Infinite Crisis: Fight for the Multiverse #31 Review

Written by: Dan Abnett
Art by: Angel Hernandez
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: December 28, 2014

It's a Nightmare

I'm not going to start this review by painting a rosy picture about this book.  If you've read any of my thirty previous reviews of it (and I hope you have), you already know what I think about it.  I haven't liked it.  Sure, there have been a few good issues, but they've been few and far between, lost in a sea of mediocrity  That said, this week's issue is not horrible.  I don't know about you, but I'll consider that a win



The issue opens up with one of the most interesting characters this book has seen in a while...Nightmare Batman.  Dan Abnett plays it smart here and just introduces the character and lets him run wild.  He does just that, all over Batman.  As Damian Wayne and Hawkgirl look on, Nightmare Batman has his Prime Earth counterpart on the ropes until Hawkgirl steps in.  I say "steps in", but she really just swings her mace and that's all she wrote.  The three use the opportunity and get the hell out of there and head back to Earth-19 with the knowledge of yet another Earth Engine.

I'll admit it right now, it has been a bunch of issues since this current story started, but I still hadn't been able to put my finger on what was supposed to be going on.  There were Earth Engines that must be bad, but why?  The heroes were gathering together against a threat, but what threat?  Dan Abnett finally gives us some hints.

All the heroes of the book are gathered in Alexander Luthor's Headquarters and while they decide to call the Monitor to invite him to their little party, K.A.L. and Luthor are examining the Earth Engine.  That's when we get an idea of what this is all about.  Of course it's about the Earth Engines, but what they are capable of is insane and they are prepped to do it soon. I won't say I'm excited to see what happens, but I am curious.  That's more than I usually can sat.

If you are looking for a silver lining in this book, look no further than the art.  Even with the changing art teams, this book has consistently looked good.  Angel Hernandez continues that trend this week.  His character work was really good with the highlights being Alexander Luthor, Wonder woman and Nightmare Batman.  I also really enjoyed the opening battle between Batman and Nightmare Batman.

Bits and Pieces:

I always try to be thankful for the little things, so the fact that this issue didn't completely suck is something.  Dan Abnett finally gets around to telling the reader what's going on and Angel Hernandez's art was really good.  Infinite Crisis is not my favorite book, far from it.  However, if Abnett can build off this issue, it might just become readable.

5.0/10