DC X AEW #1 (DC COMICS)
In a time of unlikely crossovers, another has entered the ring (literally)!
When the W.A.M. Intergalactic Championship belt is destroyed, it’s no angle. Element X is involved. The powerful metal has been lost around the globe. In the wrong hands, the results could be catastrophic. The JLU is on the scene. They’re not alone. The title was won by a notorious CEO that wants her belt back. Now the world of comics and pro-wrestling come together as the AEW roster joins in on the hijinx.
DC X AEW #1 by Steve Orlando, Travis Mercer, Andrew Dalhouse, & Josh Reed (DC COMICS) opens up a whole new forbidden door.
Let’s get ringside and see what unfolds here.
DC X AEW #1 by Steve Orlando, Travis Mercer, Andrew Dalhouse, & Josh Reed (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Sometimes, you just have to have some fun in comics. This crossover is prime example of how to make it happen. Orlando is perfect for writing this series due to his fandom of the squared circle. Pairing Booster Gold and Excalibur as commentators/narrators works on many levels. The story is very imaginative that having the AEW roster help on the search works. The writing even addresses the unlikely reasons to do. Once past that, the story gives the sickos and fans what they want: entertainment.
The pairings of heroes and wrestlers work when they clash the most. Seeing Nightwing trying to stop Will Ospreay from hitting a Tiger Driver 91 on a League of Assassins Ninja defines this perfectly. Readers will enjoy seeing Jon Moxley and Guy Gardner try working together verses some familiar TDKR Mutant rogues. Their dialogue meshes together extremely well. Surprisingly Moxley wasn’t bleeding in this ordeal. The one that shines brightest out of this bunch in Orange Cassidy and Harley Quinn. Their back and forth steals the show. Once readers go through the match-ups, the final duo remind everyone why this crossover works. Just wait for the final page and tell me this isn’t perfect to conclude with.
Mercer and Dalhouse open up with a full page shot of Deceilia Starshame shaming the Intergalactic belt. Excalibur and Booster Gold’s reaction is as funny and ironic as one would want. This moves events into a full shot of the JLU investigating the scene. The moment might be the last of a more traditional superhero comic. Once the AEW roster is introduced via full page, the story gets moving into the enjoyable side of things. Guy Gardner’s reaction to what happened is priceless.
Readers watch as each pairing is given a full page shot of them in action. The clashing of personalities works when each react to the others moves. Every one has a standout moment in the conflict. Its a hard feat to pull off with the big cast, but the art team nails it. Quinn’s reactions to Cassidy being “Cassidy” hits all key points. There’s only one matchup missing a superhero involvement. When you’re the “Best Bout Machine”, this is perfectly allowed. All the action leads to on final pairing. Events turn more chaotic as the world of pro-wrestling comes through in this time. A final image sends fans home hoping there was overtime added for this chapter.
FINAL GRADE: 8.5
If you’re an AEW Sicko and/or comic fan wanting something fun, this is your book. Orlando brings out the best of both worlds with the writing. Mercer and Dalhouse construct the wild sequence of events fitting for such a meeting of worlds. The relationship of comics and wrestling have another great addition in their long noted history with this story.
Let me know your thoughts on DC X AEW #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
