DC Comics reviews 8/2/22 – Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #3, Batman #126
Flashpoint Beyond #4
On its own, this installment didn’t feel like much progression was actually made.
Yet given the talent involved, and the solid track record already established with this series, it’s more likely this issue will prove more important with greater context. Specifically, the final two issues of the mini-series.
Thomas Wayne is investigating the murder of Reverse Flash trying to learn the identity of the Clockwork Killer. This has been a solid mystery and clearly the hope is the payoff delivers.
Penguin serving as Thomas Wayne’s Alfred remains a completely unexpected treat. If some elements of this Flashpoint world are retained, I’d totally be on board for the further adventures of Thomas Wayne Batman and Penguin.
Dexter Dent strikes out on his own in a manner that would also suggest continued attention on Batman’s Flashpoint world would make for an entertaining read.
That said, there wasn’t much development on the Super-Man front or the other heroes beyond some not-so throwaway news reports involving some familiar names.
The artwork from Xemanico, with two pages from Mikel Janin, are solid. Xermanico is a good fit for the tone of this series with the grittier detail and perspectives that play up the mystery with even something as simple as what’s in the fridge.
As usual, the color work from Romulo Fajardo Jr. — and the two pages from Jordie Bellaire — are stunning. Fajardo makes blood look tangible and not just smears of red on a panel.
It’d be one thing if writers Geoff Johns, Jeremy Adams and Tim Sheridan have been stumbling through this saga, but it feels like there’s a focus with an imminent payoff just in time for the finale. This wasn’t the strongest issue of the mini-series, although there’s plenty of reason to be optimistic it will ultimately deliver a satisfying conclusion.
Rating: 8 out of 10
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