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A review by joshgauthier
Heroes in Crisis by Tom King
5.0
Tom King does it again. Grounded in the ongoing narratives of the DC Universe, King's newest story also steps back from the traditional superhero narratives to take a sincere look at the nature of trauma and the lives of those who devote themselves to the role of heroism.
Characters recognizable and obscure make their appearances across these pages. King's writing stands out in the way that he brings depth, complexity, and humanity to every voice. Particularly in characters like Harley Quinn, King finds dimensions of their characters that are often lost in other portrayals. Without ever losing sight of the larger universe, King's storytelling cared about depth and theme in the midst of an epic and wide-reaching story.
It's a worthy examination, and in King's hands, it's well delivered. This is a side of hero narratives that often doesn't get examined. Pieces of the story are unique to these characters and the world they live in, but so much of the heart of Heroes in Crisis is a tender human examination of what it means to risk oneself for the sake of the larger world. Heartbreaking and honest, but not without humor and adventure, King's work here is a remarkable achievement.
And King's writing of this script is only one piece of what went into creating this graphic novel. The art from Clay Mann and the others--colorists, lettering--brings more to this story than writing could ever do alone. The title spread pages are striking and emotional in themselves. The emotional beats, the imagery, the attention to detail and tone--the art carries this story just as much as the writing with every page.
It's a beautiful and tragic narrative which skillfully unfolds under the careful hands of everyone involved in creating it. These are stories and messages that carry great value. And in the midst of telling a story that is well-worth the read for the things it has to say, this team has still created an engaging super hero story which delivers action, mystery, and all the pieces that make for an exciting read.
It's a true accomplishment for all involved and, I believe, a story that will continue to stand out as a valuable part of the DC Universe.
Characters recognizable and obscure make their appearances across these pages. King's writing stands out in the way that he brings depth, complexity, and humanity to every voice. Particularly in characters like Harley Quinn, King finds dimensions of their characters that are often lost in other portrayals. Without ever losing sight of the larger universe, King's storytelling cared about depth and theme in the midst of an epic and wide-reaching story.
It's a worthy examination, and in King's hands, it's well delivered. This is a side of hero narratives that often doesn't get examined. Pieces of the story are unique to these characters and the world they live in, but so much of the heart of Heroes in Crisis is a tender human examination of what it means to risk oneself for the sake of the larger world. Heartbreaking and honest, but not without humor and adventure, King's work here is a remarkable achievement.
And King's writing of this script is only one piece of what went into creating this graphic novel. The art from Clay Mann and the others--colorists, lettering--brings more to this story than writing could ever do alone. The title spread pages are striking and emotional in themselves. The emotional beats, the imagery, the attention to detail and tone--the art carries this story just as much as the writing with every page.
It's a beautiful and tragic narrative which skillfully unfolds under the careful hands of everyone involved in creating it. These are stories and messages that carry great value. And in the midst of telling a story that is well-worth the read for the things it has to say, this team has still created an engaging super hero story which delivers action, mystery, and all the pieces that make for an exciting read.
It's a true accomplishment for all involved and, I believe, a story that will continue to stand out as a valuable part of the DC Universe.