Graphic Lit: 'Final Crisis' and 'Trinity'

Sorry for the radio silence. Work and other committments (including regular postings at Blog@) have been kicking my tail lately. I've got a ton of columns and reviews to post though, and hope to do so over the next few days. For now we'll start with last week's Graphic Lit, which offered a "Final Crisis" introduction for the uninitiated.


First there was “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Then it was “Identity Crisis.” Next came “Infinite Crisis.”

Now we have “Final Crisis,” DC Comics’ latest and greatest superhero crossover.

Details have been scanty about exactly what sort of crisis Superman, Batman and the rest of the DC pantheon face this time around, but executive editor Dan DiDio had some hints.

“We’ve been describing the story as the day evil won,” he said from his offices in New York City. “The story is what happens on the day that the heroes lose. How do they regroup? How do they fight back? What if the odds are so insurmountable that it’s not even worth fighting anymore? What we want to do is explore the true nature of what it takes to be a hero.”

The new seven-issue limited series is notable not just for its promise to shake up the status quo, but for the fact that it has an impressive talent roster behind it.

Writer Grant Morrison (“The Invisibles,” “Seven Soldiers”) and artist J.G. Jones (cover artist for “52”) are highly regarded within the comics community for their craft and willingness to take risks, meaning that “Final Crisis” might be an artistic success as well as a slam-bang summer blockbuster.

As you’d expect with an event of this nature, “Final Crisis” will also inspire a number of spin-off books and related miniseries like “Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds” and “Final Crisis: Rage of Red Lanterns,” giving readers a chance to see how various characters are reacting to the events in the main story line.

“If you’ve been away for a while you’ll want to peek in to see what the fuss and excitement is about,” DiDio said. “We’re hoping it generates interest.”

If it doesn’t, DC hopes you’ll be interested in “Trinity,” its weekly series that debuts next Wednesday.

Written by industry veterans Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza, the series is a stand-alone story involving the company’s top three iconic characters — Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman.

Unlike last year’s weekly series, “Countdown,” “Trinity” will be a self-contained story, though there will be repercussions felt in the characters’ main books as the series progresses.

“I love the weekly format,” DiDio said. “There is a real hunger and interest for weekly comics. A lot of people use it as an excuse for stopping at a comic shop.”

Copyright The Patriot-News, 2008