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Final Crisis (Collected Editions)
Final Crisis: Revelations
As a massive cosmic battle between good and evil rages across the DC Universe, a war of faith tests the might of the Spectre and the souls of humanity!
Darkseid, the malevolent New God has waged a brainwashing war against mankind, leaving the Spectre - God's embodiment of vengeance - to face off against the mad god's followers. Worshipping a religion based on crime, these disciples plan on subduing humanity and extinguishing its free will. It's up to the Spectre, the Question and Batwoman to take down these minions before all hope is lost! Featuring stunning art from DC newcomer Philip Tan (Spawn).
Darkseid, the malevolent New God has waged a brainwashing war against mankind, leaving the Spectre - God's embodiment of vengeance - to face off against the mad god's followers. Worshipping a religion based on crime, these disciples plan on subduing humanity and extinguishing its free will. It's up to the Spectre, the Question and Batwoman to take down these minions before all hope is lost! Featuring stunning art from DC newcomer Philip Tan (Spawn).
168 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2009
9 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Greg Rucka
1,498 books1,927 followersGreg Rucka, is an American comic book writer and novelist, known for his work on such comics as Action Comics, Batwoman: Detective Comics, and the miniseries Superman: World of New Krypton for DC Comics, and for novels such as his Queen & Country series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 11, 2016
A redemption tale that brings Judeo-Christianity into the make. Dangerous territory but fairly well delivered in the intentions. Rucka didn't weak sauce religion and its makeup in the DC world which I appreciated. It would have been easy to pay it lip service.
OVERALL GRADE: B.
OVERALL GRADE: B.
February 27, 2012
Greg Rucka can do so much better than this. In fact, this might be the least successful thing that I've read by him. There are sparks of what made me enjoy his work in the past, mostly in the form of Renee Montoya, now working as The Question. But there's an awful lot of standing around talking in circles, and after awhile, it just gets dull. But the art is great, and the covers are gorgeous. (The one thing that the Final Crisis line has been blessed with is an awesome set of covers.) Really only worth it for big fans of Renee, which I am.
March 26, 2011
This has got to be one of the worst Greg Rucka books I've ever encountered. It's just so muddled throughout and at least 2 issues too long. The first issue is quite decent. Still muddled but there is a bit of a wow factor going on to distract from the incoherence. We've got two of the best characters from the GCPD in Crispus Allen and Renee Montoya - one dead and resurrected as the Spectre and the other resigned from the police department and now fighting crime as The Question. We've got Philip Tan's art, spectacularly coloured and empowered by computer enhanced graphic wizardry - dynamic and fizzing off the page as it lights the action. And there is some good action in the first issue. But then we get three issues of Vandal Savage, The Spectre and anybody dumb enough to get into spear range with them, standing about posturing and debating the will of god, theologizing endlessly and often contradictory diatribes about vengeance, mercy, redemption etc, punctuated every so often by Vandal Savage (or Cain as he's depicted here) skewering somebody with his mighty spear. The climax is a muddled resolve that sort of works but to be honest I stopped caring an issue or two earlier.
March 7, 2016
SPOILERS FOR THE MAIN FINAL CRISIS STORY!!!
An okay read, but better then the main Final Crisis. So this story focuses on The Specter and his involvement in The Final Crisis. The story does provide context, it explains more on Martian Manhunter's death but that's about it. Vandal Savage gets a magical spear thingy and now he wants control the specter? I don't know the story can be very dull at times. There was also a lot of religious symbolism which was annoying. In the end this was nothing special, however i enjoyed this a lot more then the main Final Crisis event.
An okay read, but better then the main Final Crisis. So this story focuses on The Specter and his involvement in The Final Crisis. The story does provide context, it explains more on Martian Manhunter's death but that's about it. Vandal Savage gets a magical spear thingy and now he wants control the specter? I don't know the story can be very dull at times. There was also a lot of religious symbolism which was annoying. In the end this was nothing special, however i enjoyed this a lot more then the main Final Crisis event.
