DC Comics unleashes 'Villains Month' and 'Forever Evil' in the DC Universe

This month, villainy takes center stage in the DC Universe…but not in the way you'd expect.

Having recently concluded two months' worth of storytelling with the Justice League-centered crossover "Trinity War," DC Comics begins the next phase of their first major "New 52" universe event by unleashing Villains Month for the entirety of September, highlighted by the release of the 7-issue miniseries "Forever Evil."

In the new event, Evil has taken over the DC Universe, and the heroes are seemingly nowhere to be found. However, not all is what it appears to be, and there is a major twist that makes this story a lot larger in scope than initially perceived. Major spoilers ahead for those who want to be surprised, so read and proceed with caution.

At the conclusion of "Trinity War," where three different factions of the Justice League battled to solve the mystery of “Pandora’s Box,” the villainous organization known as the "Secret Society" was led by the mysterious individual known as "The Outsider," who turned out to be an evil and alternate version of Bruce Wayne/Batman's trusted ally and butler, Alfred Pennyworth. Hailing from the multiverse world known as "Earth-3," the Outsider successfully manipulated the different Justice League against each other, leaving the heroes weakened. Finally revealed was the true nature of the artifact known as Pandora's Box—a device that opened a portal to Earth-3 and brought to this Earth the Justice League's evil counterpart—the Crime Syndicate.

With the revelation complete and Forever Evil just beginning, a little primer to introduce the different members of the Crime Syndicate is in order, and here they are: Ultraman (Superman), Superwoman (Wonder Woman), Owlman (Batman), Power Ring (Green Lantern), Johnny Quick (The Flash), Atomica (The Atom), Deathstorm (Firestorm). Each of these individuals possess the same strength and qualities as their heroic counterparts, yet are more cunning, merciless, and have no moral compulsions to prevent them from their no-holds-barred attitude in achieving their goals. As they begin their takeover of Prime Earth, the other villains are left to follow their lead. However, not every baddie sees things the way the Crime Syndicate does, and only time will tell how this event will affect the DC Universe.

Forever Evil, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by David Finch, goes on sale this first week of September. Villains Month also takes over the various comic book lines of DC Comics, so watch out for crafty and unique storylines featuring villains like Darseid, the Joker, Bizarro, and Relic taking over regular titles like Justice League and Batman. — VC, GMA News