- Writer: Joshua Williamson
- Artists: Daniel Sampere, Jack Herbert, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Rafa Sandoval
- Colorists: Alejandro Sanchez, Alex Guimaraes, Romulo Fajardo Jr, and Matt Herms
- Letterer: Tom Napolitano
- Cover Artists: Daniel Sampere and Alejandro Sanchez
- Editor: Chris Rosa and Paul Kaminski
Cover: Nice and easy – this is Nightwing.
Variant Covers can be found at the bottom of the page.
Page 1 – Panels 1 to 4: These panels mirror (and contain the same text) as the first page in DARK CRISIS #1, which in turn mirrored the same layout of CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #1‘s first page. At the end of the previous issue, we saw an apparently unconscious Nightwing in the grip of the Darkness-power Deathstroke, so it’s no surprise he doesn’t know where he is.
Pages 2 and 3 – Panel 1: The battle outside the Hall of Justice continues. Starting in the top left and working to the right roughly in a line is Batman; Lex Luthor; Green Lantern (GL) Hal Jordan; Deathstroke. Dropping down back to the left is GL Rot Lop Fan; Sinestro; Supergirl; Superman (Clark); Hawkgirl; Superman (Jon); GL John Stewart; GL Penelops; Wonder Girl; GL Kilowog; Back to the left with the characters mostly on the ground are Black Adam; Multiplex; Aquaman; Firefly; Wonder Woman; Batwoman; Darkseid; GL Jo Mullein; Nightwing; and Ravager.
Deathstroke’s narration about candles refers back to the vigil held in issue #1, and the recent revelation that Pariah was hearing his own thoughts, not the Great Darkness, although Deathstroke is able to continue taking advantage of the darkness that Pariah created.
Pages 2 and 3 – Panels 2 to 5: Nightwing regresses from his current form, to that of the 90s, then his 80s Teen Titans look, before settling on his original Robin appearance.
Page 4 – Panel 1: Deathstroke appears, challenging Nightwing to “round two” – round one was fought between them in DARK CRISIS #2.
Page 4 – Panel 2: Deathstroke’s real name is Slade Wilson.
Page 4 – Panel 3: Deathstroke has been a long time enemy of Nightwing and the Teen Titans. He refers to Nightwing’s “old man” which is Batman.
Page 5 – Panel 1: Out in the real world, the battle continues with Superman (Clark) on the left and Black Adam on the right being repelled by Deathstroke.
Page 5 – Panel 2: Nightwing led the attack against Pariah, Deathstroke and the Dark Army in the previous issue.
Page 5 – Panel 3: Left to right: Wonder Girl; Booster Gold; Nekron; Superman (Jon); Neron; Batman; Beast Boy (as an eagle)l Cyborg; Eclipso; Starfire; Doomsday; Arsenal; Donna Troy.
Booster’s inclusion is odd as we saw him disintegrated by Pariah in the previous issue; however, this scene takes place after Pariah’s death so it’s possible that event has negated the disintegration.
Page 5 – Panel 4: Deathstroke appears to have become something of a fatalistic nihilist.
Page 5 – Panel 5: As Deathstroke talks about his children, we see Ravager, his daughter.
Page 5 – Panel 6: And Nightwing calls out Deathstroke’s parenting abilities, something that was a long-running issue in the TEEN TITANS series of the 80s.
Page 6 – Panels 1 and 2: Deathstroke sort of blames himself for the pain caused to his children – his son Grant was the first Ravager who idolised his father and later died in his arms after fighting the Teen Titans. His second son Joey was kidnapped by enemies of Deathstroke and held hostage; during the rescue attempt, Joey’s throat was cut when Deathstroke refused to give the hostage taker information, rendering him mute. Joey would later become the hero Jericho and join the Teen Titans, before succumbing to darkness. Deathstroke’s daughter Rose became Ravager and originally teamed with her father before abandoning him due to his lies and manipulation.
