Just in time for the start of spooky season, DC’s I Know What You Did Last Crisis hits stands October 2nd. This holiday anthology takes a different approach than previous iterations, as each spooky story takes place during a previous crisis, or perhaps more accurately, a crossover event. It covers events from the first “Crisis” in 1985, Crisis on Infinite Earths, to Flashpoint in 2011. This 80-page behemoth is packed with spine-chilling threads that will please even the most continuity-minded reader.
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I’ll be the first to admit that there are some holes in my comic book reading, especially when it comes to crossover events. To be honest, Crisis on Infinite Earths is the only event in this issue that I actually read. If you’re in my shoes and aren’t familiar with all this happening over 25 years of comics publishing, don’t worry. It didn’t prevent me from enjoying all of these stories, at least on some level. If anything, it made me even more determined to look into these various events and see what they were all about.
For a self-proclaimed horror anthology, the stories range from fairly scary/disturbing to just mildly scary. There’s a lot of blood and dismemberment, especially in Dr. Light’s Millennium Event story “A Constant State of Healing” and Midnighter’s Flashpoint story “Violent Tendency.” The Batgirl scene is probably the least scary, but it did have a heartwarming ending with Barbara and Killer Croc sharing a tender moment as the world fades away from them. No horror anthology would be complete without the scarecrow, the expert on horror. He makes a cameo appearance in the story of Birds of Prey, as well as his own quest to understand fear, detailing the intricacies of the human fear response.
The two stories that were the most difficult for me to understand were the JSA in “At the Point of Vanishing” and “Crisis Obscura” in Nightwing. Both had interesting moments and fun plot points. Wesley Dodds the Sandman tells the story of the JSA, and his doubts about pulling his own weight like other more powerful members of the JSA like Green Lantern and the Flash, who have imposter syndrome It’s something everyone can relate to. His resourcefulness, courage, and perseverance allow him to succeed where his allies do not. Not knowing the details of the events of Infinite Crisis hindered my understanding of the story. After a little Googling, it seems like Dan DiDio and Nightwing’s relationship is contentious, but I think his take on this story is more cynical. Cheek than malice.
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Each artist does a great job of recreating the art style that was popular at the time of their respective crisis publications. While Batgirl and Doctor Light’s stories both look like 80s comics and have a lot of nostalgia, Midnighter’s and Scarecrow’s stories are much more modern in comparison. Sometimes these anthology stories stick to a certain “house” style and everything starts to look the same, so it’s refreshing to see so many different art styles in one book. I thought the story of Birds of Prey was the highest form of art. The Silver Banshee certainly looks creepy, but Green Arrow’s rendering of the zombie was terrifying. I didn’t know much about pencil maker Jose Luis or ink artist Jonas Trindade, but I would like to keep an eye on their future work. There are plenty of frightened expressions from beginning to end, and the film does a great job of portraying the fear that all the characters are experiencing. The use of color throughout the book succeeds in creating a frightening atmosphere. There are lots of dark shades and shadows, but there is also good use of lighting and smoke/gas throughout the book. There’s also a great use of Kirby Crackle.
DC’s I Know What You Did Last Crisis is a fun, nostalgia-filled homage to both horror and the complex tapestry of DC’s event-driven history. The horror content ranges from mild to gruesome, and some of the stories may be difficult without deep continuity knowledge, but this anthology stands out for its art, tonal diversity, and obvious love for the source material. It shines brightly. Whether you’re a longtime DC fan or new to the broader Crisis saga, this collection offers something for everyone. It’s a spooky treat that rewards both casual fun and dedicated dedication to the complex web of superhero peril.
DC’s I Know What You Did Last Crisis #1 is an unforgettable journey through the history of the event
DC’s I Know What You Did Last Crisis #1
DC’s I Know What You Did Last Crisis is a fun, nostalgia-filled homage to both horror and the complex tapestry of DC’s event-driven history. The horror content ranges from mild to gruesome, and some of the stories may be difficult without deep continuity knowledge, but this anthology stands out for its art, tonal diversity, and obvious love for the source material. It shines brightly.
A unique concept that combines horror and DC’s major crossover events
Impressive diversity of art styles
A story that will appeal to readers who are not familiar with all kinds of crises.
Horror elements are inconsistent, with some stories leaning more towards mild suspense
Certain plot lines may confuse readers due to deeper meta-references
