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Art by Dan Jurgens and Art Thibert
The DC 'Multiverse' is a continuity construct in which multiple fictional versions of the universe exist in the same space, separated from each other by their respective vibrational resonances. Each universe in this multiverse differs from the others, in either subtle or profound ways. The universes are identified by referring to them as parallel Earths, such as "Earth-One", "Earth-Two", and "Earth-Three".
History
Although DC Comics continued publishing from the 1930s through the 1950s, the Golden Age of Comic Books had come to a close in the late 1940s or early 1950s, and most superhero comic books had ceased publication. The only superhero comic book titles to survive from the Golden Age to the present were Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. In 1956, DC's Showcase comics provided a starting point for the new Silver Age Flash (Barry Allen). It was also firmly established in the Flash's first appearance that the Golden Age Flash was a comic-book character within the DC universe, whose fictional exploits inspired Barry Allen to take on the name. With the success of this character, more Golden Age characters' names were reused with new heroes, often having new costumes, identities or powers, such as Green Lantern, the Atom and Hawkman.
Wonder Woman and her multiversal counterpart realizing the existence of parallel Earths.
The first parallel universe was introduced in 1953 in ''Wonder Woman'' #59 (vol. 1), in which Wonder Woman fell through a space-time warp and encountered her double, whose name, Terra Terruna, translated as Wonder Woman. After battling the villain Duke Dazam, Wonder Woman returned home.
The parallel universe concept was not used again until ''Wonder Woman'' #89 (April 1957), which featured an alternate Earth where crime predominated. The second was "Magic-Land", an alternate Earth where magic, instead of science, was the dominant force in the world. However, its existence has been ignored in current DC multiverse continuity. It appeared in Gardner Fox's "Secret of the Sinister Sorcerers", Justice League of America #2. December 1960- January 1961, nearly contemporary with Fox' ''Flash of Two Worlds''.
The 1961 story which established the DC Multiverse as a major story element appeared in ''The Flash'' #123, the story "Flash of Two Worlds" in which the new Flash uses his powers of super-speed vibration to climb a rope suspended in mid-air and vibrates into Earth-Two, where he meets Jay Garrick, the Golden Age Flash.
Each universe's Earth has its own set of superheroes, with their own unique characteristics and life histories. In several cases, characters from other publishers acquired by DC, previously established within a fictional universe of their own, have been incorporated into the Multiverse in various alternate universes.
''Star Hunters'' #7 (October 1978), by David Micheline, Bob Layton, and Rich Buckler contains one of the first anecdotal mentions of the multiverse in a DC Comics title, including the term "Multiverse", and offers a description of multiple co-existing parallel Earths. It also describes an ancient war between the forces of light and dark using agents scattered across multiple universes.
''Crisis on Infinite Earths''
:Main articles: Crisis on Infinite Earths
Star Hunters #7 (October 1978), Donovan Flint learning about the Multiverse, sequences depict Claw the Unconquered and the second Starfire. Artist Rich Buckler
Until well into the 1970s, mass-market comic books were dominated by a generation of creators who had either been involved in the creation of the Golden Age heroes of the 1940s (e.g., Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Julius Schwartz and Joe Kubert), or been fans of Golden Age comic books and gone on to enter the industry themselves (e.g., Roy Thomas and E. Nelson Bridwell). The earliest stories of the Earth-Two heroes were written and drawn by creative personnel who had worked on those characters during the Golden Age. As time went on, however, most of the new editors and creators were less familiar with the older heroes, and had greater difficulty maintaining the overall continuity of the Multiverse. The newer generation also took comic books more seriously, and were embarrassed by the light-hearted elements of the older stories, with their profusion of kid sidekicks and other spin-off characters. Accordingly, many staffers and creators saw a need to simplify the Multiverse and eliminate elements they perceived as silly.
To this end, the Multiverse was reduced to a single universe in the 1985 12-issue limited series ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''. One by one, a villain known as the Anti-Monitor destroyed universes. The heroes of the last five universes (those of Earth-One, Earth-Two, Earth-Four, Earth-S, and Earth-X) along with a handful of survivors from other universes (Pariah, Lady Quark, Alexander Luthor, Jr., the Inferior Five) held off the destruction of these last five universes long enough to defeat the Anti-Monitor.
The five merged into a single universe with its own history combining elements of the five, along with completely new elements. For example, there was a Flash named Jay Garrick in the JSA during the 1940s, and another Flash named Barry Allen in the JLA decades later. But there was only one Superman, who had a modified history, different in some respects from both the Earth-One and the Earth-Two versions.
Several characters famous from pre-Crisis works (most importantly the Kara Zor-El Supergirl and Barry Allen Flash) were killed during ''Crisis'', and as a result were either erased from history (in Supergirl's case) or simply proclaimed dead in the new, singular universe. Other characters and concepts, such as Streaky the Supercat, Comet the Super-Horse and the Space Canine Patrol Agents, vanished without explanation.
Post-Crisis
The Post-Crisis Earth and its many heroes. From 'The Last Days of the Justice Society'.
Some fans refused to accept that the Multiverse no longer "existed" after ''Crisis'', and posited that the "post-Crisis" DC Universe was merely another alternate universe within the Multiverse, sometimes dubbed "Earth-PC", "Earth-Sigma" (the mathematical "summation" symbol), Earth-2, or Clutter-Earth (a derogatory reference) after the events of ''Zero Hour''. A story in ''Animal Man'' by Grant Morrison referred to the Multiverse, with its effects coming undone as comic books, along with characters who no longer or never had existed emerging from the Psycho-Pirate’s mask inside Arkham Asylum. Keith Giffen's Ambush Bug demonstrated an awareness of the events in ''Crisis'' in his various mini-series, in which it was referred to as "Crisis on the only Earth we're still allowed to use." The Books of Magic series, published under the Vertigo label and set in the DC Universe, had a storyline by Peter Gross (beginning in ''The Books of Magic'' #51) in which a Timothy Hunter from a parallel universe travelled from universe to universe, killing and absorbing the powers of his alternate selves.
Elseworlds
Although DC maintained that the other Earths no longer existed, during the 1990s they published occasional one-shots and mini-series labeled "Elseworlds", featuring alternate versions of their characters—a practice that seemed to be consistent with the concept of a Multiverse. DC officially classified these as stories that perhaps "could have" happened but had not occurred. They maintained that there was only one canonical Earth in the DC Universe. Some one-shots and limited series without the "Elseworlds" label, such as Frank Miller's reimagining of DC heroes and '', also diverged from established continuity (or in the case of ''The Dark Knight Returns'', have had the continuity diverge from them).
