Will The New DC Universe History Finally Answer Popular Continuity Questions

As a devoted cinema-goer of comic book tales, I’ve witnessed the intricate web that is DC Comics continuity unfold for nearly a century. In an attempt to bring order to the chaos, they embarked on a grand endeavor in 1985 with the epic mini-series “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Marv Wolfman and George Perez’s subsequent work, “The History of the DC Universe,” provided readers with a new, cohesive narrative for this fictional universe. With some cleverly applied metaphorical duct tape to mend certain gaps, this history held strong for quite some time. However, it was only a matter of time before modifications were made, as they did with subsequent event comics like “Zero Hour,” “Infinite Crisis,” and ultimately “Flashpoint.” This mini-series served as another reboot for the entire DC Universe, christened as “The New 52,” a title that reflects the 52 Earths within the Multiverse.

After an initial surge in sales, “The New 52” was generally met with disfavor. Five years later, DC addressed this by introducing “DC Rebirth.” Since then, writers like Scott Snyder have expressed frustration with continuity, stating that “Everything happened,” but this approach isn’t sustainable either. Now, Mark Waid, a renowned historian at DC Comics, is taking on the challenge of clarifying the actual continuity of the DC Universe in a 4-part series titled “The New History of the DC Universe.” Given his expertise, we have great faith in Waid’s abilities. However, he has a substantial task ahead as he aims to resolve years of conflicting reboots and stories. Already, he has disclosed some modifications to DC mythology, such as Hippolyta being the first Wonder Woman instead of Diana Prince. We eagerly await Waid’s definitive explanation of these long-standing continuity issues in the DC Universe.

When Did the Modern Age of DC Heroes Actually Begin?

In the tales of DC Comics, the modern era of superheroes started concurrently with the debuts of Superman and Batman. According to the storyline, this supposedly occurred approximately a decade ago, keeping Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent in their late twenties to early forties. This age range ensures they’re not too young or too old but right in the middle. However, in today’s DC Universe, both Superman and Batman have adolescent sons, and there have been numerous versions of the Justice League and the Teen Titans.

To put it simply, the concept of DC’s Modern Age of Heroes lasting for ten years no longer holds water, not even by comic book standards. Mark Waid should clarify once and for all how long this “Modern Age” has persisted. If Superman and Batman are currently in their mid-40s due to this extension, so be it. In reality, Robert Downey Jr. was 43 when he took on the role of Iron Man in the MCU, and fans didn’t bat an eye about his age. Fans can adapt to the idea that Superman and Batman are no longer in their twenties or even thirties. We can also embrace a modern DC Universe with a history spanning two decades (or more).

Which Version of Wonder Woman’s Backstory Is the Correct One?

As a supporter, I’ve followed Wonder Woman’s journey through different eras, and it’s fascinating how her origins have evolved over time. Initially, we knew her as the Wonder Woman of the Golden Age, who was none other than Hippolyta, Diana’s mother during World War II. However, the storyline has taken various turns since then.

In 2011, with the New 52 reboot by Brian Azzarello, a new twist emerged, suggesting that Wonder Woman was actually the daughter of Zeus, and the Amazons were depicted as less honorable warriors. But, just five years later, in 2016, writer Greg Rucka brought a change, revealing that all the New 52 was a false narrative. Instead, he returned her origins to a version closer to her post-Crisis “born of clay” one, although not identical. It’s been quite an adventure keeping up with these changes!

Ever since her initial introduction, subsequent writers of Wonder Woman have incorporated elements from different periods in her backstory. Unfortunately, there isn’t a clear and comprehensive account of DC Comics’ first female superhero’s history. There appears to be disagreement among writers regarding whether Zeus is her father or not, or if she has a twin brother who was separated at birth. This latest twist in Diana’s origin story from recent years seems to have been quickly set aside. Given the significance of Wonder Woman as a character, it’s crucial to keep her history organized and consistent.

