The Darkest Justice League Story | Identity Crisis

[@BrowncoatAllywang]

"We took your happiness and we raped it, killed it and set it on fire." - DC Comics Yep. Pretty accurate.

[@Newarksfinest05]

Browncoat Alex so fucked up but funny ass phrase cuts that’s literally what they did lmao

[@batfreeze56]

That's what I imagine Bendis saying in his pitch to age up Jonathan Kent.

[@willsimbala4291]

@@Newarksfinest05 bbbb

[@WWRITD]

Love ur username

[@FloorTankMain]

The conversation about Tim “telling his dad that he’s Robin” REALLY makes me want to send in the issues where Jack finds out that Tim’s Robin. Dude thinks Tim is doing drugs or in a gang so he tears his son’s room apart and finds the Robin costume. He then figures out that Bruce is Batman and goes to Wayne Manor with a gun. Shit was wild.

[@SadikiStGeorgeangemon44]

The early 2000s were fuckin wild

[@dillongraham2475]

Not to be that nerd lol but zatanna also made dr.light docile. The idea was that he was actually a viable threat before his mind was messed which explains him getting to the watchtower and the rape of sue. So the justice league not only wiped his mind but also decided to basically lobotomize him in sense to retcon why he's such a joke d-list villain in the comics

[@ThePimpin51]

Thank you for explaining that because that was a of the big plots of the story

[@Nadodan]

@@ThePimpin51 It's also why Batman freaks out about it, like I'm sure Batman would have given a pass if they just wiped his memory of the event and how to get into the watchtower, but the league actively fucks up his brain in the process which is why Batman end's up getting freaked out an subsequently mindwiped

[@billybob-bj3nw]

I have the cover with all the heroes' hung up suits. Absolutely love that cover

[@MrMrmuchies]

I'm Australian and i can confirm that only a person born and raised here can throw and have a boomerang return to them

[@Kieransm09]

I too am an Australian and I can back up Mr Muchies' story

[@hauntedconsol9379]

@@Kieransm09 um It’s MrMrMichaels

[@JohnnyMalkavAlpha]

@@hauntedconsol9379 umm... It's MrMrMunchies...

[@kingklank6732]

​@@JohnnyMalkavAlphaummm it's MrMrmuchies.

[@Bobbybillybillbob]

​@Kieransm09 I am an American, and can also confirm this

[@williamtucker9497]

Boy this story actually stopped me from reading comics for 7 years because I was so mad at what they did to Ralph and Sue

[@MM14JR]

Sal discussing Mr Miracle: "Life is a trap" Sal had the idea behind Tom King's Mr Miracle run years before it was written

[@wk3820]

Heroes in Crisis reminds me a lot of Identity Crisis in that it takes superheroes to places where they aren't' meant to be, and the result is only to draw glaring attention to the silly aspects of the characters, thus undermining both the intended dramatic story and the characters themselves, perhaps irreparably. These kinds of stories are just a horrible idea.

[@shauntempley9757]

Giving these kinds of stories to the supervillains would be a better approach. As good as DC's villains are, they need their own standalone stories, featuring them upfront.

[@shauntempley9757]

@Darth Pancake Studios The biggest thing of these three is, if mind wiping Batman does not happen, how does Batman build Brother Eye and his position going into Infinite Crisis? Having that done by the Justice League to Batman is the most interesting consequence of this story, because his responses to that is THE Batman thing to do.

[@JoshMunroe]

I love the slow zoom on Ben at 8:34. It's the little details that make these videos just... just a delight!

[@austineaton2646]

Is it a coincidence that elongated man(who can stretch) is partners with a girl named Sue and Mr Fantastic(who can also stretch) has a wife named Sue???!!

[@TheWazzoGames]

Illuminati Confirmed.

[@Scandal262]

Pretty sure elongated man started as a parody. Not sure though

[@michaelfrench3789]

Probably not. The Dibney's are about a year older than the Fantastic 4 and Marvel and DC do have a tendency to copy each other a lot

[@wk3820]

Though Kirby came up with the FF under direct orders from Stan Lee to make their version of the Justice League, surely this is just coincidence. The couples have almost nothing in common except the stretching power. It's not really another "Doom Patrol/X-Men" thing.

