Injustice – Gods Among Us – Year Five #28
🌀 Genre
Superhero • Action • Alternate Universe • Drama • Dystopian
Set in an authoritarian version of the DC Universe, this comic blends traditional superhero action with political intrigue and moral conflict, focusing on the slow unraveling of alliances within a crumbling justice system.
🌟 Main Characters
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The Flash (Barry Allen) – Torn between loyalty to Superman and his conscience, Flash finds himself at a crossroads.
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Superman (Kal-El/Clark Kent) – The tyrannical leader of the Regime, enforcing his rule with fear and power.
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Iris West – Flash's former love interest, symbolizing the life he lost and the humanity he struggles to preserve.
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Superman’s Enforcers – Including various Regime-controlled villains used to suppress dissent.
✍️ Writer
Brian Buccellato – Known for his nuanced character writing and ability to handle complex emotional narratives, Buccellato delivers a deeply personal story in this issue that tests Barry Allen's moral fiber.
🎨 Artist
Tom Derenick – Derenick’s illustrations amplify the tension and drama with expressive facial work and impactful action scenes, capturing the raw emotion of betrayal and internal conflict.
🛠️ Editor Details
Jim Chadwick – As a seasoned editor in the DC line, Chadwick ensures narrative consistency across the sprawling Injustice multiverse while maintaining high editorial standards.
🏢 Publisher and Brand
DC Comics
Imprint: Digital First (originally) • Print under DC Universe brand
📅 Release Year
2016
📖 Brief Plot Summary
As Superman’s grip tightens on Earth, Flash begins to question the morality of his allegiance. When Barry attempts to shield Iris West from the wrath of Superman’s Regime-backed thugs, he becomes a target himself. The issue explores Barry’s breaking point, illustrating a hero caught between doing what’s right and obeying the world’s most powerful tyrant. This pivotal moment marks a potential shift in the balance of power—one sparked not by violence, but by conscience ⚡💥.
🧩 Notable Arcs or Storylines
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Flash’s Crisis of Conscience – A major turning point in Barry Allen’s arc throughout Injustice: Year Five, highlighting his inner turmoil and human vulnerability.
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The Crumbling Regime – A slow but steady unraveling of Superman’s iron-fisted regime as doubts spread among even his most loyal soldiers.
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Foreshadowing Defection – This issue subtly sets up the conditions for a future shift in alliances among the Regime ranks.
🧠 Fan Theories or Interpretations
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🤔 "Flash as the Tipping Point" – Many fans speculate that Barry’s internal conflict could eventually ignite a chain reaction leading to the fall of the Regime.
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❤️ "Iris as Flash’s Moral Compass" – Some interpret Iris's presence not merely as a romantic echo but as a symbolic reminder of Barry’s humanity—something Superman has long lost.
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🧨 "Parallel to Civil War Themes" – The storyline is often compared to Marvel’s Civil War, with Flash positioned as a Captain America-like figure resisting authoritarian control from within.
⭐ Review Summary
Injustice: Year Five #28 delivers a standout issue rich in character depth and emotional weight. Brian Buccellato’s writing is sharp, particularly in the introspective moments with Flash, while Tom Derenick’s art enhances the emotional intensity with expressive illustrations and fluid action scenes. The issue succeeds in portraying not just a battle of heroes, but a battle of principles. A must-read for fans who crave inner conflict as much as outer confrontation.
Verdict: 🏆 Emotional, gripping, and a turning point in Flash’s arc.
Comic Resource / Read Online (External Source)
