DC Comics’ Darkest Moments Revisited In New Dark Crisis Art

DC Comics’ massive event Dark Crisis continues to showcase the legacy and history of the DC Universe in new variant art—this time with a dark twist. Three of DC’s most iconic (if terrible) moments are on display in a variant cover for Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have faced many personal trials over the decades, but none as trying as these.

The Dark Crisis event, an ongoing effort from a host of creators at DC Comics, has spanned months, multiple miniseries, and a collection of one-shots. While the main events take center stage in the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths miniseries, side characters and perspectives get their chance at the spotlight in a variety of one-shot tie-ins. This includes Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1, which is written by Joshua Williamson, Dan Waters, Ram V, and Alex Paknadel with interior art by Daniel Bayliss. This story will feature Swamp Thing and Superman teaming up to discover just how far the so-called Great Darkness has burrowed into the wider DC Universe.

The darkness has certainly spread to the one-shot’s 1:25 ratio variant cover art by Steve Beach, revealed by League of Comic Geeks. The cover features a looming Swamp Thing presiding over three of DC’s most intense moments from the publisher’s nearly 90-year history. At the far left is Jason Todd’s death at the hands of the Joker (and his infamous crowbar); at the bottom right is Wonder Woman with her hands around Maxwell Lord’s neck, alluding to Diana killing Lord in the lead up to Infinite Crisis. Behind both of these scenes, of course, is that famous moment from the original Crisis on Infinite Earths: Superman holding a just-killed Supergirl in his arms.

The cover itself, typical of Steven Beach, is rich, detailed, and worthy of display—and not only for its artistic merit. This cover alone, even separate from the events within the one-shot, highlights three essential moments from DC history. These three events changed the course of their shared universe, and, despite the darkness, it’s a relief to see that history once again at the forefront of DC events. The entire Dark Crisis event, from the main book to the tie-ins, has been exploring DC legacy and history, and this cover fits beautifully within those themes. More than that, this cover suggests that this history—some of which was erased during the New 52 era—will once again be at the forefront of DC’s storytelling, tragedy, complicated moral failings, and all.

While DC Comics is in an era of unprecedented joy and celebration in their stories, these tragic moments are also a key element of the publisher’s long and interconnected history. This variant cover is a testament to Dark Crisis‘ commitment to exploring DC Comics‘ legacy and history, and hopefully fans will see that commitment followed through in the interior pages of Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1 this October.

Check out Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1, available October 4th from DC Comics!

Source: League of Comic Geeks