DC Comics
Written by: Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson
Art by: Francis Manapul
Colors by: HI-FI
Release date: 5/9/18
At the end of the Dark Nights Metal series, the Source Wall was shattered and the potential and active threat of what is on the other side of it is the main focus of this new series. Almost the entirety of the Green Lantern Corps has been brought to the Source Wall in order to use their combined powers to try and seal the breach. A task John Stewart is adamant will require larger numbers that what they have.
Back on Earth, the combined forces of the Suicide Squad, The Titans, and others are fighting off multiple incursions by Brainiac. As Superman rushes in to stop Brainiac from taking the rest of the league, the AI reveals how he has captured heroes from all over the world. The difference is that he’s not there to conquer, but for a completely different reason. In his own way, Brainiac has come for the heroes with the most potential and best possible odds of saving the universe.
I love the cut in the action from the confrontation between Superman and Brainiac to Beast Boy and Harley Quinn waking up ready to kill each other. It was a fun scene and I think it’s alluding to similar moments we can expect in the future where we get to know more about these characters and how they relate and interact with each other and the respective teams as the series progresses. It’s even more interesting when Brainiac has to convince the other teams of his intentions. A scene that actually plays out relatively well.
What follows is the exposition used to explain who and what the threat they will be facing. It’s done in a way that doesn’t distract from the rest of the narrative and gives a great lead into the rest of the team, which is amazing. What’s about to complicate matters and add a new wrinkle to this story is Amanda Waller and her plan is interesting as well. Both the art and writing in this issue create a story that hooks me, but there are moments that seem a little rushed. I think Superman’s history with Brainiac justified a little more to convince him and I would have liked to see that interaction. Hopefully, the series will expand on it in later issues.