Heroes in Crisis is a nine-issue limited series written by Tom King—who has worked on DC Vertigo titles, Batman, and Mister Miracle—and illustrated by Clay Mann.

[1] It was published by DC Comics; cover art was provided by Mann, J. G. Jones, Mark Brooks, and Francesco Mattina.

[3] According to King, the idea for Heroes in Crisis was conceived in 2016 after he suffered from a panic attack and went to the hospital, and his grandmother (who raised him) died on the same day.

[4] Heroes in Crisis primarily deals with the emotional cost of being a superhero[5] and explores "what violence does to a society", a common theme in King's work.

[7] DC later announced the series on June 12, after King made an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

[5] Billed as a murder mystery, Heroes in Crisis chronicles the aftermath of a mass shooting in the Sanctuary rehabilitation center set up by Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

The Sanctuary is located in the middle of the United States, and was created as a means to help treat superheroes dealing with mental health issues from Earth-threatening events, such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

[5] "The Sanctuary" is a secret rehabilitation center for superheroes and reformed supervillains dealing with mental health issues.

A horrible massacre kills nearly all its patients, including Arsenal, Blue Jay, Commander Steel, Hot Spot, Lagoon Boy, Gunfire, Red Devil, Gnarrk, Protector, the Tattooed Man, Wally West, and Poison Ivy.

[8] Batman deduces one of the Sanctuary patients was responsible for the killings, and seeks to catch the mysterious figure dubbed "the Puddler".

When they try to track down Harley Quinn, she tricks Wonder Woman and threatens to break Batman's neck unless they allow her to escape.

That theory was proven true, as the present-day Wally revives Ivy from her rose and apologizes to her for causing harm in the first place.

Still grappling with the trauma related to having his family erased in the New 52, he convinced himself that he was alone in his grief and that the Sanctuary was created by the Justice League solely for him out of pity.

[19] The second series titled Flash Forward, written by Scott Lobdell with art by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund, follows Wally West attempting to find redemption while getting a second chance to become a hero.