Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 – And Thus Shall the World Die review
The situation has gone from worse to terrifying for the multiverse’s heroes and villains as only six Earths remain.
While things seem bleak, The Monitor is bracing for the end. But before his death, he has a few more plans to set in motion.
Long before this would be considered a big deal largely because he doesn’t make a fuss over it, writer Marv Wolfman has female characters take center stage this issue.
The first is the creation of a new Dr. Light in Dr. Kimiyo Hoshi, a cold and heartless doctor.
Meanwhile Pariah travels to Earth-6 where he encounters its sole surviving heroes —Lord Volt, Lady Quark and their daughter, Liana. For the first time Pariah takes an active role and teleports Lady Quark away as her Earth falls to the anti-matter.
In a nice mirror of issue 2, which saw the World’s Finest discuss the mounting Crisis, Batgirl and Supergirl meet up perhaps for the final time as the anti-matter continues traveling through Earth-1.
The Monitor’s arch-enemy is also advancing his plan and seizes the Red Tornado who he says will help him destroy a universe. That’s ominous. For those of you keeping track that’s two members of the Justice League that have now been taken off the board.
Cameos this issue include Shining Knight, Vandal Savage, Steve Dayton and a nearly unrecognizable John Constantine before his Sting-influenced makeover. These aren’t big moments, but it’s another reminder of the scope of Crisis.
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In a major foreshadowing moment, Superman tells Dr. Light he’ll do anything to save the world even if it means sacrificing his own life.
George Perez really gets to cut loose with the art this issue and he gets to illustrate some inspired collections of heroes from Earth-2 Superman and Dawnstar; Blue Devil and Hawkman & Hawkwoman and Superman, Batman, the Teen Titans and The Outsiders.
It’s hard not to say the same thing each issue but Perez is operating on a higher level than his contemporaries in the 80s or in this modern era. There’s so much detail, destruction and beautifully realized emotion that it’s hard not to get sucked into the mounting sense of dread and fear.
Pariah is teleported by The Monitor and learns he was the one who kept him from dying. With Pariah in the mix The Monitor sets his five towers up just as the corrupted Harbinger kills him.
This leads to a heck of a cliffhanger as the remaining Earths start to fade out into nothingness. It’s hard to top that as far as an effective ending to an issue. Perez and Wolfman continue to raise the stakes on both a multiverse and emotional level and they’ve only just begun.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Photo Credit: DC Comics