February 6, 2016
There are parts of this book that make me want to give it 4 out of 5 stars, but I can’t give it that as a whole, because a good chunk of the book is just “decent”. Don’t get me wrong, I like this book. It’s an interesting, if not sort of creepy, read. But with Renee Montoya/The Question in the lead, and Rucka writing her (because he writes her best), it’s already good. Her interactions with Huntress are my favourite parts. You can see the foundation of a solid friendship being built between them. Additionally, their little bits of banter are the only relief in an otherwise dark, serious, apocalyptic story. Banter and characters’ chemistry with each other are the main things I look for.
I like the artwork, even though I’d prefer it to look a little less… gritty? But, the way Renee is drawn – oh goodness… *fans self* Those back and arm muscles? Those abs? That sports bra with the military-style pants? And combat boots? *sighs dreamily* Now there’s a woman I wouldn’t mind going on an apocalyptic world-saving adventure with. Or getting stabbed for (eh, Huntress? ;p). I mean, just look at her! No wonder she can hold her own with the supers… Yeah, I have a thing for Spanish/Latina women… *cough America Chavez cough* Italians too.
But yeah.
Um… Where was I?
If you like both/either Renee Montoya or Helena Bertinelli, I’d recommend this book to you. I’d also recommend it if you’re checking out the “Final Crisis” event because you don’t need to know anything to understand what’s happening in this story. I haven’t read any other Final Crisis stuff, either. If you’re interested in some background as to how Renee got to the position she’s in at the start of this book, I’d point you in the direction of The Question: The Five Books of Blood also by Greg Rucka. I prefer that book to this one (again, not that Revelations is bad).
I like the artwork, even though I’d prefer it to look a little less… gritty? But, the way Renee is drawn – oh goodness… *fans self* Those back and arm muscles? Those abs? That sports bra with the military-style pants? And combat boots? *sighs dreamily* Now there’s a woman I wouldn’t mind going on an apocalyptic world-saving adventure with. Or getting stabbed for (eh, Huntress? ;p). I mean, just look at her! No wonder she can hold her own with the supers… Yeah, I have a thing for Spanish/Latina women… *cough America Chavez cough* Italians too.
But yeah.
Um… Where was I?
If you like both/either Renee Montoya or Helena Bertinelli, I’d recommend this book to you. I’d also recommend it if you’re checking out the “Final Crisis” event because you don’t need to know anything to understand what’s happening in this story. I haven’t read any other Final Crisis stuff, either. If you’re interested in some background as to how Renee got to the position she’s in at the start of this book, I’d point you in the direction of The Question: The Five Books of Blood also by Greg Rucka. I prefer that book to this one (again, not that Revelations is bad).
October 17, 2020
I originally didn’t plan on reading this, but Greg Rucka and Renee make a compelling case. This story follows up on the stuff that happened in the crime bible mini and tying everything in with Final Crisis which surprisingly fit very well for this story. There is a lot of stuff with the Specter and various stuff to do with Christianity, I think Rucka did a good job incorporating it all into this story. I also give this story props for killing Doctor Light (the evil one) it was very satisfying watching him get what he deserved.
February 1, 2024
Final Crisis: Revelations
While the world has gone mad under the influence of Darkseid's Anti-Life Equation, the Spectre must defeat Cain while the Radiant gives Renee Montoya a new question to think about.
Quite a spiritual and existential storyline about redemption and forgiveness. The artwork is at times dark and sombre, but shines off the page at the key points. An important side story to 'Final Crisis'.
While the world has gone mad under the influence of Darkseid's Anti-Life Equation, the Spectre must defeat Cain while the Radiant gives Renee Montoya a new question to think about.
Quite a spiritual and existential storyline about redemption and forgiveness. The artwork is at times dark and sombre, but shines off the page at the key points. An important side story to 'Final Crisis'.
October 21, 2021
The story and art are equally murky.
April 17, 2010
This is a spinoff of the 'Final Crisis' miniseries, and I tried to read it when it was coming out in issues but I had no idea what was going on b/c I wasn't reading 'Final Crisis.' Later on, I did read FC, but of course now I don't remember what happened in it. Oh well.
On the one hand, the art in this book is pretty atrocious, and the plot focuses on the character of the Spectre, who never made sense to me and still doesn't. On the other hand, writer Greg Rucka makes the best of it by using signature characters like Renee Montoya, and Huntress. Enjoying the dialogue and action while mostly skimming the cosmic info dumps, this was a decently entertaining (and fast) read, but I'm glad I got it from the library rather than spending money.
