Crisis on Infinite Earths

Red Skies hang over the entire DC Universe as each and every hero on Earth gathers for what will be the first in a series of universe-spanning Crises! 

Meanwhile, Walter Simonson helps us shift the focus from Earth to the heroes of outer space – and beyond!    

This fourth volume in the saga of the Swamp Thing finds the man-monster interacting with Deadman, the Phantom Stranger, the Spectre, and the Demon as he continues on his journey of self-discovery. Traveling through the horrors of a haunted house, the improbabilities of the afterlife, the depths of hell and the heights of heaven, the Swamp Thing continues his evolution from a simple monster into a powerful elemental being with a potential to exceed the bonds of the Earth itself.

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Swamp Thing's quest for self discovery with mystic JOHN CONSTANTINE has led to one final moment of truth, a harbinger of doom has been released with the sole charge of waking an evil beyond comprehension, and Swamp Thing, John Constantine, Deadman, The Phantom Stranger, Etrigan, The Spectre and other masters of the occult must unite against a dark force which threatens to eradicate heaven's light, this classic saga by the legendary creative team of Alan Moore, Stephen Bisette, John Totleben, Stan Woch, Rick Vettch, Ron Randall and Alfredo Alcala continues the evolution of Swamp Thing from a mire dwelling man-monster to a powerful elemental being with the potential to exceed the bonds of the earth itself.

Swamp Thing: A Murder of Crows overflows with sophisticated tales of horror from a finely-wrought crossover with the epic DC maxiseries Crisis on Infinite Earths to Swamp Thing's first audience with his brethren in the Parliament of Trees to the cataclysmic conclusion of the "American Gothic" storyline, these are the stories that changed American comics forever.

An additional Chapter in the Crisis on Infinite Earths story.  Because of length, 12 issues was the most the story could be told in.  Some of the issues ever even over-sized which inflates the true allowance of page count to the story. This one-shot was written by Marv Wolfman, who wrote the original maxi-series.  This story can or cannot be taken as canon, it is up to the reader, since Crisis was about removing universes anyway.  This issue is intended to be read after issue #4 of Crisis on Infinite Earths for those who want to know its canon placement.

Overview

The untold tales of the World's Greatest Super-Heroes continue. Vibe! Steel! Gypsy! It's the rise and fall of the Motor City Justice League, as Aquaman relocates the JLA from a satellite in the sky to Detroit to bring them closer to the people they serve. But as soon as they arrive, they find themselves embroiled in the greatest disaster ever: The Crisis on Infinite Earths. Plus: Two titanic backup tales give a fresh glimpse at the darkest moments in the lives of everyone's favorite heroes.

PLOT    
Deadman wanders the streets during the chaos of Crisis on Infinite Earths, doing his part to save lives wherever he can. He is summoned by Rama Kushna and told he is needed for a mission in the antimatter universe. Deadman is then 
returned to where he was before.  
 
The Flash appears and as he disappears, Deadman dives after him, finding himself appearing in the antimatter universe. Deadman watches as the Flash sacrifices himself, destroying the Anti-Monitor's machine. Deadman escorts the Flash's soul toward a  bright light, which is being guarded by Darius Caldera, who captures the Flash's spirit in a bid for power.

This is it! The greatest DC characters! Your favorite writers and artists! Everything leading to Final Crisis and beyond starts here for just 50¢! Take a journey through the past and present of the DCU, and witness the emergence of the greatest evil in the universe — and the stunning return of a force for good! You dare not miss DC Universe: Zero!

Much like previous DC events, Final Crisis kicks off with a specially priced one-shot highlighting the state of the DC Universe. Unlike previous events, this DC one-shot also gives the straight dope on some non-Crisis related things about to take off, so let's cover all the bases shall we?

Fan-favorite writer Marv Wolfman revisits the legendary character he helped define in the 1980s in this epic tale of The Man of Steel. A true "lost tale," this issue connects to CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS in an exciting and unique way! Rounding out this issue is a tale from the 1980s, also written by Wolfman.

With a Crisis barely averted, the DC Universe struggles to survive other impending invasions and catastrophic events that call for all of Earth's heroes to respond! Meanwhile, Keith Giffen takes us into the future with a legion of Legions of Super-Heroes!!