[@csr1389]

Batman needs to shove Mr. Miracle into one of the Atoms suits and keep him in his utility belt. Talk about always being prepared.

[@moartv0112]

Life is a trap. But Hal Jordan is going to fall for it any time now.

[@genevievebertolet2909]

"This would inspire the OMAC project, and, with it, Infinite Crisis. The OMAC project's another thing we're not gonna get into. Thankfully, it has nothing to do with this except everything." Comics, ladies and gentlemen.

[@dieboyandy5150]

I always get nostalgic watching this episode, as it is the very FIRST episode I ever saw of Back Issues, I IMMEDIATELY subscribed and have never been happier!!! Thank you for getting me through the work week, and I absolutely LOVE this story, its also, ironically enough, the first comic to get me back into modern comics after the early 2000's (a.k.a., Funeral for a comic friend!). I love you guys, keep up the laughs!!!

[@tylerdurden788]

Blackest night got me back in

[@LMGamesToTheMax]

Isn't this the book where Deathstoke just kicks everyone's ass at once and then they have to all pin him down so that Green Arrow could stab him in his bad eye? Also shame on you, not all Aussies are convicts, we needed to send people to monitor the convicts over there too.

[@hookerlegs106]

Yes.

[@nicholashodges201]

Deathstroke was kicking the ever loving $h!t out of 2 JLA members a once, GA climbed onto his back and stabbed his bad eye so they could get away. It was one of those situations were they literally walked around a corner into a Deathstroke fight.

[@OreoBrawl]

Meanwhile, Linkara is somewhere gritting his teeth

[@anime-comicnerd7371]

OreoBrawl facts

[@circuit4230]

That's because it's a review and not bitching.

[@OreoBrawl]

Circuit 42 This is a long synopsis with witty banter. Linkara sometimes gets a little....passionate about stuff he likes.

[@circuit4230]

I understand that. We actually interviewed him on my channel. His work does serve as evidence of why it's good to have people to play off of.

[@Anthintendo]

I think went talking about Mister Miracle, you should lead with: “So he grew up on Apokolips, and Darkseid kept throwing him into harder and harder to escape prisons, and he kept breaking out.”

[@rodney2x48]

I honestly dislike this story. It has some really interesting points, like the mind whipping dilemma and some character interactions, but stuff like Sue being raped, the whole thing being swept under the rug and then killed off so horribly was just too much, then Doctor Light being turned a rapist asshole, Tim Drake's dad being killed and just... There's a lot of pointless killing in this.

[@MrDegenerate28]

So wait The Atom ex wife did all of this just to get him back? she could have just called and plan a date or something....you superheroes sure know how to pick em 0_o

[@michaelsayavong2656]

It would have been much easier if she, you know just talk to him about it. Instead of this over elaborate mind game, that killed at least 4 people.

[@micahsantander4754]

@@michaelsayavong2656 it killed six people: sue, her baby, the two guys that make firestorm, jack, and boomerang. Also, the plan did work so ... ends justify the means?

[@fredbushee9161]

You know who has trap powers? Admiral Akbar....dude can spot a trap anywhere

[@ryebreadreturn1]

Yeah immediately after it's been sprung on him. Admiral Akbar? More like Admiral Obvious.

[@oliverwilkes3996]

Rip Admiral

[@craigamore2319]

Until he was unceremoniously dispatched so we could see flying Leia!!

[@xkabuto]

OMG, this was the saddest thing I ever watched on youtube! I literally cried with the description of the ending.

[@matiasleon9657]

"you fucking used your stupid magic on me, so I'm gonna keep tabs on all of you...again"

[@brothaman612]

Tim Drake (Robin) did have a confrontation, well kinda set up Capt. Boomerang's son in the final issue of the Robin series before Flashpoint crisis...Tim has been ruined ever since...

[@TheShockVox]

Flashpoint did indeed fuck up Tim. He's the reason I got into comics. Buuuuut Detective Comics sort of returned his old origin story back the way it was.

