How I Would Have Solved DC's Big Crisis, Part 1: Leading up to the Crisis

"Worlds will live. Worlds will die. And the DC Universe will never be the same."

Promotional ads for Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Art by George Perez and Dick Giordano; ©1984, 2020 DC

Those were pretty big statements to make, but DC began promoting their first company-wide crossover with tagline in 1984. Crisis on Infinite Earths was the culmination of work begun as a project at least two years earlier as a history of the DC universe. Comics historian Peter Sanderson was hired to read every DC comic ever published as part of that project. What was originally going to be a straightforward DC history soon became two separate projects: Crisis, which would be 12 issues in length with the final two issues being a concise history of the DC universe, and Who's Who: The Definitive Directory of the DC Universe.

The origins of the project are fairly clear. DC editor Len Wein is believed to have answered a fan's letter in a Green Lantern letter column that admitted that DC's continuity was a little messy (I'm paraphrasing), with some stories simply not fitting into DC's known multiverse. I'll admit that there were some inconsistencies. DC's continuity wasn't as simple as Marvel's at that time. But the Marvel universe at that time was less than 25 years old while the DCU was approaching 50.

But truth be told, the DCU wasn't that confusing. There were basically five earths that DC told stories on, and a couple others that made the occasional appearance. Those earths were:

• Earth-One: home of the Justice League of America, the New Teen Titans, the Outsiders, the Doom Patrol, and -- in the future -- the Legion of Super-Heroes
• Earth-Two: home of the Justice Society of America; the Seven Soldiers of Victory; Infinity, Inc., and -- in the past -- the All-Star Squadron
• Earth-Three: home of the Crime Syndicate
• Earth-C: home of Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew!
• Earth-C Minus: home of Just'a Lotta Animals
• Earth-S: home of Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family, Shazam's Squadron of Justice and other Fawcett characters, and Kid Eternity (who was originally published by Quality Comics)
• Earth-X: home of the Freedom Fighters, heroes originally published by Quality Comics who migrated to Earth-X from Earth-Two
• Earth-Prime: "our earth," one with no heroes to speak of, though a couple did appear over the years

Did Bob Haney's stories in The Brave and the Bold and World's Finest Comics defy definition? Well, some of them did, such as those in which Sgt. Rock appeared. And how about those Super Sons?

The sergeant's first appearance took place during World War II, which would place the story on Earth-Two, but the yellow oval around the bat on Batman's chest was indication that the story featured the Earth-One Batman. And then there were stories co-starring Sgt. Rock that took place in the present. But Batman also met Kamandi and worked in the daytime when Batman and Detective Comics featured the return of the Creature of the Night aspect of the Batman. Readers generally consigned those stories that didn't really fit to an Earth-B, named for Bob Haney.

So really, did having two Supermen, two Batmen, two Robins, two Wonder Women, etc., muddy the waters that much? Especially considering that when DC reintroduced the multiverse in 2006, there were far more than two or three Supermen, Batmen, or Wonder Women?

But I'm getting ahead of myself . . ..

Next: The Crisis!

Everything Happened . . . or DC Comics the 5G Way

GENERATION ZERO: GODS AMONG US
Cover art by Francis Manapul, ©2020 DC

There's been a lot of talk over the past eight months or so about DC Comics' new 5G (or Generation Five) initiative. It is supposedly a restructuring of DC's 85-year history into five distinct generations and a prequel issue:

• Generation Zero: Gods Among Us
• Generation One: Age of Mysteries
• Generation Two: Age of the Metahuman
• Generation Three: Age of Crisis
• Generation Four: Age of Rebirth
• Generation Five: Age of Tomorrow

According to Jim Lee at C2E2, 5G is not a relaunch or reboot. We'll see.

There are things about this new timeline that excite me. My favorite heroes, the Justice Society of America, are back in a place of prominence during the World War II years alongside the Freedom Fighters, Seven Soldiers of Victory, and the All-Star Squadron. I couldn't be more excited about this. Hopefully, DC will give us some titles out of G1.

