Cliff Notes for the last 10 years of the DC universe?

[SpandexFan]

Hello all,

After a 10+ year absence from comics, I have come back, but only because my local library happens to offer EVERY graphic novel and trade paperback in comic book history and delivers them for free. t: I'll be honest, it looks like I collected during the golden age, because the number of Marvel and DC titles seem like they have been slashed in half and OMG, the prices! I don't see how the comic book industry is recruiting enough little kids to carry on the tradition when they charge this much for even the basic titles, but enough of that rant, it makes me feel old.

I was hoping someone could fill me in on the new foundations of the DC Universe.

A few questions:

• What is up with this new Crisis series? It's almost like Crisis on Infinite Earths was for nothing because it looks like the DC universe is about to go up in another mulit-dimensional big bang?
• Is Wonder Woman bad now? Have I not read the graphic novel that explains why she snapped someone's neck without remorse?
• Speaking of, was the guy she snapped the neck of the former Justice League manager? Max-whats-his-name? I seem to remember that guy as the billionaire chief of the JLA last time I read the comics.
• Hal Jordan is back, I presume. Who is this Kyle Ratner? For some reason, that name sounds VERY familiar. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but did this guy have some previous history as another popular character?
• Which major characters have been killed? Over in the Marvel universe, everyone from Captain America to Hawkeye to the Vision have bit the dust. I can't believe it. Who has DC nuked? Good guys and bad guys.
• Any suggestions on new characters I should read? (The next popular character like Lobo or Guy Gardner?) Any suggestions on new comics or great storylines from the last 10 years?

Thanks for the answers.

 

[Kebab gud]

Hello all,

A few questions:

• What is up with this new Crisis series? It's almost like Crisis on Infinite Earths was for nothing because it looks like the DC universe is about to go up in another mulit-dimensional big bang? you got that right
• Is Wonder Woman bad now? Have I not read the graphic novel that explains why she snapped someone's neck without remorse?Nope.. she just did what she had to do.. it was stupid and out of character
• Speaking of, was the guy she snapped the neck of the former Justice League manager? Max-whats-his-name? I seem to remember that guy as the billionaire chief of the JLA last time I read the comics. thats right.. he ran the JLI or something back in the day..
• Hal Jordan is back, I presume. Who is this Kyle Ratner? For some reason, that name sounds VERY familiar. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but did this guy have some previous history as another popular character? Kyle was the Green Lantern while the Corps was gone.. he had the only working power ring. He rivived Hal and the Corps
• Which major characters have been killed? Over in the Marvel universe, everyone from Captain America to Hawkeye to the Vision have bit the dust. I can't believe it. Who has DC nuked? Good guys and bad guys. Ra's, BlueBeetle, A tone of smalltime dudes, somethin..somethin..cant remember.. in other words.. no one important,
  

all i botherd saying

 

[Anubis]

^Waste of f**king time

Hello all,

After a 10+ year absence from comics, I have come back, but only because my local library happens to offer EVERY graphic novel and trade paperback in comic book history and delivers them for free. t: I'll be honest, it looks like I collected during the golden age, because the number of Marvel and DC titles seem like they have been slashed in half and OMG, the prices! I don't see how the comic book industry is recruiting enough little kids to carry on the tradition when they charge this much for even the basic titles, but enough of that rant, it makes me feel old.

I was hoping someone could fill me in on the new foundations of the DC Universe.

A few questions:

• What is up with this new Crisis series? It's almost like Crisis on Infinite Earths was for nothing because it looks like the DC universe is about to go up in another mulit-dimensional big bang?

Well, you remember at the end of COIE, how Earth 2 Supes, Lois, Alex Luthor, and Earth Prime Superboy went off to "paradise" to be happy and content forever? Well, lets just say it wasn't all it was cracked up to be. Infinite Crisis didn't really do as much as COIE did, but it did change a few little things in the history of the DCU. Joe Chill shot Bat's parents again, Krypton was a lot more sunnier. S**t like that. Oh and the Multiverse is back.

• Is Wonder Woman bad now? Have I not read the graphic novel that explains why she snapped someone's neck without remorse?

