Looking back on the event that was DC's Final Crisis

[@Artspeaksmorethnwords]

I love Morrison's Batman run, in fact I think its the best superhero run ever. But Sometimes Morrison thinks too much ahead of time and weaves the story in kind of a loop, this usually confuses people. But when it hits the right spot, it becomes a mind blowing read.

[@Mr_Rob_otto]

I’m not one of those persons who loves anything and everything that Grant Morrison does. But I do buy just about everything he does because even his lesser stories (Green Lantern) contain bits of compelling and thought provoking ideas even if it’s not fully comprehensible or cohesive. Seven Soldiers, All-Star Superman, Marvel Boy, and Final Crisis are hands down my favorite stories by him. I enjoyed his runs on Batman and New X-Men. There were great ideas and bad ideas and inconsistencies contained in both those books. Neither Batman’s “Death” in Batman RIP and Xorn being Magneto made much sense. Not a big of his indie work. I know he gets high marks for The Invisibles, Doom Patrol and Animal Man but I’m not a fan of early Morrison. Overall though, Morrison’s worse stuff is better than most writer’s best stuff.

[@Ultra_Light_Beam]

This is a so-so explanation and it still gets me hyped to reread FC. So wild.

[@Imantyk]

Yeah, he got some stuff completely wrong

[@lefthandedsophiethepop-wit503]

The trick to understanding Morrison's superhero stuff is to think of him as virtuosic continuity writer, he plays fast and loose with it because he has an uncanny ability to see it in it's totality. He's like Hendrix if he played 80 years of Dc continuity instead of the guitar.

[@randalldowling1068]

This is the first video you've ever done that had me laughing out loud. Singing Superman! I used to love GM; however, at this point his writing was making me think that he was trying too hard to be the smartest guy in comics. Do Multiversity next!!

[@sunnyhoarder7424]

I love the premise of Final Crisis, where Darkseid finally gets his hand on the Anti-Life Equation and uses it on Earth. The problem is the execution. It dove into so many metaphysical concepts either too quickly or used too much all at once. I’d love for a team of talented storytellers to clean it up and stick to the essentials in a movie, animated show, or an epic game.

[@shanoske2770]

It was a hot mess I couldn’t understand it when it first came out. I’m like wtf why do I not understand this shit I had to read it 4 times and the novel to understand it. This was one of those events I couldn’t understand or even like or hate I’m like wtf? I couldn’t even defend it myself my friends who would come to me as the Oracle of comics when we were reading was looking at me for answers and I’m like hold on I’m confused myself! That what this event was confusing and nonsensical and unnecessary.

[@thisjustincomics]

Infinite Crisis is so damn good. Geoff Johns can write a damn good story at times

[@BaithNa]

Great video You should do this with more events

[@noahgraham2100]

I remember being somewhat confused by it when it was coming out, there were some delays, and a lot of weird conflicting stuff regarding the lead up, I read it again quite a number of years ago now, and my recollection is that it made a lot more sense reading it as a whole, and I enjoyed it a lot more on that reading

[@marcosvarsano6262]

Everything concerning Final Crisis was poorly coordinated. The lead up series (Countdown and Death of the New Gods are contradictory as was the Batman situation). The story wasn't confined to the FC mini, there some tie ins that were integral to the story (like the Superman 2 issue mini). And J.G. Jones missing deadlines didn't help it either. It makes me wonder if there was an editorial staff involved because it was a huge confusing mess. And the icing on the cake: Grant Morrison said the readers didn't understand it.

[@SilverWolf89936]

Yeah, and he still does it even today. it's like blaming others for bad work you did. I just can't understand how people like this piece of garbage.

[@jprocha1570]

Final Crisis is my favorite DC event, hands down.

[@Ultra_Light_Beam]

That’s right!

[@atomichound1868]

Thanks, Perch! This was my question on the live stream, so thanks for the thorough explanation and standalone video! Awesome overview. Next assignment: A Brief History of Time by Hawking. Does anyone know if the Omnibus captures all the major plot points?

[@ReaperXC]

It’s definitely confusing. I enjoyed the singing Superman much the same as how Dr Strange defeated Dormammu in his film by introducing time to his dimension. Not everything has to be a physical battle. That was smart. Good beginning and ending. Middle was middling at best

[@simonbarnett8668]

I think "This is a weird one" is all you really needed to say... Seriously though I do enjoy your glib takes on these Massive, Nothing will be the Same(!) Events.

[@israelvaldez26]

I actually enjoyed both Identity Crisis and Infinite Crisis and was really looking forward to Final Crisis after the 52 weekly series had wrapped up. Oh man, for the life of me I couldn't finish this series! I actually thought that Grant Morrison was putting every weird and bizarre scenario in the series to see how far that he could get away with it until one of the DC editors put a stop to it, but alas nobody did and Secret Invasion destroyed them in sales.

