Salvation Run is a seven-issue 2007-2008 DC Comics limited series which was designed to tie into the company's major event series Final Crisis in 2008.
Premise
The series, which is based on a pitch from George R. R. Martin, follows a world where various
are captured by the
Suicide Squad and imprisoned on a distant planet. The story features the villains splitting into alliances and either attempting to escape the planet, known as "Salvation", or choosing to rule over it.
Bill Willingham started as writer, but had to hand the project over to
Lilah Sturges after only three issues due to illness.
[ EXCLUSIVE: Willingham Explains "Salvation Run" Departure, Comic Book Resources, January 28, 2008] The first issue was released in November 2007.
Major characters in Salvation Run include Lex Luthor, the Joker, the Rogues (Heat Wave, Captain Cold, Weather Wizard, Abra Kadabra and Mirror Master), and other morally ambiguous heroes such as Scandal Savage and Catwoman. Tie-ins to the series were released in Countdown to Final Crisis, Outsiders, Checkmate, Catwoman, and Justice League.
A compiled paperback version of Salvation Run was released on September 24, 2008.
Plot
Lead-up
Following
Black Adam's rampage in
World War III, the Amazonian attack on the United States, the murder of the Flash (
Bart Allen), and the
Injustice League's attack upon the wedding of
Green Arrow and
Black Canary, a government-sponsored secret program is put in place to combat the growing
metahuman threat. Initiated by the President and executed by
Amanda Waller and the
Suicide Squad, the purpose of the program is to capture the supervillains of the world and exile them to the distant planet Salvation via Boom Tube—including several Suicide Squad members once they are no longer needed (examples being Bane and
Deadshot). According to
Rick Flag, the prisoners would not be getting any supplies or equipment for their survival, as that would make the government responsible for them, and once they're offworld, they are no longer Earth's responsibility.
The planet chosen was Cygnus 4019, a planet that was supposed to be peaceful.
[ Sturges, Matthew. Salvation Run, no. 5. New York: DC Comics, 2008] However, it turned out to be a "training planet" for the
New Gods of
Apokolips, overseen by
DeSaad.
Main plot
Having arrived on Cygnus first, the Rogues (Abra Kadabra,
Captain Cold, Heat Wave,
Mirror Master, and
Weather Wizard) are the first to find out that the Cygnus is seemingly designed to kill any visitors. Kadabra deciphers the language of the local
Pygmy peoples and learns of the "Safe Zone", a safe district. During their journey, they hear a second Boom Tube arrive and decide to go back. Out of the Boom Tubes come Black Spider, Cheetah III, Clayface I, Effigy, Girder, Hammer and Sickle, a Hyena, Joker, Kid Karnevil,
Killer Croc, Killer Frost II, Mammoth, Mr. Freeze, Mister Terrible, Phobia,
Psimon, Rock, Shimmer, Shrapnel, Sonar, Tapeworm, and Tremor. For a short time, they attempt to assert their leadership over the second group.
The Body Doubles, Hellhound, Iron Cross, Manticore, Meanstreak, Metallo, Rag Doll, Skorpio, and Tar Pit battle wild robotic beasts, during which Hellhound is wounded. Despite their plans to leave him to die, the other villains bring Hellhound along, only to feed him to lion-lizards. Back at camp, Kid Karnevil tells the Joker that he has looked up to him and plans to surpass him by slaying him when he least suspects it. Psimon orates to the entire group that he has figured out a way for them to survive as a society, but it is rejected and he is killed by the Joker. Meanwhile, Rick Flag transports Bane, Chemo, and Deadshot to Cygnus.
The villains fight heavily amongst themselves, with few mediators. Lex Luthor announces to the group that he, Doctor Sivana, Professor Ivo, and General Immortus have devised a way to escape. Those loyal to Luthor and those who prefer Joker battle before Gorilla Grodd calms them with his psychic powers and leaves. After the chaos, Blockbuster is revealed to be a disguised Martian Manhunter, who is observing the villains on Batman's behalf.[ Salvation Run #3 (March 2008). DC Comics.] However, Catwoman spies on Manhunter and exposes his identity, causing him to be captured. Amidst this, Grodd kills Monsieur Mallah and Brain after they attempt to ally with him and Vandal Savage reaches the Safe Zone at the top of a hill.[ Salvation Run #4 (April 2008). DC Comics.]
One week later, DeSaad sends an army of Parademons to attack Cygnus, during which they kill Hyena, Brutale, and Solomon Grundy.[ Salvation Run #6 (June 2008). DC Comics.] However, Luthor and Savage work together to complete the portal and leave Cygnus, leaving Martian Manhunter behind. Shortly afterward, the portal explodes, killing the Parademons.[ Salvation Run #7 (July 2008). DC Comics.]
Inmates
Villains placed on the planet include:
Collected editions
The series has been collected into a trade paperback:
External links