Hypertime
:Main articles: Hypertime (comics)
In 1999, DC introduced ''Hypertime'', which provided a conceptual framework to recognize both canonical and apocryphal stories, stating that all stories outside mainstream continuity happened in alternate timelines that had "branched out". Hypertime was arguably a superset of the Multiverse, including not only the whole range of pre-Crisis stories set on alternate Earths, but any story set in any continuity. This concept was first referenced in ''The Kingdom'', in which an image of what appeared to be the original Earth-Two Superman was shown. However, the concept has been subsequently used only a few times (most notably in story-arcs in the pages of ''The Flash'' and ''Superboy''). According to Dan DiDio, Executive VP of DC Comics, Hypertime will not be featured in any future stories.
''Infinite Crisis''
Main articles: Infinite Crisis
The Multiverse merging into "New Earth". From ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006).
In 2005, DC began ''Infinite Crisis'', a DC-Universe-wide crossover and sequel to ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''. Stories leading up to the main limited series contained scattered references and hints to the Multiverse (including the possibility that it could live again). These references included the character Donna Troy returning from the dead and remembering her varied origins on the various Earths and the revelation that the evil Dark Angel had been her counterpart from Earth-Seven, as well as a mini-series involving Captain Atom being sent to the WildStorm Universe.
In the ''Infinite Crisis'' series itself, the Superman and Lois Lane of Earth-Two, Superboy of Earth-Prime, and Alexander Luthor Jr. of Earth-Three—all survivors of the Multiverse—reappeared, and the former existence of the Multiverse was acknowledged. Earth-Two was recreated in issue #4, and the surviving heroes who originated from Earth-Two were transported there.
In addition to this, worlds previously described only as "Imaginary Stories" or "Elseworlds" were revealed to in fact be universes within the Multiverse, as shown by the presence of Superman Red and Superman Blue from the Silver Age imaginary story, Superman Jr. and Batman Jr. from the ''World's Finest'' stories of the 1970s, the Superman from the Elseworlds story '', a world featuring Batman, Robin, and Wonder Woman in Aztec garb, and a world featuring characters from the first Wonder Woman pilot as well as from the later Wonder Woman TV show alongside the original Teen Titans in a militaristic setting.
Eventually, Alexander's plan was circumvented when his equipment was destroyed by Superboy (Kon-El, a.k.a. Conner Kent), resulting in all Earths re-merging into "New Earth". The effects of this transformation were shown during the series ''52'' and in the "One Year Later" storyline.
''52''
Main articles: 52 (comic book)
In the DC Nation column printed in the back of Week 37, Dan Didio revealed "the secret of 52" in a coded message. The message is spelled out using the first letter of every third word and said: "the secret of fifty-two is that the Multiverse still exists".
In ''52'': Week 52, it is revealed that the Multiverse was recreated at the end of Infinite Crisis with the creation of fifty-two separate Earths, separated by their different vibrational frequencies, and each with a history of its own. These Earths were recreated as identical to New Earth and then altered by the machinations of Mister Mind.
List of universes
Original multiverse
Catalogued
Traditionally, the "numbered" Earths were spelled out as words rather than with numerals—e.g. "Earth-Two" not "Earth-2"—in part to avoid confusion between similar-looking numerals and letters in hand-lettered text. This convention was disregarded in ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'', and it became somewhat common to refer to the various Earths with numerals instead; however, ''Infinite Crisis'' reverted to the original practice.
| Designation | Era | Inhabitants | Notes | First Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Earth-0' | ''Infinite Crisis'' | Earth-0 is populated by Bizarro versions of various DC characters. | ★ Earth-0's only appearance is in a single panel in ''Infinite Crisis'' #6. Earth-0 is an homage to Bizarro World, with its population of Bizarros and cubical shape. The original Bizarro World was not a parallel Earth, but another planet that existed in the same universe as Earth-One. | ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006) |
| 'Earth-One' | Pre-Crisis | DC's Silver Age heroes, including the original Justice League of America: police scientist Barry Allen as The Flash; Hal Jordan as Green Lantern; Thanagarian Katar Hol as Hawkman; and scientist Ray Palmer as the Atom. | ★ The default Earth for most of DC's comics during the prolific Multiverse era, Earth-One was by far the most "populous" and widely explored, and it retained dominance over the other four worlds which merged with it during the ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' storyline. The DC Universe's "official" continuity post-Crisis took place on a "merged" Earth-One, as the Crisis revealed that this universe had been the core reality until rogue Guardian Krona fractured reality at the dawn of creation, creating both the multiverse and the anti-matter universe. ★ Named in ''Flash'' #123, 1961 | ''More Fun Comics'' #101 (1945) |
| 'Earth-Two' | Pre-Crisis | DC's Golden Age heroes, including the Justice Society of America, whose careers began at the dawn of World War II (concurrently with their first appearances in comics): chemistry student Jay Garrick as the Flash; engineer Alan Scott as Green Lantern; archaeologist Carter Hall as Hawkman; and pint-sized powerhouse Al Pratt as the Atom. | ★ Politically, Earth-Two was distinctly different from the Earth-One template modelled after Earth-Prime. For example, Quebec was an independent nation autonomous from Canada, South Africa had abolished apartheid sooner, and the Atlantean countries of Poseidonis and Tritonis were ruled by a queen, not a king, their inhabitants displaying surface-dweller features and no capacity for underwater survival, as the Atlantis continent had been raised to the surface. ★ Named in ''Flash'' #123, 1961 | ''New Fun Comics'' #1 (1935) |
| 'Earth-Three' | Pre-Crisis | Crime Syndicate of America, evil versions of the Earth-One heroes: Ultraman; Superwoman; Owlman; Power Ring; Johnny Quick; Alexander Luthor; and briefly, Alexander Luthor, Jr.. | ★ History was "backwards": American Christopher Columbus discovered Europe; Britain won its freedom from the United States; President John Wilkes Booth was assassinated by actor Abraham Lincoln; and the United States flag's colours were reversed: black stars on a red field, with alternating blue and black stripes. | ''Justice League of America'' #29 (1964) |