Everything starts out with a mysterious figure known as Pariah.  He is the witness of universe after universe being destroyed. He sees the universe of Earth-3 disappear. Even the Criminal Syndicate and Alexander Luthor Sr. are unable to stop its destruction. Alexander Luther Sr. and his wife Lois know that they can not stop the destruction of their universe so they send their son Alexander Luthor Jr. to another dimension in hopes of saving his life. The pod with Luther Jr. goes to the universe of Earth-3.  In an obvious parallel to the Superman origin.

Lyla and the Monitor also watch as universe after universe is destroyed. In an attempt to stop the end of existence the Monitor sends Lyla as the Harbinger to find the one the Monitor has selected to save it. Harbinger separates into multiple selves and takes off to multiple universes and times. She summons King Solovar from Earth-1's Gorilla City, Dawnstar from Earth-1's future, the first Superhero known as Firebrand from Earth-2's past in WW II, and the Azure Avenger Blue Beetle from Earth-4. One of her forms is sent to find Arion but her body is taken over by one of the shadows of the Anti-Monitor. Another Harbinger summons Psycho-Pirate from Earth-2.

The possessed Harbinger finds Arion from Earth-1's distant past and after toying with him she summons him as well. Meanwhile Another Harbinger summons Firestorm and Killer Frost from Earth-1. Harbinger gets Psycho-Pirate to make Killer Frost fall in love with Firestorm. The Monitor watches all of this. One by one superheroes and villains are called to the Monitor satellite. Others include the Golden Age Superman of Earth-2, Obsidian of Earth-2, Cyborg, Geo-Force, Green Lantern: John Stewart, Dr. Polaris and Psimon all from Earth-1.

While on the satellite the confused group are attacked by Anti-Monitor Shadows. They are dispatched fairly quickly.  After a battle, the Monitor shows up and helps them defeat the shadows.

The story starts in the city of Cliffland. A sailor and his Girl are speaking about going on a date. They are quite happy. The girl soon realizes that a bubble has appeared and attached to a statue. She states is bubbling. The Statue comes alive and soon destroys the sailor. The girl faints. As this monster is revealed to be OOM. Mr. Mind appears and tells OOM he should wake her up before he kills her. Then the story is provided of OOM’s past. His killing of the human life. The Spectre took notice of this and punished him. OOM Revolted but was defeated. As Dr. Mind is the one who unleashed him. OOM at first wants to refuse by Mr. Mind proves he can separate his soul from the statue just like the Spectre. Left with no other choice he agreed to join Mr. Mind’s Society.

We go now to Manhattan. The event of the crisis well under way. Hourman is flying with Dr. Fate. They are spooked about the disappearance of the All-Star members during the crisis. As they enter the Justice Society for help they are told that they have stumbled in to the Monster Society of Evil. The Society contains OOM, Mr Mind, Nyola, A former Nightshade who now calls himself Ramulus, and Mr. Who. Nyola is covering the mouth of a hawkgirl.

Following the copy of Abbot Costello whose on first skit. Mr. Who begins to lose his cool. OOM stands up being very angry. Nyola then has her hand bitten by Hawkgirl. Nyola backhands Hawkgirl this leads to the opening of the fight. Ramulus makes quick work of Hourman capturing him before he can do much damage. Dr. Fate fights Mr. Who. Dr. Fate has much more luck getting Mr. Who to give to him. As Dr. Fate wins OOM joins the fight. Dr. Fate is soundly beaten by the brute. Nyola threatens Hawkgirl with her sacrificial blade.

Here is where the story gets odd. Apparently Mr. Mind became quite the fan of Charlie McCarthy. A Earth Comedian. As he built a space ship to travel to earth. He landed where his Comedy Idol was. It turns out Charlie is a dummy. Unable to comprehend that his hero was a ventriloquist .Of course being lead to the world from Harbinger flying with firebrand. Disappointed he went to the Justice Society of America to find that nobody was there. Very unhappy he choose to look at the JSA case files and bring together a monster society.

Fast forwarding to present. Mr. Mind doesn’t want Dr. Fate to be killed. OOM won’t hear it. He wants to kill the hero. As Dr. Fate is being Choked to death. Hawkgirl has the blade pressed as Nyola is ready to put her to death. Ramulus is disappointed that he has to kill Hourman and not Sandman. Hourman begins to realize he can’t even get to his miraclo pills meaning certain death. However he hears a sound on the roof. Help is on it’s way.

