DC’s Dark Crisis has left the multiverse without a Justice League. Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Batman #1 is the newest installment in a series of one-shot issues exploring various worlds where single heroes stand alone without the Justice League. Pariah and his Dark Army have defeated the League, but he still needs fuel to power his deadly machine. To solve this, Pariah has imprisoned each member of the Justice League in custom-made worlds. Written by Si Spurrier with art and colors by Ryan Sook, and lettering by Troy Peteri Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Batman #1 is a compelling exploration the Dark Knight’s conflicting ideologies.
Pariah has control of the multiverse, but in order to maintain that grip, he needs consistent fuel for his machinations. His ever-growing abilities have given him the power to create worlds made from the innermost hopes of the various Justice League members. In Batman’s world, Gotham City is the last surviving stronghold on Earth. The rest of the planet has been overrun by a psychic virus reminiscent of Joker’s laughing gas. The destruction has left everything outside Gotham in ruins, an apocalyptic wasteland. The two main characters here are Mr. Wax, aka The Architek, who built the Gotham that still stands, and The Night, an analog to Batman.
Spurrier crafts an excellent story in this issue. There have been countless variations and Elseworlds tales with these characters by this point, so it can become challenging to create something new using the mythology that still feels fresh. Luckily, that’s exactly what Spurrier does here. The concepts are fascinating, and the world-building is subtle, leaving things just open-ended enough to keep the reader guessing. The writing itself is phenomenal. Spurrier has a mastery over diction that is wonderful to read. The setting is interesting, but the character work is the true highlight of this issue. It’s clear Spurrier has a deep understanding of Batman.
Sook’s art is stellar. The barren wasteland that surrounds Gotham has a palpable sense of ruin. Readers can feel the toxicity in the environment, and that contrast is rendered sharply with the look inside the city walls. The interior of Gotham looks like a utopia, clean and ordered. Both The Architek and The Night have wonderful character designs. It’s easy to get lost in the details present with both characters and the world around them.
Sook’s overlaying panels help establish pacing and scale, while distorted and shattered panel edges add an extra layer of impact to the action. Sook’s colors are also phenomenal. The bright lights within the city during the day are a brilliant contrast to the world at night. Red and blue hues create an incredible contrast. Peteri’s lettering is great from cover to cover. Character bubbles have a slightly distorted font which plays into the narrative. The sound effects add another layer to the atmosphere of the book.
One-shot issues within a larger event are the best when they can stand as individual tales, separate from the ongoing event. This issue is a gritty, character-driven tale told within a vacuum spotlighting Batman. There are deeper themes of identity and what someone’s place within the world means explored to great effect. With Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League – Batman #1, Spurrier, Sook, and Peteri deliver a well-crafted and nuanced exploration of Batman.