Crossover #5
Things come to a head at the Dome in Crossover #5, by writer Donny Cates, artist Geoff Shaw, colorist Dee Cunniffe, and letterer John J. Hill. This issue is a full-on action extravaganza. It goes by quick, but it's got some great moments.
At the Powerhouse prison, the "superhero" Father Hale had in his basement is brought in. They inspect him and realize he isn't a superhero at all… and then he explodes, allowing the heroes and villains interred within to escape towards the Dome. On their way to the Dome, Elle and company get a report on what happened before arriving at the Dome. However, just as they get there, things go from bad to worse, as Amalgams and the military attack. Madman is prepared to use Valofax to cut their way in the Dome but decides to fight the enemy with the Paybacks to give Elle, Ryan, Ava, and Otto time to get in. He gives Elle Valofax, but before she can use it, a bomb hits, and she can't get to it. Ava goes crazy, using her powers to stop the bombing, and starts to attack the pilots and planes. Madman exhorts her to stop, but she doesn't listen. None of them can stop her, except Ryan with the gun Agent Pendleton gave him.
Crossover is always a great read, and this issue continues, but it does feel like Cates took some shortcuts. For example, the superhero that Father Hale was beating just happens to be sent to the prison closest to the Dome when he was in Utah not long before. Or how everyone gets to the Dome- Elle and company, the escaped heroes, the Amalgams, and the military all getting there at the same time. Narrative convenience is a thing that most writers use, and it's fine, but it also feels a little hand-wavey. It doesn't really subtract too much from the readers' enjoyment of the issue, though, because it works.
If there's anything actually disappointing about this issue, it's how quickly the chapter goes by. The fast pace fits the installment's events rather well, but Crossover is so good that a fast-paced issue is disappointing because one doesn't get to spend enough time in the book's world. However, there is a lot to love about the chapter. Father Hale's plan to really get the war between humans and superheroes going is actually pretty smart, and it also makes his actions last issue- beating up a costumed man seemingly for kicks- actually make sense. He's not some mad dog who hates superheroes but a cunning man with a plan. Elle getting Valofax is a cool moment (that uses a Matrix quote) that is compounded by her losing it. Ava cutting loose is another big moment, and the end of the issue cliffhanger is wonderful, really building anticipation for the next issue.
Shaw's art really sells it in this issue, but that's normal for him. The Amalgams are a lot of fun- readers can make a game of figuring out which heroes and villains are part of them- and the silhouettes of escaping heroes and villains are done just well for readers to figure out who they are without it getting too actionable legally. The double-page spread of Elle getting Valofax and the memory transfer is great and the moment with Ava's power cutting loose and the full-page spread of Ryan with the gun are wonderful images.
Crossover #5 feels a bit convenient at times, but that's alright. The only disappointing thing about the comic is that the fast pace makes it go by too quickly. However, the ending is pretty perfect. Cates hypes readers up for the next issue expertly. Shaw's art is the icing on the cake as usual. Crossover is such a great book, and while this issue isn't the best so far, it's a fitting penultimate issue of this story arc.