Page 6 – Panel 4: Deathstroke wants to end everything for everyone as a way of ending the pain.
Page 7 – Panel 1: The Green Lantern Corps take on Deathstroke. Working clockwise around Deathstroke from the top left are Guy Gardner; John Stewart; Jo Mullein; Arisia; Rot Lop Fan; and Kyle Rayner.
Page 7 – Panel 2: Hal Jordan at the top providing a protective dome over (left to right) Mr Terrific; Batgirl; Superman (Jon); and Black Adam. Hanging in the middle is the map of the multiverse. Batgirl’s mention of splitting into one team to tackle Deathstroke “while a team restores order to the multiverse” seems to echo what the JSA were shown doing in the previous issue.
Page 7 – Panel 3: Robin arrives with Justice League Incarnate, as seen at the end of DARK CRISIS: THE DARK ARMY, covered in Crossovers Part 6. Across the top row (mostly in the air) are Mary Marvel (Earth 5); Captain Carrot (Earth 26); Dino-Cop (Earth 41); President Superman (Earth 23); and Dr Light. Along the bottom (mostly on the ground) are Doctor Multiverse (Earth 8); Power Girl; Robin; Thunderer (Earth 7); Sideways; Red Canary; and Aquawoman (Earth 11). The weapon Robin refers to is the newly powered-up Dr Light.
Page 7 – Panel 4: Robin can’t help taking the credit.
Page 7 – Panel 5: Dr Light has the power to reverse the darkness across the multiverse, but Mr Terrific says someone’s already “racing to do just that.“
Page 8 – Panel 1: And if racing’s involved, then it has to be the Flash family. Left to right are Kid Flash; Jesse Quick; Flash (Barry); Max Mercury; Flash (Wally); and Flash (Avery). Wally’s comment about losing the infinite Earths before is, of course, a reference to CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS.
Page 8 – Panel 3: Dr Light was empowered by the Monitor in CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #4.
Page 9 – Panel 1: Black Adam enters the battle, taking down Deathstroke, leaving Dr Light to pursue the Flash family.
Page 9 – Panel 2: Anti-clockwise from the top left are Wonder Woman; Starfire; Queen Nubia; Darkseid; and Wonder Girl. Black Adam’s narration says Darkseid warned him that he “was the key to defeating [Deathstroke]” which is a generous interpretation of Page 21 – Panels 3 and 4 of JUSTICE LEAGUE #75.
Page 9 – Panel 3: As Adam says, the heroes saved him even after he fled to the League of Doom; the rescue was shown in DARK CRISIS #5.
Page 9 – Panel 4: As Black Adam attacks Deathstroke in the real world, Nightwing takes on Deathstroke in the darkness.
Page 9 – Panels 5 and 6: Black Adam says his name and calls down the lightning to strike Deathstroke and . . .
Pages 10 and 11 – Panel 1: . . . empower the heroes and give them all a black and gold uniform make-over at the same time. As usual, click to enlarge the numbered version of this image below with the key beneath it.
1) Blue Beetle 2) Hawkgirl 3) Green Lantern 4) Martian Manhunter 5) President Superman 6) GL Larvox 7) Miss Martian 8) Power Girl 9) GL Jo Mullein 10) Green Lantern 11) Mary Marvel 12) GL Salaak 13) Supergirl 14) GL Arisia 15) GL John Stewart 16) GL Guy Gardner 17) GL Jessica Cruz 18) GL Hal Jordan 19) GL Kyle Rayner 20) GL Simon Baz 21) Green Lantern 22) Crush 23) Donna Troy 24) Zatanna 25) Aquawoman 26) Robin 27) Batman (Jace) 28) Aquaman (Jackson) 29) GL Apros 30) Sideways 31) unknown (maybe Thunderer?) 32) Arsenal 33) Queen Nubia 34) Superman (Clark) 35) Aquaman (Arthur) 36) Red Canary 37) Superman (Jon) 38) Beast Boy 39) Batgirl (Barbara) 40) Batman (Bruce) 41) Signal 42) Black Canary 43) Cyborg 44) Stitch 45) Wonder Woman 46) Swamp Thing 47) Red Hood 48) Batgirl (Cassandra) 49) Wonder Girl
There are three generic Green Lanterns in the list (numbers 3, 10, and 21) that I think are too indistinct to be named. Use the Contact Me page if you think different.