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

The meme was born here. It happened here. I watched it happen, I saw it happen. Don’t tell me it didn’t happen!

[@flywheelshyster]

"that's a miracle, BOOM!" this is one of the funniest so far, in fact, and this is probably due to my being a marvel fan, the episodes when they go over DC craziness are just hilarity abound. in fact, i'm happy to learn about DC only from their comedic deconstruction of it.

[@RandmVision]

part of the reason that he talked to her at the end was because i believe arrow told him, when we die we can hear you...talk to her she's listening . but yeah i really enjoyed this book, sad as it was it was very well done.

[@ArtsyTLF]

When the OG Captain Boomerang came back in Blackest Night, Tim basically set up a deathtrap to kill him. He stopped it at the last moment

[@TheGreatDevlin]

Ben and Ethan reacting to what they do to Batman is perfect 🤣

[@NerdGasims]

So since this happened between two other crisis's would this be DC's midlife crisis? Great video as always guys and nice to see something else by good ol Rags. Just the most unlikely name for a comic book artist, seems like a jazz or blues player.

[@TheDVDGrouch]

Great episode guys I was riveted the whole way through One of the highpoints of convergence for me was getting to see Ralph & Sue back & happy again. You know just in time for DC ton continue to ignore them for the rest of the foreseeable future. There was also a great Judd Winick Green Arrow story where Ollie went up against rape crazy Dr.Light. Also the whole mind wiping villains stuff would eventually lead to one of my favorite Team books the Secret

[@hooliganmulligan]

Yay Joel's here.

[@TevyaSmolka]

ComicPOP! Great review guys

[@genshishio9316]

TheDVDGrouch please don't bring up convergence. it hurts me

[@TevyaSmolka]

TheDVDGrouch convergence in my opinion at least the main series was a complete train wreck of a series in my opinion

[@hooliganmulligan]

Tevya Smolka it's funny that Grant Morrison's multiversity felt grander in scale and actually stuck the landing. Oh man, can you imagine a back issues on multiversity?!

[@jaredmborden]

I'm gonna have to track you guys down at a con or something so I can meet you before you get mega famous. If that creeps you out a little you're a survivor... and I respect that. I love everything you guys have on your channel.... all of it. Thanks for the effort and the engaging content.

[@smithysforge5309]

I love the amount of shade thrown at Guy Gardner. Best way I can describe Guy is he's an asshat but he's a guy you want in your corner. Let's face it, he's too dumb to feel fear

[@zorobusonora]

You guys have no idea how long I've been waiting for this probably since the first week I found this channel and binge watched your shows a year ago great job guys

[@lewaproductions]

Is that where Ethan was? Throwing boomerangs? God damnit Ethan everyone knows that only Aussies can use them!!

[@mitchbray6637]

I loved this story. I remember having a fight with my dad when he bought this for me and I remember getting to issue five and tears started streaming down my face.

[@EtcEtcEtcFilms]

Rewatching this and 18:49 in, Sal off handedly predicts King and Gerads entire Mister Miracle run LOL.

[@Spydirmonki]

Great episode, as usual. Watched with my Mrs., her face really mimicked Ben's during the Hal Jordan summary, it was hilarious. Wasn't there also some reprogramming of Dr. Light, like changes to his personality? I thought that was the big controversy, but I could be wrong. DC makes my eyes cross sometimes...

[@interregnum_]

Slipped a little Princess Bride in there, Ben. Very good.

[@roccoborghetti4693]

I actually had to read this for a criminal justice class two years ago. Whats funny is that everyone in the class had the trade but I brought in all my floppies from 2004😂

[@kaylemain2006]

Identity crisis, compared to events nowadays is a masterpiece. Events come and go now with zero repercussions or the repercussions don't last more than a few months. IC changed the DC universe and its characters massively and set up storylines for years to come most of it culminating in infinite crisis. You simply don't see this kind of planned creative direction anymore.

[@shaddowrealm]

There's an issue between Tim and boomerang and Tim is pissed at the boomerang and he doesn't know why (because he doesn't know Tim's identity) it's really cool it's right after the one year later thing in DC

[@Thrui]

I always talk about this collection when I'm telling people how badass Deathstroke is because of his fight with the Leaguers. Also, Ralph crying over Sue and his powers making him look a like his face was melting was soooo dang sad

[@gdgiannini]

This might be my favorite episode of Back Issues. Hilarious and really fun to watch. Thanks guys.