| 'Earth-Four' | Crisis on Infinite Earths | The former Charlton Comics heroes: Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, Nightshade, Peacemaker, The Question, Thunderbolt (Peter Cannon), and Judomaster. | ★ This Earth was introduced at the beginning of ''Crisis'', and disappeared less than a year later. ★ Named in ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #1 (Apr. 1985) | ''Yellowjacket'' #1 (1944) |
| 'Earth-Five' | Pre-Crisis | Bruce Wayne. | ★ Transported by the Phantom Stranger to a universe with no Krypton and no superheroes, the Earth-One Batman prevents the murders of the Earth-Five versions of his parents and inspires this Earth's Bruce Wayne to grow up to become Batman. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis On Infinite Earths'' HC (2006) | "To Kill a Legend" ''Detective Comics'' #500 (1981) |
| 'Earth-Six' | Crisis on Infinite Earths | Lady Quark, Lord Volt, and their daughter Princess Fern. | ★ Earth-Six is apparently ruled by a royal family of superheroes (Lord Volt is referred to as the king, and he mentions his family's reign over Earth). On this Earth, America lost the Revolutionary War, and technology appears to have advanced more rapidly than on Earth-One. Earth-Six was destroyed in the "Crisis", with only Lady Quark surviving. | ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #4 (June 1985) |
| 'Earth-Seven' | Infinite Crisis | Dark Angel, an evil analogue of Donna Troy. | ★ The Anti-Monitor saved Dark Angel, just as the Monitor had saved her counterpart Harbinger. The only known survivor of Earth-Seven, she escaped the compression of the Multiverse to torment Donna Troy across several lifetimes. | ''DC Special: The Return of Donna Troy'' #4, (2005) |
| 'Earth-Eight' | Infinite Crisis | Breach (Tim Zanetti), Kyle Rayner (Ion), Helena Bertinelli (Huntress), and Jason Rusch (Firestorm) | ★ Infinite Crisis writer Geoff Johns mentioned in an interview that "all characters created after Crisis on Infinite Earths are inhabitants of Earth-Eight".[1] | ''Infinite Crisis'' #5 (2006) |
| 'Earth-Eleven' | Pre-Crisis | "Tin" (possibly Tintin) | ★ 'Earth-Eleven' is an earth home to "Tin," a man who may be one and the same as Tintin. A nuclear war devastated this Earth in 1966. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis On Infinite Earths'' HC, (2006) | ''Teen Titans Spotlight'' #11 (1987) |
| 'Earth-Twelve' | Pre-Crisis | The Inferior Five: Awkwardman, Blimp, Dumb Bunny, Merryman and White Feather. | ★ This Earth may have been home to other comedic superheroes published by DC. Additionally, references within the series pointed to versions of Justice League members having existed in that universe. ★ Named in ''Oz-Wonderland War'' #3, 1985 | ''Showcase Comics'' #62 (1966) |
| 'Earth-14' | Post-Crisis | unknown | ★ This Earth has never been depicted; the only reference to it is a comment about a purple butterfly being an "Earth-14 species". | ''Animal Man'' #24 (1990) |
| 'Earth-Fifteen' | Pre-Crisis | Stone Giants | ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis On Infinite Earths'' HC, 2006 | ''Justice League of America'' #15 (1997) |
| Grant Morrison's 'Earth-Seventeen' | Post-Crisis | Overman | ★ An Earth based around the gritty tales of the 1980s, the heroes of this universe were actually part of an experiment created by the government. The members of this Earth were Overman (Superman's counterpart), who went mad and destructive after contracting an STD, a black and muscular Wonder Woman, an unnamed Flash, and a punk style Green Lantern. ★ Grant Morrison identified this world as Earth-17, unaware that the number had already been used. However, he never identified it in the pages of ''Animal Man''. ★ Overman made an appearance in ''Infinite Crisis'' #5. | ''Animal Man'' #23 (1990) |
| Post-Kirby 'Earth-Seventeen' | Pre-Crisis | New Gods | ★ Also the world where all pre-Crisis non-Kirby ''Fourth World'' tales took place according to Mark Evanier's speculation in the text page of ''New Gods'' (reprint series) #1. | ''First Issue Special'' #13 |
| 'Earth-25G' | ''Infinite Crisis'' | Unknown | ★ one of three Earths named by Alexander Luthor in Infinite Crisis in his search for the perfect Earth; no information is provided. | ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006) |
| 'Earth-27' | Post-Crisis | Angel Mob, Animal Man (''deceased''), Batman, B'wana Beast, Envelope Girl, Front Page, Green Cigarette, Human Vegetable, Notional Man, Nowhere Man | ★ Home of variant versions of Animal Man, Batman, and B'wana Beast and historical divergences such as Hitler's hanging for his war crimes and Edward Kennedy's drowning at Chappaquiddick. The American government is corrupt and extremely right-winged. ★ The Buddy Baker of the Post-Crisis Earth could only exist in this universe in the body and mind of that universe's Buddy Baker, and could only leave by killing himself/his parallel self. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis On Infinite Earths'', 2006. | ''Animal Man'' #27 (1990) |
| 'Earth-61' | Elseworlds | Barbara Gordon (Batgirl/Robin), Detecive Duell, Hayley Fitzpatrikc (Harley Quinn), Richart Gruastark/Dick Grayson (Robin), Bianca Steeplechase, Bruce Wayne (Batman) | ★ A world where Barbara Gordon and her boyfriend Richard Gruastark become Batgirl and Robin in 1961 and fight against the corrupt businesswoman Bianca Steeplechase, who later kills Richard. A year later, Detective Bruce Wayne becomes Batman and Barbara becomes Robin. ★ Bruce Wayne's family lost their fortune during the Great Depression, and Wayne Manor is now owned by the Gordon family. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006. | ''Batgirl & Robin: Thrillkiller'' (1997) |
| 'Earth-86' | Pre-Crisis | The Atomic Knights, Hercules, Kamandi | ★ An Earth that was ravaged by an atomic war in the year 1986. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006. | ''Strange Adventures'' #117 (1960) |
| 'Earth-96' | Elseworlds | Older versions of the Post-Crisis Earth heroes. | ★ A future timeline, in which Superman has been retired for ten years, following events which severed his ties to humanity. In order to deal with a new, often lawless generation of heroes, Superman reforms the Justice League, a gathering of power which concerns a non-powered group of humans led by Lex Luthor. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'' 2006 | ''Kingdom Come'' #1 (1996) |
| 'Earth-97' | Elseworlds | "Tangent Comics" characters. | ★ The Tangent characters were radically re-envisioned solely on the basis of the existing DC trademark. ★ Named in ''Infinite Crisis'' #6, 2006 | DC's Tangent Comics fifth week event. |
| 'Earth-154' | Pre-Crisis | Superman Jr. (Clark Kent Jr.) and Batman Jr. (Bruce Wayne Jr.), the Super-Sons, younger versions of their superhero fathers. | ★ The sons of Clark Kent and Lois Lane, and Bruce Wayne and Kathy Kane try to live up to or surpass their father's legacies, but usually end up arguing or causing trouble. Their final appearance in ''World's Finest'' (#263) claimed the Super-Sons stories were merely computer simulations. The Super-Sons also appeared in the ''Elseworlds 80-Page Giant'', 1999. ★ Merged with Earth-462 by Alexander Luthor during Infinite Crisis. ★ Named in ''Infinite Crisis'' #6, 2006 (named) | ''World's Finest Comics'' #154 (Dec. 1966) |