There are also some things that don't thrill me as much. Wonder Woman being the first public superhero, for example. No, I'm not being misogynistic; I just believe that if "everything happened," then Superman should still be the first superhero with Batman following along about a year later and Wonder Woman arriving in Man's World just before America's entrance into World War II. You know, the way the stories were originally published. But this is a minor -- and I do mean minor -- quibble. I'm actually more concerned about how they're going to do the time jumps so that the original Titans (Dick, Donna, Wally, Garth, and Roy) have their moment to shine or so that the Super Sons (Jon Kent and Damian Wayne) have their adventures.

The recent firing of Dan DiDio (and the lack of comment on the firing from DC, WarnerMedia, or AT&T) has fans and comics media wondering if 5G is going to publish as originally planned or if it will be scuttled. It has been reported that AT&T/WarnerMedia wants a more synergistic relationship between the comics and other media formats, including TV, movies, games, and more. DC's 85-year history is seen as somehow making that more difficult since Superman has been around since 1938, Batman since 1939, and Wonder Woman since 1941. That sounds like a cop-out. Still, I understand the need for "fresh new ideas." Just ask me about some of the missteps taken with some of my other favorite intellectual properties (Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys, etc.). Anyway . . .

Coming up next: How I Would Have Solved DC's Big Crisis, Part 1

On the eve of a "Rebirth"

For the past two months, more or less, DC Comics has been hinting at a new publishing initiative called "Rebirth." Even though a list of titles has been announced, concepts, creative teams, and the first issue solicitations are just hours away from being revealed. While I am excited to hear more details about Rebirth, I admit there's a part of me that is thinking, Why do I care anymore?

I've been reading comics published by DC Comics since 1974. Yes, I admit it. I never grew up. I am the the comics equivalent of the Toys 'R Us kid.

To give a little historical background, 1974 was the year that President Richard M. Nixon resigned as a result of the Watergate scandal, gas shortages gave birth to the 55-mph speed limit, and work began on the Alaska pipeline. According to www.thepeoplehistory.com, gas was 55 cents per gallon, average rent was $185/month, the average U.S. yearly salary was $13,900, and a new car would set you back $3,750.

For me as a ten-year-old, it was the year that the four-color heroes of DC Comics' superhero titles entered my world of reading. Looking back, I can see why my mother hated seeing me read comics. I was already a voracious reader and at that point in time comics were still seen as more of a gateway to reading. I had read most if not all of the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys titles published up to that point -- several of them multiple times -- and I was just a few months away from reading my first adult novel, an Ellery Queen mystery (A Fine and Private Place) that I picked up at the local library because the paperback's cover intrigued me.

Yet it was in the pages of Superman #281 (the first appearance of Vartox), Wonder Woman #215 (during WW's 12-trials period for readmission to the Justice League of America), The Flash #230, and Batman #259 (co-starring The Shadow!!!), among others, that I was able to escape the rather ordinary life of a kid who lived on a farm. It was also the year I was introduced to my favorite super-hero team of all time: The Justice Society of America. That was the year that it was discovered that the Sandman's sidekick, Sandy the Golden Boy, had become "The Creature in the Velvet Cage" (Justice League of America #113).

In the nearly 42 years since I read my first DC titles I've seen characters launched, relaunched, and relaunched yet again. DC simplified their multiverse into a single universe in 1985's Crisis on Infinite Earths (and that ended up creating continuity problems that plague DC's characters to this day). Superman and Wonder Woman were given fresh starts beginning in 1986. Batman was refashioned into a more obsessed crimefighter. Jason Todd, the second character to use Robin as a superhero sobriquet, was given a totally new origin, killed off in a call-in poll, and then eventually brought back as a violent anti-hero. After Crisis, DC created Legends, fought off an Invasion, faced Zero Hour, an Infinite Crisis, and a Final Crisis, and survived -- for lack of a better term -- the Flashpoint paradox before entering the New 52 with their iconic characters now younger and essentially starting over for a new generation.