On the one hand, the art in this book is pretty atrocious, and the plot focuses on the character of the Spectre, who never made sense to me and still doesn't. On the other hand, writer Greg Rucka makes the best of it by using signature characters like Renee Montoya, and Huntress. Enjoying the dialogue and action while mostly skimming the cosmic info dumps, this was a decently entertaining (and fast) read, but I'm glad I got it from the library rather than spending money.
March 20, 2011
DC has generally "lost the plot" over the past few years. Their last big "crisis" was nearly incomprehensible... and this spinoff series, focuses on the mystical, divine Spectre and reveals that the classic DC villain, Vandal Savage, is actually the biblical Cain.
What?
Uhm... ok... whatever. Some of the art is beautiful, and Rucka tries to give the more down-to-earth Characters of The Question and Huntress a decent role, but it makes little sense, and only seems tangentially connected to the Final Crisis storyline.
I keep trying, but DC keeps disappointing. They can't seem to write a straight forward comic story at all anymore.
What?
Uhm... ok... whatever. Some of the art is beautiful, and Rucka tries to give the more down-to-earth Characters of The Question and Huntress a decent role, but it makes little sense, and only seems tangentially connected to the Final Crisis storyline.
I keep trying, but DC keeps disappointing. They can't seem to write a straight forward comic story at all anymore.
August 8, 2009
I very much like Greg Rucka's writing. I very much like Gotham Central. I very much like The Question: Five Books of Blood. I very much like Batman & Huntress: Cry for Blood. This? This, the further adventures of Question and Huntress as written by Rucka? I don't like. At all. The character moments are few and far between, and the rest feels utterly meaningless; nothing in this makes me care about the events of Final Crisis.
I regret having read this, never mind having paid money for it.
I regret having read this, never mind having paid money for it.
Read
September 29, 2019Not quite what I was hoping for, but a reasonable redemption story. It was also cool to see where the book of Cain stuff was going. Maybe it's just that I've studied religion, but I didn't find myself as confused by the plot as some of the other GoodReads reviewers (and I'm not sure why people would read Spectre & complain about religion...would they read Green Lantern & complain about aliens?). I'd give it 3.5.
March 27, 2020
Traducido en España como Crisis Final: Apocalipsis, esta miniserie se insertó, como algunas otras mencionadas ya en la reseña de la serie principal, un poco a la fuerza en la saga, para poner fin a una trama que llevaba abierta desde 52 y que Greg Rucka había movido de forma intermitente aquí y allá, todo lo relacionado con la Biblia del Crimen y Reneé Montoya como la nueva Question. Pero aunque como digo, las series están metidas en algunas ocasiones un poco con calzador, en el caso de Revelaciones sí que consiguen que tenga cierto sentido dentro de los acontecimientos de Crisis Final.
La historia transcurre en los días posteriores a la muerte del Detective Marciano, asesinado por Libra, cuando el Espectro comienza a ejecutar a diversos villanos como castigo por sus crímenes; mientras que Question sigue el rastro de la Lanza del Destino, que los miembros de la Orden de la Roca pretenden entregar al propio Caín, el primer asesino de la historia, con lo que cumplirán las profecías del Día de Apokolips (aquí comienzan los lazos con Crisis Final, ya que de este modo, la Orden de la Roca se convierte en uno más de los vectores de Darkseid a la hora de tomar la Tierra). Y sus caminos confluyen junto al de Radiante, la expresión de la Misericordia de Dios (igual que el Espectro es la Venganza de Dios) cuando el Espectro (cuyo anfitrión, el policía Crispus Allen fue compañero de Montoya), aparece para juzgar a Question, permitiendo que la Lanza caiga en manos de Caín (que resulta ser un antiguo personaje de DC, muy bien llevado, la verdad).
Así que Apocalipsis nos trae una historia a varias bandas en la que Montoya, el Espectro, Batwoman, Radiante y Cazadora tienen que hacer frente a una amenaza que, en muchos momentos, se les queda grande, y nos permite ver más de lo que ocurre en ese mes en blanco que pasa entre Crisis Final 3 y 4, ver más sobre como la Antivida se adueña de la Tierra, y pone fin a una trama que, a mi personalmente, en su momento resultó de lo más interesante que tenía DC, aunque no fuera algo continuo. Por cierto, los lápices estuvieron a cargo de Billy Tan, que hizo un trabajo bastante decente en esta historia, muy completo.
