Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter 27 Review

Flash has to face Superman’s wrath as a result of giving aid to Batman. Is a permanent rift forming in the regime?

Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter 27

Written by Brian Buccellato

Art by Tom Derenick

Colors by Rex Lokus

Group Editor Jim Chadwick

Published by DC Comics

It is hard to top a five-years-in-the-making-all-out-fight between Batman and Superman, but writer Brian Buccellato—with artist Tom Derenick (Trinity, Protectors, The Hypernaturals)—complete that in Chapter 27 of Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five.

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In the previous chapter, Batman defeated Superman in hand-to-hand combat with the help of a particular green pill. The Dark Knight was close to taking the life of Krypton’s Last Son until the regime (Wonder Woman, The Flash, Cyborg, Hal Jordan Yellow Lantern) intervened and came to the aid of Superman.

The rest of the regime handled Batman quickly while Superman was out for the count. When Superman and the regime started to take Batman into custody, The Flash grabbed the Arkham Knight and hid him away from the prying eyes of General Superman and the rest of the regime. Chapter 27 deals with the fallout of The Flash’s actions.

The chapter begins with a flashback that takes place five years ago. Barry (as the Flash) is in Central City discussing with his love Iris West about the fallout of Superman killing the Joker. Barry shows sympathy to the Man of Steel because if he were placed in his position, he would have probably done the same thing.

Through it all, Iris keeps reminding Barry that he would never go down that dark path because there’s too much light inside him. She also adds that if Superman goes off the track too much, Barry will indeed stand up to him.

If there has been one thing that has been missing in year five of Injustice, it’s that there are not enough flashbacks. The current action is fantastic, but five years of issues is a lot of information to retain, glad Buccellato picked up on this and added one for the Flash’s and reader’s sake.

The next part of the story is Wonder Woman and Cyborg at the regime headquarters discussing if what Flash did was right until they hear a big commotion across the way. Superman is irate with the Flash and his actions cost the regime not to have Batman’s freedom in their hands.

The super-powered beings go back and forth until Superman gets extremely physical with The Flash by choking him. In his anger, Superman yells out to Cyborg, Wonder Woman, and The Flash that if they are not in line with him, they are against Superman and the regime. The Man of Steel then made a proclamation to The Flash: “Either you’re with me, or I will handle you.” The Flash leaves the regime headquarters telling Superman not to look for him.

If there is one thing that can get under the all-mighty Superman’s skin, it is Batman. Bruce Wayne is a thorn in Clark Kent’s side that refuses to leave, and when anything applies pressure to that thorn, Superman loses it.

Clark Kent is a strong-minded leader, however, it is interesting to see Superman starting to lose his cool and grip on reality. Not only did The Flash pick up on Superman’s increasingly powerful approaches to the world, but other members of the regime had as well.

Buccellato continues to pen a great story while the artwork Derenick displayed was fantastic. The details in the fight scene between The Flash and Superman were incredible.

The last part of the chapter is Barry returning to Central City to find Iris. Once he greets her, he expects her to have open arms ready for him. But on the contrary, she is cold-hearted and hurt by the fact that Barry abandoned her for quite some time.

After he leaves Iris, Barry goes to lick his wounds at a particular bar with a particular bartender. The two trade back and forth light commentary until Barry realizes that Superman sent Victor Zsasz after someone close to Batman. And now that he has descended from the ranks, Iris is next.

He’s right, the issue ends with Iris and a few of her co-workers surrounded by some of the enforcers of the regime. They state that they are under arrest for treason against Superman.

The bottom line: Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter 27 was probably the best chapter yet. Even though there was no Batman or resistance sighting, seeing the conflicts that some of the members of the regime have with Superman was just as exciting.

Buccelatto and Derenick are an exciting team to read when it comes to comics. The two have a chemistry that very few artist/author duos can match. Year Five draws to a conclusion soon, and the finale will be one to remember. Readers of this comic cannot wait to see how this year closes out.