Sandy the partner of Sandman swings into the room. Kicking Mr. Who into Nyola and somehow getting OOM Off of Dr. Fate. He thanks Ramulus for introducing him as he hates having to do that himself. Hourman uses Sandy’s gun to get pulled back to the roof freeing him of Ramulus’ vines. Sandy creates havoc. As Hawkgirl is freed and with a jumping punch kick combo that send Nyola and Mr. Who down. OOM soon hit’s the boy. Hawkgirl rushes to save him from falling to his death. AS the bad guys watch Dr.Fate and OOM have an epic fight. It ends with OOM vanishing to the dark side of the moon. Taken Dr. Fate with him. The freed members of the team are seen above the building. Hourman is holding his head. Sandy is holding his ribs. It is Hawkgirl the only hero not to take a beating that assures them next time they fight they are going to win.

As Johnny Quick, Liberty belle, and Green Lantern appeared at an unknown world. They are curious where they are until they see him. Captain Marvel flying right at him. Boy does he look piss. End of All Star Squadron 51.

As Captain Marvel attacks the group of the All Star Squadron Consisting of Green Lantern, Liberty Belle, and Johnny Quick; Green Lantern reminds them that Captain Marvel fought him all over London once. Upon breaking Green Lantern’s sphere it shows that Captain Marvel did not want to attack them. A strange shadow being emerges and attacks the team of heroes. When they are all defeated the black shadows formed into a Black Thunderbolt. The Thunderbolt hits Captain Marvel and turns him into a young boy. With no powers Billy Plummets toward the ground. Green Lantern moves quick to save him. As Johnny Quick carries Liberty Belle the Shadow forms into a man. Using her new Sonic powers Liberty Belle defeats him. Save for the monster takes a giant shape. Billy realizes that Green Lantern can’t help if he’s stuck trying to protect him. Changing into Captain Marvel right before Green Lantern eyes he flies off freeing Green Lantern. Green lantern charges forward. “And I shall shed my light over Dark Evil, for the Dark Things cannot stand the light…the light of the Green Lantern” Unleashing a full blast from his ring Alan Scot defeats the shadow creature this time for good.

The talk instantly changes to the reason they are here. They are looking for Firebrand last seen with the Harbinger. Captain Marvel Assures them that should a woman on fire flying in Fawcett City he would have known about it. Later after they get back to safe grounds Green Lantern informs Captain Marvel that his two teammates maybe grouchy because they got married not a hour ago. After eating at a diner the trio of heroes are taken back to Billy’s place. Here he points out that they is only one bed. Green Lantern is quick to point out that is fine. In the last panels it leads you think that though Johnny Quick and Liberty Belle are going to enjoy their honeymoon.

As Green Lantern tries to take off he falls down. Unable to fly without his ring being charged. Captain Marvel flies him to China. Although this is Earth-8 Alan Scot’s Starheart is apparently still in China. Green Lantern charges his ring and then sets off. Back to Fawcett. The comic book once again hints that Liberty Belle and Johnny Quick both had more then enough of a honeymoon night; in Billy’s bedroom. As Liberty Belle opens the shade she see’s Captain Marvel and Green Lantern right outside. As Liberty Belle is embarrassed for the second time she wakes up her husband. As Johnny Quick gets dress in a blink of an eye they are off toward the rock of Eternity.

Shazam speaks to the four people. Knowing of course the reason and way for him to get home. He doesn’t allow Captain Marvel to leave the place with the friends. Explaining to the heroes what they have to do. Johnny takes Liberty Belle and Green Lantern flies himself to China to steal a piece of the Heart. With a piece with him Alan takes them off into the Red and Purple sky. Captain Marvel attempts to ask the Wizard for advice but before any can be given the Wizard Shazam is gone. Gone because he knows Captain Marvel has Seven years before flying into that same sky. End of All Star Squadron #52

Back Up Story- Shanghaied into Hyperspace Interlude one.