La historia transcurre en los días posteriores a la muerte del Detective Marciano, asesinado por Libra, cuando el Espectro comienza a ejecutar a diversos villanos como castigo por sus crímenes; mientras que Question sigue el rastro de la Lanza del Destino, que los miembros de la Orden de la Roca pretenden entregar al propio Caín, el primer asesino de la historia, con lo que cumplirán las profecías del Día de Apokolips (aquí comienzan los lazos con Crisis Final, ya que de este modo, la Orden de la Roca se convierte en uno más de los vectores de Darkseid a la hora de tomar la Tierra). Y sus caminos confluyen junto al de Radiante, la expresión de la Misericordia de Dios (igual que el Espectro es la Venganza de Dios) cuando el Espectro (cuyo anfitrión, el policía Crispus Allen fue compañero de Montoya), aparece para juzgar a Question, permitiendo que la Lanza caiga en manos de Caín (que resulta ser un antiguo personaje de DC, muy bien llevado, la verdad).
Así que Apocalipsis nos trae una historia a varias bandas en la que Montoya, el Espectro, Batwoman, Radiante y Cazadora tienen que hacer frente a una amenaza que, en muchos momentos, se les queda grande, y nos permite ver más de lo que ocurre en ese mes en blanco que pasa entre Crisis Final 3 y 4, ver más sobre como la Antivida se adueña de la Tierra, y pone fin a una trama que, a mi personalmente, en su momento resultó de lo más interesante que tenía DC, aunque no fuera algo continuo. Por cierto, los lápices estuvieron a cargo de Billy Tan, que hizo un trabajo bastante decente en esta historia, muy completo.
September 4, 2020
Final Crisis was kind of meant to be the "Book of Revelations" for the DCU. This is bringing the Judeo-Christian element back to it, and the Religion of Crime.
Final Crisis starts out with Vandal Savage like five pages in? The story reveals that Vandal Savage is actually the biblical Cain. The New Gods are being reborn on Earth as the End of the World occurs and the "Old God" dies. Cain, the first murderer, wields the "Spear of Destiny" the weapon that kills Jesus Christ on the Cross. The Spear of Destiny is also what kept superheroes out of WWII (at least the JSA).
The art is pretty great, but the story feels a little forced.
Final Crisis starts out with Vandal Savage like five pages in? The story reveals that Vandal Savage is actually the biblical Cain. The New Gods are being reborn on Earth as the End of the World occurs and the "Old God" dies. Cain, the first murderer, wields the "Spear of Destiny" the weapon that kills Jesus Christ on the Cross. The Spear of Destiny is also what kept superheroes out of WWII (at least the JSA).
The art is pretty great, but the story feels a little forced.
Read
November 8, 2022Sadly some of the worst work of all parties. The story gets bogged down in Christianity based magic mumbo jumbo, and passes up the opportunity of dealing with any of the interesting themes or personal character conflicts presented. The art’s also atrocious. As part of Final Crisis it should be skipped, and as a chapter in Rucka’s DCU it covers the Crispus-Renee reunion in the aforementioned mumbo jumbo.
January 30, 2021
I think this is only the second time I’m disappointed by a Greg Rucka book.
This is a poorly executed and obtuse religious story that make shitty use of the Spectre, Renee and Cain. The DCU is a better place if you skip this story in your FC read through.
At very best, it’s highly forgettable and still has nothing to do with FC.
This is a poorly executed and obtuse religious story that make shitty use of the Spectre, Renee and Cain. The DCU is a better place if you skip this story in your FC read through.
At very best, it’s highly forgettable and still has nothing to do with FC.
August 15, 2023
While it is obviously inextricably linked to Final Crisis, which had many problems, this works extremely well. Renee Montoya and Crispus Allen are such great characters brought to life here by the fantastic Greg Rucka and the marvelous Philip Tan. A story of religious horror that stands out from the pack.
July 9, 2018
I really don't care for stories that are so very seeped in Christian symbolism. It's always made me uncomfortable, even before I identified as a Pagan. If it hadn't been for this being part of Final Crisis I wouldn't have read it at all...
