In the ever-evolving landscape of comic book events, DC Comics’ “Forever Evil” stands out as a pivotal moment in the publisher’s history. This seven-issue miniseries, penned by Geoff Johns and illustrated by David Finch, marked the first major crossover event of DC’s New 52 era. “Forever Evil” turned the DC Universe on its head by asking a chilling question: What happens when the villains win?

The Rise of Evil

“Forever Evil” began with a bang in September 2013, emerging from the ashes of the “Trinity War” storyline. As the dust settled from that conflict, readers were shocked to discover that the true antagonists were not of our world at all. Enter the Crime Syndicate, a group of super-powered tyrants from Earth-3, a dark mirror of the main DC Universe.

The Crime Syndicate has a long and storied history in DC Comics, dating back to their first appearance in 1964. Originally conceived as evil counterparts to the Justice League from a parallel Earth, the Syndicate has gone through various iterations over the decades. In “Forever Evil,” Johns and Finch presented a version of the team that was more ruthless and terrifying than ever before.

Led by Ultraman (the evil Superman), Superwoman (Wonder Woman’s counterpart), Owlman (Batman’s doppelganger), Johnny Quick (a twisted Flash), and Power Ring (a corrupted Green Lantern), the Crime Syndicate quickly established their dominance. Their arrival coincided with the apparent defeat and disappearance of the Justice League, leaving Earth defenseless against their reign of terror.

The absence of traditional heroes created a power vacuum that the Syndicate was all too happy to fill. They released super-villains from prisons worldwide, revealed Nightwing’s secret identity to the world, and effectively took control of the planet’s governments and communication systems. The message was clear: resistance was futile.

Lex Luthor: Unlikely Hero

While “Forever Evil” showcased a gallery of villains, the true protagonist of the story was none other than Superman’s arch-nemesis, Lex Luthor. In a brilliant stroke of storytelling, Johns positioned Luthor as the central figure in the fight against the Crime Syndicate.

Geoff Johns explained in an interview with ComicsAlliance: “He’s the main character in this entire story. Most of it is from his point of view. I think he is a fantastic character and one of the most complex characters from the DC Universe.”

Luthor’s journey throughout “Forever Evil” is one of the most compelling aspects of the series. Initially motivated by his ego and a desire to be recognized as humanity’s savior, Luthor is forced to confront his own beliefs and methods in the face of true evil. The story explores the depths of his character, showing readers a side of Luthor they may not have seen before.

As Luthor assembles a team of villains to combat the Crime Syndicate, including Bizarro, Black Adam, Captain Cold, and Sinestro, we see him grappling with concepts like teamwork and sacrifice. This character development adds layers to a character often seen as a one-dimensional villain, making “Forever Evil” as much a Lex Luthor story as it is a Crime Syndicate invasion tale.

The Fall of Heroes

While Luthor and his makeshift team of antiheroes take center stage, “Forever Evil” doesn’t forget about DC’s iconic heroes. The apparent defeat of the Justice League looms large over the series, creating a sense of hopelessness and raising the stakes for Luthor’s resistance.

The fate of Nightwing (Dick Grayson) becomes a pivotal plot point, with his unmasking serving as a demonstration of the Syndicate’s power and ruthlessness. This moment, planned well in advance by the creative team, highlights the personal cost of heroism and the vulnerabilities of even the most seasoned heroes.

Batman, ever the strategist, plays a crucial role despite the League’s absence. His contingency plans and resources become essential tools in the fight against the Syndicate, showcasing the Dark Knight’s importance even when he’s not directly in the spotlight.

Themes and Commentary

Beyond its high-stakes action and character drama, “Forever Evil” delves into deeper themes that resonate with real-world issues. The Crime Syndicate’s philosophy, valuing strength above all else and viewing compassion as weakness, serves as a dark reflection of certain societal attitudes.

Johns touched on this in his ComicsAlliance interview: “For the Syndicate it’s not about good and evil, that’s too simplistic of a term. For me it started off with, the most basic value in their universe is strength. They value strength above everything else. So that starts to twist how people behave.”

This exploration of power dynamics and the nature of strength versus compassion adds depth to the narrative, elevating “Forever Evil” beyond a simple good-versus-evil story. It challenges readers to consider the values that shape a society and the consequences of prioritizing power over empathy.

Reception and Impact

“Forever Evil” made a significant impact both critically and commercially. The series consistently ranked among the top-selling comics during its run, with the first issue claiming the top spot in September 2013. Subsequent issues maintained strong sales, regularly appearing in the top five monthly rankings.

Critical reception was generally positive, with many reviewers praising the focus on Lex Luthor and the exploration of villainy. IGN, in particular, gave high marks to the series’ conclusion, appreciating how it wrapped up Luthor’s character arc.

However, the series was not without its criticisms. The delay of the final issue, which arrived months after much of the DC Universe had moved on to other storylines, was a point of contention for some readers and critics. Additionally, some felt that the core villains, particularly in tie-in series like “Forever Evil: Blight,” were somewhat generic.

Lasting Consequences

The events of “Forever Evil” had far-reaching consequences for the DC Universe. Lex Luthor’s role as a “hero” led to his induction into the Justice League, a status quo shift that would influence storylines for years to come. The revelation of Nightwing’s secret identity set the stage for significant changes in the Bat-family books.

Moreover, the series introduced new elements to the DC mythology, such as the introduction of the Anti-Monitor as the force that destroyed the Crime Syndicate’s world. This revelation would play into future storylines, particularly “Darkseid War.”

Conclusion

“Forever Evil” stands as a pivotal moment in recent DC Comics history. By placing villains at the forefront and exploring the nature of evil and heroism, the series offered a fresh perspective on the superhero genre. It challenged preconceptions about characters like Lex Luthor, delivered high-stakes action, and set the stage for future storylines.

While not without its flaws, “Forever Evil” successfully delivered on its premise of a world where evil triumphs, if only temporarily. It reminded readers that in the darkest times, heroes can emerge from unexpected places, and that the line between hero and villain is often blurrier than we might think.

As a cornerstone of the New 52 era, “Forever Evil” demonstrated DC’s willingness to take risks with its characters and storylines. It proved that even in a universe populated by godlike heroes, there’s always room for complex, morally ambiguous narratives that challenge readers’ expectations.

In the end, “Forever Evil” is more than just a story about the Crime Syndicate’s invasion. It’s a tale of unlikely alliances, the nature of heroism, and the potential for redemption. It’s a reminder that even in a world of superheroes, the most compelling stories often come from exploring the shades of gray between good and evil.