FOREVER EVIL # by Geoff Johns and David Finch
The penultimate issue of
Forever Evil is easily the best one to date. Wordsmith Geoff Johns is firing on all cylinders and his collaborative partner, artist David Finch, brings his A game as well. Before I get any further, I must say that this review will feature some spoilers. Those familiar with my reviews know that I don't tread that territory much, but this is an issue that certainly warrants it. Some topics just can't be avoided. Several prominent characters die, but I won't detail all deaths; I need to leave some surprise.
I just don't know where to start when talking about how great this issue is. It features great characterization and dialogue and has just the right amount of action. It's pretty much everything you could want in an ensemble superhero comic book. We get to see an all-out battle between the Injustice League and the Crime Syndicate and not everyone makes it out alive. (But I already said that, didn't I?) The Batman/ Lex Luthor dynamic continues to shine and I can't wait to see how it will carry over into upcoming issues of
Justice League (starting with #30 in April) when Lex joins the team. Speaking of future JL members, Captain Cold gets his share of the spotlight and his scenes are absolutely awesome.
Now we come to the
SPOILERS. Let's address the elephant in the room: Dick Grayson/ Nightwing dies, for now at least. Batman, Lex, and company find him hooked up to a device called "The Murder Machine". It's basically a nuclear bomb hooked up to his heart. The only way to disarm it is to stop his heart from beating. Lex smothers Dick (scandalous!) to save everyone. This prompts Batman to start beating the crap out of Lex. While getting blows rained upon him, Luthor informs The Dark Knight "it's not too late". There you have it. They'll probably find a way to revive him in the next issue. This has to be up there with Kyle Rayner as one of the most impermanent deaths in comics history if they go that route.
The other major subject to be addressed is the man in the hood that the Crime Syndicate fears. If you guessed Alexander Luthor, you were correct. However, he also has powers and is known as "Mazahs!". He's basically his world's reverse Shazam. Perhaps we'll see if his powers are any different. As for whatever it is that destroyed Earth 3, that entity is yet to be revealed.
Before I close this out, I just want to share a Nightwing theory. We've all seen the
Batman Eternal teaser that appears to feature a blonde Nightwing. With his monthly title being cancelled and his secret identity being made public, what if he changes his identity in and out of costume? What if he dyes his hair blonde and changes his legal name to John Blake? What if he assumes the mantle of Robin again? Or a new name altogether? Those are just some thoughts that popped into my head.
I'm not going to say too much more before concluding. The score will speak for itself and this is only the third time I've awarded one this hight.
Score: 10/10