A new DC Universe is dawning, and the Darkness left behind by Pariah continues to ravage the world. The Justice League are back, joining their children, protogés, successors, and mentees for the fight of their lives. Writer Joshua Williamson, artists Daniel Sampere, Jack Herbert, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Rafa Sandoval, colorists Alejandro Sánchez, Alex Guimarães, Romulo Farajdo Jr., and Matt Herms, and letterer Tom Napolitano join forces in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 to deliver a climactic conclusion to the Dark Crisis arc.
While the heroes stretch their powers to the limit, the biggest battle of all, between Deathstroke and Nightwing, takes place in the Darkness. Slade has embraced the lure of the Darkness and welcomes the end of all life, but Dick Grayson refuses to give up.
At its core, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 is a philosophical discussion disguised as a quintessential multiverse story. Deathstroke and Pariah’s nihilism goes toe to toe with the hope and resilience of DC’s greatest heroes. Nightwing plays a pivotal role in Dark Crisis due to his unique position as a hero, leader, and mentor to the next generation. When Dark Crisis began, Nightwing mobilized the heroes, inspired hope, and honored the legacy of the Justice League. It’s fitting that Nightwing is the one to face the Darkness in this final chapter.
Williams’ decision to use Deathstroke as the Darkness’s conduit after Pariah’s destruction is brilliant. Deathstroke believes the world is beyond redemption. This perfectly contrasts with Nightwing’s hopeful existentialism and kindness. He was thrust into heroics by tragedy and forced to forge a path of hope and resilience. His hope convinced Black Adam to help the multiverse despite his misgivings and inspired the Brave and the Bold to reunite. Williams’ dialogue is satisfying but can be heavy-handed and too on the nose. Similarly, Napolitano occasionally struggles to juggle the numerous characters in this issue, making it difficult to tell who is talking in each panel — which can disrupt the flow of the otherwise strong story.
This entire Dark Crisis arc has been defined by a dark, gritty, and chaotic style. Every page is a lot to take in, bordering on a visual assault. Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 is just as packed with colorful characters and thrilling action. But this time, the color palette is used much more judiciously and purposefully. The theme of light versus darkness is present throughout this issue. The moment when the multiverse is restored is rendered with a breathtaking array of colors — the perfect visual representation of catharsis. The contrast between the battle and the resolution is as stark as night and day. The final pages are softer and gentler, with more pastel, muted shades to evoke a sense of peace and a sigh of relief.
After countless issues, tie-ins, and spin-offs, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 is a triumphant and bittersweet finale that is as visually beautiful as it is emotionally touching. While at times overwhelming, disorganized, and heavy-handed, Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 is satisfying and poignant, affirming the necessity of hope and heroes against all odds.
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