Identity Crisis for $10.19 currently at Amazon
As far as DC events go, this was one of the more readable ones. The overall events are always easy enough to understand, but understanding why certain actions are done usually requires a huge understanding of DC history, which I don’t have. Nor care to have, since I don’t feel like reading about the history of some third rate character from the 70s.
It starts off with the death of a hero’s wife. The story is supposed to be a mystery with the Justice League trying to figure out if their families are in danger. Obviously, there’s a lot more going on beneath the surface than that.
The most interesting part of the whole story for me was that it was ending an era for DC superheroes, and really, heroes in comics in general. Yeah, you’ve had dirtier heroes for decades, ones that were willing to do what it takes, but you never had someone like the Avengers or the Justice League willing to do what they did in Identity Crisis to keep themselves and their families safe. The rift that forms in the Justice League, the way villains start trying to protect themselves, even what the heroes had to do to their own, it’s all fascinating stuff.
The mystery itself wasn’t that appealing to me, especially when the villain gives itself away accidentally when others are beginning to realize who it is.
In another plus, the art is well done, and the covers (by Michael Turner) are top notch, especially the one with Wonder Woman. I find it to be one of her most iconic images.
3/5. It presents itself as a mystery, but the mystery isn’t satisfying. As an evolution of DC heroes, and not necessarily for the best, that’s where the strength of this event lies. It’s a very important event in DC history.