[@johnlindsay7301]

It is a book that gets more rewarding the more you read it. It is confusing at first read, but that’s ok. Not every comic has to be simple. It’s cool to research what you’re reading and find out more about the characters and story thru this research. It becomes an intellectual exercise. Not for everyone, but rewarding for those you put in the time and effort to discover the layers of what’s being told. End of the day, is it good? Yes, but understanding and enjoyment have to be earned. It’s like the Moby Dick or James Joyce’s Ulysses of comics.

[@originalkmiller]

From the description I'm not sad to have missed this event.

[@covidkev8915]

Superman sings in a Miracle Machine? Morrison was born too late, he should have been writing during the Silver Age. I'm glad I missed this shit.

[@Eyrrll]

I consider this to be the worst DC crossover events in modern comic history. It had a few interesting concepts and some nice comic references but it was about as exiting as counting grains of sand. My favorite parts of the event were a few of the miniseries that had very little to do with the actual event.

[@legocitybuilder8652]

When I read an epic story I like a couple of glasses of wine. That did not help in this case. Each time I read it I understand more and the meta elements fall into more sharp relief. Multiversity was a fitting sequel.

[@eladiocofresi5202]

Upon first reading, it felt weird/slightly underwhelming due to the writing style and the fact the story was delayed several times. After reading the story back to back to back, I was actually entranced, but still slightly underwhelmed. What makes me love Final Crisis is all the thought and references made in the story, and Grant Morrison's desire to present a Crisis from the street level. What makes it feel underwhelmed is the lack of big change presented from the previous Crises. Thankfully, as a standalone story, it can be a great read. (Side note, my favorite moment in Final Crisis is in issue 5 when Darkseid/Dan Turpin declares himself ruler and says "When I make a fist to crush your resistance, it is with three billion hands" and the next panel showing the brainwashed society raising their fists. I wish that moment would be shown in a live action adaptation.)

[@samt5911]

I collected the first three issues. I liked where it was going but I never ultimately finished it but I never felt like I was missing anything big. I don't think it deserved to be considered part of the "Crisis," brand. Nor did it ever give the impression that it was, "final," in anyway. I do think the event was I'll timed. DC had too many things going on at this time. Not only that, but it was too soon to do any kind of Crisis story. Infinite Crisis had just ended two years prior, followed by 52, then Countdown (which I was never fully invested in anyway). It was too much in succession without any breathing room. 52 itself took alot out of me. I think Final Crisis got lost in the mix especially since it was followed by Batman RIP, Return of Bruce Wayne, Blackest Night and then Brightest Day. It was one of Morrison's stories I felt more invested in but ultimately I was too burned out to continue. I am interested in getting the back issues I missed though but I may never get to it because I'm concentrating on my X-Men back issues.

[@toonamiiiiii]

read it again guy

[@robnokes8465]

I really enjoyed it. It helps if you read the Superman 3d two parter which i believe was included in the trades. The confusing parts were intentional, creating the sense of reality falling apart. Reading parts of it simulated the sensation/feeling of coming out of a hallucinational experience especially one were you experienced ego death like mushrooms, acid or a large amount of ketamine (not so much dmt)which I think was the desired effect . God i hope that doesn't sound too pretentious .

[@mrrictus]

Grant Morrison is a practitioner of chaos magic and introduces many of its philosophies into his written works. I am familiar with the concept so when I read his comics written by him I can get an idea of the subtext or underlying narrative. Alan Moore is also an adherent practitioner of the craft and presents concepts related to his avenue of magical references in his writings. Comic books have over the past 100 years have been used to introduce certain spiritual and societal concepts of varying degrees to the masses.

[@philknecht3598]

When it was coming out, the whole thing just seemed like Morrison had lost his mind and someone at DC said "No no...we must document this madness for the ages." but going back and reading it now, it's fun. It's nice to see someone somewhere doing something ridiculously epic for the sake of doing something ridiculously epic. There's too much milquetoast in comics now. It could use an injection of epic fun.

[@Marketex1]

JG Jone's art was fantastic on this run. I really enjoyed Morrison's Batman run but I'd be lying if I said I was thrilled with FC. I initially completely skipped the Superman Beyond 3D issues so I was COMPLETELY lost by the end. Reread the series later on in trade and it was better that way. I was thinking of taking it off the shelf again for another read.

[@Ultra_Light_Beam]

I wish we got more Super Young Team from Morrison.

[@yairliebert]

I read it and did not understand any of that. Part of the problem was many of the major events were going on in the background of the story. He tried to tell the story from the perspective of side characters and everyman.. It made a confusing plot more so.

[@agent_meister477]

We have a word in Ireland for a story this convoluted. It's pronounced "rah maysh". 👎 The story, not your channel Perch. You're channel is perfect in every way 👍

[@marcsarfati3291]

Thank you for clearing everything up with the story. I stick with Morrison gender fluid stuff personally.

[@Ultra_Light_Beam]

I love Final Crisis. I refuse to explain myself, I just fucking loved it.

