Number 2: Crisis on Infinite Earths #9“War Zone” (DC Comics, December, 1985)
This issue was billed as "The Villain War" in the “next issue” blurb of Crisis #8. It seemed as if it would be a pretty tall order to bring together every surviving villain in the DC Universe for a huge free-for-all, but this issue delivered in a big way. The cover alone is phenomenal (here’s a larger scan), as it crams a ton of the worst villains into one senses-shattering panel. And then, beginning with page 1, it’s pure action. The issue starts with the destruction of Oa and the death of all but one of the Guardians of the Universe. A few pages later, Lex Luthor of Earth-1 murders the Luthor of Earth-2. The issue is a blockbuster that is crammed with the best of DC, including the Teen Titans, Sgt. Rock and many others. There are cameos from the Charlton group, including Captain Atom and Dr. Spectro and a plethora of obscure heroes and villains from the Golden and the Silver Ages. By page 11, Braniac crashes a meeting of the U.N. and announces that the villains have captured three of the remaining Earths: Earths 4, X and S. The rest of the issue features scenes from some amazing battles, including heroes and villains from the Fawcett group as well as the Doom Patrol, Kid Flash and the Flash of Earth-2, the JSA and Infinity Inc. And just when it looks like the villains are on the very brink of total victory, the alliance starts to unravel with Psimon’s betrayal of the Luthor-Braniac alliance. For me, this is where Crisis really came together and picked up momentum. But even by itself, it’s a terrific read!