Finally Answer the Question “Who Is Donna Troy?” For Good

Discussing Wonder Woman, her adoptive sister Donna Troy’s backstory has been complex ever since the major event known as “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Initially, Wonder Girl and founder of the Teen Titans had a straightforward origin story – she was an American orphan adopted by the Amazons and bestowed with their powers. Easy to follow, right? However, after Wonder Woman’s return to the DC universe post-“Crisis,” Donna’s history needed adjusting. And it changed multiple times over the years. One attempt in the ’90s, led by writer/artist John Byrne, aimed to harmonize all the different histories and make them coherent. Unfortunately, it didn’t achieve that goal.

2011’s “New 52” reboot gave Donna Troy a fresh makeover. This time, it was revealed she was made from enchanted clay as a weapon against Wonder Woman. However, the Amazons planted false memories of being Diana’s sister in Donna’s mind. Yet, the current Titans series appears to overlook this origin, leaving her past shrouded in mystery once more. We hope that the upcoming New History of the DC Universe can finally clear up these ambiguities for good. It’s been quite some time since the original “Donna Troy’s True Identity” story was published in 1983, and we’d be grateful if we never have to ponder over her identity again.

Which Legion of Super-Heroes Future is the Correct One?

Since 1958, the DC Universe’s Legion of Super-Heroes has provided readers with a glimpse into the DCU a thousand years from now. Originally, the Legion was a team of superpowered teenagers from various planets, all inspired by the feats of the 20th-century hero, Superboy. However, when DC revised Superman’s history post-Crisis on Infinite Earths, a significant piece of the Legion’s history vanished. As a result, the Legion has undergone six reboots over the years. With each reboot, the Legion’s significance and fan base have decreased. While we know that a Legion still exists in DC’s future, we are unsure which one it is. We also understand that various Legions coexist within the Multiverse. It would be fascinating to learn which Legion of Super-Heroes represents the mainline DC universe’s future and was a friend to a young Kal-El (Superman).

Finally Clarify Supergirl’s Massively Confusing Timeline

As a die-hard fan of DC comics, let me tell you that Superman’s cousin, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, has quite an intricate history that often leaves me scratching my head. You see, the original Supergirl made her debut way back in 1959, only to meet her untimely end while saving the Multiverse during the epic event of Crisis on Infinite Earths in 1985. Then, a new iteration of Kara appeared in 2004, but her history was later revised during the “New 52” reboot, and yet again during “DC Rebirth” in 2016. The current DC Supergirl series by Sophie Campbell references both her pre-Crisis lore as well as her contemporary backstory, and honestly, it can get pretty mind-boggling, no pun intended.

The puzzle deepens when considering different iterations of Supergirl, such as Peter David’s ’90s character, Linda Danvers (Maid of Might), and Power Girl, Superman’s cousin Kara from another dimension who now finds herself here. With a movie set to release next year and her popularity surging, it’s crucial to clarify Kara Zor-El’s history. Given her significance to DC Comics, she deserves a clear, definitive backstory.

Which Parts of the New 52 Reboot Remain Canon?

Apart from the 1985 “Crisis on Infinite Earths” reboot, no other DC Universe continuity reset has had a more profound impact than the 2011 event known as “Flashpoint”. This significant occurrence led to a revised history for the DC universe and the “New 52” initiative. Numerous adjustments were made to DC’s history to depict their heroes as younger and less experienced, but these changes often left fans confused and unsatisfied. The 2017 comic “Doomsday Clock” disclosed that Doctor Manhattan from “Watchmen” manipulated the DC timeline, causing these alterations. Although much of the original continuity was reinstated, some aspects of the “New 52” era persist. Since then, DC has struggled to reconcile what transpired during that period, and fans eagerly await Mark Waid’s resolution regarding which parts of the “New 52” are still considered canon in the new DC history.

On June 25th, you can get the debut of Mark Waid’s “New History of the DC Universe,” featuring artwork by Todd Nauck, Jerry Ordway, Mike Allred, and Dan Jurgens, released on a Wednesday.

2025-06-04 16:04