Pages 10 and 11 – Panel 2: Black Adam’s plan has worked and Deathstroke is now free of the darkness.
Pages 10 and 11 – Panel 3: The heroes attack the Dark Army. Top to bottom are Mary Marvel; Hawkgirl; Batgirl; President Superman; Sinestro; Captain Carrot; Prometheus; Aquaman (Jackson); Zatanna; and Robin.
Pages 10 and 11 – Panel 5: Top to bottom are Lex Luthor; GL Jessica Cruz; GL Jo Mullein; probably Silver Banshee; Wonder Woman; Cyborg; and Eclipso.
Pages 10 and 11 – Panel 7: Deathstroke stands, free of the darkness but . . .
Page 12 – Panel 1: . . . revealing that it’s simply moved into Nightwing, finding a new home as he said it would on Page 5.
Page 12 – Panel 3: The map of the multiverse showing the corruption and spread of the darkness.
Page 12 – Panels 4 and 5: Deathstroke doubts Nightwing’s ability to combat the darkness and plans to kill Ravager, before Black Adam attacks.
Page 13 – Panel 1: Back with the Flash family in the same formation as last time; bottom left to top right are Kid Flash; Jesse Quick; Flash (Barry); Max Mercury; Flash (Wally); and Flash (Avery).
Page 13 – Panel 2: Dr Light arrives to merge her light with their speed.
Page 13 – Panels 3 and 4: The enlightened Flashes race over the multiverse, building connections and stripping away the darkness.
Page 13 – Panel 5: Dr Light’s mention of others failing to save the infinite Earths “because they wanted to control them” probably refers to Mr Mind in the 52 series and Alexander Luthor Jr in INFINITE CRISIS.
Page 14 – Panel 1: The new multiverse is stabilised. The central map shows the 52 Earths and the adjacent spheres, with infinite Earths around it.
Page 14 – Panels 4 and 5: These two panels are the same, they just show the Dark Army vanishing between them. Left to right are Hawkgirl attacking Doomsday; GL Kyle Rayner; GL Arisia; Wonder Girl; Darkseid; Superman (Clark); Cheetah; Donna Troy; Superman (Jon); Nekron; Batman; Multiplex.
Page 14 – Panel 6: The heroes of Young Justice and the Justice Society arrive. Left to right are Jakeem Thunder; Superboy; Robin (Tim); Impulse; Firestorm; Wonder Girl (Cassie); Dr Fate; GL (Alan); Wildcat; Booster Gold; Blue Beetle (Ted); Obsidian; Green Arrow (Conner); Steel; Hawkwoman; and Jade.
As mentioned previously, Booster (along with Firestorm, Steel, Blue Beetle (Ted), and Green Arrow (Conner)) were disintegrated by Pariah in the previous issue. With the restoration of the multiverse, they appear to have been restored which would make Booster’s appearance on page 5 of this issue an art error.
Page 15: This page is split between Nightwing accepting the darkness, and Deathstroke beating Black Adam while questioning his apparent new found loyalty to them.
Page 16: And Black Adam finally accepts that the heroes he has been berating this entire series are worthy of the ultimate sacrifice.
Page 17 – Panel 1: Deathstroke’s whole reason for going against the Titans is to stop them training the next generation of heroes.
Page 17 – Panel 2: Nightwing’s logo glows from within the darkness as his narration states that they do not follow in anyone’s footsteps.
Page 17 – Panels 4 and 5: But rather, the heroes walk together for the good of all.