| 'Earth-162' | Pre-Crisis | Superman Red & Superman Blue | ★ An Earth home to Superman Red, who married Lana Lang and Superman Blue, who married Lois Lane. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths''. | ''Superman'' (vol. 1) #162 |
| 'Earth-172' | Pre-Crisis | Batman, Legion of Super-Heroes, Superman | ★ An Earth where Bruce Wayne was adopted by the Kents and became Clark's brother, soon joining him as the crimefighting team of Superboy and Batboy, later emigrating to Gotham where Clark Kent becomes employed at the ''Gotham Gazette''. As Batman, Wayne eventually relocates to the Legion of Super-Heroes' 30th century. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006. | ''World's Finest'' #172 |
| 'Earth-178' | Pre-Crisis | Superman as Nova | ★ An Earth where Superman lost his powers and adopted the identity of Nova. ★ Nova made a post-Crisis appearance in ''Infinite Crisis'' #5. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths''. | ''World's Finest'' #178 |
| 'Earth-247' | Post-Zero Hour | The post-Zero Hour version of the Legion of Super-Heroes | ★ This 30th-31st century Legion was composed of, among others, Valor, a 20th-century hero from the post-Crisis Earth. These heroes interacted regularly with the heroes of the 20th-21st Century post-''Zero Hour'' Earth, and their Earth was believed to be the genuine future of that Earth. In this version, the Legionnaires had updated, modern names like "Live Wire," instead of "Lightning Lad." This timeline was destroyed by several alternate versions of the Fatal Five and Superboy-Prime's tampering. It later reappeared in ''Infinite Crisis'' #6. ★ Named in ''Infinite Crisis'' #6, 2006 | ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' #0 (1994) |
| 'Earth-276' | Pre-Crisis | Captain Thunder. | ★ Home of Captain Thunder, a thinly-veiled version of Captain Marvel that Superman fought soon after DC's '70s Captain Marvel revival (this story helped lay the groundwork for the eventual ''Superman vs. Shazam'' oversized tabloid comic of 1978). ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Superman'' #276 (Jun. 1973) |
| 'Earth-387' | Pre-Crisis | Supergirl | ★ An Earth where no divergences in history have occurred, except that every inhabitant of the planet Earth are lycanthropes. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Adventure Comics'' #387 |
| 'Earth-462' | Infinite Crisis | Depicted: Wonder Woman, Per Degaton, Baron Blitzkrieg, Captain Nazi and the original Teen Titans (Robin, Speedy, Kid Flash, Aqualad and Wonder Girl). | ★ Apparently a Golden Age planet still locked in World War II. In very obscure cameos, Wonder Woman and Wonder Girl appear to be Cathy Lee Crosby (who filmed a Wonder Woman pilot movie) and Debra Winger (who appeared as Wonder Girl on the 1970s television series). The remaining Teen Titans (Speedy, Robin, Aqualad and Kid Flash) were all depicted in militaristic uniforms. ★ Merged with Earth-154 by Alexander Luthor during Infinite Crisis. | ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006) |
| 'Earth-494' | Elseworlds | Alfredo, Capitana Felina, Captain Leatherwing, the Laughing Man, Robin Redblade | ★ A world home to Captain Leatherwing, a pirate who fought alongside Capitana Felina against the insane pirate the Laughing Man. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006. | '' (October 1994) |
| 'Earth-898' | Infinite Crisis | Western heroes. Depicted: Jonah Hex, Bat Lash, Scalphunter, El Diablo, Nighthawk and Cinnamon I. | ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006) | |
| 'Earth-1191' | Elseworlds | Batman, Dracula, James Gordon, Alfred Pennyworth, the Joker, Two-Face, Killer Croc, Catwoman | ★ An Earth where Batman fought against Dracula and was subsequentially turned into a vampire. He would later go insane and try to kill all his enemies, until finally being killed by James Gordon and Alfred Pennyworth. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Batman and Dracula: Red Rain'' (1991) |
| 'Earth-1198' | Elseworlds | Darkseid, Kal-El | ★ The rocketship containing the infant Kal-El diverted from its path to Earth and landed on Apokolips, where the tyrant Darkseid raised him and used him to help concur the planet Earth, until Kal-El rebelled against him. ★ Designated as canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Superman: The Dark Side'' #1 (1998) |
| 'Earth-1889' | Elseworlds | Batman, Jack the Ripper | ★ An Earth where Batman began his career in 1889 and fought against Jack the Ripper, who turns out to have been the one who orchestrated the deaths of his parents. ★ The very first Elseworlds story. ★ Designated as canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | '' |
| 'Earth-1927' | Elseworlds | Clarc Kent-Son (the Super-Man), Lutor, Bruss Wayne-Son (the Nosferatu), Diana (the Blue Amazon) | ★ Home of the clockwork city of Metropolis where the Super-Man once fought Lutor and Bruss Wayne-Son took the alias of the Nosferatu. ★ Named in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Superman's Metropolis'' (1996) |
| 'Earth-1938' | Elseworlds | Clark Kent, Lois Lane, Lex Luthor, Martians | ★ An Earth where Clark Kent died to save the world from the invading forces of Mars in the year 1938. ★ World War II never occurred on this Earth, as Adolf Hitler was killed by the Martians in 1938. ★ The Clark Kent of this universe has the powers and costume of the earliest incarnation of Superman. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | '' #1 |
| 'Earth-3181' | ''Infinite Crisis'' | Unknown | ★ one of three Earths named by Alexander Luthor in Infinite Crisis in his search for the perfect Earth; no information is provided. | ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006) |
| 'Earth-3898' | Elseworlds | Superman, Batman | ★ A world where Superman and Batman started their careers in the 1930s, and started families that would follow in their superhero footsteps all the way to the 30th Century. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | '' #1 (1998) |
| 'Earth-A' | Pre-Crisis | The Lawless League: alternate, evil versions of Superman, Batman, the Flash, Green Lantern and the Martian Manhunter. | ★ Johnny Thunder's evil Earth-One counterpart created Earth-A when he used Johnny’s Thunderbolt to alter the origins of the Justice League, replacing them with his own henchman, whom he granted powers and skills identical to the Justice League's. "A" stood for "alternate", since it was an alternate timeline of Earth-One. | ''Justice League of America'' #37 (Aug. 1965) |
| 'Earth-B' | Pre-Crisis | Versions of various Earth-One & Earth-Two characters | ★ This Earth was never specifically depicted, but was suggested to exist in a letters column by DC editor/writer Bob Rozakis as a possible explanation for certain non-continuity stories or character traits (for example, stories that showed Catwoman committing murder with no qualms, despite being established that she did not engage in that kind of activity) | Debatable |