Max did run the JLI but he was also a government agent. He had accended to Black King of Checkmate by the time the Crisis started to role around. If you recall, he had some mind control powers and he had been gaining control over Supes for years. He finally cashed it in and sent Supes on a rampage having him see his worse villains brutally kill Lois right in front of him, when in reality, it was Batman (Who got the ever lovin' stuff beaten out of him.). the Princess fought Supes and incapacitated him, long enough to get the lasso on Max and find out how to get him to let Supes go. He said the only way to do it was to kill him so she did. So, no, she isn't bad, but the U.S. government wants her to answer for her "crime". Though killing a murdering *****e bag hardley seems important.

• Speaking of, was the guy she snapped the neck of the former Justice League manager? Max-whats-his-name? I seem to remember that guy as the billionaire chief of the JLA last time I read the comics.

Yes

• Hal Jordan is back, I presume. Who is this Kyle Ratner? For some reason, that name sounds VERY familiar. Maybe it's just a coincidence, but did this guy have some previous history as another popular character?

When Hal went nuts and killed the GL corps, the last ring was given to Kyle Rayner. He was GL for ten years and has developed a following on par with ole Hal Jordan himself. He's now the most powerful GL of all known as Ion. He's got the comibined powers of the GL's and Goldenage GL, Alan Scott's daughter, Jade. (Who he was once dating, who cheated on him in his own bed while he was saving the Universe in space, and is now dead by the way.)

• Which major characters have been killed? Over in the Marvel universe, everyone from Captain America to Hawkeye to the Vision have bit the dust. I can't believe it. Who has DC nuked? Good guys and bad guys.

Blue Beetle, The Question, Sue Dibney (Elongated Man's wife), Elongated Man, Jade, Shazam (The Wizard, not Billy) and many, many, others.

• Any suggestions on new characters I should read? (The next popular character like Lobo or Guy Gardner?) Any suggestions on new comics or great storylines from the last 10 years?

Manhunter, Darwyn Cooke's DC: New Frontier, I guess Kingdom Come, if you missed that. The Long Holloween. As a matter of fact, just check out the Tpb bought thought thread over in the Miscilanious forum.

Thanks for the answers.

No problem.

 

[Spike_x1]

• What is up with this new Crisis series? It's almost like Crisis on Infinite Earths was for nothing because it looks like the DC universe is about to go up in another mulit-dimensional big bang?

Knowing the answer, you make me cry with the innocence in your question.

 

[Anubis]

He's just mad because all the stuff that went on in the 90's with Supes is pretty much non canon at this point.

 

[Spike_x1]

The Death of Superman and Clark & Lois' marriage seem to be the only events that were published in the 90's and actually happened in Superman's current life.

 

[Anubis]

You don't know that. Nobodies simply bothered to mine the 90's for any stories is all.

 

[Spike_x1]

All of Byrne's run has been retconned, and all of Superman's stories through the 90's were built from that. Lex Luthor's hand, the origins of a great many of Supes' villains, all of Krypton and it's technology (I'm still waiting to hear how Hank Henshaw can even exist on New Earth). The ripple effect from wiping out Byrne's original run is pretty bad when trying to piece together what's left.

With the exception of minor things like Pete Ross and Lana Lang, every single element of Superman's mythos that was explored through the 90's and 80's has had, or will require, a new origin to explain its existence in the new continuity, or why it's suddenly acting in some way against certain rules or characteristics that were previously established years before. I honestly can't think of a single thing in Superman's continuity that wasn't altered either directly or indirectly by EmoBoy's punch.

Okay, maybe not Mxyzptlk.

 

[hippie_hunter]

Which major characters have been killed? Over in the Marvel universe, everyone from Captain America to Hawkeye to the Vision have bit the dust. I can't believe it. Who has DC nuked? Good guys and bad guys.