Page 18 – Panel 1: Nightwing overcomes the darkness and uses its chains to knock Deathstroke off his feet.
Page 18 – Panel 3: And Deathstroke tries to justify what he did.
Page 19 – Panel 1: But Ravager steps in and tells him he is finished.
Page 19 – Panels 2 and 3: And just like that, Ravager calms her father as he finally gives in.
Page 19 – Panel 5: Left to right are Raven; Robin (Damien); Aquaman; Zatanna; Martian Manhunter; Wonder Girl (Yara); Superman (Jon); Deathstroke; Ravager; then continuing on the ground are Nightwing; Black Adam; and Batman. In the air are Superman (Clark); GL Hal Jordan; Starfire; Hawkgirl; President Superman.
Page 19 – Panel 6: And with the passing of the Crisis, the red skies disappear.
Page 20 – Panel 1: The bat family back together. Left to right are Batgirl (Cassandra); Batman; Signal; Barbara Gordon; Robin (Damian); Robin (Tim); Batgirl (Stephanie); and Batwoman.
Page 20 – Panel 2: The Justice Society. Clockwise from the top of the table are GL Alan Scott; Dr Fate; Dr Mid-Nite; Wildcat (Ted); Wildcat (Yolanda); Hawkgirl; Jakeem Thunder; Hawkman; Cyclone; Hourman; Obsidian; Nuklon; Jade.
Page 20 – Panel 3: The Teen Titans. Left to right are Roundhouse; Bratgirl; Beast Boy; Raven; Cyborg; Starfire. As far as I know, the young children are generic kids.
Page 20 – Panel 4: Dr Light enjoying her new connections to the multiverse while Mr Terrific’s narration shows some concern.
Page 20 – Panel 5: Justice League Incarnate. Harbinger’s AI head floating above them with left to right: Aquawoman; Mary Marvel; President Superman; Dr Multiverse; Captain Carrot.
Page 20 – Panel 6: The Quintessence. Left to right at the top are the Wizard Shazam; Phantom Stranger; Hera; and Highfather. In front of them is Ganthet; and in front of him, the Spectre who was rebonded with Jim Corrigan in DARK CRISIS: WAR ZONE #1, covered in Crossovers Part 6.
Page 20 – Panel 7: Black Canary and Arsenal, and confirmation that Green Arrow did not make it back following the previous issue.
Page 20 – Panel 8: Darkseid back on Apokolips.
Page 20 – Panel 9: Lex Luthor repairing his war suit.
Page 21 – Panel 1: Deathstroke has been purged of the darkness which in turn removed the serum that originally gave him his powers or strength and healing. He is shown to be in constant pain but the League’s treatment keeps him stable.
Page 21 – Panels 3 and 4: A mysterious figure arrives and switches of the machine. It’s not confirmed who this is, but judging by the sleeve and cuff shown in Panel 4, it’s possible this is Terra (Tara Markov) who has a complicated history with Deathstroke to say the least.
Page 21 – Panel 5: With the machine switched off, Deathstroke succumbs to the constant pain as the figure leaves.
Page 22 – Panel 1: The heroes discuss the aftermath, confirming the Great Darkness was never really involved and that it was Pariah tapping into just a fraction of its power. Left to right are Barbara Gordon; Mr Terrific; Zatanna; GL Hal Jordan; Hawkgirl; and Flash (Barry).
Page 22 – Panel 2: Mr Terrific’s motto is “Fair Play” hence the big smile.
Page 22 – Panel 3: Wallace is Kid Flash – he and Barry, as the caption box says, will look at the multiverse in DARK CRISIS: BIG BANG, as shown in Crossovers Part 7.
Page 23 – Panel 1: A mixture of new and old heroes help repair the Hall of Justice. Superman (Jon) in the air then left to right (ignoring Barry and Hal) are Red Canary; Barbara Gordon (not sure how she got ahead of the fastest man alive!); Wonder Girl; Batman (Jace) Cyborg; Booster Gold; Skeets; and Blue Beetle (Ted).
