Comics Cornerstone TV Spotlight: A Crisis Comes to a Climatic Conclusion
Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. and DC
Welcome back, readers! It’s that time again — time for another TV edition of Comics Cornerstone! I hope you enjoyed the last one of these that I wrote because they’ll be coming more often than you might expect. If you recall, the previous TV edition was a review of the first three parts of The CW’s adaptation of DC’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths”. Well, as of this last Tuesday night, the final two parts have aired and I’m very excited to share my thoughts. Hopefully, you’ll find what I have to say insightful and enlightening – maybe even entertaining. Now, let’s get to it, shall we?
Where to begin? If you’re a fan of these CW DC shows, particularly the annual crossovers, then you’ll know that, due to budgetary restrictions, they often go for a more character-driven, emotional punch rather than being an action-packed spectacle. Don’t get me wrong. The crossovers are the most action-heavy things these shows do during their normal season. It’s just that time and money don’t always allow for huge explosions and the like. With that said, I can confidently say that “Crisis on Infinite Earths” is by far the most ambitious thing these shows have ever done! Aside from the fact that the visual effects are next level, the writing, in my opinion, is off the charts and there are more characters on screen at one time than I can remember there ever having been. Even with the cast being as huge as it was, none of the characters feel shafted or out of place. Everybody gets at least one moment to shine. Though, in most cases, it’s several moments.
For a TV adaptation of such a landmark event, this is probably the best they could do. I know that sounds like I’m disappointed, but I’m not at all. This was a very well-done product. Sure, the first three parts were a little lackluster upon reflection. But it doesn’t bother me that much because the real heavy stuff doesn’t happen until the last two parts. And I’m OK with that. In hindsight, the first three were all about assembling the heroes, figuring out the problem, and then having the rug yanked out from under them and leaving them at their lowest point. The last two are about finding hope and strength when there seems to be none and then ultimately saving the universe. If you ask me, that’s the structure of a well-crafted story. Of course, it’s not going to be for everybody because some people expected more. But for me, I went in with tempered expectations and they were met – even exceeded in some ways.
It’s amazing to think that 35 years after the original comic was published that we’re at a place with technology where we can adapt such an epic story for the small screen. Even a decade ago that was unthinkable. Yet, here we are! Now, is it an exact, panel for panel translation? No. We’ll have to wait for the movies to someday do that. However, the base concept of the comic is the same. A wave of anti-matter is spreading across the multiverse and destroying every Earth in its path. Our only hope is a rag-tag group of heroes from different Earths. That’s the base concept. Naturally, the cast is significantly smaller than it is in the comic. Though by TV standards, it’s pretty impressive.
One of the things that made this event so ambitious was the surprises. There’s a lot of characters that pop up to help out that you might not expect. Depending on your age, you may or may not recognize them. And there’s even a few split-second cameos from veteran DC actors that’ll put a smile on the face of every DC fan. No spoilers, but you’ll know them when you see them. Perhaps the biggest surprise cameo comes from the recent films. I won’t say who, but it’s pretty awesome!
When all is said and done, I’m very happy with this year’s crossover. I would expect to be since this thing has been teased since 2014. It’s been a long time coming and, in my opinion, it delivered to the best of its abilities. Sure, the first three might have seemed like a fluffy setup with characters popping in and out nonstop. But, upon further reflection, I think that was the idea. The last two hours is when everything comes to a head. At their lowest point, our heroes must dig deep and find the strength to save the day. Again, that’s the structure of a good story. Is it perfect? No. But it’s the best I could hope for and I think it was well worth the five-year build-up.
That’s it for today, people! I hope you enjoyed what I had to say! So, did you watch “Crisis”? If so, what did you think? Maybe your opinion differs from mine. Though I think we can all agree that it’s a wonderful time to be a comic fan! Now, tomorrow I’ll have the long-awaited review of the conclusion of Guardians. Man, it sure was good! I can’t wait to share my thoughts with you! Until then, stay comical!