- Superboy (killed by Superboy-Prime)
- Jade (killed by Alexander Luthor)
- Sue Dibny (killed by Jean Loring)
- Dr. Fate/Hector Hall (went into the Dreaming because of the Spectre's actions)
- Hawkman/Fel Andar (killed by Blackfire)
- Shazam (killed by the Spectre)
- Lois Lane of Earth-2 (natural causes)
- Superman of Earth-2 (killed by Superboy-Prime)
- Alexander Luthor (killed by the Joker)
- Elongated Man (killed by Neron)
- Blue Beetle (killed by Maxwell Lord)
- Maxwell Lord (killed by Wonder Woman)
- Wonder Woman of Earth-2 (faded away with the disappearance of the Greek Gods)
- The Question (lung cancer)
- Vulko (killed by the Spectre)
- The Freedom Fighters
- Captain Boomerang (killed by Jack Drake)
- Jack Drake (killed by Captain Boomerang)
- Ra's al Ghul (killed by Nyssa Raatko)
- Nabu (killed by the Spectre)
- Spoiler (killed by Lesile Thompkins)
- Azrael (shot to death apparently)
- Osiris (eaten by Death his pet alligator)
- Isis (killed by Pestilence)

 

[Fnkdr]

I agree with Spike. Very little of Byrne's mythos jives with what DC wants Superman to be now. I dont have a problem with them bringing different elements in from the movies, cartoon and even Silver Age continuity, just tell us what is in and whats out! Atleast after COIE they gave us MOS to give you an overview of whats canon and whats not(He was never Superboy, the cape was not indestructible). I think they realeze they wrote themselves into a corner, so they are just not addressing it.

 

[Elijya]

here are four essential DC books I highly suggest you read, preferably in this order. These four feature some of the key DC stuff of the past ten years, or will give you an impression or summary of the things in-between

 

[Anubis]

All of Byrne's run has been retconned, and all of Superman's stories through the 90's were built from that. Lex Luthor's hand, the origins of a great many of Supes' villains, all of Krypton and it's technology (I'm still waiting to hear how Hank Henshaw can even exist on New Earth). The ripple effect from wiping out Byrne's original run is pretty bad when trying to piece together what's left.

With the exception of minor things like Pete Ross and Lana Lang, every single element of Superman's mythos that was explored through the 90's and 80's has had, or will require, a new origin to explain its existence in the new continuity, or why it's suddenly acting in some way against certain rules or characteristics that were previously established years before. I honestly can't think of a single thing in Superman's continuity that wasn't altered either directly or indirectly by EmoBoy's punch.

Okay, maybe not Mxyzptlk.

Not neccesarily. All they changed of Supes' origin was that everybody on Krypton wasn't a bunch of walking atomotons or whatever. Krypton was a less cold place. The Eradicator, and whatever else that went down can still have happened. What i'm saying is, you are assuming, and we really don't know either way. Unless they've done some serious changes in Action, because I dropped that awhile ago.

 

[Elijya]

and I will also tell you, Sapndex fan, that if you want to get back into comics, Invinicble is the single greatest superhero comic. Ever.

It's published by Image and it's in it's own little universe so you don't have to worry about what's come before or what's being published elsewhere. It is simply the single most fun, creative, diverse and entertaining superhero comic of all time.

 

[Fnkdr]

Do they have a Superman origin planned for 52? I know they just did one for Batman, but his new earth history is still prety much the same ecept for the Joe Chill part.

 

[TheDemon'sHead]

and I will also tell you, Sapndex fan, that if you want to get back into comics, Invinicble is the single greatest superhero comic. Ever.

It's published by Image and it's in it's own little universe so you don't have to worry about what's come before or what's being published elsewhere. It is simply the single most fun, creative, diverse and entertaining superhero comic of all time.

I've only read the first five tpb of Invincible but I have to agree that it's excellent. It makes me remember why I started reading comics in the first place.

 

[Fnkdr]

I bought Invicible Vol 1-7 last week. It is the most entertaining comic I read hands down.

 

[Spike_x1]

Not neccesarily. All they changed of Supes' origin was that everybody on Krypton wasn't a bunch of walking atomotons or whatever. Krypton was a less cold place. The Eradicator, and whatever else that went down can still have happened. What i'm saying is, you are assuming, and we really don't know either way. Unless they've done some serious changes in Action, because I dropped that awhile ago.

