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Crisis on Multiple Earths #5
Crisis on Multiple Earths Volume 5
Special hardback edition available with the Crisis on Infinite Earths box set.
Includes stories from Justice League of America #171-172, 183-185 & 195-197
Includes stories from Justice League of America #171-172, 183-185 & 195-197
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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109 people want to read
About the author
Gerry Conway
2,044Ìýbooks88ÌýfollowersGerard Francis Conway (Gerard F. Conway) is an American writer of comic books and television shows. He is known for co-creating the Marvel Comics' vigilante the Punisher and scripting the death of the character Gwen Stacy during his long run on The Amazing Spider-Man. At DC Comics, he is known for co-creating the superhero Firestorm and others, and for writing the Justice League of America for eight years. Conway wrote the first major, modern-day intercompany crossover, Superman vs. the Amazing Spider-Man.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 14, 2019
Besides the first two comics (which I did not read) I really enjoyed this volume! The second story highlighted Batman and the Huntress’s detective abilities which was pretty cool. Although there were some questionable decisions made within it, you can’t really fault the writers for leaving the story open-ended to try and get more people to read another of their comics. The last story was my favourite as that introduced the JLA/JSA (or at least some of them) to the New Gods! I really enjoyed the heroes reactions to the New Gods (especially Wonder Woman’s). There was an emotional aspect to this story when we meet a group of child rebels and seeing (Big) Barda interact with them. Plus telling a story that involves a big bad who just happens to be one of the heroes father is always a compelling story!
February 16, 2024
The best crisis volume since the first
Ends the 70s well and starts the 80s with a bang
Ends the 70s well and starts the 80s with a bang
December 28, 2015
How I fondly remember the days when the Justice League of America and the Justice Society of America lived on parallel Earths, and met each summer in the pages of the Justice League's magazine! These stories were always a highlight of the year for me. This volume collects three set of adventures, beginning with the crossover during the DC Explosion of 1978, and continuing with 1979's and 1980's tales.
First up is a two-parter from Justice League of America (1st series) #s 159 and 160, in which the JLA and JSA meet at a restaurant (Club 22) to have a nice sit down meal. The cast is rather large, at first, but then, of course, they are attacked. Coming from out of the past are five fighters, Jonah Hex, the Black Pirate, Miss Liberty, the Viking Prince, and Enemy Ace. Amazingly, they put the kibosh on all but eight of the JLA/JSA assembled. We soon learn why these heroes from yesterday appear, and it leads to a race through time to stop the destruction of time and all that exists!
The second story takes place completely in the satellite headquarters of the JLA. This is the famous story in which the original Golden Age Mister Terrific is murdered, and we have a classic locked-room mystery to figure out who the murderer is. Even as a kid, I thought this was a bit contrived, but it's a fun story with some good characterization between Batman of Earth-1 and the Huntress, discussing the death of Earth-2's Caped Crusader.
The third adventure is in three parts and adds the New Gods to the mix. At this point, Kirby's run on his Fourth World creations was long in the past, and although there was a brief revival prior to the DC Explosion/DC Implosion, I was still rather new to them at this time, and Darkseid just wasn't the big bad villain he is today. This is a couple years before Paul Levitz would make use of him in the classic Great Darkness Saga over in Legion of Super-Heroes. As usual, there's a handful of JLAers and an equal number of JSAers, now joined by Mr Miracle, Big Barda, Orion, and Metron, as they face not only the hellish minions of Apololips, but also the Injustice Society of Earth-2.
The JLA/JSA/New Gods arc is perhaps most well-known for the debut of popular penciller George Perez as the artist starting with the second issue of the story. Long time JLA artist Dick Dillin had died after completing the first issue, at the young age of 51. Dillin had been the JLA artist for 12 years, and his style is forever imprinted on my mind as THE JLA artist. He had also been the artist for over a decade on Blackhawk, first at Quality Comics and then at DC after the latter bought the property. His style was not flashy or as intricate as Perez's, but he was a true workman who represented the old values of comic artists, the guys who worked steadily but with little fame. I was very sad to read of his passing that summer, and still remember the shock to this day, 35 years later.
