Comic Review: Heroes in Crisis #2

Heroes in Crisis #2

DC Comics

Writer: Tom King

Artists: Clay Mann and Travis Moore

Issue #2 of Heroes in Crisis cements its role to the infamous, reviled story Identity Crisis. Certain, vital plot points are only clear through the solicits and marketing campaign as opposed to the actual story. For example, this issue reveals that the death of an iconic Batman villain that occurred during the previous one. Besides waiting too long to deliver such important information, the story communicates it in a very offhanded manner. A complex mystery is more than welcome but it should at least have a coherent premise. Heroes in Crisis has failed to adequately explain what Sanctuary is within the actual narrative. When the marketing is more concise and comprehensive than the story itself, that’s a serious problem.

Additionally, not much actually happens in this issue. The Trinity bicker under the pretense of finding the culprit of the Sanctuary massacre. Booster Gold wanders around aimlessly, trying to make sense of his situation. Eventually, he reveals the news of a victim’s deaths to his close friend in a surprisingly pedestrian way. Harley Quinn does something similar, monologuing to herself and whoever will listen. She confronts the Trinity in a conflict eerily reminiscent of the widely derided Deathstroke fight from Identity Crisis. Her performance against Batman is somewhat feasible and they give a half-hearted excuse for Superman. But the idea that Harley Quinn could stand against Wonder Woman stretches the superhero genre’s generous suspension of disbelief.

Very little happens in issue #2 of Heroes in Crisis and it feels as directionless as its heroes. Its narrative relies entirely on the tragedy but the writing itself lacks genuine emotion. Aside from strained clumsy dialogue, every character is boiled down to their worst trait. The story downplays or even ignores everything else. Batman is paranoid, Superman is inhuman, Wonder Woman is cold, and Booster Gold is careless. The cast’s depictions are so simplified because the plot couldn’t function as written if they were more true to themselves. This problem affects the rest of the story, as none of its events feel organic. Events happen entirely because they need to, leaving Heroes in Crisis with turgid pacing.

Heroes in Crisis #2 still features Clay Mann’s art but three pages are illustrated by Travis Moore. He’s just as capable but mixing artists in a book always damages the immersion and flow of a story. This issue is no exception. Tomeu Morey and Arif Prianto’s colors help unify the two but it still falls short. Heroes in Crisis already suffers from a lack of direction and this doesn’t help matters. Admittedly their art feels more than a little stiff and plays it too safe with the perspective. Additionally, the faces don’t exhibit enough emotion for this kind of story. Harley Quinn’s fan favorite jester costume makes a return and Mann proves it can work with a “serious” tone. Unfortunately, it’s hard to appreciate when she’s largely unrecognizable.

Heroes in Crisis #2 fails to make up for an underwhelming first issue. Even worse, it’s quickly becoming mundane and forgettable. As worthy of criticism as similar plotlines were, at least you couldn’t forget them. It remains to be seen if Heroes in Crisis is capable of that much, though it has seven more issues to do so.