Tales From the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Love and Doom

Tales From the Dark Multiverse has been on a roll so far, and this issue is no different. Writer Steve Orlando and artist Mike Perkins, with Andy Troy on colors and Troy Peteri on letters, deliver one of the stronger issues of the series.
This issue takes its title from the legendary Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC’s universe-wide reboot from the 80’s. Wisely, the story’s divergence doesn’t focus on the event itself, rather, the way the change affects the aftermath. This is more a riff on the one-shot issue Last Days of the Justice Society of America, where our heroes are summoned to fend off Surtur and fight in the endless war of Ragnarok. Here, that doesn’t happen, and Surtur rolls through to New Earth, ready to bring about the end of this world, and countless more beyond it. Needless to say, this does not bode well for the heroes left to fight.

From the jump, this is a violent, gory issue. Surtur is merciless, and he gives the Justice Society no quarter. People get incinerated, dismembered, and eaten. Perkins renders it in necessary but not lurid detail. The fight scenes are thrilling for how impactful and brutal they are, showing the power of heroism in the face of evil, and also its uselessness in the face of overwhelming strength. Each death drives home how sorely outmatched the Justice Society actually is, and it is heartbreaking.

After their retreat, the story shifts to quiet, contemplative, intimate dialogue heavy scenes. Perkins, again, deserves praise for this issue, showcasing his ease with both big action and human drama.
Here is where we find the seed of tragedy: Alan Scott’s regret and guilt, his desperation, and his love for Obsidian, his estranged son. As everything falls, no solution can be dismissed, and the seeds are planted for the final twist.
This sequence is the heart of the issue, tying together the threads of hope and fear that run throughout. Everyone knows the situation is hopeless, but that is no reason to stop fighting. Each small scene illustrates their will to fight, commenting on the weight of legacy, bravery in the face of fear, and accepting death. It is a truly touching and sad set of pages, beautifully illustrated by Perkins.
And then the final stand happens. And fails, as it must in this series. Casualties mount, every single plan is upended, and the world is about to end. Until Alan Scott offers himself to Surtur, in exchange for sparing Earth. Surtur accepts, and the Dread Lantern leaves the planet, forever in thrall to the god.

This issue is interesting in particular because of how it frames its tragedy: over the course of the series, the tragic twist is brought on by pain, or selfishness, or hatred. Here, what brings about this particular world’s doom is love. It is the most human of motivations so far in the series, and the one that hits the hardest. Each issue turns on this sort of moment, when the hero is finally consumed by their need for resolution. Here, it is a man who wants to end the bloodshed.
TFTDM: Crisis on Infinite Earths is another great issue in a consistently good, consistently interesting series.