Gerry Conway wrote all of these, and they're pretty good considering he's not my favorite writer. He had a certain melodramatic flair popular in those days, and some of his dialog is corny, but Conway delivered the goods for the most part here. It's amazing that 37, 36, and 35 years later, I can still remember some of the script to these comics. I think I read them so much back before we had the internet and cable tv to keep our minds occupied.
This volume is OOP, and typically goes for over a hundred bucks on Amazon and Ebay, presumably because of Perez's debut. I picked up the digital copy on Comixology during a sale for only $5.99, so a good bargain. These stories are worth reading, in my view, because even though they are not perfect by today's standards, there is so much of DC's history here that most current readers don't know. It's sad, I think, particularly when I read reviews of current books that reflect some of this storied history, but the reviewer isn't aware and labels such references as stupid, or WTF?. Today's writers and artists stand on the shoulders of these early giants of the industry, and we should all read their work, in the context of when they were produced, and be thankful for the days when comics were produced out of love for the medium, and not for pecuniary purposes (other than paying the light bill, the rent, and buying food).
First up is a two-parter from Justice League of America (1st series) #s 159 and 160, in which the JLA and JSA meet at a restaurant (Club 22) to have a nice sit down meal. The cast is rather large, at first, but then, of course, they are attacked. Coming from out of the past are five fighters, Jonah Hex, the Black Pirate, Miss Liberty, the Viking Prince, and Enemy Ace. Amazingly, they put the kibosh on all but eight of the JLA/JSA assembled. We soon learn why these heroes from yesterday appear, and it leads to a race through time to stop the destruction of time and all that exists!
The second story takes place completely in the satellite headquarters of the JLA. This is the famous story in which the original Golden Age Mister Terrific is murdered, and we have a classic locked-room mystery to figure out who the murderer is. Even as a kid, I thought this was a bit contrived, but it's a fun story with some good characterization between Batman of Earth-1 and the Huntress, discussing the death of Earth-2's Caped Crusader.
The third adventure is in three parts and adds the New Gods to the mix. At this point, Kirby's run on his Fourth World creations was long in the past, and although there was a brief revival prior to the DC Explosion/DC Implosion, I was still rather new to them at this time, and Darkseid just wasn't the big bad villain he is today. This is a couple years before Paul Levitz would make use of him in the classic Great Darkness Saga over in Legion of Super-Heroes. As usual, there's a handful of JLAers and an equal number of JSAers, now joined by Mr Miracle, Big Barda, Orion, and Metron, as they face not only the hellish minions of Apololips, but also the Injustice Society of Earth-2.
The JLA/JSA/New Gods arc is perhaps most well-known for the debut of popular penciller George Perez as the artist starting with the second issue of the story. Long time JLA artist Dick Dillin had died after completing the first issue, at the young age of 51. Dillin had been the JLA artist for 12 years, and his style is forever imprinted on my mind as THE JLA artist. He had also been the artist for over a decade on Blackhawk, first at Quality Comics and then at DC after the latter bought the property. His style was not flashy or as intricate as Perez's, but he was a true workman who represented the old values of comic artists, the guys who worked steadily but with little fame. I was very sad to read of his passing that summer, and still remember the shock to this day, 35 years later.
Gerry Conway wrote all of these, and they're pretty good considering he's not my favorite writer. He had a certain melodramatic flair popular in those days, and some of his dialog is corny, but Conway delivered the goods for the most part here. It's amazing that 37, 36, and 35 years later, I can still remember some of the script to these comics. I think I read them so much back before we had the internet and cable tv to keep our minds occupied.
