The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths event is now less than a week away. The annual crossover between the network’s Arrowverse shows—Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, and Legends of Tomorrow—is already shaping up to be the biggest such event, bringing in characters from other CW series like Black Lightning as well as past DC-TV actors like Tom WellingAshley Scott, and even Kevin Conroy. It also looks, based on a recent Amazon listing, like DC Comics is going to be commemorating the event with a special tie-in comic for the event. The listing is for a deluxe edition hardcover collecting a two issues of a Crisis-themed series, and features a new cover of the CW’s heroes by legendary Crisis inker Jerry Ordway.

Ordway’s cover features Arrowverse versions of Earth-1’s Green Arrow, The Flash, and Kid Flash, Earth-38’s Supergirl, and Earth-X’s The Ray. The woman between Green Arrow and The Flash is likely Felicity Smoak. Actors Emily Bett Rickards (Smoak), Keiynan Lonsdale (Kid Flash) and Russell Tovey (The Ray) have not been confirmed as appearing during Crisis as yet, so perhaps the comic tie-in will be used as a way to incorporate those characters into the event.

According to the Amazon description for the book, the first of the collected issues will feature two new stories co-written by original Crisis on Infinite Earths writer Marv Wolfman and Arrow executive producer Marc Guggenheim. The first, a 24-page story, has no artist specified yet, while the second, an 8-page back-up story, will feature art by Tom GrummettDanny Miki, and Chris Sotomayor, and letters by Wes Abbott. The issue also features a full reprint of Crisis on Infinite Earths #1, and excerpted material from Crisis #7, the infamous death of Supergirl.

The second issue of the tie-in series will also include stories co-written by Wolfman & Guggenheim, including another 24-page main story with art by Tom DerenickTrevor ScottAndy Owens, and Hi-Fi, and another 8-page backup illustrated by Grummett, Miki, and Sotomayor, with Wes Abbott lettering both stories. A reprint of Crisis on Infinite Earths #8, plus an excerpt from DC Universe: Legacies #6 (which featured a story set during Crisis illustrated in part by Ordway and original Crisis penciller George Pérez) rounds out the second issue.

Wolfman, co-creator of the original 12-issue Crisis on Infinite Earths series, is already involved with The CW’s crossover based on the series, as he will be co-writing the Arrow installment of the story along with Guggenheim. He’s revisited the events of the 1985-86 crossover a few times over the years, including a Legends of the DC Universe one-shot released in 1999, and 2015’s Convergence: Adventures of Superman miniseries.

The addition of a comic tie-in to the television festivities is a welcome and natural one. It seems likely that the two issues described in the listing are from DC’s upcoming Crisis on Infinite Earths Giant series, two issues of which are currently scheduled for release in January and February 2020, respectively. Details on those two issues haven’t yet been released officially by DC aside from that they will contain both new and reprint material. The final order cutoff date for the first Crisis Giant is next Monday, December 9th, though, so that information will likely be officially released within the next week. Given that these giant series are also being released in Walmart stores, it makes sense that the new material would feature the TV versions of Supergirl, The Flash, and others, who might be more recognizable to the general public.

Amazon listings are naturally subject to change until details are officially released by DC, but that cover art by Ordway is fantastic, and if even a little of what’s in the listing is correct, it’s reason enough for Arrowverse fans to get interested. Amazon lists June 16th, 2020 as the release date for the deluxe edition hardcover, so it’ll likely be available in shops towards the beginning of June. The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover begins on Sunday.

(Note: an earlier version of this story incorrectly listed Nicola Scott as a contributor to the series instead of Trevor Scott. Based on DC’s official announcement, the article has been updated.)

3 COMMENTS

  1. Given that the book is listed as 96 pages, it seems likely that the Walmart Giants will have some reprint material that isn’t mentioned, as well. (Or at least the full comics, rather than excerpts.)

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