It's clear that DC desperately needs a rebirth of some sort. What they need to do, in my ever-so-humble opinion, and what they will do, however, are two different things. My wish list for what I hope to see come to pass includes:

1. The original super-team reborn. The Justice Society of America made its debut in 1940's All-Star Comics #3 and was tied to the heroes' World War II-era origins until 2011. When DC launched Earth 2 in 2012, the heroes of that parallel Earth shared the names of the legendary superheroes but little else. It's been hinted that the original conceit of the JSA, including its World War II beginnings, is going to be restored but with a twist -- the heroes are going to find themselves flung forward in time so that the characters themselves will be young and not a group of centenarians who should have retired decades ago. Ironically, the time travel bit was used to explain the disappearance of the Seven  Soldiers of Victory, whose team members were largely forgotten by 1972, as seen in Justice League of America #100-102.

2. Iconic versions of characters brought back. The Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman seen the past few years have not necessarily been the heroes they'd been prior to 2011's New 52 launch. The popularity of titles like Titans Hunt and Superman: Lois and Clark is surely helping DC realize that fans would like to read stories featuring the original Titans line-up and a married Superman. And speaking of iconic versions, can I add a vote to undo the death of Nora Allen? Tragedy doesn't have to be the impetus for every character making the choice to be a hero. Barry Allen became a hero because it was the right thing to do. His tragedy came years later when the Reverse Flash killed Barry's wife, Iris. Is it too much to hope for that at least one hero lives an ordinary life outside of the costume? And I would love to see a return to a more classic (i.e. 1970-1985 Darknight Detective interpretation) of the Batman. You know, more focused, less obsessed and/or psychotic.

3. Give Jack Kirby's New Gods a rest. Introduced in 1971, Kirby's New Gods were self-contained for the most part until 1986's Legends miniseries. Though part of the Superman mythos from the beginning of the characters' history -- Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen was one of the titles Kirby used to tell his Fourth World saga -- for the most part the New Gods was a self-contained concept. Sure, Mister Miracle co-starred with Batman in The Brave and the Bold, Funky Flashman was seen in Secret Society of Super-Villains, the New Gods were featured in the JLA/JSA crossover for 1980, and Darkseid was the villain in the Legion of Super-Heroes classic, "The Great Darkness Saga." (I'm not including the Super Powers miniseries that were created expressely for the purchase of selling a line of action figures/toys.) Starting with the publication of Legends, however, DC has pushed Darkseid as the big bad of the DC universe/multiverse. Overexposure, like familiarity, breeds contempt.

4. And, speaking of overexposure, need I mention anything more than "Batman"? When the New 52 was launched in 2011 the Bat-world was at the center of 14 titles, if I remember correctly, including All-Star Western starring Jonah Hex, who found himself roaming around Gotham with an Arkham. It looks like Batman and his "family" are going to have a large number of titles after Rebirth. <sigh> I know Batman is popular, but can we dial it back just a bit, DC, and give some other characters a chance in the sun?

5. More fun. I've been enjoying the Paul Levitz/Sonny Liew/Lee Loughridge Doctor Fate series. It's had its share of serious moments, but seeing Khalid Nassour trying to figure out how to best use the power of Fate often brings a smile to my face if only because Nabu isn't much on helping/guiding our young hero on his journey, instead preferring to be cryptic and just a bit snarky. And while "fun" may not be the best word to describe Swamp Thing, I am having a blast with Len Wein's return to his seminal creation. Sugar and Spike as young adult private investigators. Bat-Mite. Bizarro. How about another Ambush Bug miniseries?

I could go on. I'm not holding my breath that anything major is going to change at DC. I hope I'm surprised with Rebirth and that heroes become heroes again, a light in a dark world.

As I re-read this before hitting the "publish" button, I stop for a moment. Maybe it's me who needs a Rebirth, a step back from the cynicism and darkness that permeates most modern pop culture. (And isn't it ironic that the Rebirth announcements are being made Easter weekend, when Christians joyfully celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead? But perhaps that's a discussion for another time.) Maybe it's time for me to walk away from comics and not look back. That hasn't been easy in the past, so I doubt it'd be any easier now.

