Forever Evil Graphic Novel Review

Forever Evil is the first big event of The New 52. Earth is under the rule of the Crime Syndicate, evil counter parts of the Justice League. Earth's heroes have disappeared while villains join the syndicates Secret Society, and for those that don't, join earth's unlikely savior; Lex Luthor. The seven issue mini series is written by Geoff Johns with art by David Finch. For a story about villains Finch was a good choice of artist with his dark visuals of both characters and scenes.

Earth is under rule of the Crime Syndicate, they've taken the world's greatest heroes by surprise. They weren't prepared and the Justice League is gone. In place of the worlds protectors stands a tyrannical cabal of killers whose powers and personalities are an evil reflection of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and more. Their simple goal of ruling the world was instantaneous with their army of Earth's worst villains joining there cause. Lex Luthor is the one man who can stand against their rule, forming an allegiance with a crew of criminals as well as one legendary crime fighter making way for a confrontation where no matter the outcome, evil wins.

This is DC Comics and Geoff Johns' first big event of The New 52. It is pretty much a self-contained story spinning out of The Trinity War crossover. The event had building to ever since the series began, pitting the three leagues against one another and setting the stage for Forever Evil.

At the conclusion of the "Trinity War" a gateway was opened to Earth-3 allowing the Crime Syndicate to travel to our earth. Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Johnny Quick and Deathstrom. The leader of Secret Society of Super Villains was revealed to be the Alfred Pennyworth of Earth-3 who arrived prior to the Syndicate to prepare for their arrival along with their mysterious hooded prisoner. It was also revealed that The Atom was actually Atomica from Earth-3, who was an agent for the syndicate who had been infiltrating both A.R.G.U.S and the Justice League. Meanwhile Cyborg's body rejected his human half as a sentiment computer virus had taken over robotic parts coalescing into a robot named Grid. Our heroes were easily defeated and the Crime Syndicate claim that the earth is now theirs. Having read and enjoyed Justice League Vol. 5 Forever Heroes, a tie in to the Forever Evil event, depicting events that run parallel to this huge story. The issue cover images in the companion book mirror some of the events that happen within Forever Evil. The fight between Ultraman and Black Adam that began in the pages Justice League # 24 concludes here. Unlike the last two Justice League books, this isn't a story of crossovers or building to something else. This is a spin off from the Justice League series, it is the main event and was a thrilling event that exhibits that evil is relative.

Neither Forever Evil or Justice League Vol. 5 directly follow up on the events that transpired on the Syndicate's arrival, instead this mini series takes places a short time after when they have began to conquer our world. It leaves it accessible to new readers and merely alludes to the fate of the Justice League's, helping the series to start off on its own distinct note keeping it a straightforward in regard to events that preceded it.

The first act is to catch readers up with the apparent "hero" of this event, Lex Luthor. When the threat is realized that the world is in danger and there is no Superman here to save it. Luthor views this as the realization of how he always felt about the over reliance on superheroes. With no one left to save them, he makes steps necessary to take them out. This conflict may be enough to force even the world's most self-absorbed man to act for the greater good. He has always proclaimed he would have done such good if Superman had not been here, he has a vague notion of heroism. Luthor leads a pack of villains that disagree with the syndicates rule. It is an engaging read as it showcases characters usually viewed as antagonists in a light not seen before, while playing to John's strengths making villains more interesting and complex. As the story progresses you find yourself rooting for Luthor's Injustice League.

It’s an interesting and unique premise, most superhero graphic novels pit the good guys against the bad. Forever Evil’s unique approach puts the bad guys against a villainous group of world conquering tyrants. It is a great story and one of the best since The New 52 began that that dives straight into DC's super villain community depicting a war between the world's villains and the invading Crime Syndicate of Earth-3. Geoff Johns continues the trend of villains growing more complex and interesting. Forever Evil is an exceptional big Justice League style of story but without the worlds greatest heroes being featured making Lex Luthor the “Hero” as earth's saviour. Johns continues to do what he does best and brings the standard of large scale stories back to its former glory that hasn't been seen since Justice League Throne of Atlantis feature.

Issue #1 launches the Forever Evil event and even though it and the book cover features a large assembly of villains its story is not overloaded with them throughout. I was concerned that the story would filled with villains that I wasn't familiar with, but luckily we get a well known handful featured in Luthor's squad while others appear in there own roles in the many tie ins of the Forever Evil event. Bizarro makes his New 52 debut in this fresh approach that far exceeds his usual role as a brainless, comedic villain. Batman plays a secondary role and does his best to control Luthor’s squad. His main objective is a rescue mission for an close alley that the syndicate has already made an example out of.