| 'Earth-C' | Pre-Crisis | Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew: Captain Carrot, Alley-Kat-Abra, Fastback, Little Cheese, Pig-Iron, Rubberduck, and Yankee Poodle. | ★ This world is populated with anthropomorphic animals, who appear as comicbook characters on Earth-One. | ''New Teen Titans'' #16 (Feb. 1982) |
| 'Earth-C-Minus' | Pre-Crisis | Just'a Lotta Animals: Super-Squirrel, Wonder Wabbit, the Batmouse, Green Lambkin, Aquaduck, and the Crash. | ★ This Earth (like Earth-C) is populated by anthropomorphic animals. Events and characters on this world paralleled those of Earth-One; additionally, events and characters on Earth-C-Minus were considered fictional on Earth-C (with Captain Carrot's alter-ego employed as the cartoonist of the ''Just'a Lotta Animals'' comic book series), in the vein of Earth-Two heroes’ only appearing as comic book characters on Earths-One and -Prime. | ''Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew'' #14 (1983) |
| 'Earth-D' | Post-Crisis retcon of ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' itself | Justice Alliance of America. | ★ Earth-D featured a more ethnically diverse version of several Earth-One heroes, such as an Asian Flash, a black Superman, and an American Indian Green Arrow. The Earth-D heroes had never experienced major tragedies in their lives (not counting the Crisis, of course). As such it was a combination of modern multi-cultural sensibilities combined with Silver-Age-style innocence, rumored to be what writer Marv Wolfman would have liked the DC Universe to be post-Crisis. | ''Legends of the DC Universe: Crisis on Infinite Earths'' (Feb. 1999) |
| 'Earth-I' | Pre-Crisis | Insect lifeforms | ★ A world created by Despero populated by insect lifeforms. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Justice League of America'' (vol.1) #26 |
| 'Earth-M' | Pre-Crisis | Aquatic lifeforms | ★ A world created by Despero populated by aquatic lifeforms. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Justice League of America'' (vol.1) #26 |
| 'Earth Prime' | Pre-Crisis | Ultraa, Superboy-Prime, and DC editor Julius Schwartz. | ★ Supposedly our world, Earth-Prime had few or no superheroes. The superheroes of Earths-One, -Two, -S, etc. existed only in fiction. ★ In ''Infinite Crisis'' #6, Alexander Luthor searches for Earth Prime. His discovery of it is shown when he looks at the reader and tries to reach out of the page, implying that Earth Prime is actually the real world. | ''Flash'' #179 (1968) |
| 'Earth-Q' | ''Infinite Crisis'' | Unknown | ★ One of three Earths named by Alexander Luthor in Infinite Crisis in his search for the perfect Earth; no information is provided. | ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006) |
| 'Earth-R' | Pre-Crisis | Reptilian lifeforms | ★ An earth created by Despero populated by reptilian lifeforms. ★ Designated canon in ''Absolute Crisis on Infinite Earths'', 2006 | ''Justice League of America'' (vol.1) #26 |
| 'Earth-S' | Pre-Crisis | Shazam, Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel, Captain Marvel, Jr., Bulletman and Bulletgirl, Mister Scarlet and Pinky, Minute-Man, Ibis the Invincible, Spy Smasher, Commando Yank, Isis. | ★ Fawcett Comics publications of the 1940s and 1950s took place on this planet, with its predominant heroic teams being the Marvel Family, the Crime Crusader Club and the Squadron of Justice, while the main team of supervillains were the Monster Society of Evil. ★ Named in ''Shazam!'' #1, 1973 | ''Whiz Comics'' #2 (Feb. 1940) |
| 'Earth-X' | Pre-Crisis | Freedom Fighters (retconned to have migrated from Earth-Two): Uncle Sam, the Human Bomb, Miss America, The Ray, Black Condor, Doll Man, Phantom Lady, Firebrand. | ★ On this world, Nazi Germany won World War II, and the Freedom Fighters, originally from Earth-Two, fought to defeat them. Most Quality Comics publications chronicled adventures from this Earth. ★ Named in ''Justice League of America'' #107, 1973 | ''The Comics Magazine'' #1 (1936) |
| 'Dreamworld' | Post-Crisis | Love Syndicate of Dreamworld (Sunshine Superman, Speed Freak, and Magic Lantern). | ★ A world based on drug culture that appeared briefly in Grant Morrison's Animal Man comic series. Dreamworld is not an official designation, but is assumed from the name of this world's premier superhero team. | ''Animal Man'' #23 (1990) |
| (unnamed) | ''Infinite Crisis'' | Aztec versions of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. | ★ This Earth was created by Alexander Luthor during Infinite Crisis, when he merged Earth-154 with Earth-462 (which equals 616, the number used to identify the mainstream Marvel Universe). | ''Infinite Crisis'' #6 (2006) |
| (unnamed) | ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' | Pariah | ★ The Earth that Pariah comes from was never officially named. Fans often dubbed "Earth-Omega" as it was the site of the "beginning of the end" (i.e, the Crisis On Infinite Earths). | ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #7 (1985) |
| 'Antimatter Universe' | Pre-Crisis | Anti-Monitor, Weaponers of Qward, the Thunderers. | ★ Qward's universe has been described as a "universe of evil". Qwardian society seems to be dominated by a philosophy of selfishness and greed. This could be the effects of millennia of inescapable rule by the Weaponers. ★ The antimatter universe held a special place in the Multiverse: there was an infinite number of "positive-matter universes" separated from each other by vibrational planes, and there was a single Antimatter universe. | ''Green Lantern'' #2, (1960) |
Unclassified
Various other Earths were arguably depicted in DC's substantial publishing output during the period in which the Multiverse was in effect. Some Earths have been posited to explain (for example) the Super Friends (based on the TV series). On yet another conjectured Earth-Crossover, the Silver Age DC Comics heroes lived side-by-side with the Silver Age Marvel Comics heroes, and it is on this alternate Earth where various team-ups and battles between the two publishers' heroes have occurred over the years. Some of these could instead be categorized using the "imaginary story" identifier which DC occasionally applied to stories they didn't wish to be considered part of continuity, especially before the invention of the Multiverse.
After the first Crisis, several new universes appeared despite DC's intentions to the contrary. In addition, DC ran a number of crossovers with other companies that involved travel between different realities. Technically, none of these worlds were ever part of the Multiverse.
This was until ''Infinite Crisis'' retroactively labeled the ''Tangent Comics'' universe and many Elseworlds as Earths of the Multiverse, even though they had been published long after the Multiverse was destroyed. ''Infinite Crisis'' did the same with and many Pre-Crisis ''Imaginary Tales''.
In the "With A Vengeance!" story line of ''Superman/Batman'', the multiverse is visited by Bizarro and Batzarro. The Joker and Mr. Mxyzptlk summon Batmen and Supermen from various realities, both previously established worlds as well as unexplored ones.