Maybe it'll be easier after I read the Rebirth announcements from DC Comics later today.

Comics of the Week: Doctor Fate #8 (DC Comics), Titans Hunt #4 (DC Comics), Will Eisner's The Spirit #7 (Dynamite Entertainment)

I couldn't decide on just one comic this week. The third week of the month is the week when I seem to have more "favorites" released, so I'm just going to go with the flow. I'll even make them short.

Doctor Fate #8 -- by Paul Levitz and guest artist Ibrahim Moustafa -- continues the adventures of the reluctant superhero. This title, which flies so low under the radar that I see very few reviews, has become my favorite of DC's current ongoing titles.

Levitz has been allowed to weave together the individual strands of Khalid Nassour, his parents, girlfriend, and educational goals, Nabu, and the Egyptian gods into a wonderful tapestry of story that leaves me eager to read the next issue. (And he's creating a world where Doctor Fate appears to be the only superhero. There's been no sign of Batman, Superman, or Wonder Woman yet. I'm kinda hoping they don't show up unless Levitz starts building his own Justice Society of America.)

Moustafa, who fills in for regular artist Sonny Liew, doesn't copy Liew's artistic style but uses his own style to add to the mythos being created in this title. The coloring by Lee Loughridge is spectacular as always and a proves to be as perfect a fit for Moustafa as for regular artist Liew.

With DC Comics now talking about a "Rebirth" this summer, I hope that this title is allowed to continue and finds an audience. Not since Neil Gaiman's Sandman or Brian Azzarello's recent run on Wonder Woman have I felt like there's a saga in the making.

Rating: 5 Stars

I don't know how I managed to go so long without reading anything by Dan Abnett. It could only be because he must have been writing a title I had no interest in, or maybe I've just forgotten how good he is. All I know is I became a fan of his with Convergence: Justice Society of America and I'm loving the whole "gang's getting back together" vibe of Titans Hunt.

The fourth issue of the series follows Dick Grayson, Donna Troy, Roy Harper, Garth, Lilith, Mal, Gnarrk (I have a problem calling him Caveboy), Hawk, and Dove as they continue to fight the feeling that there are hidden memories, wanting to know who's messing with them but knowing that they're being summoned together for a reason. Having been a fan of the Titans since 1972's Teen Titans #42, it's good to see some silver/bronze age goodness return to DC. Abnett manages to capture the essence of the characters as they were then and combine it with how they are published now and make it work. If only the story would pick up the pace just a bit.

Rating 4 1/2 stars

Last year I sat down and celebrated the Spirit's 75th anniversary and read the entirety of his adventures (thanks to the fantastic Archive Editions and other collections from DC and Dark Horse Comics). I even read the First Wave Spirit series. (That makes it sound like it was a bad series; it wasn't, it was just a little less fun that what I expect from a story featuring Will Eisner's best known creation.) As part of the 75th anniversary, Dynamite Entertainment introduced a new Spirit series by Matt Wagner, Dan Schkade, and Brennan Wagner.

Will Eisner's The Spirit #7 continues Matt Wagner's tale of The Spirit's return to Central City after being held captive for two years. Though on the trail of the mysterious Mikado Vaas, The Spirit is given some time alone with Ellen Dolan and discovers that her feelings for him haven't changed. Ebony White and Sammy Strunk continue to steal the scene whenever they're on the page. (I'd support a Strunk and White miniseries. How about it, Dynamite?)

Dan Schkade's art is reminiscent of Eisner's later, looser artwork from the 1960s until his death. There is no mistaking that Schkade has taken the time to figure out how each character should look. Ellen is still the beautiful girl next door and Commissioner Dolan still has the tufts of hair that stick out and Officer Klink has that jawline that is instantly recognizable. The only place where Schkade veers from Eisner is in the height of Ebony and Sammy, but it's all good as they now look like they can handle the danger in which they sometimes find themselves.