[@shaneyvincent]

18:58 "life is a trap" - Sal

[@gamehead2893]

This was a super good review. Thanks for doing this. This broke down things others haven't touched

[@theredknite]

This is the second time Sal's description gave me the feels when talking about the ending of a book. First being Last Son

[@cklambo]

My fave scene in the story is the short conversation between Ollie, Carter, Wally & Kyle in the church.

[@kaotikguy]

It's been months since I saw this video and I go back to it every now and then because I LOVE the reaction to Batman getting mind wiped.

[@ZiggyGamma]

It's funny I was just looking at the video you guys got the book maybe I need to start watching old videos over and over again

[@Just_Some_Guy_with_a_Mustache]

What does it say about the story when an outsider gets choked up while listening to someone else describing a scene from it? Seriously though, that last scene with Ralph, good God.......

[@Akumaranger]

Whenever this story comes up I just have to give it a long sigh. I was intrigued by the murder mystery and the League's mind-wiping revelation as in the early-half of the story, but after the murderer reveal and it's whole resolve I immediately dislike this book. I think my problem is that I blame this story for being part of the reason of DC going; "Dark, gritty, and gory is what sells, let's do more of that." BTW, I have no problem with this kind retcon, only the parts for what it does to characters' like Sue Dibny.

[@devinamendez9709]

great show as always. Can you guys talk about the OMAC project please?

[@Xer0sama]

The best part of this was Ben taking in Hal Jordan's character arc. Emerald Twilight/ Emerald Dawn needs to happen soon.

[@evagrius3818]

They finally did

[@estebanhughell709]

Memory man reminds me of that mutant in the House of M.

[@hyaena23]

this is my favorite episode of back issues. I always come back to watch it. btw it looks like sal has wings:)

[@troykennen5208]

So if Firestorm nicks his face shaving he blows up? Or gets a papercut? His greatest nemesis is any remotely sharp object...

[@theautisticguitarist7560]

The Amazing Incredibly Fragile Man!!

[@chrisbrewer4243]

I would like to see yall do one on Final Crisis and hear your thoughts on Grant Morrison! !

[@Quasarguy123]

I liked firestorm before I read comics. Actually a lot of people like him now since the flash TV show.

[@DigitaIJustice]

This one needs a redux

[@bryanadkins6776]

"You don't mindwipe Batman!"

[@wannabewriter1346]

PLEASE DO THE OMAC STORYLINE

[@aviatordanz]

The was a Robin story where him and young boomerang do a team up story in the Robin comic.

[@sportbilly2008]

My favourite tie in comic book is Flash Vol. 2 217 'Here lies Captain Boomerang', which is a Identity Crisis tie in book. An introduced me to the Geoff John's version of the Rogues. Which are my favourite version.

[@UnrealMisterD]

Been going on a Back Issues bender this week, and I would love to see this old one revisited. Like, the whole Dr Light mind wipe is way worse than is given credit for in this vid, which is why they end up going after Batman too.

[@danielthenorwegianguy]

Deathstroke is Batman + Captain America in Villain form. Uses 90% of his brain, have undergone the DC equivalent of the Super soldier serum giving him enhanced strength, speed and regeneration. His healing factor is not like Wolverine level, but he’s functionally immortal

[@leosanalien9904]

Haha, the book's emotional impact on me is far heavier on me

[@shaddowrealm]

Great episode guys :) love it as always

[@superluigiac]

This is the begining of "DC hates married couples", that lasted until almost Rebirth

[@Keinish79]

Mr. Miracle v/s Arcade, that would totally be a fun crossover.

[@CTR_ALT_MAKIMA]

Finally! I've been waiting for this one!

[@chrisd7562]

Capt Boomeranged Jr ends up being a good guy and bangs Supergirl check out her book the Kara zor el supergirl

[@oatmat]

Uh they also changed his personality thats what was suppose to be Controversial

[@gdgiannini]

Still my favorite episode.

