Injustice: Year Four #21 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Tom Derenick, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: September 22, 2015

Join the Dark Side

Year Four of Injustice is almost at an end and I have to say that it's been an up and down ride.  While I have loved a lot of the over the top action, the story of this Year of the Gods hasn't really hit home with me.  That being said, Buccellato's hints of Darkseid entering the fray have had me excited for weeks and I am happy to say, the wait is over.  Darkseid is in the house, but does that push the story towards a great conclusion or is it just more action and no substance?  Let's find out...




The issue opens with a little political talk show and it's cool to see that the Injustice Universe is not just costumed heroes fighting each other.  Nope, it's also angry talking heads screaming their hate speech.  We cut to a secret meeting of the World's Leaders and things don't get much better.  It seems that Superman didn't get rid of all the nukes and they just might be aimed at Themyscira.

We then see what I've been waiting for for what seems like forever...Darkseid!  He has Billy Batson, Harley and Hippolyta chained up and while he looks pretty damn imposing, Harley doesn't care.  She tells him he sucks and is giving him raspberries. I have criticized Buccellato for his characterization of Harley, but he has redeemed himself in the last couple of issues.

While Darkseid taunts his prisoners, Superman shows up and the fight is on.  It's pretty epic as the two Titans go at it, but after Darkseid tells Superman his plans, it fell apart a bit for me.  Darkseid is after revenge for Superman killing Kalibak, but why didn't he just go after Superman?  Why the behind the scenes stuff with Ares?  Was it all a plan to team with Ares so that Harley and company would get a hold of a mother box that would lead Superman to Apokolips?  That is one crazy plan, but the action that results is, like I said, epic.

Back on Earth, Zeus is upping his game and attacking religious centers around the world.  Without actually seeing Zeus in this issue, these scenes fell flat as well.  We do see a pissed off Wonder Woman before heading back to Apokolips for more fighting.  The issue ends with Harley, Billy and Hippolyta safe and sound and Batman and Wonder Woman going to get help for Superman.

While I liked the action of this issue, the story seemed rushed and forced.  After all the setup, Darkseid is thrust into the book just to fight Superman.  Maybe this was his grand plan, but it seemed off.

I liked Tom Derenick's art in this issue.  He gives the reader some nice character work and the fight between Darkseid and Superman was well done.

Bits and Pieces:

Well, we finally get to see the mysterious character behind Ares' plan, but his arrival felt too separated from the setup. It did lead to some pretty kick ass action scenes, but the overall story didn't move forward at all.  We also see that Earth's Leaders have a Plan B, but again, it just felt forced into the narrative.  I did like the art, but overall, this issue was another disappointment.

5.0/10