This volume is OOP, and typically goes for over a hundred bucks on Amazon and Ebay, presumably because of Perez's debut. I picked up the digital copy on Comixology during a sale for only $5.99, so a good bargain. These stories are worth reading, in my view, because even though they are not perfect by today's standards, there is so much of DC's history here that most current readers don't know. It's sad, I think, particularly when I read reviews of current books that reflect some of this storied history, but the reviewer isn't aware and labels such references as stupid, or WTF?. Today's writers and artists stand on the shoulders of these early giants of the industry, and we should all read their work, in the context of when they were produced, and be thankful for the days when comics were produced out of love for the medium, and not for pecuniary purposes (other than paying the light bill, the rent, and buying food).
March 4, 2016
I've been really enjoying the Crisis on Multiple Earths volumes in terms of historical value and for filling in some chronological gaps in my small collection. Having said that, this volume gets a bit of a bump for playing to my love by featuring a story with the New Gods and the villainous Darkseid!
January 26, 2016
I was always a big fan of the JLA/JSA crossovers when DC had the multitude of worlds before their revamp in "Crises on Infinite Earths". Great stories and good art and a ton of heroes in each story. Very recommended
February 10, 2022
This one is weird for me. My introduction to superheroes was the Super Friends Saturday morning cartoon. Their comic origins were a mystery to me, until one day my mom brought home two comic books. An issue of Justice League and an issue of Marvel Fun & Games.
The Justice League story was, in fact, one of their JLA/JSA crossovers, and one of the ones included in this collection, "I Accuse". Everytime anyone ever says that comics are hard to get into, I just mention that. A baker's dozen of (living) characters try to solve the murder of one of their compatriots? Sure, let's go. Maybe I'm just easy.
I know the next year's was my introduction to the New Gods, but it's been a while and I don't remember it being quite so naff. Even Perez' art isn't as good as I remember it, although it's entirely possibly it's the inker.
The first story, with a motley crew of historical heroes ("heroes", perhaps, considering there's a confederate bounty hunter and a German pilot among them) empowered to humiliate the JLA & JSA so they come back stronger and fight an evil computer.
The power of a non compressed storyline is kind of incredible. So much story and character gets squeezed into two and three issue stories, you'd get a twelve issue maxi-series out of them now, with so much un-necessary blather.
The Justice League story was, in fact, one of their JLA/JSA crossovers, and one of the ones included in this collection, "I Accuse". Everytime anyone ever says that comics are hard to get into, I just mention that. A baker's dozen of (living) characters try to solve the murder of one of their compatriots? Sure, let's go. Maybe I'm just easy.
I know the next year's was my introduction to the New Gods, but it's been a while and I don't remember it being quite so naff. Even Perez' art isn't as good as I remember it, although it's entirely possibly it's the inker.
The first story, with a motley crew of historical heroes ("heroes", perhaps, considering there's a confederate bounty hunter and a German pilot among them) empowered to humiliate the JLA & JSA so they come back stronger and fight an evil computer.
The power of a non compressed storyline is kind of incredible. So much story and character gets squeezed into two and three issue stories, you'd get a twelve issue maxi-series out of them now, with so much un-necessary blather.
December 31, 2023
Crisis on Multiple Earths Vol. 5
The JLA and JSA are attacked by someone who uses heroes from Earth's past to try and destroy the heroes of today. Then a retired hero of the JSA is murdered aboard the JLA's satellite before a transmatter accident lands a group of heroes on New Genesis to face Darkseid.
The intricate plots and overwhelming number of characters begin to limit the stories and there is a lot of cherry picking of which heroes appear in the adventures, but the artwork is still superb and Conway and colleagues still try to include fringe characters like Huntress and Firestorm to expand their universe.
The JLA and JSA are attacked by someone who uses heroes from Earth's past to try and destroy the heroes of today. Then a retired hero of the JSA is murdered aboard the JLA's satellite before a transmatter accident lands a group of heroes on New Genesis to face Darkseid.
The intricate plots and overwhelming number of characters begin to limit the stories and there is a lot of cherry picking of which heroes appear in the adventures, but the artwork is still superb and Conway and colleagues still try to include fringe characters like Huntress and Firestorm to expand their universe.
