Supergirl, “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One”, Review!

The "Crisis on Infinite Earths" storyline begins with the voice of the Monitor (LaMonica Garrett). In a way he works like the Marvel Universe’s Watcher, but more active, and more human. The Monitor first appeared in The New Teen Titans #21 (1982). He appeared in the Arrow episode, “Unmasked” (2018) and was a part of the "Elseworlds" arc for the Arrowverse. The Monitor explains the Multiverse; the parallel worlds that exist in the universe, until we get the Age of Heroes. Then, we see the superheroes in action, and the Monitor says they have found each other. This moves to Earth-89, Gotham City!, sitting on a bench is a reader of the Gotham City Gazette headline, “Batman Captures Joker.”  We then see it is reporter, Alexander Knox (Robert Wuhl) from Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) complete with Danny Elfman’s theme.  He looks up to see the red skies and the bat signal. The red skies were a part of the Crisis on Infinite Earths series from Marv Wolfman and George Perez. It was hinted at the first season of the Flash when he saw “Flash Missing Vanishes In Crisis” headline. This shifts to Earth-9, San Francisco, we see Dove (Alan Ritchson) and Robin (Curran Walters) from The Titans DC streaming series. Next, The Ray (Russel Tovey) flying and seeing the danger. He was introduced in The Flash episode, “Crisis on Earth X, part 3” (2017).

SUPERGIRL -- “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One” -- GRANT GUSTIN, MELISSA BENOIST, TYLER HOECHLIN, RUBY ROSE, BRANDON ROUTH -- Dean Buscher/The CW.  

The red skies destroy a city. Next, Earth-66, Gotham City, an older Dick Grayson (Burt Ward) is walking his dog when he shouts, “Holy Crimson Skies of Death!” These nods to our favorite shows and movies are a treat. The Batman cameos are a dream to Batfans. We turn to Earth-38, National City with the Catco building, the setting of Supergirl. A Doomsday Protestor screams out warnings with his sign, I just recognized Wil Wheaton, not bad cameo. He pauses as blasts of fire rain down from a dragon, but Supergirl blocks its flame breath from hurting the protestor. She sends Wil Wheaton running off and deals with Spike, the dragon of the girl, Alana. They were in the season 4 episode “Call to Action” (2018). Supergirl touches the dragon’s head and it shifts back to a harmless iguana. She flies back to the Department of Extra-Normal Operations. Supergirl hands off Spike and talks to her sister, Director Alex Danvers (Chyler Leigh), and Brainiac-5 (Jesse Rath) explains that an earthquake is striking the world!  He is from the future of the Legion of Super-Heroes, a super-genius that comes from the mold of the Superman villain, but now part of the Supergirl cast.   

They are met by the human form of J’onn J’onzz, the Martian Manhunter (David Harewood), he explains to them that he is being tested by The Monitor. Brainiac-5 shows the wave that he says will reach the end of the universe and then return to destroy everything. He maps out the wave’s path about to hit Argo City which has Superman, Lois Lane, and Supergirl’s mother, Alura Zor-El.  Brainiac-5 tries to communicate with them. Lois (Elizabeth Tulloch) makes fun of Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) facing a great task, changing the diapers of their son, Jonathan. The child first appeared in the Convergence: Superman #2 (2015) limited series and has gone on to become Superboy. He notes that he has no powers with Argo’s red sun. They have a moment before seeing the flicking hologram of Supergirl. She warns them to leave Argo when the skies turn red. The Argo citizens panic as Lois and Clark see Alura (Erica Durance). She takes them to an escape pod to place lil’ Jonathan to send to Earth, love the Superman origin nod, Argo City is destroyed. We get the faces of Supergirl and Alex, J’onn puts a reassuring hand on Supergirl’s shoulder. Brainiac-5 fears they are next in the path of the wave. 

SUPERGIRL -- “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One” - - TYLER HOECHLIN, ELIZABETH TULLOCH - - Katie Yu/The CW.

It moves to Earth-1, Lian Yu, the island of Green Arrow. Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) confesses about his anger to his tearful daughter, Mia Smoak (Katherine McNamara). They look up to see the red sky. I like the little moments, characteristic of the CW shows, dramatic pauses before getting into the action. A bright flash before the appearance of Lyla Michaels (Audrey Marie Anderson) in a blue uniform, she tells them it is the beginning of the Crisis. Harbinger is the woman filled with cosmic power key to the Crisis. She first appeared in New Teen Titans annual #2 (1983), but became Harbinger in the first issue of Crisis. Anderson played Lyla Michaels as a long running character in Arrow. Then, it shifts to Central City, Earth-1, with the Flash racing through Central City. He loses contact with Cisco and then sees Lyla who says she is now Harbinger and works for The Monitor. Barry Allen says he is ready for the Crisis and she takes him away. Next, we get Gotham City on Earth-1, under the red sky. The Wonderland gang is taking bags of money in a bank truck. They are the gang working for Batwoman’s nemesis, Alice, first appearing in the Batwoman series.  

This is the world of Batwoman who was introduced in The Flash, “Elseworlds: Part One” (2018) episode. She has continued in her own series this year. Then, Batwoman (Ruby Rose) is there and defeats them, she wants to know where is Alice, when Harbinger arrives. Harbinger transports her too. Star City, Earth-1, at a bar is Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), leader of the Legends of Tomorrow, and Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh), having drinks. Harbinger flashes in and takes the heroes away. Back at the DEO, Alex calls for action for her agents, Harbinger flashes in. Alex draws her gun, Supergirl is angry, but the other heroes and of course Lois and Mia also appear. Superman explains that Jonathan was sent in an escape pod, but Alura died.  Batwoman strikes Harbinger. Supergirl says she trusts everyone there. Batwoman takes off her mask and red wig. Love Oliver’s comment, “Yeah, yeah, that makes a lotta sense.” Harbinger has a conference with all of the heroes explaining the wave of anti-matter and that The Monitor wanted them to make their stand on Earth-38.  She has sent The Flash and the Legends to do reconaissance and leaves to check on them.  

SUPERGIRL -- “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One” -- STEPHEN AMELL -- Katie Yu/The CW.

Supergirl asks Brainiac-5 to track Jonathan’s pod. A tower strikes the city. The reconnaissance group appears. The Atom says it is a quantum tower. Harbinger says it is the only thing that can save the world! The heroes divide into teams, Superman, Supergirl, Flash, Green Arrow and Mia, in her new uniform, to protect the tower that is stopping the anti-matter wave. Another group is made up of; Sara Lance, Lois Lane, Brainiac-5, and Atom to find baby Jonathan lost in a wormhole to Earth-16, 2046. Alex begins the evacuation of Earth with J’onn, Dreamer (Nicole Maines), and Kelly Olsen (Azie Tesfai) may need the help of Lena Luthor (Katie McGrath). Green Arrow has to face his destiny. We also have a brief appearance of Harrison Wells who now serves the Anti-Monitor as Pariah. The character was introduced in Crisis on Infinite Earths #1 (1985). A great beginning to the Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over. with enough time given to characters and importance to the title show characters’ actions to the Crisis on Infinite Earths cross-over.   

Five Quantum Towers out of Five! 

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