The Good
You expect over-the-top action and jaw-dropping twists when you go into an INJUSTICE finale. However, what you don't expect is to have a smile on your face and a feeling of warmth after you read the final page. It's tough to discuss this without giving potential spoilers, but I'll do my best.
First of all, Ganthet vs. Superman is every bit as ridiculous as you'd expect it to be. Some may think it's resolved a little too easily, but proper reasoning is provided and the art team fills the course of events with all of the energy, intensity, and force it needs. This is a scene which is intended to stagger and it definitely does. Oh, and speaking of the art team, multiple hands helped create this chapter (pencils by Bruno Redondo & Xermanico; inks by Juan Albarran & Julien Hugonnard-Bert; colors by J. Nanjan) but the transition between talent isn't jarring. Not once did a difference in style or inks stand out to me and, like stated above, everyone did great work making the impactful scenes deliver every bit as much as they should. From the look of fear or determination in someone's eyes to a ginormous display of power, the visuals were solid all around.
You'll likely be surprised when you reach the "end" but there's a very pleasing epilogue which delivers a huge tonal shift. The "conclusion" of YEAR TWO is bloody, violent, harsh, and bleak. There's no laughter, banter, or charm to be found. Just pure blunt force to resolve the battle and it's an ugly (for the characters, not our eyes) scene. You know, the usual lovely stuff you've come to expect from this series. But the epilogue quite literally takes us away from this twisted scene and finds a way to leave us on a more uplifting and joyous note. Even though this volume has been loaded with despair and fear, writer Tom Taylor managed to end it on a moment that'll likely fill you with happiness. To say any more would potentially spoil it, so I'll just leave it at that!
Question: does this mean Black Canary won't be in Injustice: Gods Among Us 2? I seriously hope not. They need to find a way to make her playable in the sequel!
The Bad
My biggest gripe with this finale is that it totally flies by (no, that's not a pun). I understand these $0.99 chapters have a limited amount of pages, but at least half of them have a maximum of two panels, so I was shocked to see when I reached the "end" caption so soon. It ends on a strong note, but perhaps finding the room to add a little more of a teaser for YEAR THREE would have been cool.
Very minor gripe (seriously, it's regarding a single line): Hal going from being filled with rage and hate to attempting to reason with Ganthet felt like a very sudden shift. But hey, I've never been in a cosmic bloodbath, so what do I know?
The Verdict
INJUSTICE: YEAR TWO comes to a very satisfying end. Much of the second volume was building up to this war and I'd say it delivered and then some. When all is said and done, this version of Earth will be in a totally different situation as we enter YEAR THREE. The world finally sees Superman for the monster he has become and, given what just went down, you can bet I'm excited to see how the war will continue to unfold in the next volume. I would have liked to see a little more of Kal-El's internal dilemma as he slips further and further into the darkness, but the overall narrative was still handled well and absolutely leaves me wanting more. I know it's such a cliche idiom to use, but INJUSTICE: YEAR TWO really does go out with a bang. It's not just big action, though. When all is said and done, it successfully finds a way to make you smile, too. See, that's what I really love about this series. Yes, it's loaded with drama, shock value, and violence, but it always finds a way to work in some very fitting laughs and heartwarming scenes. Now, bring on YEAR THREE!