Part of an ongoing series revisiting graphic novels and collected editions from days gone by....

This is it, the final book in the long-running Injustice: Gods Among Us series. Written to support a video game in which Superman rules the world as a tyrant, the series has built on a scenario where the Joker set off a nuclear bomb in Metropolis, causing the deaths of millions of people -- among them, Superman's wife Lois Lane and their unborn child. Grief led to madness, and Superman killed Joker for revenge, then set about establishing a new world order with himself in charge to ensure peace and safety at any cost. Many heroes, including Wonder Woman, the Flash, Cyborg and Green Lantern, flocked to Superman's banner, as did villains including Sinestro and Bane. However, Batman led an insurgency to try and stop the Superman regime, which he believed went too far -- especially when Superman began killing those who opposed him, beginning with heroes such as Green Arrow and Black Canary but eventually ordinary people who dared to speak out in public against him.

So here we are. The final chapter.

Superman is finalizing his control of the planet, creating a One Earth Government with himself as its supreme leader, or High Councillor. Accordingly, he is demanding oaths of loyalty from all remaining sovereign nations, which doesn't sit well with powerful leaders such as Aquaman of Atlantis and Black Adam of Kahndaq. His loyal followers are still obeying his orders, although some are starting to ask questions. Superman -- or, rather, the High Councillor -- doesn't like being asked questions.

Metropolis, which is still irradiated, has been cleaned up by superheroic means -- thanks to the scientific genius of the Atom and Black Lightning, and now the rebuilding has begun. The Greek god Ares has defied his banishment and returned to Earth, now seeking employment in Superman's Regime. Meanwhile, Batman and his few remaining allies are desperately seeking any shred of hope to beat Superman and stop the planetary takeover.

A whole lot of stuff happens. There's a big fight between Superman and Hawkman wielding a kryptonite mace. Harley Quinn gives up her identity ... only to reclaim it moments later after discovering a throng of former Joker henchmen who have been inspired by her to fight the Regime. Batman, Batwoman and Batgirl hack Cyborg's memory banks to uncover evidence that Superman is guilty of mass murder. The former Green Lantern, now Yellow Lantern, continues to wrestle with his suspicions that Superman ordered the assassination of Alfred Pennyworth in order to draw the Batman out of hiding.

But it all boils down to a plan by Batman and Lex Luthor to steal the design of interdimensional technology that would allow them to "borrow" members of the Justice League from an alternate Earth so they can unlock some vague Kryptonite weapon that Batman has kept locked away all this time and just now thought of using. But things go all hooey, in part because Catwoman suddenly decides to tell Superman where Batman is hiding if he promises not to hurt him (Huh?) and a big fight starts, so the device is triggered and a bunch of heroes and villains from the Injustice Earth and the parallel Earth are blipped to locations all over the planet.

And the book just ends there.

That might seem like a spoiler, but it's not. Because nothing really happens. It just ends. Poof. Story done, without resolution. All, I suppose, so people can keep playing a plotless fighting video game without being burdened by knowing who actually won in the comics.

And that's just annoying. Comics are a different medium than games, guys. Stories should have endings. Plots deserve resolution. Don't leave your characters hanging from the cliff and just walk away.

Injustice: Gods Among Us has been a really good ride, a powerful story well told, with good art ... and it deserved a proper conclusion. Now, I'm sorry I wasted my time and money on it. Consider yourself warned.