Brennan Wagner's colors complement Schkade's art and provide a sense of film noir for the series. As with Lee Loughridge, who I mention in the Doctor Fate review, above, there is a sense of perfection as the art and color come together.

Rating: 5 Stars


Three reviews -- though not as short as I planned. Check 'em out, I think you'll like 'em!

Comic of the Week: Superman: American Alien #3 (DC Comics)

Superman: American Alien #3 was chosen as this week’s Comic of the Week simply because of what the series how the series was promoted. “This is not a Superman comic. This is Clark Kent, like you’ve never seen him before.” That was a bold promise I had to check out.

When I was a kid in the ‘70s there was a feature, “The Private Life of Clark Kent,” that focused on Clark’s non-superhero life. Told in five- to- nine-page installments, you got a view into what made Clark Kent tick and what made the Kent persona every bit as important as Superman. I can’t think of a single “Private Life of Clark Kent” story that I didn’t enjoy.

And I am enjoying this seven-issue, out-of-continuity* miniseries written by Max Landis. Whether it is Clark learning he can fly or trying to keep Smallville residents being held hostage from being killed or, in this issue, having fun as Bruce Wayne on a party boat in the Caribbean, Landis’s focus on Clark Kent is as different from the recent “Truth” storyline** in the Superman titles as night is from day.

This is a Clark Kent who has not yet taken on the responsibility of being Superman. He still learned morals and compassion and everything else by Jonathan and Martha Kent. He’s had to learn that there are consequences to actions, that he may not be able to help everybody, and that he needs to embrace life and have a little fun along the way. He is probably the most “real” Clark Kent I’ve read in a long time. He gets mad and frustrated and laughs and cries, and he’s a good kid/teenager/young adult but not a goody-two-shoes or a pushover.

This issue, having been mistaken for Bruce Wayne after a single-engine plane he was in crashes into the Caribbean Sea, Clark finds himself on board a party boat with Oliver Queen, Sue Dibny, Vic Zsasz (not to be confused with Vic Szazs, aka The Question) and his wife, and Barbara Minerva, among others. He finds himself spending a lot of time with Barbara, who reveals that she knows he isn’t Bruce Wayne. Clark thinks he’s going to be busted, but Barbara encourages him to be Bruce and have fun. She says, “You can be yourself, even while being someone else. Hell, it might even be easier.” The line is a little heavy-handed, but you can see how this will come into play later on when Clark takes on the Superman identity.

Oh, and he fights Deathstroke, who also thinks he’s Bruce Wayne.

Max Landis has my attention with his version of Clark Kent: he’s perfectly normal except for the fact he has superpowers. This issue’s artist, Joëlle Jones, did a fantastic job as well. I’ve only read two or three stories with her as artist; I need to seek out some of her other work.

All in all, I’m gonna give the third issue of Superman: American Alien 4 Stars (out of a possible 5) and promise to do a review of the collected edition when it’s released later this year.


*I stand by my claim that this is an out-of-continuity miniseries, if only by virtue of the fact that it appears that most of Smallville knows Clark has powers. Okay, “most of” may be a stretch, but it appears that in addition to the Kents, Lana, and Pete, the doctor, Kenny, Farmer Ben, and the sheriff all know as well as those attending the movie in the first issue. They also appear to know how to keep a secret. Shhh! Loose lips sink ships!


**I recently caught up on the Superman titles. While I don't believe the "Truth" storyline is going to go down in history as one of the greatest Superman stories ever told, there were some things worth noting that came out of it before leading into the "Savage Dawn" storyline. These include (1) Perry White turning against Clark Kent -- can't see it myself; Perry knows Clark and knows Clark would do anything to protect them. Cat, on the other hand . . .? (2) Clark Kent as a fighter in a fight club -- not what you'd ever expect! and (3) further cementing in my mind that Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder's Action Comics is the best of the Superman titles currently being published, if only because they use Lana Lang and have fun.