| Designation | Era | Inhabitants | Notes | First Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'Post-Crisis Earth' (unnamed) | Post-Crisis | All residents of the reconstituted Earth formed following ''Crisis on Infinite Earths.'' | ★ This universe has various derivations explained as manifestations of Hypertime and influenced by the actions of Superboy-Prime. This world blends elements of the last five universes existing prior to the Crisis. ★ This world was divided and rebuilt during ''Infinite Crisis'' as "New Earth." ★ This world is dubbed "Earth 2" by the Anti-Matter Lex Luthor who dubs his own world "Earth 1". | ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' #11, 1986 |
| (unnamed) | ''Elseworlds'' | Soviet versions of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, along with an alternate version of the Green Lantern Corps. | ★ A world where Superman landed in a Soviet commune instead of Smallville. ★ Bizarro visited this Earth during the ''Superman/Batman'' "Vengeance" storyarc. ★ Although debuted on ''Superman: Red Son'' #1, an early cameo appearance of this earth's Superman is seen in 1999's ''The Kingdom'' #2. | ''Superman: Red Son'' #1 (2001) |
| 'Pocket Universe' (unnamed) | Post-Crisis | The first post-Crisis versions of Superboy, the Phantom Zone residents General Zod, Quex-Ul, Faora Hu-Ul and Supergirl (Matrix). This Earth also had versions of Bruce Wayne, Oliver Queen, Lex Luthor, Lana Lang and Jonathan and Mary Kent. | ★ First alternate Earth following ''Crisis on Infinite Earths''. ★ It was an artificial world created by the Time Trapper, a long-time foe of the Legion of Super-Heroes, to act as the source of the legendary (but now fictitious) Superboy whose legends inspired the Legion. This Earth was rendered lifeless by three super powered villains. It was not seen again until the last Legion story arc prior to ''Zero Hour'' and may have been removed from continuity at the end of that event. | ''Superman'' #8 (1987) |
| 'Anti-Matter Universe' | Post-Crisis | Crime Syndicate of America: Ultraman, Superwoman, Owlman, Power Ring, and Johnny Quick. Justice Underground: Alexander Luthor, Sir Solomon Grundy, General Grodd, Q-Ranger, Lady Sonar, Star Sapphire, and the Quizmaster. | ★ A post-Crisis anti-matter Earth with a Crime Syndicate whose motto is "Cui Bono?" ("Who profits?"), inspired by the pre-''Crisis'' Earth-Three. Originally, the Luthor of the CSA Earth, upon discovering the positive-matter Earth, named his world, "Earth 1", and the positive-matter Earth, "Earth 2" (no hyphens). Subsequent appearances revised the naming convention and simply referred to it as the anti-matter universe's Earth, and also established that the CSA Earth existed in the same antimatter universe as Qward. | ''JLA: Earth 2'', 2001 |
| 'The Fourth World' | Pre- & Post-Crisis | Darkseid, Orion, Mister Miracle, Big Barda. | ★ The Fourth World is a continuum inhabited by the New Gods. Its two main worlds, New Genesis and Apokolips, are mirror reflections of each other: New Genesis, the bright, glorious home ruled by Highfather, and Apokolips, the fiery, horrific home of the evil warlord Darkseid and his minions. Inhabitants of these worlds have been frequent visitors to Earth-One and Post-Crisis Earth, but it has been shown that they could venture into any number of alternate worlds. The Fourth World was not affected by the Crisis on Infinite Earths. It has not been established whether it is a separate universe, or whether it is a kind of dimension linked to each Earth in the same way as the homes of the Old Gods, such as Olympus and Asgard. In the latter case each Earth would have its own set of New Gods so that there would, for example, be parallel Darkseids of the various parallel universes. | ''Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen'' #133 |
| 'Earth-Dakota' | Post-Zero Hour | Icon, Static, Hardware and Blood Syndicate | ★ In 1993, word of a Big Bang gang war on Paris Island resulted in Mayor Jefferson ordering enforcement officials to spray every gang member present with an experimental tear gas laced with a radioactive marker that would allow the police to track the participants down later. Survivors then became known as "bang babies" given mutagenic abilities. | ''Icon'' #1 (1993) |
| 'Earth-616' | Post-Zero Hour | All main-continuity Marvel Comics characters. | ★ Although part of a separate Multiverse, the Marvel Universe crossed-over with Post-Crisis Earth in 2003 for JLA/Avengers. See Marvel Universe and Marvel Multiverse. | ''Motion Picture Funnies Weekly'' (1939) |
| 'Earth-9602' | Post-Crisis | Amalgamated DC/Marvel Comics characters including Super-Soldier, Dark Claw and JLX. | ★ A head to head battle with DC and Marvel Characters for the survival of their universe ended in a draw, both universes were combined. ★ For the comics that were published, an entire history presumably existed for each of the combined characters. | ''DC vs Marvel'' (1996) |
The 52
''52'' Week 52 revealed the existence of a new Multiverse, which has similarities to the original DC Multiverse.[2] A significant difference between this Multiverse and the original is that this one has exactly fifty-two Earths, known as New Earth and Earths 1 through 51. The fifty-two Earths were at first, identical to New Earth with the same history and people until Mister Mind devoured portions of each Earth's history, which altered their timelimes and resulted in new, distinct Earths with individual histories. The new alternate realities aren't duplicates of the realities that came before, and feature characters who didn't exist in the original Multiverse and are native to that Earth. For example, a version of Green Lantrern exists on Earth-5 and a Nazi-themed version of the Justice League exists on Earth-10.[3]
The Guardians of the Universe serve as protectors of the new Multiverse.[4] Each universe within the Multiverse is separated by the Source Wall, behind which Anti-Life keeps the universes apart.[5] The Bleed permeates the Anti-Life in unpredictable places behind the Source Wall, allowing for transport between the universes. Due to its unique position, the destruction of New Earth would set off a chain reaction that would destroy the other fifty-one alternate realities at the same time, leaving only the Antimatter Universe in existence. As a consequence of Alexander Luthor's attempts to recreate the Multiverse,[6] fifty-two new Monitors were created to oversee the 52 realities created afterwards.[7] The Monitors seek to protect the Multiverse from people who crossover from one alternate reality to another, through the Bleed or through innate ability, who the Monitors have labeled "anomalies".[8]
| Designation | Era | Inhabitants | Notes | First Appearance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 'New Earth' | Infinite Crisis | All currently published superheroes and villains. | ★ After the destruction of Alexander Luthor's Multiverse Tower in ''Infinite Crisis'', the parallel Earths that had been created merged into a new single world, "''New Earth''." ''New Earth'' is currently the core existence in the DC Universe. | Infinite Crisis #6 (2006) |
| 'Earth-1' | Post-''52'' | Unknown. | ★ Rip Hunter mentions in ''52'' Week 52 (2007) that New Earth and Earth-1 are separate universes. | Unpublished |
| 'Earth-2' | Post-''52'' | The Justice Society of America. | ★ This Earth's Power Girl and Superman are missing. ★ Resembles the pre-Crisis Earth-Two. | ''52'' Week 52 (2007) |
| 'Earth-3' | Post-''52'' | The Crime Society of America and the Jokester[9] | ★ Resembles the pre-Crisis Earth-Three and the Antimatter Earth.[10] Solicitations referred to it as the "Crime Syndicate",[9][12][13][14] but later it is refered to as a "Golden Age" "Crime Society" which coexists with the Anti-Matter Earth's Crime Syndicate.[15][16] Other comments refer to it as being a "world full of evil doppelgängers of Earth-2."[2] | ''52'' Week 52 (2007) |