[@beallztronics5344]

Never heard about or read this one but you have peaked my curiosity and I will be hunting this down. I missed several DC events before I got back into comics and just recently read Green Lantern rebirth which was pretty good.

[@Improbi]

What a hot mess. After Grant Morrison's few successful runs early in his career, he seems to get a pass from his fan base for a lot of later runs where he's just calling it in.

[@jbbrolic]

Grant Morrison is an all time great in my mind but after the year 2000 he became extremely inconsistent, with some stuff being pretentious to the point of being incomprehensible (much of it reading like Morrison loving the smell of his own farts.) For example in his Batman run Son of Batman is one of my more well liked arcs for the character, really dug Batman Inc and Batman and Robin, but Return of Bruce Wayne is my second least favorite Batman graphic novel I have read and makes no sense.

[@piyoweb]

My theory is everything that happened in this event is so batsh*t insane that the editors just gave up and said, "Okay, whatever..."

[@Thisistheway-2187]

After reading it I felt like Richard Jenni after watching Jaws IV. Smacking my face thinking WTF did i just read. I think he must have thought if I keep making lefts I will get back on track.

[@LLPOF]

ummm.... I thought you were pranking us with the time bullets, miracle machine, super singing,, super-breath and other "super wacky" stuff. However, I Iooked it up and you weren't.

[@ComicsPerch]

Nope!

[@nickjanecke6688]

I love Final Crisis but I honestly think it works better if you kind of divorce it from continuity. I say that because I feel like with this story Grant Morrison is using the DC characters and universe in a grander, more mythological sense. It’s almost like “what if this story was the FINAL crisis in DC history,” and in that regard it really works for me. There is a sort of weight and finality to the story he is telling even though that’s obviously not where the story of the DCU ends. I also just think that something that almost inevitably comes with Grant Morrison’s work is that some of it will be confusing and he’s probably not going to explain everything to you in a way that gives you all of the answers. But I enjoy that element of his writing style because I like being left with questions and then having to use my imagination to try and find the answers. It definitely feels like him trying to carry forward the story of Kirby’s New Gods, and I think he handles that source material with a good deal of reverence. I also saw someone in the comments say you should read Morrison’s “Seven Soldiers of Victory” before reading Final Crisis and I would only add that that mostly applies to the Mister Miracle portion of that series imo.

[@KnittingMummy]

I have a strong wtf feeling after listening to that description, think this one will go on the give it a miss pile. You really are saving me money with these videos 😊

[@Ultra_Light_Beam]

It’s a great book, man.

[@KnittingMummy]

@@Ultra_Light_Beam oh maybe I should reconsider then

[@ComicsPerch]

It’s a mixed bag. Some like it. Some really hate it. It did no favors for DC (or apparently the personal lives for some of the people involved).

[@ea_gaming]

I loved the premise, but hated the event. I’m just not a Morrison fan- didn’t like his Batman run, didn’t like Final Crisis, didn’t like his GL run. Additionally, I wasn’t really a fan of Infinite Crisis or Brightest Day either (aside from the Green Lantern tie in book)- DC’s events (aside from Flashpoint) just don’t do it for me.

[@tejayschwartz7681]

It was aweful ... I didn't understand it at all ... I really do not care for Morrison's stuff in general ...

[@millernumber1]

I don't like Morrison or events, so I have no plan to read this. Ever.

[@SilverWolf89936]

You're doing yourself a favor. this is an incomprehensible mess. just skip it. Morrison is just too pretentious and he even dared say the readers didn't get it. wow

[@agent_meister477]

It's a pity it wasn't the FINAL Crisis 😋

[@AL-ws5yi]

I’m not a big DC fan so I was not paying attention to this run.

[@ReaperXC]

Infinite crisis is definitely my favourite event. No contest.

[@johnnyburger7409]

Hated it. Loved all the Crisises before it but hated this one

[@laverdadescatolica5]

The most confusing comic book I’ve EVER read (2/10).

[@SilverWolf89936]

The fact that Secret Invasion, a mediocre event itself, sold more than Final Crisis, speaks on how bad FC was/is. There's simply no defense on how bad this whole thing was. also the fact that Morrison simply ignored the whole countdown series didn't help the understanding. Only Grant Morrison fanboys defend this by saying ''it was intentionally confusing''. that's utter bollocks. who wants to read a confusing, convoluted, and incomprehensible mess of a story? certainly not me. Edit: I think the only book I liked from Morrison ever was his Doom Patrol. now, that was really cool. everything else I read from him looked like the same confusing s#$!t he did in Final Crisis.

[@RamManNo1]

It’s garbage. Morrison being pretentious and frustrating with his dialogue. Like wtf dude just make the characters talk and stop trying to be the “cool edgy writer”. He can’t write crisis level events with multiple characters I guess. But his Batman run was A+. His style actually fits it. Unlike this steaming pile of refuse.

[@chibbykill]

Glory days