Jessie Robertson reviews Part Two of Crisis on Infinite Earths…
Part II of Crisis on Infinite Earths, an event years in the making, delivers, handily on the promise that we would travel to multiple Earths and explore the multiverse of DC Comics movie and television history all within a 42 minute package. For Batwoman’s episode, we travel not to Gotham (at least of the Earth 1 variety) but to the Waverider as The Monitor unveils Plan B of the plan to combat the Anti-Monitor. He has found knowledge from the recovered Book of Destiny that they need to collect 7 Paragons, people of the highest repute in different attributes to help fight back the anti-matter wave that is coming towards them. 2 of them are already in attendance: Kara Zor-El, the Paragon of Hope and Sara Lance, the Paragon of Destiny. Two others are known and the team is sent to retrieve them.
As pure fan service, this episode packs so much into it’s 1 hour time frame, it’s almost too much to handle. To find the Paragon of Courage, Kate and Kara are sent to Earth-99 to find a Batman- what they find is a ripped Luke Fox and a broken down Bruce Wayne using a metal walking suit just to stand up. The catch, for so many fans out there, is that Kevin Conroy, the most iconic Batman (my opinion), the voice of Batman in the Animated Series, Justice League, the Arkham games and so much more, actually, physically plays Batman. Just the sound and cadence of his voice coming around the stairs as we first see him sent goosebumps all over me. The fact that he’s not just physically broken, but spiritually as well becomes Kate’s learning tool in this episode as he reveals to her, he’s killed. A lot. And he doesn’t seem to mind. As Kara speaks with Luke, she learns he’s not only killed all his enemies, but that Earth’s Superman. This Bruce has no trust left, and more importantly, no hope. After a mishap with trying to attack Kara with some leftover Kryptonite, Bruce falls into a transformer and perishes. Kate is then revealed as the true Paragon of Courage.
Our second plotline involves the reporters teaming up (Clark, Lois and Iris) as Lex Luthor is brought into play some kind of role; he ends up stealing the book and transporting to all Earths to kill their Supermen. One such stop is absolute fan service as he meets Tom Welling, star of Smallville. It’s a nice, quick scene that really doesn’t serve much purpose except that beloved service. Transporting to yet another Earth meeting the Superman from Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns (who happens to be Brandon Routh) is a much more satisfying piece of footage. After briefly turning him on our heroes, they thwart Lex’s plan and return this Paragon back to the Waverider. The beauty of both cameos is that they are in their Kingdom Come look- Bruce with the mechanical assistance and Clark with the gray spitcurl and unique Superman outfit. Elsewhere, Barry and Mia, unable to deal with Oliver being gone, decide to find a Lazaraus Pit to resurrect him; they have Sara recruit Constantine to return his soul upon the enraged body coming back to life. This plan also doesn’t come to fruition just yet.
This is an absolutely serviceable episode, plot wise speaking. It turns right when I thought episode 1 felt like too much of a repeat of what’s come before it in crossovers; here, they fully utilize the multiverse gimmick, around each and every corner, and in episode 2 of the crossover, it works splendidly. This was a well crafted and well plotted out trip through DC’s lexicon of great interpretations of their characters and material, all matched within the framework of the Arrowverse. Not to mention, an amazing Mick Rory performance, who became the MVP of the Arrowverse when they leaned into his pure comedic side. As Part 2 finishes with Lyla being pulled to the Anti-Monitor’s call, Part 3 is lining up nicely.
Rating: 9.5/10- So much plot, so many characters, so much fun- perfect 2nd piece to this elaborate puzzle
Jessie Robertson
