc really gains a lot of steam. I'm in agreement with, apparently, nearly everyone, when I say that the art in FC was probably stronger than the script, which is very strange for a Grant Morrison book. I do realize, though, that this is only the first issue, and I have a feeling that it's going to get much stronger.

I really loved the Monitors' scene toward the end. It's curious that DC's central heroes took a back seat in this issue. I wasn't expecting that at all, and that's also something that could stir up disappointment for some fans... but I enjoy that this really seems to be more a story about these heroes' Universe than about the big guns themselves (so far). I feel like Morrison's giving us the big picture here, whirling around the globe to different events and the connection between those events isn't clear yet, but I trust it'll all pull together.

The issue itself was a good, solid read. Not absolutely amazing. But I'm still excited about the series.

I'm glad you mentioned Batman. Batman #676, the first issue in the R.I.P. storyline, was a set-up issue. Nothing much happened, and some people complained that the story wasn't going anywhere.

Now look at Final Crisis #1. It is, again, a set-up issue, and people are complaining that the story isn't going anywhere. See where I'm going with this?

If you honestly didn't like what happened in the story, I understand that and respect your opinion. If you didn't like the story because you felt it was all set-up, then I would ask that you at least take a look at issue #2 before passing final judgment. If the preview picture from the end of the issue is any indication, Morrison is going to hit the ground running next month (yeah, that was terrible...).

[Devster]

Originally Posted by nietoperz

And as for the guy complaining about 'Dark Side' - I guess you didn't read Seven Soldiers, huh?

Awww, crap. I didn't read that series. Anyone able to tell me how essential a precursor it is?