Actually, while it may not have been cold and emotionless, Krypton seemed to be much, much worse, and full of ignorant *******s if the Annual is any indication. And their technology has changed, including the Eradicator, because it was based on the same design for Kryptonian technology that Byrne came up with, ie: the way it "eradicated" alien influences and altered the things around it was directly related to the sterile way of life portrayed on Krypton in MOS. So yes, as I said before, the Eradicator does require a new origin and/or explanation as to how it can exist in the current DCU (unless DC wants to ignore the very changes that they themselves made, which I wouldn't put passed the current editorial staff). And on the subject of Kryptonian technology-related characters, without the Birthing Matrix in Superman's backstory, the Cyborg Superman can't exist either without a new origin.

I'm not assuming anything. I'm applying logic. The ripple effect from these needless changes to Superman's origin does make it necessary for almost everything in Superman's current mythos to have a new backstory, basically wiping out the vast majority of 80's and 90's worth of Superman comics and the character development and backstories that were written back then.

 

[Anubis]

I fail to see how Krypton being changed somehow results in Kryptonian tech being changed as well? Just because things look different, doesn't mean they didn't invent the eradicator. And the Birthing Matrix, well you could just as easily say it was just something else Jor El tossed into the rocket or created with those damn crystals. Nothing really has to change. All i'm saying is that we just have to wait until they do the new offical origin story.

 

[Motown Marvel]

dont you know that relying on cliff notes results in your pregnant wife's head being delivered to you in a box?

 

[Spike_x1]

I fail to see how Krypton being changed somehow results in Kryptonian tech being changed as well? Just because things look different, doesn't mean they didn't invent the eradicator. And the Birthing Matrix, well you could just as easily say it was just something else Jor El tossed into the rocket or created with those damn crystals. Nothing really has to change. All i'm saying is that we just have to wait until they do the new offical origin story.

And that would be a new backstory, which is exactly what I said would be necessary.

 

[SpandexFan]

Which major characters have been killed? Over in the Marvel universe, everyone from Captain America to Hawkeye to the Vision have bit the dust. I can't believe it. Who has DC nuked? Good guys and bad guys.

Blue Beetle, The Question, Sue Dibney (Elongated Man's wife), Elongated Man, Jade, Shazam (The Wizard, not Billy) and many, many, others..

Thanks for the many detailed answers Anubis. I think Blue Beetle is the death that saddens me the most. He was pretty worthless as a superhero but he was funny as hell in the Justice League rebirth. Him, Booster Gold, Guy Gardner, Batman, it was a great combination!

here are four essential DC books I highly suggest you read, preferably in this order. These four feature some of the key DC stuff of the past ten years, or will give you an impression or summary of the things in-between

Gracias Elijya. You have been very helpful in my DC and Marvel thread. I will be sure to follow your recommendations. I did just read Green Lantern Rebirth. Good stuff! Green Lantern has always been one of my favorite DC characters but except for Guy Gardner, when I last left off he was becoming a boring character. I'm glad they brought back Hal Jordan and continued the legacy!

dont you know that relying on cliff notes results in your pregnant wife's head being delivered to you in a box?

Kevin Spacey better not get near my comics!

 

[incubat]

dont you know that relying on cliff notes results in your pregnant wife's head being delivered to you in a box?

what?

 

[Anubis]

Go see Seven

 

[SpandexFan]

here are four essential DC books I highly suggest you read, preferably in this order. These four feature some of the key DC stuff of the past ten years, or will give you an impression or summary of the things in-between

I just read Identity Crisis and all I can say is holy crap! :
Best mini-series ever!
Most realistic comic book story I've ever read.

I also read the Green Lantern Reborn you suggested a few weeks ago and loved it too, so I don't think I'll be ignoring your recommendations.

I'm starting to wonder if DC writes the best storylines now or I just haven't read enough Marvel material. Reading Identity Crisis and seeing all these iconic heroes reduced to joe schmoes with hidden sins was awesome.

Reading that with Green Arrow and Flash/Wally's acceptance of the cover-up, and then Wonder Woman breaking someone's neck without remorse, then Green Lantern's past problems albeit with mind control from an alien race, and then Superman struggling to get a grip on his vengeance after hallucinating 24/7, it looks like Batman is suddenly the biggest "good guy" in the DC universe.

I guess that's a benefit of always flirting with the dark side, you know where that line is.

 

[incubat]

ok...