Prev
Great review! I agree 100%!
There's a new kind of crisis threatening the heroes of the DC Universe, ripped from real-world headlines by C.I.A.-operative-turned-comics-writer Tom King: How does a superhero handle PTSD? Welcome to Sanctuary, an ultra-secret hospital for superheroes who've been traumatized by crime-fighting and cosmic combat. But something goes inexplicably wrong when many patients wind up dead, with two well-known operators as the prime suspects: Harley Quinn and Booster Gold! It's up to the DC Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman to investigate-but can they get the job done in the face of overwhelming opposition?
Despite certain deaths, Heroes In Crisis was one of the best first issues of a event that I've read. It somehow bucks the trend of explaining everything to the reader up front in favor the emotional gut punch. Plus the final two pages revealing that Booster may has killed the heroes at Sanctuary followed by his interview gave me chills. I didn't know what to expect and even after finishing Heroes in Crisis #1 I still have no idea what to expect and that has me giddy for the rest of the issue. Read Full Review
Clay Mann is good here. Although not my favourite illustrator, he gave the farm this Smallville scope of wideness that makes one think everything around is silent. His best scenes are of course the diner ones where the characters just eat and live their relationships like typical Tom King characters. Read Full Review
Crisis is a bit of a watch word for DC fans, with major events carrying some form of ramification. The flow of this book, from the setup to the execution in the middle act, reminds me of the classic Identity Crisis series. Identity was a huge fan favourite and King, Mann and company will have to go some to reach that dizzy height. Still, based on this first issue alone, I think readers had better strap themselves in for story that is going to pack an emotional wallop as much as a physical one. Read Full Review
I want to be mad about this -- I do -- as several DC fans were today when taking to Twitter to voice their dismay. But looking at the book objectively, in terms of plot and appearance, there is nothing here that can be nitpicked as bad comic storytelling. This is a truly engrossing first chapter, and I'll be coming back for more. I doubt I'll be alone. Read Full Review
I cannot wait to see what the next eight issues bring. Read Full Review
King excels in shedding light into the darkest corners of the superhero-psyche and Heroes in Crisis promises to be an intense ride riddled with pain and excitement. Heroes in Crisis #1 is a stunning, near-perfect debut and a must-read for DC fans. Read Full Review
None of this should make sense together. It's bonkers that the word 'bzzooo' is used in the same book that its characters are dealing with intense trauma; it seems silly. That's the same pitch for these characters, though. They shouldn't be able to constantly push themselves beyond human limits. Superman, Wonder Woman, they live at a hundred and fifty percent. Until now, we, the fans have assumed they're fine with that. Heroes in Crisis proves why we've been wrong. King's plot, along with Mann, Morey and Cowles, reject superheroes' indomitability and say here's what you've been missing. Here is something you have never seen before. Read Full Review
A fascinating look into the rarely seen mental trauma suffered by heroes in the line of duty! Read Full Review
I have to admit, on my first read through ofHeroes in Crisis#1, I wasn't a huge fan. However, I always read comics at least twiceusually three or four times if I'm reviewing it. And after my second pass, it hit me. As I wrote my review, which I originally scored a 9, I realized how much I actuallyloved this storyfrom King's words to Mann's art and to Tomeu Morey's colors. Sometimes, comics are pure popcorn; meant to forget real life. Other times, they areHeroes in Crisis and link up with real life in such a way you want to help change the world. Read Full Review
I cannot wait for the next issue: I can only imagine what the other seven issues will bring. King and Co (or the King's court if you prefer) have crafted one of the best stories to date. If you don't love this story then you don't love comics (in my opinion). Read Full Review
Heroes in Crisis #1 is an important story, it is a beautiful story, and it is a compelling story. I can't wait to read what happens next. Read Full Review
This is going to be a difficult series to read. It's delved into some pretty dark subject matter already, and future installments will continue even deeper in this 9-issue run. At its core King asks us to remember that our heroes are still human, that we are still human. That we're all just trying to get better, and that it's okay to ask for help. I have no idea what's going to happen next, but I can't wait to see the story unfold. Read Full Review
Overall as sad as I am after reading this book and seeing one of my favorite heroes dead, I find myself needing to know more, to continue this quest and find out the answers we all need to know, Why did this happened, and who was responsible. I find myself left with more questions than answers, giving me a reason to press forward, and isn't that what ever book one in a new event series supposed to do? I think so and I'm excited to read book 2 when it releases. Read Full Review
