Beechen, Adam. Darkseid’s Inferno!

Beechen, Adam.  Darkseid’s Inferno!  Capstone/Stone Arch  2014  32p     ISBN 978-1-4342-6043-7  elm/ms      VG    Graphic novel

There are two stories to tell in this new DC Comic.  One is the story of Superman’s sister, Supergirl, an orphan who does not appreciate the parents who took over her care when her real parents died, and the other is the story of Darkseid, arch-enemy of the members of the Justice League.  Darkseid hopes to get control of the Anti-Life Equation which could end all life, thus enabling Darkseid to take over the universe and become the master of all that remains.  Wonder heroes attack Darkseid but are repelled by his strength.  Even Darkseid’s son, Orion, a man who was raised by peaceful beings on New Genesis, cannot defeat his father.  It remains for Supergirl to give it a try, and in a fit of emotion stemming from her mixed feelings about her parents and Orion’s relationship with Darkseid, she begins the battle of a lifetime against her enemy.  Fans of this genre of comic books, young artists who try to copy the sketches of master artists, and readers who like to be entertained by super heroes will all find something of merit in this latest story by Beechen, the writer, and Beavers, the illustrator.  The colors are lush, the action is artfully depicted and the theme, universal.  The book ends with pictures of all of the books in the series followed by a biographical snippet about its creators, a glossary of new words, and five questions for the active reader to ponder. 

This comic book series includes eight books in which super hero members of  the Justice League face their arch enemies.  The plot is exciting, the graphics are colorful, and the theme of good versus evil resonates with young readers.

Summary: Justice League super heroes must combat the evil Darkseid, the villain who hopes to take over the universe by ending all existing life. 

Super heroes                                          -–Martha Squaresky