The story ends as it began with Lex Luthor, he develops and possibly finds a new role in for himself going forward in the DC Universe, but do we buy that Luthor has turned a new leaf? No matter what it changes the dynamic for future stories. It is an epic read and has such a grand finale feel to it, as if it was the end of the series or writer Geoff Johns run on the Justice League comics, fortunately it is not. The mini series is a spin off from the Justice League series but is told in a way that is not heavily necessary or dependent on having read the previous releases as it stands well on its own.The New 52 debut of the Crime Syndicate is a fresh and novel approach, rather than facing off against their heroic counterparts the Syndicate clash a with a band of earth's villains. It's one of the biggest threats the world has seen since the formation of the League in Justice League Vol.1 Origin. Heroes fall, but villains rise taking on the role of earth's heroes. Johns tells an epic story and continues to do what he does best. It feels pivotal if you read the John's current Justice League comics as the upcoming graphic novel release in the series looks to have shaken things up with the outcome of Forever Evil, but again it works well as a stand alone epic tale.

Justice League Volume 5: Forever Heroes Review

Justice League Volume 5 is the latest collection of issues from Geoff Johns New 52 series. Forever Heroes is a collection of tie in's to the main event; The Forever Evil mini series. This volume doesn't pick right up after the events of Volume 4 The Grid, instead it reveals the origins of members of the Crime Syndicate, the evil counterparts to the Justice League, while the later issues progress on the story features the real hero of the arc, Cyborg.

The Justice League are gone now Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Deathstorm, Atomica and Johnny Quick, The Crime Syndicate have invaded earth from a alternate universe. The Syndicate are not just the evil counterparts of the league but have meaningful motivations for desire to rule the world. The begging of each issue spotlights the backwards and twisted origin of various members of the Crime Syndicate, some with their own motivations and some with hidden agendas. Ultraman, Owlman have their own issue and and the rest are featured the third issue. All expect Lois Lane as Superwoman, one of the most interesting origins of the group is left a mystery. Her files has been deleted from database only adds to her mysterious nature. One of my favorite moments along with the dark origins of the Syndicate was the moment where organised crime families were trying to find their place in a world where the Crime Syndicate has taken over, resulting with the incidental creation of Plastic Man.

Justice League #27 offers a change of pace for the series, the attention is back to Earth's dwindling lineup of heroes. Cyborg/Victor Stone had his human half ripped from its robotic body and left for dead. He is the only member of the Justice League that has escape the Syndicates attack and he is the only one who can save earth's heroes. On the verge of death, Victor emerges as a stronger, more confident hero who has fully embraced his place in the world. After a heartfelt conversation between Victor and his father work begins to rebuild his son and in the end, Cyborg earns his place among the Justice League in a way he hadn't fully before. Cyborg emerges in a new sleeker slimmer body and this is where the book gains momentum, with earth's heroes gone it is up to Victor Stone to act and he's gonna need help to do it. Enter Project Metal Men, into a story arc that's already crammed with super villian origins, Johns re-introduces the heroic Metal Men in this story.The Metal Men are heroes that truly want to help others even if it means self sacrifice, this is a completely straightforward and refreshingly earnest portrayal of superheroes. Cyborg plans to launch an attack on his Crime Syndicate counterpart Grid, the sentient computer virus that has taken control of Cyborg's previous robotic body. He leads the resistance against Grid who has taken control of the world's computer and communications.

The first half of the book was an interesting look at the origins and motivations of members of the Crime Syndicate. While the later half makes progress as Cyborg leads the fight to save to Justice League and stop Grid. Cyborg gets to really shine here as not just hero but a leader, he has fully embraced what he is and for a character that has had so many set backs keeps fighting. There’s a evocative moment in the final issue, one of the most famous images in superhero comics is that of Clark Kent opening his shirt revealing the Superman uniform underneath. The image that has been used many times throughout comics history, it’s symbolic not just of superheroes taking action, it’s a powerful image that resonates with everyone and this time that moment belongs to Cyborg. This story's strongest theme is about Cyborg embracing himself for what he has become and what he’s been all along, a hero.

Cyborg is the real star of the story and really develops as a character and it's great to see as he is the only founding member of the Justice League that doesn't have his own series. The evil origins was a fresh inclusion but these are only ties ins to the main event Forever Evil and Forever Heroes is the latest installment in the series that will hopefully resume to standalone epic stories that began this best selling series. 

K