| 'Earth-4' | Post-''52'' | The characters purchased from Charlton Comics; (Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, Nightshade, Peacemaker, The Question and Judomaster). | ★ Resembles the pre-Crisis Earth-Four and the Earth of the ''Watchmen'' limited series.[17] | ''52'' Week 52 (2007) |
| 'Earth-5' | Post-''52'' | The Marvel Family:[18] Captain Marvel, Mary Marvel and Captain Marvel, Jr. and an alternate Green Lantern. | ★ Resembles the pre-Crisis Earth-S. ★ Features ''Shazam!'' versions of other traditional DC characters | ''52'' Week 52 (2007) |
| 'Earth-8' | Post-''52'' | Lord Havok, The Extremists | ★ The existence of this reality is based on early solicitation information released through comics news websites[19] and DC's site[20] | First appearance pending publication. |
| 'Earth-10' | Post-''52'' | The characters accquired from Quality Comics; (Uncle Sam, the Human Bomb, Miss America, The Ray, Black Condor, Doll Man and Phantom Lady). | ★ This Earth features Nazi counterparts to the Justice League. ★ Resembles a more apocalyptic version of the pre-Crisis Earth-X.[17] | ''52'' Week 52 (2007) |
| 'Earth-17' | Post-''52'' | The Atomic Knights. | ★ Resembles the Earth of the pre-Crisis "Atomic Knights" stories. | ''52'' Week 52 (2007) |
| 'Earth-18' | Post-''52'' | Characters shown in ''Justice Riders''. DC Nation 77, , Dan, DiDio, [All comics published in the week.], | ★ The JLA as a group of marshals in the Old West. | First appearance pending publication. |
| 'Earth-21' | Post-''52'' | Characters shown in ''. | ★ Referred to by Dan Didio in DC Nation #77. | First appearance pending publication. |
| 'Earth-22' | Post-''52'' | The characters featured in the ''Kingdom Come'' miniseries. | ★ Resembles the Earth of the ''Kingdom Come'' limited series. | ''52'' Week 52 (2007) |
| 'Earth-26' | Post-''52'' | Captain Carrot. | ★ Confirmed as Earth-26 at Wizard World 2007.[22] | First appearance pending publication. |
| 'Earth-34' | Post-''52'' | Characters shown in ''Wonder Woman: Amazonia''. | ★ A World where Wonder Woman frees Britain from opression under the reign of King Jack. | First appearance pending publication. |
| 'Earth-48' | Post-''52'' | The Forerunners, General J'onzz. | ★ Native home of the Forerunners, creatures bred by the Monitors from all the alien races of the solar system after the destruction of all human life on Earth in a war against other planets.[23] Forerunners are matriarchal, telepathic through their eldest living female, living in a society that kills off the weakest of its kind, and unaware of what happens outside of their solar system.[24] This universe's counterpart of J'onn J'onzz is a general in the Martian army. Referred to as "Earth-34" in ''Countdown'', a Monitor refers to it as the "forty-eighth Earth" in ''Countdown to Adventure''. | ''Countdown to Adventure'' #1 (2007) |
| 'Earth-50' | Post-''52'' | Characters from the Wildstorm Universe, including Mr. Majestic, Zealot, Voodoo, Maul, Grifter, Fairchild, Burnout and Freefall. | ★ Resembles the WorldStorm material published by Wildstorm. ★ Named in ''52'' Week 52 (2007) | ''Wildcats'' (vol. 4) #1 (Sept. 2006) |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | Characters shown in some Vertigo Comics series. | ★ Existence of this reality based solely on information from interview involving Keith Champagne. Champagne claimed a vague recollection of Dan Didio's complete Multiverse and said that Earth-13 was "Vertigo, sort of" Notable is that some Vertigo stories and characters take place in standalone continuity (such as ''V for Vendetta'') and others are part of the main DC Universe (such as John Constantine in ''Hellblazer'') but rarely appear in mainstream publications. | First appearance pending publication. |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | The characters created for the Tangent Comics event. | ★ In ''Countdown'' #41, a picture showing characters from the various alternate universes shows the Tangent Universe's Atom and Green Lantern. In ''Countdown'' #40, the female Monitor is named as the one of the 52 Monitors assigned to this specific Earth. | ''Countdown'' #41 (2007) |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | Victorian-era Batman. | ★ In ''Countdown'' #40, a Monitor identifies his universe as being "in the throes of the Industrial Revolution." A figure resembling the Batman from ''Batman: Gotham by Gaslight'' is shown in the background. | ''Countdown'' #40 (2007) |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | Russian Superman. | ★ In ''Countdown'' #40, a Monitor identifies his universe as one where "the last Kryptonian became a representative of the Soviet empire." A figure resembling the Superman from '' is shown in the background. | ''Countdown'' #40 (2007) |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | Vampire Batman. | ★ In ''Countdown'' #40, a Monitor identifies his universe as being "a world of vampires and the supernatural." A figure resembling the Batman from ''Batman and Dracula'' is shown in the background. | ''Countdown'' #40 (2007) |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | Characters shown in the ''Conjurors'' series, including Batmage, Lady Flash | ★ Existence of this reality based solely on solicitation information from DC Comics. Details solicited include that it is the Conjurors world populated by characters such as "Batmage, master of the Dark Arts, Kal-El, wielder of Kryptonian magics, and Lady Flash, keeper of the Speed Force."[3] | First appearance pending publication. |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | Characters shown in ''Batman Beyond''. | ★ Existence of this reality based solely on information from interview involving Keith Champagne. Champagne claimed a vague recollection of Dan Didio's complete Multiverse. Asked "what is Earth-8?" (the Lord Havok universe), Champagne responded "Batman Beyond... maybe? I'd have look them up to be sure." ''Batman Beyond'' was a part of the DC animated universe, a cohesive universe of animated DC Comics characters comprising '', '', ''Justice League Unlimited'' and others. | First appearance pending publication. |
| (unknown) | Post-''52'' | The characters shown in the ''JSA: Liberty Files'' and ''JSA: The Unholy Three'' miniseries. | ★ The existence of this reality is based on comments made by Dan Didio about the ''Countdown Arena'' miniseries at Wizard World 2007. | First appearance pending publication. |
| 'Antimatter Universe' | Pre-Crisis | Anti-Monitor, Sinestro Corps, Crime Syndicate of Amerika[25]. | ★ Qward's universe has been described as a "universe of evil".and has a special place in the Multiverse: there was an infinite number of "positive-matter universes" separated from each other by vibrational planes, and there was a single antimatter universe. The Antimatter universe has survived the original first and second Crises and still exists alongside the 52 positive-matter Earths. | (2000) |
Contact between universes
Most inhabitants of the Multiverse are completely unaware of the other universes. The first character recorded to cross the gap between them (chronologically in continuity, not publishing order as this tale was revealed in the series ''All-Star Squadron'' in the 1980s) was Uncle Sam of Earth-Two, who accidentally crossed over into Earth-X. (The first ''published'' story was Wonder Woman's crossing into an unnamed parallel earth, in ''Wonder Woman'' (vol. 1) #59 (1953).) Barry Allen, the Flash of Earth-One became the first recorded individual during the Silver Age to visit another Earth, accidentally vibrating at just the right speed to appear on Earth-Two, where he met Jay Garrick, his Earth-Two counterpart.