February 22, 2025
Justice League of America #171-172: Well, this was a pleasant surprise after the last volume. This pair of issues was quite good. In fact, it might even be the best from the previous four volumes. It did have some problems, but nothing really glaringly insulting to the reader. Maybe things are finally turning around.
Justice League of America #183-185: And now we see what a good writer and a truly spectacular artist can accomplish. The open chapter was good, about on par with the last story, but the concluding two issues ... gorgeous. coming onboard was perfect and really illustrated (sorry about the pun) what a true visionary artist could accomplish with the characters and the crossover epic. The addition of the New Gods characters were also a nice bonus, and helped raise the sense of a crisis of epic proportions that were rather lacking in much of the ... sillier ... inclusions from previous volumes.
Justice League of America #195-197: I suppose my expectations were set too high after that last story arc, this one wasn’t nearly as good. This is still a solidly entertaining mash-up of the JLA and the JSA, but the threat just doesn’t seem as Epic as it did in the last arc. Still, in any case it is well executed.
This is definitely the best of the five volumes of these Crisis on Multiple Earths that I’ve read.
Justice League of America #183-185: And now we see what a good writer and a truly spectacular artist can accomplish. The open chapter was good, about on par with the last story, but the concluding two issues ... gorgeous. coming onboard was perfect and really illustrated (sorry about the pun) what a true visionary artist could accomplish with the characters and the crossover epic. The addition of the New Gods characters were also a nice bonus, and helped raise the sense of a crisis of epic proportions that were rather lacking in much of the ... sillier ... inclusions from previous volumes.
Justice League of America #195-197: I suppose my expectations were set too high after that last story arc, this one wasn’t nearly as good. This is still a solidly entertaining mash-up of the JLA and the JSA, but the threat just doesn’t seem as Epic as it did in the last arc. Still, in any case it is well executed.
This is definitely the best of the five volumes of these Crisis on Multiple Earths that I’ve read.
April 30, 2013
Read this for sake of continuity, to get a better handle on the Crisis story arc. Decent stories in this collection.
I was mostly interested in the Darkseid three issue story, having had not too much background on him, and this story was good but he seemed to be defeated too easily. Then again, they had to wrap up the issue...
I was mostly interested in the Darkseid three issue story, having had not too much background on him, and this story was good but he seemed to be defeated too easily. Then again, they had to wrap up the issue...
August 27, 2015
Three JLA/JSA crossover stories. Probably the most interesting one is the middle one, which is a murder-mystery, but the other two at least have interesting concepts. (B)
June 6, 2023
We are at the end of the Dick Dillin era because he sadly passed away in 1980. So the first 2.33 story arcs are drawn by him and the last 0.66 is drawn by the phenomenal George Perez.
I am sorry for Dick's passing as a human but I am still upset by the grip he had on drawing the JLA book for so many years. When I was young my love for this team book outweighed my hatred of his stiff and uninspired art. As I read them now, the art is so bad it makes me mad. When you see what the book looks like under a gifted artist like Perez you see how many years were wasted with the Dillin art. The stories themselves are pretty bland but with Perez they come to life and it is a joy to read. Dillin always seemed to use the same 5 poses and wasn't a good enough artist for the quiet moments and had no fluidity to handle the action moments.
Okay - what about the team ups? It is interesting to note these team ups take either 3 or 2 issues meaning the JLA comic could spend 1/4 of their year's stories on these team ups. I looked forward to them as a kid but it does show that the writers of the book didn't have the creativity that Gardner Fox did when it came to fun action adventures with the team.
The first team up had the JLA and JSA face off against some heroes from the history of DC (Jonah Hex, Enemy Ace...) and it is pretty bad. Mostly because Gerry Conway didn't take any time to build up the characters form the past so if you have no idea who they are he doesn't help and he gives them zero personality or reason for the Time Lord (the main villain) to use them. The JLA and JSA don't fare much better in terms of personality. And the ending is pretty lame with one unlikely hero saving the day.