Page 23 – Panel 4: Left to right are Flash (Wally); Flash (Barry); Flash (Avery); Kid Flash; GL Hal.
Page 23 – Panel 6: The Green Lantern Corps. Most of the background are indistinct, but left to right are John Stewart; Penelops; Jessica Cruz; Apros; Jo Mullein; Hannu; Hal Jordan; unknown; Kyle Rayner; Galius Zed; Tomar-Tu; Simon Baz; Chaselon; Guy Gardner; Kilowog; and Ghr’ll.
Page 24 – Panels 1 and 2: Some time later, Black Adam has regained his powers and looks over the rebuilding of the Hall of Justice.
Page 25: Black Adam gives a back-handed compliment to Superman (Jon) as he tells both Supermen that he and they are not friends, and he’s heading back to Khandaq.
Page 26: Batman and Nightwing reconnect and Nightwing explains about the candle he kept from when he first made the vow to help protect the innocent, as we saw him also explain at the start of DARK CRISIS #1.
Page 27 – Panel 1: This is a flashback to the vigil Nightwing and the other heroes held for the Justice League when many thought they were dead. Despite the different colours, this is the same image as seen on Pages 4 and 5 of issue #1 so if you want to know who’s who, check out the numbered image on the link above.
Page 27 – Panel 3: Despite Nightwing’s words about the symbolism of the candle, Batman breaks it.
Page 27 – Panels 5 and 6: Batman explains during a couple of flashbacks, including one of the Joker in Panel 6, that the candle wasn’t the important thing.
Page 28 – Panel 1: Robin seen kicking Joker in the face, as Batman tells Nightwing that it’s he who is the most important thing.
Page 29 – Panel 1: The two survey the ruins of the League’s table as Batman says it’s gone.
Page 29 – Panels 3 and 4: Batman confirms the League has disbanded and they are entrusting the future of the heroes to Nightwing and the Titans.
Pages 30 and 31: Credits for this issue.
Page 32 – Panel 1: A narrator claims they don’t care about the multiverse as we see Superman (Clark) being attacked by Lex Luthor.
Page 32 – Panel 2: The android Failsafe attacking Batman as the narrator focuses their concerns on our world.
Page 32 – Panel 3: Robin (Damian) attacked by the demon Nezha.
Page 33 – Panel 1: The Council of Light made up of unknown members at this point, and the narrator in front of them.
Page 33 – Panel 3: The narrator is Amanda Waller, one-time head of Task Force X aka the Suicide Squad.
Page 34 – Panel 1: Waller’s suggestion is that if they can imprison the villains, they can imprison the heroes. Left to right are Impulse; Zatanna; Black Canary; Steel; GL Hal Jordan; Aquaman; Donna Troy; Batwoman; and Mr Terrific.
Page 34 – Panel 2: Left to right are Flash; Hawkgirl; Batman (Jace); Nightwing; Wonder Girl; Robin; and Shazam.
Page 34 – Panel 3: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in chains.
Page 35 – Panel 1: The Council of Light reject Waller’s plan.
Page 35 – Panel 2: Waller says she has seen “how quickly these heroes can let their powers corrupt them” which is a reference to the War for Earth-3 storyline when she dealt with the Crime Syndicate of America.
Page 35 – Panel 4: The Council disagree with her only because she’s not thinking big enough. Waller is joined by four other characters that we’ll see in full in a moment.
Page 35 – Panel 5: And the Council grant her leave to kill every metahuman, hero or villain.
Page 36: Waller stands fully revealed before Peacemaker on the left, Peacewrecker beside him, the armored creature Bright behind them, and an as yet unamed Batman/Yellow Lantern/Bizarro/Joker amalgamation.
Variant Covers – due to the number of different covers, I’ve added them here so they don’t interfere with the main text.
Crisis on Earth-Prime 