Hawkman wakes up in space not knowing where he is. As he bails on the spaceship that he was on he sees a man being attacked by lizard birds. Hawkman helps the man. Apparently the man was on a diplomatic mission. His wife was kidnapped. Hawkman chooses to help. As he beats up the kidnapper and his forces he frees the wife. Hawkman gets help by those loyal to the daughter. At the end of it all the man he saved gives him Radium so that he may combat diseases on earth. Hawkman then shoots off into space.

The story starts at the end of time when a tribesmen known as Anthro who stops a massive stampede of mammoths he calls "serpent noses". He is successful but notices a huge futuristic city on the horizon, he turns to his tribe to show them the city but when he does the city is gone along with the mammoths.  The Mammoths end up in the thirtieth century were the Legion of Superheroes try to stop them from running amok.

In Gotham, Batman stops the Joker but in the middle of everything a decaying Flash shows up and pleads with Batman to save the world which he says is dying. The Flash decays into nothingness while the Joker runs away.

Back at the Monitor's satellite his chosen heroes and villains are gathered to help him stop the end of all existence. Everyone is confused and argues but decides in the end to help the Monitor. It is then that the Harbinger sends them all over and to different times.

On Oa the Guardians of the Universe discover that the universe is ending and they try to figure out how to prevent their universes destruction. It is at this time when the main battery speaks to them and tells them that everything ends with them.  While in Metropolis Superman meets with Batman who explains what happened with the Flash. As they are talking Pariah shows up and tells them their world is going to be destroyed. He then disappears.

In the time of between the twentieth and thirtieth centuries Kamandi climbs one of the Monitors towers. As he wonders were it came from a shadow pops out of the tower and cuts his rope sending him to his death. He is however saved by an aging Superman. Superman, Solovar and Dawnstar were sent to guard the Monitor's tower but they are not there long when they are attacked by shadows. Kamandi is the first to be attacked but he is saved by Solovar.

The Monitor is studying why Alex Luther Jr. is growing so fast. The Harbinger watches and sets out to betray him. She leaves the Monitor and goes to the mysterious figure who will later be revealed as the Anti-Monitor. He tells Harbinger to destroy the Luther Child.

On Earth-1 the Flash is time traveling and discovers that the universe is being destroyed. He then vibrates away.

Also on Earth-1 the Titans and the Outsiders try to stop the nothingness that is consuming the world. Later Superman and Batman help them. But no one can stop the nothingness from slowly consuming the world. After a while the Flash shows up with a few cryptic words of doom and then vibrates away again.

In space, Brainiac watches the universe being destroyed, it knows that it needs help from Earth.

In 1944 Markovia is the WWII battleground between the United States and German Solders. The Easy Company, the Haunted Tank and the Losers are all battling to stop the German Troops. Dr. Polaris, Geo-Force and the Blue Beetle are also there to protect one of the Monitor's towers in the middle of the city. At first things go well for everyone, but then the shadows attack and all the Losers disappear. Another victim of the shadows is Flower also known as Farmer Boy from Easy Company. The heroes battle the shadows and defeat some but the Blue Beetle is knocked off the tower by one of the shadows. The Monitor watches as Blue Beetle tumbles to his death. Disappointed, the Monitor returns him to his own time.

In the future Superman, Dawnstar, Solovar and Kamandi rest only to discover that Solovar is mortally wounded and then he disappears like the Blue Beetle.

Back in the western United States 1879 Bat Lash gets tossed out of a womans home. Undaunted, he bids farewell and goes to meet Ke-Woh-No-Tay at a mysterious tower that looks just like the Monitor'd towers. He rides until he reaches a mine that surrounds the tower. When he walks into the mine he sees Ke-Woh-No-Tay, Johnny Thunder, Jonah Hex and Nighthawk. They contemplate the tower until Cyborg, Firebrand, Psimon and the Green Lantern Jon Stewart show up. They barely get a chance to talk before they are attacked by shadows. Psimon is put out of commission by the shadows and Green Lantern's ring fails due to the battery being destroyed earlier. The mine caves in on the group but Nighthawk manages to get out. Nighthawk is then consumed by the nothingness that is destroying the universe.

The nothingness is also destroying the future. The Legion of Superheroes try to save people but one of their group, Kid Psycho, is absorbed by the nothingness.

On his satelite, the Monitor watches all that is going on when Harbinger walks in and shoots him in the back with beams from her hands.