The second team up was (at the time) a bit cool in that a member of the JSA dies and it becomes a who done it. I remember when young this got me excited. Sadly, seeing it now the mystery is too easily solved and again, pretty lame. Again, Gerry Conway doesn't take time to let us get to know the hero is who is killed so his death isn't that dramatic. We don't care about him.
The third team up is the best simply because it has two issues with George Perez art. This time the JLA and JSA team up with a couple of New Gods (wish it was more). The story is actually interesting with Darkseid coming back. Nowadays he is so popular he never dies but back then he was killed off now and then. My biggest complaint is the three JSA villains that are used are waaay overpowered - especially the Fiddler. The Fiddler plays his fiddle and easily takes down three of the strongest JLA/JSA members. He also is summoned by Darkseid because his fiddle alone can bring Darkseid back to life. When was the Fiddler so powerful? And why? I remember him being the villain you took out by knocking his fiddle out of his hands. But overall a solid story and we get even a little character development.
These collections are actually a nice way to get a feel for the JLA book over the 60's-80's without having to buy the omnibus. But they do remind me why I avoided buying the omnibus. They aren't great stories and Dick Dillin's art is horrible. I actually much prefer the early years. The flat art at least is excusable and while the characterization isn't any better Fox had clever tales which got the heroes working together to defeat the enemy.
I am sorry for Dick's passing as a human but I am still upset by the grip he had on drawing the JLA book for so many years. When I was young my love for this team book outweighed my hatred of his stiff and uninspired art. As I read them now, the art is so bad it makes me mad. When you see what the book looks like under a gifted artist like Perez you see how many years were wasted with the Dillin art. The stories themselves are pretty bland but with Perez they come to life and it is a joy to read. Dillin always seemed to use the same 5 poses and wasn't a good enough artist for the quiet moments and had no fluidity to handle the action moments.
Okay - what about the team ups? It is interesting to note these team ups take either 3 or 2 issues meaning the JLA comic could spend 1/4 of their year's stories on these team ups. I looked forward to them as a kid but it does show that the writers of the book didn't have the creativity that Gardner Fox did when it came to fun action adventures with the team.
The first team up had the JLA and JSA face off against some heroes from the history of DC (Jonah Hex, Enemy Ace...) and it is pretty bad. Mostly because Gerry Conway didn't take any time to build up the characters form the past so if you have no idea who they are he doesn't help and he gives them zero personality or reason for the Time Lord (the main villain) to use them. The JLA and JSA don't fare much better in terms of personality. And the ending is pretty lame with one unlikely hero saving the day.
The second team up was (at the time) a bit cool in that a member of the JSA dies and it becomes a who done it. I remember when young this got me excited. Sadly, seeing it now the mystery is too easily solved and again, pretty lame. Again, Gerry Conway doesn't take time to let us get to know the hero is who is killed so his death isn't that dramatic. We don't care about him.
The third team up is the best simply because it has two issues with George Perez art. This time the JLA and JSA team up with a couple of New Gods (wish it was more). The story is actually interesting with Darkseid coming back. Nowadays he is so popular he never dies but back then he was killed off now and then. My biggest complaint is the three JSA villains that are used are waaay overpowered - especially the Fiddler. The Fiddler plays his fiddle and easily takes down three of the strongest JLA/JSA members. He also is summoned by Darkseid because his fiddle alone can bring Darkseid back to life. When was the Fiddler so powerful? And why? I remember him being the villain you took out by knocking his fiddle out of his hands. But overall a solid story and we get even a little character development.
These collections are actually a nice way to get a feel for the JLA book over the 60's-80's without having to buy the omnibus. But they do remind me why I avoided buying the omnibus. They aren't great stories and Dick Dillin's art is horrible. I actually much prefer the early years. The flat art at least is excusable and while the characterization isn't any better Fox had clever tales which got the heroes working together to defeat the enemy.
January 19, 2020
Not as attention holding as most of the previous collections of JLA/JSA team ups, but still solid story telling. Of course, closing in on 20 years of annual team ups, it's amazing that they managed to keep these events interesting.
