Exploring the Multiverse: 12 DCU Alternate Realities That Will Blow Your Mind
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General audiences are burnt out on the multiverse concept in comic book films. Still, this concept has powered the imaginations of comic book fans for decades, especially in DC Comics.
DC Comics writer Gardner Fox technically invented the multiverse concept in its comics in 1961. Like Marvel Comics, DC Comics has an established mainline universe and alternate timelines, realities, and multiverses where established characters can be reimagined in different ways.
Ever heard the story of how Superman was raised in Soviet-era Russia? Or the one where the Justice League is reimagined as characters in a King Arthur-like fable? Here are 12 DCU alternate realities that will blow your mind.
1. Red Son (2003)
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Imagine the rocket pod of an infant Kal-El, the last son of Krypton, crash-landing on a collective farm in Soviet-era Ukraine. In Red Son, Kal-El becomes a communist superhero who helps the Soviet Union conquer the world. This story inspired the 2020 animated film Superman: Red Son and the fourth season storyline of the CW Supergirl TV series.
2. Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013)
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This fan-favorite comic is based on the video game of the same name. The DCEU films of the 2010s by Zack Snyder were partially inspired by this multiverse tale. After Superman is duped into committing an unspeakable act by the Joker, he kills the Joker. Superman becomes a global dictator and the world becomes a dystopia shaped by his will. Batman and the heroes and villains of the world take sides to cope with the new status quo.
3. DCeased (2019)
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DCeased is a horror-based multiverse story where DC superheroes have to contend with a global zombie apocalypse. The villain Darkseid is obsessed with solving the Anti-Life Equation, a fictional mathematical concept that can enslave the minds of all beings in the universe when solved. A corrupted form of the ALE causes a zombie outbreak on Earth and the tragic, horror film-style deaths of many DC characters.
4. DC Knights of Steel (2022)
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DC Knights of Steel is a multiverse tale where the DC superheroes exist in medieval times. Jor-El, Lara, and baby Kal-El escape the destruction of Krypton, crash land on Earth, and start a King Arthur-like kingdom. The Kingdom of El commits actions that create tensions in nearby kingdoms. The story features Batman as an Arthurian-style knight, Lex Luthor as a court advisor, Harley Quinn as a literal court jester and more.
5. Kingdom Come (1997)
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The concept of anti-heroes and grittier comic book stories started in the mid-1980s. Kingdom Come was partially inspired by creators Mark Waid and Alex Ross as a counterpoint to the rising popularity of antiheroes. In this multiverse story, older Golden Age superheroes like the Justice League have long since retired as a new generation of superheroes who enact more brutal forms of justice have become popular. A grave new threat forces the Golden Age heroes to return.
6. DC Vs. Vampires (2021)
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In this DC multiverse story, the DC universe is plagued by a slowly spreading and conspiratorial vampire outbreak. A vampire messenger comes to the Justice League headquarters to warn of an impending vampire conspiracy but is thwarted by a JL traitor. This suspenseful and dread-inducing tale shows how the Justice League copes as a vampire outbreak slowly takes over their ranks.
7. War For Earth 3 (2022)
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Earth 3 is a mirror-image multiverse version of Earth where every superpowered being on the planet is a criminal version of the Justice League or criminal in general. This world is ruled by the Crime Syndicate, the evil version of the Justice League. Ultraman is an Earth 3 version of Superman, Superwoman is Wonder Woman, Power Ring is Green Lantern, Sea King is Aquaman, Johnny Quick is the Flash, and so on.
Earth 3 and the Crime Syndicate debuted in 1964 in Justice League of America #29. In the 2022 comic War For Earth 3, Amanda Waller, a ruthless government official intent on controlling superpowered beings, plots to kidnap beings from Earth 3 to constantly replenish her Suicide Squad roster.
8. Gotham By Gaslight (1989)
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This multiverse tale is essentially the first Elseworlds comic by DC, even though it is not labeled as such. In 1889, Bruce Wayne becomes Batman in a Victorian-era version of Gotham City as Jack the Ripper begins terrorizing the city. The story became so popular that it launched the later “Elseworlds,” imprint and became the template for narratively transplanting modern heroes in alternate timelines or universes in stories outside of DC canon.
9. Flashpoint (1999)
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This multiverse tale from 1999 used the “Flashpoint” name first but is hardly remembered. Barry Allen becomes a quadriplegic while trying to prevent the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. While superheroes never age in most comic books, Allen ages in real-time as the story spans decades into his elderly years. Allen tries to uncover who shot him and make peace with his life. Although an underappreciated tale of its era, the story trope of heroes aging in real-time in alternate universe stories is very popular in comic book storytelling now.
10. Flashpoint (2011)
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This is the fan-favorite multiverse story people think of when they see the title Flashpoint. After using the Speed Force to go back in time to stop the murder of his mother, Barry Allen wakes up in a new timeline with no powers. Thomas Wayne, the father of Bruce Wayne, who died in Crime Alley, is Batman. Superman has been locked in a scientific lab since he was discovered as an infant in a space pod. The Amazons and Atlanteans are at war. The Justice League does not exist and Allen must figure out how to reset the timeline. This multiverse storyline inspired the 2023 film DCEU Flashpoint.
11. The Dark Knight Returns (1986)
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The Dark Knight Returns is considered one of the greatest non-canonical DC comic book stories ever told. It is set in a violent, dystopian Gotham City in the year 1986. A 55-year-old Bruce Wayne has been retired for over a decade after the violent death of Robin. As he watches Gotham City fall farther into anarchy, Wayne comes out of retirement to fight crime. The Gotham City and the federal government are not happy about it, creating conflicts and consequences for the older, more cynical, and brutal Batman.
12. All-Star Superman (2005)
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Superman is dying. Instead of pitying himself, he sets about to perform as many wonders and good deeds before he passes. This 12-issue miniseries set in an alternate reality is critically acclaimed for its poignant story and characterization of a Superman who never loses his optimism for life, even as he is dying.
DC Comic Multiverse Stories Are Engaging
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The multiverse concept in comic book films has been overwhelming, undercooked in execution, and hard for non-comic book readers to get invested in. Don’t let this term turn you off from reading DC comic books that feature multiverse, Elseworlds, or alternate reality stories. They are engaging, and adventurous, and help you appreciate the traditional versions of the character more.
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Allen Francis is a full-time writer, prolific comic book investor and author of The Casual’s Guide: Why You Should Get Into Comic Book Investing. Allen holds a BA degree from Marymount Manhattan College. Before becoming a writer Allen was an academic advisor, librarian, and college adjunct for many years. Allen is an advocate of best personal financial practices including saving and investing in your own small business.
