The DC Universe (DCU) is the shared universe in which the majority of American comic books published by DC Comics take place. The initial DCU was established in All Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940—1941) with the formation of the Justice Society of America.
Development
editGolden Age
editThe DC Universe (DCU) was first established in All Star Comics #3 (Winter 1940—1941),[1][2] an anthology series containing the most popular series from other anthologies published by both All-American Publications and National Comics (later which later merged into DC Comics).[3]: 13–14 The issue depicted the first meeting of the Justice Society of America (JSA),[1] which featured the Flash, Hawkman, Hour-Man, the Spectre, the Sandman, Doctor Fate, and the Green Lantern, and the Atom.[4] Batman and Superman were later established as being members of the JSA.[5]: 178 Prior to this, most of DC's superheroes were generally treated independently of each other; All Star Comics was the first comic to recognize they lived in the same world and could interact with each other. A rule requiring the JSA to feature a rotating cast—characters who were given their own ongoing series were retired from All Star Comics in favor of new characters—helped expand the DCU and laid the groundwork for the shared universe concept.[6]
Silver and Bronze Age
editModern Age
editDescription
editTimeline
editThe DCU timeline is split into four ages, which DC refers to as "generations".
- Generation 1
- Generation 2
- Generation 3 begins with the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985–1986), in which the multiverse is destroyed, leaving a single DCU known as "New Earth". Significant events in Generation 3 include the formation of the Justice League International, the death of Jason Todd at the hands of the Joker in "A Death in the Family" (1988–1989), "The Death of Superman" (1992–1993), and crossover events such as Infinite Crisis (2005–2006), Final Crisis (2008–2009), and "Blackest Night" (2009–2010). It concludes with Flashpoint (2011), in which the DCU is rebooted due to the machinations of Doctor Manhattan.
- Generation 4
Denizens
editMagic and theology
editAlternate realities
editCultural impact
editOther media
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Johnston, Rich (May 11, 2018). "Revealing DC Comics' Next Crisis Event…". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved May 12, 2018.
- ^ The Catalog of Copyright Entries 1940 Periodicals Jan-Dec New Series Vol 35 Pt 2. Washington, D.C.: United States Copyright Office. 1940. p. 373.
- ^ Thomas, Roy (2000). The All-Star Companion: An Historical and Speculative Overview of the Justice Society of America. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 1893905055.
- ^ Wallace, Daniel; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1940s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. London, United Kingdom: Dorling Kindersley. p. 33. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9.
DC took the 'greatest hits' premise of the comic to its logical conclusion in All Star Comics #3 by teaming the Flash, the Atom, Doctor Fate, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Hourman, Sandman, and the Spectre under the banner of the Justice Society of America for an ongoing series.
{{cite book}}:|first2=has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ Thomas, Roy (2000). All-Star Companion Volume 1. Raleigh, North Carolina: TwoMorrows Publishing. ISBN 978-1893905054.
- ^ Sims, Chris (June 8, 2011). "Time and Time Again: The Complete History of DC's Retcons and Reboots". ComicsAlliance. Retrieved May 13, 2018.