[@chancylvania]

I have a trade version of this that has the michael turner art of the suits all hung up as the cover

[@justc82able]

WHAT!?!? They killed Nora, and right out the gate. I guess i should have watched the entire video before I posted that last comment. I hate this crisis.

[@dragonmares59110]

It was strange to see Sal with little angel wings while watching this !

[@therealmanos]

I love how Jean brought a flame thrower...JUST IN CASE!

[@danthefan28]

8:45 watch out his brain is about to explode!

[@Yoshimitsu4prez]

Lol I love how even back in this time Deathstroke had like 5 origins, and now they’re doing Deathstroke: Year One 😂

[@nemesis3587]

A little mistake Sal, Shadow Thief killed Firestorm not Shade, Shade is different guy.

[@justmebeingme8370]

That Mister Miracle shade hurts 😁

[@TheGreatDevlin]

I feel like DC doesn't understand just how the recurring joke of "DC has another crisis coming" can help them. If things are going to be reset even partially every few years, why not go balls to the walls? Kick Bruce Wayne, destroy Atlantis, shave Wonder Woman's. All with the knowledge that none of this has to stay cannon with a ten-year (five-year) crisis ever approaching.

[@officerbucktuddrussel394]

As interesting as you make this story sound I still think it was a bad story in my opinion and the video done by linkara (atop the forth wall) points out pretty much every problem I have with it. So when I up vote this video it's because I love yous guy work and many episode but not for me agreeing with your opinion on this story

[@MrJakekunz]

Love the show, as always!

[@shaddowrealm]

I'm Australian and the stuff about boomerangs cracked me up it was amazing

[@MikeDo_0]

'Life is a trap' lolololol

[@Betoven81]

the guy on the left...I love that shirt! where can I get one ?

[@comicpop]

Their names are at the beginning of every episode.

[@Betoven81]

+ComicPOP! lol yo..Sal, Ben, Ethan...love the videos. Doing a little ComicPop binge watching

[@daelen.cclark]

This story reads like a really bad fanfic. Also; The actions of Zatanna in this makes me think she’s obsessed with mindwiping people.

[@FloorTankMain]

Tim Drake hates the new Captain Boomerang and is furious that Nightwing lets him join The Outsiders, but he gets over it. He postures and threatens the guy a bit, but Captain Boomerang has no idea why Robin hates him so much. Someone's probably told you this by now, but just in case :) Also, Jack finds out about Robin by tearing Tim's room apart and finding the costume. Then he goes to Wayne manor, threatens Alfred to let him into he Batcave, and pulls a gun on Bruce before he takes his son home and forbids him from being Robin. Like you said, he gets over that later. Mostly because Tim gets so unbelievably twitchy every time something happens on the news and Tim gives up his promise and goes out, anyway. Jack finally just gives up since he can't stop him.

[@gevdarg]

Deathstroke's first origin was best - Captain America who uses 90% of his brain's capacity.

[@animationunlimited2958]

Dr. Light is not excatly a D list villain. In fact in his original story he almost tok over the world and next to Deathstroke he was for a long time a main antagonist of the New Teen Titans.

[@TheOnlyRagsMorales]

Nice job. Thanx!

[@WillCHensley]

OH NO SAL! LOOKS LIKE YOUR GONNA "TRASH" DC... AGAIN! (Just kidding, obviously.)

[@oscarrivas6879]

Back issues on a Wednesday!?! Fuck yeah!

[@crunson2000]

ComicPOP! Holy crap! The conspiracy theory guy from "Brad Meltzer's Decoded" on the History channel writes comics?!

[@Batmandarknitexx]

The next story they should cover is Mid-life Crisis lol

[@BBmetalhead04]

The explanation of Mister Miracle just killed me. lol

[@sombrashadow0013]

Sal: Not before Doomsday kicks him into the pavement. Ethan: oooh Sal: Yeah, it was awesome. Funniest line in this episode!

[@gdkey8025]

theres a JLA comic from the 70s called Identity crisis.

[@brandonhines25]

Pls do the Justice League Mortal script next!!!!