Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #2 Review

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Szymon Kudranski
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: May 26, 2014

The Art of the Squeal

Okay, I wasn't the biggest fan of the premiere issue of Infinite Crisis.  It setup the premise but didn't wow me.  However, the cliffhanger promised what I wanted from this book in the first place, crazy characters from all over the mulltiverse fighting each other.  We do get a crazy character, but not the way I expected.

This issue features Batman and even though we are on Earth Prime, I don't know if I recognize him.  It's not the cowl or the cape.  Nope, they look fine.  It's Batman, himself.  He is an art obsessed jerk (who does he think he is, Alan K. Avery?), his quips are cringe worthy and Dan Abnett breaks a bunch of rules of a good Batman.  He's not a good detective, gets caught off guard and actually seems afraid at the end.  Awful.

The plot is not much better.  We get a throwaway story only there to get Batman to meet with Harbinger. When they meet, they fight.  I understand Batman fighting, but Harbinger should recognize Batman as someone she needs to recruit.  After beating the crap out of him, she suddenly comes to her senses, kind of explains the situation and zaps Batman and herself to Earth-19.  Oh well.

The art is not very good either.  Szymon Kudranski has some experience with Batman so I expected more. The book is super dark, the painted style doesn't fit the setting and there is a distracting border on a bunch of panels.

I may sound like a Negative Nancy, but it's only because I expected more from this book.  While I don't play the game it's based on, I always love some elseworlds fun.  We are two issues in and nothing. Seriously?  Here's what I want: Nightmare Superman and Atomic Green Lantern beating the snot out of Gaslight Joker and Doomsday.  It may make no sense, but it would be cool as hell.  Make it happen.

Bits and Pieces:

I really don't know why this book exists.  Actually I do...Money and nothing more.  Two issues of boring explanation and poor characterization and I have already had enough.  I was hoping this issue would improve over the premier's poor showing, but it actually got worse.  I can't recommend this issue or the series to fans of the game or comic readers in general.  Until further notice, just walk away.  Nothing to see here.

2.5/10