August 24, 2018
The story was okay. The art was not my thing. The idea of the Religion of Crime sounds interesting, but they're just so one-note and dull in everything I've read (Infinite Crisis, Five Books of Blood, Batwoman: Elegy). Which blows because I love Renee, including in this story (that's where the 3 stars come from). I wish she had a more deserving big bad.
January 21, 2019
This wasn't a bad story, I'm just confused on how it fits into Final Crisis. Or more specifically, where. It doesn't seem to line up. However, Phillip Fan's art is great, and the colorist did fabulous job.
March 25, 2019
Zábavnej příběh a je to kvalitně napsaný. Prostě Rucka. Jdou mu i tyhle velký, přeplácaný eventy. Navíc Renee je moje oblíbená postava. Je teda pravda, že jsem to četl po Legion of Three Worlds, což bylo tak neskutečně příšerný, že by mi možná přišel chvíli potom dobrej i Kingovo Batman.
April 17, 2020
Beautifully illustrated so it didnt even matter if the plot, while action packed, didnt necessarily pack the biggest punch. Enjoyed it none the less as a fan of The Spectre and a new found fan of Renee Montoya as The Question.
March 30, 2025
Unfortunately, my thoughts for this echo pretty much what the other similarly-starred reviews say. I like the creative team and love Rucka’s work with the Question, but this falls flat and seems convoluted. It became more of a chore than pleasure to read the end.
June 18, 2020
You can always depend on Rucka.
January 22, 2024
Renee Montoya is good in this. But the villain and the Final Crisis connection are such a slog, not a fan overall.
April 22, 2025
2.5/5
November 28, 2025
Ugh. More Final Crisis. What a mess.
October 17, 2018
The events of DC’s Final Crisis have brought forward a plethora of stories dealing with Darkseid’s attempt to rule the Universe. Earth is caught up in this disaster all the while the rest of the superheroes do their best to contain this nightmare.
With the mysticism as well as science involved for the New Gods, in particular Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation, this story hammers out how his minion Libra takes it upon himself to bring his master power over the Earth. In this case Gotham City and particularly for a special type of weapon.
All the while, the Legion of Doom takes it upon itself to wreak havoc as Dr. Light fights with the Crispus Allen aka Spectre and Libra himself takes on Renee Montoya aka The Question.
Its kind of interesting seeing these former officers of Gotham PD end up doing their part to save the world but its very disturbing and disrespectful.
A sacrilegious mess. Nice art, but terrible story. F
With the mysticism as well as science involved for the New Gods, in particular Darkseid’s Anti-Life Equation, this story hammers out how his minion Libra takes it upon himself to bring his master power over the Earth. In this case Gotham City and particularly for a special type of weapon.
All the while, the Legion of Doom takes it upon itself to wreak havoc as Dr. Light fights with the Crispus Allen aka Spectre and Libra himself takes on Renee Montoya aka The Question.
Its kind of interesting seeing these former officers of Gotham PD end up doing their part to save the world but its very disturbing and disrespectful.
A sacrilegious mess. Nice art, but terrible story. F
October 28, 2010
2527602 In this episode of the Final Crisis series, the Crispus Allen returns as the Spectre, expecting to deliver punishment in God's name but learning his purpose for being is much grander than he'd ever known. Readers who believed the Spectre's purpose was limited, especially after reading of the character in the Countdown to Infinite Crisis series, will feel compelled to read and learn about his destiny as well as his fate. Kudos to DC Comics for injecting familiar yet lesser known characters (the Batwoman, Huntress, and the Question) into the storyline.
March 24, 2011
The book starts off slowly and a little confused (as opposed to confusing, though there's that, too). By the final two sections, the story's rolling really well, and Rucka's tale and religious meditations are quite effective.
There are a few strange storytelling glitches (particularly having the Huntress arrive somewhat randomly, apparently just to introduce a Catholic voice into the discussion).
The story does work well as a tie-in. It's not essential to understanding Final Crisis, but it does develop naturally out that work, considering themes that feel like a natural fit.
There are a few strange storytelling glitches (particularly having the Huntress arrive somewhat randomly, apparently just to introduce a Catholic voice into the discussion).
The story does work well as a tie-in. It's not essential to understanding Final Crisis, but it does develop naturally out that work, considering themes that feel like a natural fit.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews