For this version of Sofa Membership, we’re doing one thing a bit totally different. As a substitute of specializing in an episode of Superman & Lois, The Flash or any of the quite a few DCTV exhibits on The CW or HBO Max, I’ll be utilizing this house to speak a couple of comedian. I do know that it isn’t uncommon to be speaking about comics on the official DC web site, however Sofa Membership is our house to have a good time superhero tv—and that’s precisely what Earth-Prime does. Earth-Prime is not any strange comedian guide, it’s set inside the continuity of the CWverse (or “Arrowverse,” for those who choose) and it references and acknowledges current storylines and occasions. In brief, every situation is sort of a bonus episode of the present it’s primarily based on, solely on paper slightly than on movie.
I perceive a few of you could be skeptical. As a longtime fan of each TV and comedian books, I grew up studying tie-in tales for my favourite franchises they usually nearly at all times appeared like cash-ins. (I received’t give out any names, however let’s simply say a comic book guide collection a couple of group of morphinominal highly effective youngsters critically dissatisfied my third-grade self.) Usually, it felt just like the writers and artists hadn’t even watched the present. We’ve all been there, however Earth-Prime is greater than a tie-in, it’s an extension of DC’s tv universe.
The six-issue restricted collection focuses on characters from Batwoman, Superman & Lois, Legends of Tomorrow, Stargirl and The Flash…with a couple of surprises from different exhibits. For instance, Lena Luthor exhibits up in Earth-Prime: Batwoman, giving me a crossover I’ve been wanting since Ryan Wilder took over the cowl. Seeing Lena in Gotham was enjoyable, particularly as she interacted with Luke and informed him about his sleezy “Disaster on Infinite Earths” counterpart. We additionally received transient updates about what Kara Danvers and Kate Kane have been as much as, which is sweet. Look, it won’t be the identical as seeing Melissa Benoist again within the go well with, nevertheless it made me smile when Lena talked about her identify. What can I say? I’ve missed her.
By the way in which, in case there was any doubt, all of that is canon. Every of the exhibits despatched members of their writers room to place collectively these scripts, so all the pieces is in step with what you see onscreen. Legendary comedian author James Robinson has been part of the Stargirl writers room since season one, so it was solely pure that he write Earth-Prime: Stargirl alongside Paula Sevenbergen (who additionally has a background in comics). Jerry Ordway is the artist on their situation and, unsurprisingly, the long-lasting illustrator brings the products. There may be a tremendous splash web page of the Golden Age Justice Society that I couldn’t cease taking a look at for twenty minutes.
Like Earth-Prime: Batwoman, Earth-Prime: Stargirl accommodates some essential moments for followers. The problem takes place after the occasions of the season two cliffhanger, giving us some hints about what the established order can be for season three. As well as, there’s a very massive revelation about Pat Dugan’s previous on this story—one which hasn’t been revealed on the present but. I received’t spoil what it’s right here, nevertheless it solutions some questions we’ve all had about Pat since season one, confirming one in style fan concept. The truth that it was included right here makes this collection not supplemental, however important studying for viewers of those exhibits.
Bear in mind the evil Superman from John Henry Irons’ world? The one which enslaved humanity and killed the Lois Lane of his universe? We get his origin Earth-Prime: Superman & Lois, and it’s intense! We additionally get to see Lobo within the Arrowverse for the primary time, and even a cameo from the Nuclear Man. Nonetheless, the true coronary heart of the story is about how Clark Kent and Lois Lane have a good time their anniversary. That one hit me within the feels and was among the best tales about their marriage that I’ve seen in years. After all, it was written by a trio of writers from the tv collection, so what else would you anticipate?
Talking of writers, there’s a story in Earth-Prime: Batwoman that’s written by Camrus Johnson himself. This story exhibits what Luke was as much as throughout the occasions of the episode “A Lesson From Professor Pyg,” and unknown to all of us, he was on a date with Stephanie Brown! I’ve been ready to see the 2 of them work together once more after seeing the chemistry between them in “I’ll Give You a Clue.” (Sadly, the date doesn’t go properly, placing any potential future these two superb—and remarkably engaging—superheroes might need had collectively unsure.)
I haven’t even talked about Earth-Prime: Legends of Tomorrow but, which is one other enjoyable situation. There’s a narrative with a few of the former Legends teaming up, and one other the place we get to see what Booster Gold was as much as in between the scenes of the season seven finale. I’m not going to lie, I’m going to overlook the Legends, so this comedian was a good way to spend extra time with them.
Earth-Prime: The Flash hit retailers this week and it options Bart and Nora in motion. Nevertheless, whereas it could be the final situation that’s instantly tied to a present, it’s NOT the final situation of the collection. Earth-Prime: Hero’s Twilight finishes issues off with the kind of multi-series crossover occasion we haven’t actually gotten from the CWverse since “Disaster on Infinite Earths” over two years in the past. Every situation has ended with increase a robust menace that’s been quietly rising within the background, and Hero’s Twilight guarantees to deliver it to the forefront. Additionally, is it simply me, or is that title a bit ominous?
Gulp.
Don’t sleep on Earth-Prime. That is the way in which all tie-in comics needs to be written. It resolves plot threads, drops revelations, advances the story and has penalties for the tv universe. Plus, it’s a enjoyable learn, on par with a few of the nice crossovers we’ve gotten for the reason that Arrowverse started. These heroes received their begin within the pages of comedian books, so it’s solely pure to be utilizing the medium to inform extra tales about their tv counterparts. Plus, there are not any commercials, besides for those who rely the advert pages. Earth-Prime is a good way to spend extra time with the chums you like, and what DCTV fan may ask for extra?
Earth-Prime: The Flash #5 by Emily Palizzi, Jess Carson, Darko Lafuente and Pablo M. Collar is now obtainable in print and on DC UNIVERSE INFINITE.
Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, motion pictures and comics for DCComics.com, is a daily contributor to the Sofa Membership and writes our month-to-month Batman column, “Gotham Gazette.” Observe him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.
NOTE: The views and opinions expressed on this column are solely these of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and don’t essentially mirror these of DC Leisure or Warner Bros.