Starting out with a murder mystery two parter, I would say this is the best overall story of the three in this collection. A hero dies and the two teams need to find the culprit. Solid story telling, an easy 4 1/2 stars.
Next was a three parter where the annual Crisis is on Apokalypse. The population of New Genesis has been kidnapped and enslaved by three Earth 2 villains helping Darkseid return from the dead. The story is told well and the dialogue is character unique and fun, but it's never really clear how these three mediocre villains were powerful enough to enslave a planet of Gods. Still, 4 stars.
Finally, another three parter where an entire team of villains of two earths unite in a cheesy plot to capture their arch enemies and send them to limbo. Somehow this will cause all of the heroes on one of the earths to disappear. The whole story plays out like a 60s or early 70s comic, where science just does stuff just cuz. Most of these issues center entirely around the villains and their dialogue. Not anywhere as interesting as one could hope, but not bad. 3 stars.
Overall, these collections are always good flashback fun. Definitely good for a lazy afternoon.
Starting out with a murder mystery two parter, I would say this is the best overall story of the three in this collection. A hero dies and the two teams need to find the culprit. Solid story telling, an easy 4 1/2 stars.
Next was a three parter where the annual Crisis is on Apokalypse. The population of New Genesis has been kidnapped and enslaved by three Earth 2 villains helping Darkseid return from the dead. The story is told well and the dialogue is character unique and fun, but it's never really clear how these three mediocre villains were powerful enough to enslave a planet of Gods. Still, 4 stars.
Finally, another three parter where an entire team of villains of two earths unite in a cheesy plot to capture their arch enemies and send them to limbo. Somehow this will cause all of the heroes on one of the earths to disappear. The whole story plays out like a 60s or early 70s comic, where science just does stuff just cuz. Most of these issues center entirely around the villains and their dialogue. Not anywhere as interesting as one could hope, but not bad. 3 stars.
Overall, these collections are always good flashback fun. Definitely good for a lazy afternoon.
May 25, 2020
Gerry Conway inyecta puntos de vista frescos, interesantes y atrevidos a las habituales reuniones anuales de la LJA y la SJA: probablemente la mejor colección de especiales de la serie Crisis on Multiple Earths.
August 26, 2022
No doubt that these annual JSA/JLA crossovers had gotten tired by this point, a once inspired bit of nerdom that became increasingly pro forma. Still, you got a few issues here where they bring in Orion and Mister Miracle and the rest of the New Gods to fight Darkseid*, which is fun and they are a much more worthy pack of forgotten characters to bring back than, like, Seven Soldiers of Victory or Freedom Fighters were.
C+
*This comes after the failed Return of the New Gods and Mister Miracle comics in 1977. Is this the moment that solidifies Darkseid as a major DC villain? The Great Darkness Saga? Legends? Cosmic Odyssey? Later? At what point did it really feel to readers that this guy was a big deal in this universe?
C+
*This comes after the failed Return of the New Gods and Mister Miracle comics in 1977. Is this the moment that solidifies Darkseid as a major DC villain? The Great Darkness Saga? Legends? Cosmic Odyssey? Later? At what point did it really feel to readers that this guy was a big deal in this universe?
April 12, 2021
Tomo 5 de 14 del Box Set y quinto de seis de los plateadÃsimos Crisis on Multiple Earths en una edición hardcover preciosa, aunque los tomos individuales no tengan ISBN propio.
Incluye Justice League of America #171-172, 183-185 & 195-197, números que me parece que no tengo repetidos en ninguna edición.
Incluye Justice League of America #171-172, 183-185 & 195-197, números que me parece que no tengo repetidos en ninguna edición.
March 2, 2022
Falta transcribir Ãndice. Incluye 8 números de Justice League of America: #171-172, 183-185 & 195-197.
June 10, 2024
Libro de historietas con ISBN compartido con el resto de la colección. Edición estadounidense que forma parte del Box set de Crisis. Hubo ediciones similares con contenido muy similar o igual.
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