In this installment of Crisis on Infinite Earths the away teams of heroes are still trying to save the universe.  Such teams are Superman and the Teen Titans, Firestorm and Killer Frost as well as the string pullers The Monitor and Pariah.  The cover is a spoiler because this issue is where The Monitor does die.  The Death of the Monitor is important because from his death can the anti-monitor rise.  This issue also includes the first appearance of the "New" Doctor Light ( Kimiyo Hoshi).  
 
This issue would also ripple to the basic core of the Vertigo Universe with the appearance of John Constantine.  John Constantine appear in this series almost like a modern savior.   Although the appearance is small it leads into the important cross-over issues for Swamp Thing #44 and #46, which a reader should read before reading installment #5 for Crisis on Infinite Earths.

This issue featured the death of the original Rose & Thorn (Rose Canton) as well as the revelation that she was the mother of Jade and Obsidian. 

In an issue that crosses over with CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS, Swamp Thing and John Constantine take a detour on their spiritual journey to observe the unfolding chaos on Earth. But Constantine has greater concerns: a cabal of evil beings determined to destroy all existence.

General Note

This issue takes place before issue #5 of Crisis on Infinite Earths and happens before issue #4. There is a key death in this issue as well the answer to the question of balancing good and evil in the universe.

The debut of Earth-4

Death of the Silver Age Supergirl

As time itself seemed to unravel all across the globe, new heroes continued to sprout up to face the dire threat posed by the Anti-Monitor, including a new female Wildcat. Writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez assembled a group of heroes from the five remaining earths and sent them into the antimatter universe to storm the Anti-Monitor's own fortress. While the heroes succeeded in destroying the villains home, the price was high as Earth-1's Supergirl was killed in battle.

Brainiac 5 mourns on the anniversary of Supergirl's death, even though she died one thousand years ago. The majority of the Legion of Super-Heroes attend the baptism of Lightning Lad's and Saturn Girl's child. The five newest recruits are stationed at the headquarters to take care of monitor duty and they are called in to investigate an explosion in a nearby park. The new Legionnaires are able to defeat the guilty perpetrators and a group of Science Police officers arrive but act very strangely. Tellus learns that they have no short term memory, so the mystery goes unsolved as to who is behind the attacks.

Brainiac 5 learns of the Crisis of the Infinite Earths but is too depressed to deal with it, after Supergirl died, and realizes he doesn't remember much of it. That forgetfulness is felt throughout the entire Legion as they try to remember how Kid Psycho died, who also died during the events of the Crisis of Infinite Earths. The anti-matter field from the Crisis sweeps across the galaxy, disrupting the prisoners of Takron-Galtos, but the Legion arrives so things don't get out of hand. Tellus accidentally releases Validus but before he is destroyed by the anti-matter field, someone teleports him to safety. Meanwhile, some other Legionnaires try to figure a way to stop the anti-matter field and unwittingly release the Infinite Man. The Legion fights the Infinite Man and are able to defeat him, even returning him to his normal form.

Zeus marries Diana and Steve

First appearance of the Superboy who came from a parallel universe that contained Earth-Prime. Telling two stories that chronicled both the origin of the Boy of Steel from Earth Prime as well as his first team up with the Man of Steel from Earth One, this issue set into motion the life of Earth Prime's youngest Super-Hero, a major player in the "Crisis on Infinite Earths" saga, and the brutal adversary at the heart of 2005 - 2006's Infinite Crisis limited series.

The death of Barry Allen, the legendary Flash, had been hinted at from the opening pages of "Crisis on Infinite Earths"#2 in May 1985. In this issues dramatic finale by writer Marv Wolfman and artist George Perez, Allen gave his life in order to destroy an antimatter cannon created by the Anti-Monitor. Literally running himself to death, the Flash was reduced to merely an empty costume. But once the Crisis had been won, Wally West would accept the legacy of his mentor and begin the adventures of the new Flash.

NOTE

Commander Steel and his grandson, Steel, are two separate, different characters. Steel is already credited under the name Hank Heywood.

Firestorm does not appear this issue. The star is Firehawk.

Special guest-star Doctor Fate carries a bruised and battered Amethyst home from the CRISIS, and the truths he tells are startling.