Overall, this is a great first eighth of a story. A tremendous amount of plot is delivered in 28 pages. If King and Mann can maintain the right balance, mood and pacing for the next 7 issues, this could be a very taut superhero drama with a heavy emphasis on the drama. Read Full Review
"Heroes in Crisis" #1 meets and surpasses its hype with an engaging story and beautiful art. This one belongs on your pull list. Read Full Review
Heroes In Crisis #1 is an extremely heavy read, it forces readers to contemplate another side of being a superhero and the toll that it takes. There are a ton of questions yet to be answered, it will be virtually impossible to read this first issue and not pick up the second. Read Full Review
A must read issue that delivers on the hype and sets the stage for what promises to be a thrilling story. Read Full Review
While we all claim we dislike comic events, Heroes in Crisis shows that there's little reason to stop them. They deliver a break in story that can't be told in any one series. They can also be of a quality that entertains, shocks, and has a deeper emotional impact all at once. And, they can be personal. Heroes in Crisis shows that even event comics can be more. If King has taught us anything from his past works, it's that we're in for a hell of a ride. Read Full Review
This debut carries the weight of the heroes seeking help within its pages. It's a good thing every page is a stunner as each member of the creative team brings their best. Read Full Review
Tom King and Clay Mann deliver. Yes, Heroes in Crisis is just a comic book, but it's an important one. The themes touched on here are unbearably relevant, and King has set himself up so that he can take his time to tell this story. While we've barely scratched the surface, I can't complain about anything other than some political pandering within DC that pops up in the narrative. Whether it holds up over time will be the real question, but for now, it's an excellent beginning that asks the right questions. Read Full Review
This series isn't what I would calling emphasizing the hero behind the mask, but rather the person. Sometimes we forget that superheroes aren't invincible. That doesn't have to mean physically invincible either. Heroes in Crisis #1 shines a light on the truth that every fight can take something out of you, every loss, and every injury. It does take someone brave to get up and do the same thing again, but that doesn't mean they have it together while doing so. Read Full Review
King and crew present a thought-provoking (and gut-punching) first issue, producing a book that just may live up to the hype. The depth of the subject matter is a bit heavy, but this a great setup that I really recommend checking out. Read Full Review
Heroes in Crisis #1 is an unpleasant but compelling look at a major tragedy in DC's superhero community. Read Full Review
Heroes In Crisis #1 ignores the spectacle of being a superhero and instead looks at how it affects the mental state of powered individuals in a careful way. With some deaths that may or may not stick, the issue is incredibly gripping. Read Full Review
Heroes in Crisis is something that comic book readers were aware of, but was never spoken in public. Read Full Review
Each page is filled with great details and the visual tone matches the narrative tone perfectly. Read Full Review
Heroes in Crisis was a powerful and emotional read that will create some major ripples through fandom, especially with the deaths of Roy and Wally and that Booster or Harley may be guilty of this heinous crime. Read Full Review
This might end up being an amazing event we all look back on fondly. However, this first issue will be upsetting to many people. Personally I think it sold itself quite well, and I am invested in reading more. I need to see how this plays out. A "Crisis" comic has to be controversial to earn its title. Read Full Review
For the time being, I have yet to see anything from Heroes in Crisis to give me much pause, but I also haven't seen enough to be sold on it either. The question of the series' success rests not on whether Tom King can tell a good story, really, but whether that story will work as a major throughline for the whole of the DCU. And we can't really know that until we really know what this series is, at its core. But even if King is completely off the rails here, at least Clay Mann is here to make sure he looks good while doing it. Read Full Review
Heroes in Crisis #1 kicks off what's sure to be a highly controversial series. King has my interest, but it's going to be very interesting to see where he takes it beyond this shocking opening act. Read Full Review
But, Tom King doesn't just do simple philanthropy stories. In Heroes In Crisis #1 he has chosen to explore the Sanctuary through an active shooter situation, wrapped up in a mystery that addresses the sort of violence that law enforcement military and veterans, and even schools experience by putting characters in a situation where a space that's considered safe is invaded by violence. This book was for readers like myself who wanted a more practical yet logical extension of the DCU. Read Full Review
