Earth 2 #18
Earth 2 #18 serves as the pivotal connective tissue in Tom Taylor's 'Dark Age' arc, bringing together the key cast that will eventually challenge the corrupted Superman (Brutaal) and set the stage for Val-Zod's emergence as Earth 2's new Man of Steel. The issue is historically notable as a strong action chapter for Thomas Wayne's Batman — Bruce Wayne's resurrected father operating as a gun-wielding Dark Knight — who, within these pages, executes the Earth 2 Joker and liberates super-hacker James Olsen (Accountable) from World Army stasis, moves that fundamentally reshape the series' power dynamic. Aquawoman (Marella) guides the group to the hidden chamber holding a secret Kryptonian, making this issue the discovery sequence that directly precedes Val-Zod's debut in issue #19 — one of the New 52's most significant character introductions. The issue also dramatizes the scale of the Apokoliptan invasion through the clone Superman's destruction of the White House, a rare moment of catastrophic, real-world landmark destruction that underscores how much darker Taylor's Earth 2 was than a conventional superhero book.
In "The Dark Age Part 2," Flash makes a risky move to divert Superman’s focus, but his efforts fall short as the Man of Steel presses forward with grim determination. Meanwhile, Batman breaks open a prison to free a key ally—James Olsen—whose sharp mind may be the edge the heroes need in the escalating crisis. Written by Tom Taylor and illustrated by Nicola Scott, with inks by Trevor Scott, colors by Pete Pantazis, and letters by Dezi Sienty, this gripping chapter features a cover by Ethan Van Sciver.
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Earth 2 #18 was written by Tom Taylor, who had taken over the series from founding writer James Robinson beginning with issue #17; Robinson's departure was reported to involve creative differences with DC editorial. Taylor came to the book fresh off his acclaimed digital-first run on Injustice: Gods Among Us and brought a similar taste for high-stakes, irreversible consequences. The issue was drawn by Nicola Scott, the series' primary artist since its 2012 launch, whose clean, expressive linework had defined the visual identity of the New 52 Earth 2. The issue carries a February 2014 cover date and was published on December 4, 2013, falling early in Taylor's short but consequential tenure on the title, which was subsequently collected in Earth 2 Vol. 4: The Dark Age (hardcover and trade paperback, DC Comics).
Trivia · 8 facts
- Cover date: February 2014; on-sale date: December 4, 2013 (DC Comics, New 52).
- Written by Tom Taylor (his second issue on the series, following his debut on #17); pencilled by Nicola Scott, inked by Trevor Scott.
- Thomas Wayne (Bruce Wayne's father), operating as the New 52 Earth 2 Batman, executes the Earth 2 version of the Joker — shooting him in his stasis chamber — in one of the arc's most talked-about character moments.
- James Olsen, alias 'Accountable,' a super-powered hacker capable of accessing information from anywhere, is freed from World Army stasis by Thomas Wayne's Batman in this issue.
- Aquawoman (Marella) assists in accessing the World Army's secret lower-level chamber housing a hidden Kryptonian — this is the discovery sequence that directly leads into Val-Zod's first full appearance in Earth 2 #19.
- The corrupted Superman clone (Brutaal) destroys the White House during this issue, illustrating the planetary scale of Apokolips' assault on Earth 2.
- Tom Taylor took over writing duties from James Robinson, who departed reportedly due to creative differences with DC editorial; Taylor had been known primarily for Injustice: Gods Among Us at the time.
- The issue was collected in Earth 2 Vol. 4: The Dark Age (ISBN: 978-1401254179), which collects Earth 2 #17–20 and Earth 2 Annual #2.
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Reprinted in Earth 2 #4 (2014), Earth 2 #4 (2015)
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