Other characters with super-speed powers have been able to duplicate the trick, but it has not been done routinely. Magic and technological devices have done the job as well. The Justice League of America's "transmatter" device (ordinarily used to transport between their satellite headquarters and the ground), was pressed into service for annual events in which the League and some of their counterparts on other Earths faced a universe-crossing "crisis" of one sort or another. Wonder Woman's invisible jet was also shown to be able to vibrate her across the multiversal barrier (''Wonder Woman'' (vol. 1) #300), and she also crossed over when her magic lasso was struck by lightning (''Wonder Woman'' (vol. 1) #59). Superman could travel to other Earths at will while Captain Marvel used the magical Rock of Eternity that granted him access to any of the Earths.
Writers have occasionally put characters from different Earths together in the same story without explanation, a continuity error often cited as a reason for eliminating the Multiverse in ''Crisis on Infinite Earths'' or as an extension of "Earth-B" (cited by DC staff as the setting for team-up stories told in ''The Brave and the Bold'' which did not always conform to established continuity for Earth-One, or any other established Earth). For instance, one such story featured Catwoman committing murder, which neither the Earth-One nor Earth-Two versions would ever do as it was strictly against either character's moral code.
Earth-616, Marvel's main universe, is typically acknowledged as being part of a different multiverse entirely; in the JLA/Avengers crossover, even after the barriers between Earth-616 and the post-Crisis DC Earth had been deliberately weakened, it was incredibly hard to make the voyage.
Trade paperback
Contact between the universes (or stories set on the other Earths) have been reprinted in the following graphic novels:
| Title | Material collected |
|---|---|
| Crisis On Multiple Earths: The Team Ups | |
| 'Volume 1' | ''The Flash'' #123, 129, 137, 151 ''Showcase'' #55-56 ''Green Lantern #40 ''The Brave and the Bold'' #61 ''The Spectre'' #7 |
| 'Volume 2' | ''The Atom'' #29, 36 ''The Brave and the Bold'' #62 ''The Flash'' #170, 173 ''Green Lantern'' #45, 52 ''The Spectre'' #3 (Scheduled for March 2007)[4] |
| Crisis On Multiple Earths | |
| 'Volume 1' | ''Justice League Of America'' #21-22, 29-30, 37-38, 46-47 |
| 'Volume 2' | ''Justice League Of America'' #55-56, 64-65, 73-74, 82-82 |
| 'Volume 3' | ''Justice League Of America'' #91-92, 100-102, 107-108, 113 |
| 'Volume 4' | ''Justice League Of America'' #123-124, 135-137, 147-148 |
| Justice Society | |
| 'Volume 1' | ''All Star Comics'' #58-67 ''DC Special'' #29 |
| 'Volume 2' | ''All Star Comics'' #68-74 ''Adventure Comics'' #461-466 |
| Miniseries | |
| 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' | ''#1-12'' |
| 'Infinite Crisis' | ''#1-7'' |
| One Shots | |
| 'Power Girl' | ''Showcase'' #97-99 ''Secret Origins'' #11 ''JSA Classified'' #1-4 (Contains a few plot related pages from JSA #32 and 39) |
| 'Showcase Presents: Shazam' | ''Shazam (1973-1978)'' #1-20, 26-33 (Stories are set on Earth-S) |
| 'Huntress: Dark Knight Daughter' | ''DC Comics Super Stars'' #11 ''Batman Family'' ''Wonder Woman'' #271-287, 289-290, 294-295 |
Representations in other media
The ''Super Friends'' have had crossovers with other universes; in the episode "Universe of Evil", a freak accident causes Superman to switch places with his evil counterpart.
The DC animated universe (DCAU) has depicted the Multiverse. Several characters from the main DCAU have visited parallel universes that were similar to the DCAU:
★ In the '' episode "Brave New Metropolis", Lois Lane fell into a parallel Earth where Superman and Lex Luthor had taken over Metropolis, turning it into a fascist police-state.
★ In the ''Justice League'' episode "Legends", several members of the League were accidentally sent to a parallel universe where John Stewart's comic-book idols, a pastiche of the Justice Society of America named the Justice Guild of America, live. One member of the Justice Guild hypothesized that there are an infinite number of parallel dimensions.
★ In the ''Justice League'' episode "A Better World", the Justice League were held captive by their authoritarian counterparts from another universe, the "Justice Lords". In this universe, Lex Luthor had risen to the U.S. Presidency, and had started a war which had killed the Flash, sparking the Lords' takeover of the world. (Later in the series, the regular Lex Luthor ran for President solely to enrage Superman.)
★ In the ''Justice League Unlimited'' episode "Question Authority", the Question is surfing through Cadmus's files on a computer, one of the files is titled "Multiverse".
In an interview, ''Teen Titans'' producer Glen Murakami stated, possibly as a joke, that the show did not exist in the DCAU continuity, but instead took place on "Earth-T."
Parodies
In the ''Futurama'' episode "The Farnsworth Parabox", the characters meet versions of themselves from an alternate reality. They argue over which universe should be named "Universe A" until one group decides to be "Universe 1."
Bongo Comics published a comic book series featuring characters from ''Simpsons'' and ''Futurama'' titled ''Infinitely Secret Crossover Crisis''. One of the conventions of DC's multiverse that the series parodies is the existence of one universe's characters as fictional comic book characters in another.
References
1. Wizard Magazine #174 (2006)
2. http://www.wizarduniverse.com/magazine/wizard/004448945.cfm
3. Newsarama: WW: CHICAGO '07: DAN DIDIO ON COUNTDOWN: ARENA
4. ''Green Lantern Sinestro Corps Special'' #1 (2007)
5. ''Countdown'' #39
6. ''Infinite Crisis'' #1-7
7. ''Countdown'' #40
8. ''Countdown'' #51
9. http://dccomics.com/comics/?cm=8110
10. [1]
11. http://dccomics.com/comics/?cm=8110
12. http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=120676
13. http://www.seanmckeever.com/itemShow.cfm?item=CDNCS01
14. http://jamaligle.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2007-07-18T08%3A40%3A00-07%3A00
15. http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11396 ''..there's a CSA in both the anti-matter universe and on Earth-3 (the former is Grant Morrison's rendition, the latter is a "Golden Age" "Crime Society")
16. http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=124897..''"I just finished the Crime Society one-shot,"''Jamal Igle
17. http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=111900
18. http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=124768
19. DC Comics Solicitations for October 2007
20. Solicitation information for: Countdown Presents: Lord Havok and the Extremists #1
21. http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=111900
22. http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=124835
23. ''Countdown to Adventure'' #1
24. http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=117857
25. http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=11396
External links
★
★ The Annotated Crisis on Infinite Earths (includes the Infinite Atlas)
★ The Cosmology Compendium
★ Alternity
★ An Earth-B Chronology
★ ''Too Many Earths?'' A MoviePoopShoot Article on DC Multiverse
★ ''And Then There Was One'' MoviePoopShoot Article, Part 2
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