Apex Lex Luthor's first run-in with the Infected didn't go as planned, and the Batman Who Laughs' influence is continuing to spread. Now Lex must find out who in the world can think like the Batman Who Laughs-and there are only two folks who come to mind. The first is Batman, who probably has his own ideas for Lex; the other is The Joker, who also likely has his own ideas, but who just maybe wants to see this twisted doppelgänger sent back to the Dark Multiverse he came from. It's a gamble Lex has to take, because the Infected are gearing up for round two!
With a lot of story elements tied to Dark Nights: Death Metal, Tynion seemingly can only take this story so far but hes making it an exciting and unpredictable journey. This villain focused special hasnt disappointed yet and with the finale next month itll be exciting to see how this story wraps up. Read Full Review
This feels like the culmination of a year of stories that upgraded great villains like Captain Cold and Black Manta (and Oracle, who didn't quite land how DC was hoping). This has been a tight series, and it seems likely the conclusion will be a thrill ride. Read Full Review
If you've liked the past few years ofJustice League get this book. Read Full Review
Lex and the Joker " Just seeing two iconic villains teaming up"albeit, can those egos ever really work together".is worth the price on this one! And you get another glimpse at Punchline"can't wait until Harley sees her! This might be one of those obscure issues you wished you had invested in! Read Full Review
At the end of the issue, Lex stages a big showdown at the Hall of Justice. It is super wacky and I wasn't very into it so it didn't have much impact for me. It felt flat to me, and I know the creators thought they were doing something exciting. Sadly, it didn't connect and land for me. Read Full Review
All things taken equally,Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 isn't abad comic per se. But it is a step back from the slam-bang fisticuffs of previous installments. There's some great interplay between Joker and Lex, and the table is set for the (supposedly) final throwdown with the Batman Who Laughs. It's a table-setting issue, which is fine, but it is dragged down by inconsistent art. Read Full Review
Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 talks a good game, but you'll have to come back next month to find out if it's all worth it. Tynion is doing his best to convince the reader that this is a big story, with guest stars crazier than the last and crazy twists and turns, but it just hasn't reached that level with me yet. The art was good enough, but unfortunately, so was the story and something that's supposed to tie up so much a send us to bigger and better things needs to be better than "good enough". Here's hoping it all ends on a high note in next month's conclusion. Read Full Review
Epting and Fernandez shine with the art in the issue. The characters look great and the panels are laid out beautifully as they move story along. Read Full Review
If you're looking for something with a lot of plotting, scheming, and exposition, this might be your favorite book of the week. If not, well... you get the gist. Read Full Review
When all is said and done, Year of the Villain: Hell Arisen #3 is a bit of a stumble. Narrative shortcomings and missed opportunities weigh down this book considerably. Read Full Review
I'm starting to feel as though talent at the DC office are having pity parties over which creator actually has the current big bad for the DC Universe, and the result of that is this nonsense. Add in the fact that Hell Arisen is extremely overwritten and desperately screams, "This book is big! No, really! It matters! IT MATTERS!!!" when in reality I just can't bring myself to care because DC can't bring themselves to plan properly. Read Full Review
Prelude:
The Good:
I really enjoyed both sides here.
Joker has some excellent points. Really echoing my thoughts on Apex Lex.
I enjoyed Epting's art.
Year of the Villain is coming together!
The Bad:
Nothing.
Conclusion:
I really loved this issue. Both sides are great and while I can understand the fatigue of this overarching story, I just loved this issue.
I actually quite liked this issue. The Joker’s appearance was great, the dialogue was good and the artwork was the best part. One would think Lex still has an army. But I wonder why the heroes that are left don’t make an appearance. Probably not to get infected but at least it’s nice to see them monitoring the fight.
I liked the Luthor v Joker convo.
"Our stories don't work when they get this big"
I think the Joker hit that particular nail right on the head.
" You always overplay your hand, Lex. You're the smartest guy in the world, so you always go with the most complicated thing you can think up, because you enjoy thinking it up. And you're always defeated in the simplest way, because you don't know how to think simple. That's your gimmick. And cops in Gotham ? We know our gimmicks. "
- JAMES GORDON
This was *fine*.
Every time I read this comic I’m so worried I’m going to cut myself on all that edge.
I went in this book mostly because I like Tynions writing. But the whole thing feels so forced, the dialogue is stiff and robotic, the plot seems thrown in just as a filler for the art. There's been a considerable decline in the quality of DC's output. I think it's because everyone prepares for 5G and none of these stories will matter in a few months so writers and editors stopped caring.
I hope 5G sends everything back to the Dark Multiverse, especially Batman who laughs and the current editorial team.
3/10
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