Tom King goes for the slow burn to kick off his big Heroes in Crisis prestige comic, and the first issue lays a good, solid foundation. Read Full Review
My reaction to this series so far is, I'm sorry to say, very cynical. It's difficult to transpose real-world issues on the fantasy realm of super-heroes, and while this issue is handled skillfully, I'm not sure it actually works. Read Full Review
This is overall a very high-quality issue, but I'm not sure King's style works as well with widescreen action as it does with intimate thrillers, and this series will need to become great to justify the senseless death it's built around. Read Full Review
As I stated earlier, I enjoyed this book but it is not for the faint of heart. It tackles some real (and really heavy) issues. I am looking forward to seeing where the story goes and what happens. Read Full Review
To return to looking at the cover image again, take note off where Sanctuary is positioned, off in the distance. For all the in-universe references, let alone interviews and promotional material, the issue only provides glimpses at the location. A result of this first installment's deliberate structuring, which offers just a peek at the series' true self and so it remains to be seen if Heroes in Crisis is up to handling this concept and the accompanying ideas with as much respect and care as they require. Read Full Review
We finally learn about that mysterious superhero brain spa, Sanctuary, just in time for it to go out of business. Heroes die, heroes live, and I'm left feeling that this is one of those Imaginary Stories from the 1950s and 60s that won't have any lasting repercussions. Maybe it's because familiar characters don't behave in the way that I'm used to? Probably. Read Full Review
If this were a one shot leading into a company-wide crossover event, I'm not sure I'd like it very much.With the knowledge that this series is nine issues long and contains three acts, it's easier to trust the author to slowly build up the story and not jump the gun. Read Full Review
Given the long and storied history the word Crisis carries in the DCU, I had much higher expectations from this issue. It is difficult to judge a 5-part series from the first issue, but as it stands, the path established for this series doesn't look promising. Read Full Review
I'm not all that invested in this story yet. I like Sanctuary as an idea and there's potential in Harley Quinn and Booster Gold leading an event comic. But the only occasion for story right now is the death of a few characters and that is not enough to pull me in. The art is stunning throughout and I look forward to more of Mann and Morey's work. Overall, I think the issue is fine. King is a great writer so I am still curious to see where this story goes but this issue only elicited mild indifference from me. Read Full Review
Though it has an intriguing premise,Heroes in Crisis #1lacks the emotion King strives for by placing the beginning in the aftermath of the massacre. The emotion doesn't feel fully earned yet, even when the art clearly expresses Superman's pain at seeing so many heroes dead. Hopefully the series picks up and heightens the emotional factor as it goes on, but for now this was a rather lacklustre opening to a potentially great idea. Read Full Review
The book's execution of an interesting concept and approach to complex topics proves to be in poor taste. DC's newest event is off to a rocky start. Read Full Review
Whilst I like elements of King's writing I fear that the repetitiveness on one topic, may make his writing feel stale in the long term. Read Full Review
Hopefully, King can turn this story around in quick order. We still have eight issues remaining. King is certainly talented enough to rebound from a surprisingly bad start and deliver a quality story. However, Heroes In Crisis #1 does not fill me with confidence that we have a quality story headed our way with the remaining issues. Read Full Review
Those who thought Tom King couldn't possibly annoy audiences anymore after the debacle of Batman #50 and the wedding of the year that wasn't will be stunned to find he has managed that task with Heroes In Crisis #1. Read Full Review
Dont get me wrong. Heroes in Crisis #1 isnt a gimmicky comic. It doesnt feel exploitative. Its far worse than that. Its left me with utter indifference. And I dont imagine that was the goal for DCs next blockbuster event. Read Full Review
Heroes in Crisis is far more engaged with the idea of seriousness than any ability to seriously interpret the world, and that makes the greatest tragedy of this comic the comic itself. Read Full Review
Heroes in Crisis is a bleak and joyless debut that will leave readers wondering why they should come back for more. Read Full Review
Long time lurker here and I created my account just to review this. I’ve been bored by DC over the past several months but curious enough to pick this up. It’s different, compelling and enough of a mystery to keep me wanting more. I loved it and I’m pretty sure at least one of the characters who’s “dead” won’t turn out to be that way...but just a guess. The sucky reviews are either written by someone who didn’t read the comic or they hate Tom King...this is a great first issue.
The art alone this comic gets a 10 But I find the story intriguing and looking forward to the story as it unravels
A bold book with a bold topic gets a bold score. An unprecedented attempt to represent the logical consequences of our heroes' adventures. And this is the best Clay Mann has been - with Morey's colors actually being my favorite part of the issue. This is one I'll reread over and over again.
I just wanna thank the Gods for giving me free will and for not allow other people to get into my head and form my opinions for me.
Because HiC #1 was very good! I think its funny that some people will say "ToM KinG iS BaaD WriTEr" just because of what he did here. Others will even say "this is nothing about PTSD" and for them i say: YOU READ THE WRONG BOOK! Also, this is the first of a 9 issues series. So, PLEASE, stop crying for NOTHING and wait to see where it goes! This is a SUPERHERO COMICBOOK! Crazy stuff happens! Let the story be written and developed before judging so much! Thank you :)
P.S: These people giving the book a 1/10 probably didnt even read the book. They probably saw spoilers on twitter and decided to hat more
Tom King is a DC serial killer! Crazy stuff, art was nice, story is intriguing. -.5 so I dont look too much like a fanboy.
What an issue. Excited for what's coming next.
I avoided all spoilers and didn't know any of the deaths going into it. If you want to do the same don't read this review, even though I'm not naming names.
The deaths were hard to take for sure, especially outside of the context of what happened to them, but they were meant to be hard that way.
The craft was beyond reproach and the story so far is filled with feels but manages to pull off the grandiosity inherent to a great first issue of an event launch and too the promise of many intimate stories to come. Those one-pagers in front of the Sanctuary icon were King at his best.
And the Harley/Booster arc has me on the edge of my seat.
I was stoked for this series and, despite being upset and shoc more
wow! I had NO FAITH coming in. I mean.. ANOTHER event, when I've hated basically all of them so far? and Tom King? He who cares to know NOTHING about the characters they give him?
but it wasn't bad at all! it is building up to be a great story! wow I had no idea what the title meant, but.. yeah, its a very different story being told here.
and the art is out of this world good. I'd let this artist take over any book I'm reading immediately with no questions asked. wow! This is at Stepan level, or whomever used to draw Wonder Woman when DC gave a crap about her.
from a base of 6, this gets a rating of: 9.
+1 because: the art was definitely above average.
+2 because: very interesting!
more
Nice
Great stuff. Get the popcorn.
After a lot of hype and anticipation, Heroes in Crisis finally arrives. This issue lives up to the hype with beautiful artwork and some powerful messages. Going into this issue, I knew who the two major deaths were because of spoilers. While the predictability of the deaths was frustrating, the storytelling was so compelling that it’s a non-issue.
Right from the start the issue is loaded with emotions and tension. Superman was heartbreaking to behold from the beginning until the end of this issue. Harley was absolutely gripping. In my opinion, this was the best I have ever seen her character portrayed. This issue focused heavily on the victims and their stories. It was very emotional because their biggest fears and wo more
If you are seeking for a story with a SHOCKING clifhangger that means bullshit in the next issue, so get another comic book. This is great, Tom King want to tell you a good story and he start taking your attention.
Festival sorry to be this late for a review. But I waited for the jones cover that I solicited and that my dealer didn't receive before today.
I have to confess that I wasn't thrill about this story. I solicited only this issue. brought the other two just in case I like this one and I was pretty sure to don't. And I also spoil myself reading review who convince me of that.
And Maybe if I have read it in time I would have been lost, and disappointed. But with the knowing of what happen, I was taken in the story and read the two other issue with the same pleasure.
Cover - I waited for Harley ridding booster. It's a pleasure to se, and link to what I read. 2/2
Writing - Ok it's slow, and I will recommend reading this more
"OUR HOPE FOR... REDEMPTION... IS NOW JUST ANOTHER HUNT FOR VENGEANCE."
This sums it up pretty good.
Beautiful artwork. Intriguing plot.
THE GOOD:
-I liked the cuts to the sessions in Sanctuary, which was both surprising deep and an excellent juxtaposition with the main plot.
-Tom King took the challenge of writing Harley to a whole new level. The combination of humor and actually diving into the personality of Harley was excellently done.
-The Old McDonald reference (if you could call it that) was a really good, very Kingian moment. Yes. Tom King has his own adjective now.
-Clay Mann's art is fantastic. The tone is amazingly captured here and every panel is eye candy.
-I liked seeing the weaker side of all these heroes. They're constantly projected as these untouchable beings, but much like his historic Vision run, Tom more
Great art but I feel mislead concerning the story. We were told originally that one person died and Harley and booster were the main suspects. Now it’s about 20 people that died and it seems really unlikely it was one of them. Love the book tho hope it picks up more. Didn’t care for the full pages they wasted on the sanctuary interviews.
I am genuinely shocked at the fate of one character, but it was executed well (pun intended). It will be interesting to see where this goes from here, I could see this going good or bad.
Great art and very good writing. Being the first issue, it felt quite a fast read without much happening besides setting up the setting. Still, the overall mystery is there and is compelling enough to make me return for the next issue.
It feels like Tom King finally read Marvel's "Ultimatum" and thought to himself "hey I could do that too." There is no denying his skills and while the dialogue and art are fantastic, the deaths seemed gratuitous and cheap. I'm trying to give King the benefit of the doubt on this since this is the first issue, but come on... I'll hang on to see how things pan out, but it's off to a rocky start.
Art was the bomb. The story, while interesting, was a tad over the place but, it's intriguing and good enough to keep going.
I have not read tons of Tom King's work but I do know he is a talented writer.
Loved the art and Sanctuary bits, but the the mystery and investigation feels gratuitous.
"I'm here. I'm ready. I'm talking. Help me."
Heroes in Crisis. The new brainchild, of equally loved and hated, Tom King starts here. Some folks will love it unconditionally for "its character deconstruction" and others will hate it with a burning passion "because people don't talk like that". As for me, I'm leaning towards the first group. I enjoyed it. It's not without flaws but overall it is a good set-up for, possibly, a good and interesting story to come.
The book opens with Booster Gold and Harley Quinn enjoying some coffee in a diner while the Trinity discovers that the Sanctuary, the place of supposed healing and redemption, went to sh... Well, it's gone and it looks like all the patients and the staff are dead. more
Good setup, but very decompressed.
It's crazy how an event that was so disappointing could have such a decent first issue
I give it a 10 on artwork. The story leaves me cold, so I give it a 7.
The amount of story in this issue amounted to the pre-credits scene in a TV show. What's there is fine and the art is great, but rarely has the phrase "written for the trade" felt more true.
I'll stick with it and the art is great. But, this feels like DC spring cleaning
There are seeds of Identity Crisis 2.....
Despite some really good art, this book still didn't do it for me. Tom King continues to prove that DC needs to get him their main characters.
I'm really hoping that since Booster is involved, it means there will be some time travel coming up that reverses some of the deaths. Rebirth spent so much time at rebuilding the DC universe and did a good job of it. It brought back characters that needed to come back and now this mess sets out to reverse that and get rid of some of them again. I just don't get it.
The artwork is amazing aside from the stale facial expressions. Other than that, there's not much to recommend here. It's not like superheroes dealing with emotional baggage is a new concept, we need more than superheroes being sad and Harley Quinn eating pie. We need a plot.
Tom King is either hit or miss but this first issue was so bland I can't call it either. The issue is nothing but setup and the deaths are purely for shock value. My expectations are extremely low.
This entire issue could've been done in 4 pages and had the same impact. The story is very decompressed but the dialogue is boring. Poorly executed in my opinion
Honestly? I'm not impressed. Maybe I've expected much more, after all the hyping and advertising as the next best thing since Doomsday Clock or Batman: The White Knight, but I can't confidently say this issue was anything outstanding. It's a start of something, that's for sure, but it didn't give me enough substance to make my mind about it. Because when you think about it, there's not much of story there so far - a conflict, a discovery and few patient monologues giving us some insight into why they looked for help, and why they ultimately were killed off.
And speaking of killing off - Tom King's reputation has been under fire last few months, mostly because of his Batman series. There is a vocal part of our community who is ver more
So this "Crisis" is supposed to be an exploration of Superhero trauma and the way they cope with the toll the job can take, yet the one hero who's a recovering addict and has legitimately overcome significant trauma to be better than he was is killed off in issue 1. That's just a great call /facepalm.
They establish Sanctuary as a hospital for SUPERHEROES, yet Harley's there. In what world does that make sense? I get using her to drive sales, but at least make her inclusion plausible and not so blatantly forced. Even if you consider her an anti-hero due to her membership in the Suicide Squad you have to recognize the entire point of that group is their appearance as a group of VILLAINS, as this is the cover the goverment exploits more
Hey more depressed out of character heroes written by King. Wow, who would have guessed. THis book was advertised as dealing with mental health but all we got was death. King doesn’t seem to know how to tell a story without senseless death and depression. The art was great but the rest was just meh. Which I guess is a step up from the writers normal trash.
this was an absolutely empty nothing of a story spread across an entire issue.
characters killed for no good reason other than cheap shock value.
Miserable, negative and ultra violent. Comics don't have to be like this, but it's overwhelmingly the only way the publishers will operate.
Its just...
Rebirth was so good. It added layers to the main continuity, it got me buying books outside of my normal wheelhouse just to pick up clues. I ended up owning 30+ issues of a Deathstroke run my thirst was so real, and dont regret it that series is great.
But now...
Tom King is the least heroic super hero writer ever. I cant remember the last time I put down one of his counseling sessions and thought: boy, I want to be Batman, or hey wouldnt it be great if Batman was real, what a benefit to the world that would be! I usually just put them down and stay away from sharp objects for a while.
This book is a dirge of meaningless death, bad banter, bad characterization, and fantastic art.
Nothing special here. DC please Fire Dan Didio. I thought Rebirth was supposed to bring the hope back in to the DC universe? Not cheap deaths and stories about PTSD. God this book a is depressing read. We fu*king get it King, you have emotional problems.Cry me god damn river. Get your hormones checked because your estrogen is probably way to high you sad little man.
Clay Mann's art is stunning in this book but that's about the only positive. This event in one issue and capsule it's all of the negative traits of early 2000's comic books. Mystery is not interesting and the book takes about 2 mins to read its that thin on plot.
Clay Manns art is the winner here. It's the strongest point of the book. The plot unfortunately has nothing to do with mental health. It's a bloody and gory book that feels lioe a mix of ideas that don't sit well together. There's a high body count so parents should read it before giving it to kids. I'm sorry for the fans of the characters slaughtered. My questions remain unanswered about a lot of stuff that feel like editorial mistakes. Should you read it? I can't say yes or no. I dont think I will. I expected at least some of the premise about mental health to be there but it's really not a book about this and what's going on is too dark for me.It's sad because Sanctuary is a good concept that gets slaughtered in the very first issue of t more
Wally West sends his regards.
Though the writing is “good”, it doesn’t show its reason for being. The concept looks smart and adult, which really means it’s pretentious and dumb in the comic book universe.
Who needs a murder mistery now? The cohesion brought on by Rebirth is totally gone now. More out of character writing for Batman and Superman.
© 2024
