Flash: Crossover Crisis - the YA Novel Book 3 - The Legends of Forever

Okay, I am not ashamed to admit - I did not see this ending coming.  I mean, I guess technically, considering the name of this trilogy, I should have seen it - but, quite frankly, I did not at all expect author Barry Lyga to go in that direction.  But, it makes sense in a number of ways.  It brings both Flash trilogies full circle. It ties up a lot of loose ends (while certainly leaving the door opened for more stories - more on that later). And it answers a number of questions regarding things that have been happening since Lyga's first Flash book several years back.  Between all the surprise guest appearances, the so-on-par characterization, and the climactic conclusion to this story, I can say without a doubt that this was by far my favorite tale that Lyga has told yet!

The Flash: Crossover Crisis - The Legends of Forever concludes the big Time Trapper crossover story that Lyga has been building up.  Owlman and the rest of the Crime Syndicate escaped their Earth to come to Earth 1.  Team Flash and Team Arrow put a stop to them.  But then the Anti-Matter Man threatened Earth 38.  So Team Flash and Team Arrow crossed over to Supergirl's Earth to help her put an end to that threat.  All the while, Madame Xanadu has been providing cryptic clues as to something else.  And, of course, there's the lunacy of Ambush Bug, driving everyone in Star City crazy as he takes control of the Bug-Eyed Bandit's mechanical bees, causing them to multiply at a rapid rate for some unknown purpose.  Oh, and let's not forget that Curtis and Cisco were rescued from the past, only for Cisco to be plucked out of time by the Time Trapper.  And what happened to those on the Waverider when it exploded?  Well, with all of that in mind (you can keep it all straight, can't you?), Lyga treats fans to the thrilling conclusion of the Crossover Crisis!

So, Supergirl is now depowered after sacrificing all she had to stop the Anti-Matter Man.  Cisco is missing.  Ambush Bug is building up for something big, and Joe West, John Diggle, Wild Dog, and Black Canary can't get their hands on him.  White Canary and Heatwave wake up in the 30th Century, where they meet the Legion of Super-Heroes.  And Flash, Green Arrow, and Superman must figure out a way to get to the End of Time in order to put a stop to whatever Time Trapper has planned.  Unfortunately, there is a wall that seems to be stopping anything trying to get through.  This book is full of non-stop action, as the heroes of several worlds (including the James Jesse and literal thousands of other speedsters from the now destroyed Earth 27) must work together to save not just their multiverse, but the fate of two multiverses!  That's right, folks, Lyga doesn't make it easy on these guys and gals.  It seems the Time Trapper is not looking simply to put an end to this multiverse, but he has his eyes set on the TV multiverse (you remember that one right?  the Transuniversal Version of this multiverse, as Cisco called it - thus, the "TV" universe, were Barry Allen went back in time to save his mother and created the Flashpoint, which changed the timeline in that multiverse).  And Cisco plays an important part in Time Trapper's plan, since Cisco has the ability to reach out and contact that multiverse.  Oh, and what about that speedster in yellow that is forever running to keep Time Trapper's machine going?  Well, let's just say, it's not who you think it is!

The opening prologue by the Phantom Stranger (thanks, Lyga, for bringing him in!) says it all: "Worlds will live. Worlds will die. And the DC Universe - this one, at least - will never be the same again."  And he's most definitely right.  What happens in this book changes everything - big time!  After all, it is a huge crisis, and we all know in DC Comics what happens any time there is a huge crisis - there is a huge sacrifice.  But not before we have an unbelievably crazy battle at the end of time!  Flash, Green Arrow, Superman, White Canary, Atom, and Heat Wave face off against the unstoppable Time Trapper - who brings in the Legion of Super-Villains! The League of Assassins! The Khunds!  The Fatal Five!  Oh, and a regular ol' guy by the name of Lex Luthor!  It's six heroes against a literal legion of villainy, and the face of the multiverse and all history are in their hands.  But remember - you've got the super-smarts of Barry Allen, Ray Palmer, and Cisco Ramon, and they manager to come up with a plan to save everything and get back home (well, most of them anyway....)

And did I mention that super-sized Cosmic Treadmill, big enough for a plethora of speedsters?  Or the ring of Volthoom that Heat Wave puts on his finger and uses?  Or the fun-filled return of Toy Boy (read it to find out just who that is!)?  Or the sudden glimpses of a decaying Flash that keep appearing to various people throughout time?  Like I said, this story definitely has it all, and from the very first page, it is NON-STOP!  You better be prepared and have the time to read for a while, because once you start it, you won't want top put it down until you've reached the end and found out exactly how and why one of the characters ends up living in the 30th Century and which hero joins the Legends of ... Forever?!?!

 

And I cannot possibly finish this post without mentioning how dead-on perfect Lyga is on the characterization for these heroes and their supporting cast.  The perfect example is when Felicity meets the Earth-38 Superman for the first time...

 

"Oliver," Felicty said into the solemn moment, "I love you dearly, but if you don't come back, am I allowed to marry him?" (p. 52).

 

It is so keeping in line with her character, making me think of her reaction during the "Invasion" crossover story on the CW shows when all of the characters get together for the first time, and Felicity gets all giddy and says, "Best team-up ever!"

Oh, yeah, there is no possible way that Lyga could ever top this story.  Unless, of course, he gives us a trilogy of books set on the Waverider, perhaps????

RATING:  10 phase-centric photonic array guns out of 10 for proving that even serious, sometimes sad, super-hero stories can still be fun and exciting without being all dark and gritty!