7 Best Elseworlds Stories, Ranked (That Aren’t Kingdom Come)

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Comics are fantastic because they can explore endless possibilities, particularly with alternate realities. While the main storyline is always important, it’s exciting to see stories that imagine different paths or altered versions of characters and events—and DC Comics excels at this. Currently, their Absolute Universe is captivating readers with a fresh, slightly darker take on classic heroes, but this isn’t the first time DC has played with ‘what if?’ scenarios. Before Absolute Universe, there was Elseworlds, a long-running series dedicated to just that.

DC’s Elseworlds and the Absolute Universe are different. The Absolute Universe is a complete, self-contained world with its own history, while Elseworlds is a collection of stories that don’t fit into the main DC Universe timeline. And there are some truly excellent stories within Elseworlds! While Kingdom Come is the most famous, many other fantastic tales deserve attention. Here are seven of the best Elseworlds stories besides Kingdom Come, and we even think one of them might be even better.

7) Batman: Holy Terror

Released in 1991, Batman: Holy Terror presents a dark alternate take on the Batman story. It’s set in a United States ruled by a corrupt, religious government that’s at war with South America, attempting to expand its power. The world is grim – Oliver Queen is executed for publishing works deemed illegal by the government – but some things remain familiar. Bruce Wayne’s parents are still murdered by Joe Chill, initially believed to be a random mugging. However, when Bruce considers joining the church, Inquisitor James Gordon reveals the truth: Thomas Wayne was a rebel against the government, and his family’s death wasn’t a coincidence, but a planned execution ordered by the state. Driven by this revelation, Bruce becomes Batman, determined to overthrow the corrupt system.

Batman: Holy Terror is a compelling story with some fascinating ideas. It reveals dark outcomes for many well-known heroes and expands on the harshness of the world it depicts. What truly sets it apart, though, is its portrayal of Batman as a rebel actively fighting against the system, rather than simply operating within it. It’s a strong dystopian story that deserves more recognition.

6) Justice Riders

The idea of superheroes in the Wild West might sound familiar, but the 1997 comic Justice Riders is surprisingly fresh. Written by Chuck Dixon and illustrated by J.H. Williams III, this story stands out because it doesn’t feature Superman or Batman – and that actually makes it stronger (even though a brief appearance by Clark Kent is a fun bonus!). Instead, the story focuses on the rest of the Justice League: Wonder Woman, Booster Gold, Wally West, Ted Kord, Guy Gardner, Hawkman, and Martian Manhunter.

This story centers on US Marshal Diana Prince, who returns to her destroyed hometown of Paradise and discovers everyone is gone. She gathers a team to seek revenge and track down the person responsible: railroad tycoon Maxwell Lord. It’s often described as a ‘Justice League’ story with a Western twist, which is already fun, but it truly shines because of how well it blends classic Western themes and handles sensitive elements – notably, the respectful portrayal of Hawkman as a Native American character.

5) Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

Gotham by Gaslight explores an intriguing idea: what if Batman faced off against Jack the Ripper? It’s a compelling story that has inspired several follow-ups, and it’s notable for being one of the earliest stories outside of the main DC universe, even before the ‘Elseworlds’ label existed. In fact, the success of Gotham by Gaslight directly led to the creation of the Elseworlds series.

Created by Brian Augustyn and illustrated by Mike Mignola, Gotham by Gaslight reimagines Bruce Wayne as a fledgling Batman in 19th-century Gotham City, coinciding with the arrival of Jack the Ripper. While essentially a Batman story set in Victorian times, it’s exceptionally well-executed. The story truly highlights Batman’s detective skills and is a highly creative, captivating read that fans shouldn’t miss.

4) Superman: Speeding Bullet

Imagine if Superman’s rocket landed near Gotham City and he was raised by Thomas and Martha Wayne instead of the Kents. That’s the idea behind Superman: Speeding Bullet. In this story, Kal-El grows up as Bruce Wayne, but his parents are still tragically killed by Joe Chill. This event, however, unlocks his incredible Kryptonian abilities, setting him on the path to becoming Batman.

Superman: Speeding Bullet explores what would happen if Batman had superpowers, and it does so in a compelling way. The story also offers fresh takes on classic Superman characters—Lex Luthor, for example, ends up resembling the Joker. As a bonus, the tale subtly provides a new origin story for this universe’s Superman, which is a clever addition.

3) The Golden Age

Created by James Robinson and Paul Smith, The Golden Age offers a unique perspective by exploring the lives of superheroes after World War II. It’s a realistic and honest portrayal of the challenging post-war era, moving beyond the idealized image of the 1950s. The story shows these heroes grappling with the trauma of war and the rising anxieties of McCarthyism.

In The Golden Age, superheroes aren’t just fighting villains – they’re also battling inner demons. Starman, for example, suffers a breakdown when he discovers his work helped create the atom bomb, and Hourman struggles with an addiction to the pills that give him powers. This comic offers a unique look at what being a hero might really cost, both historically and personally.

2) Justice League: The Nail

The graphic novel Justice League: The Nail presents an alternate history where Superman never existed. It imagines what would happen if Jonathan and Martha Kent hadn’t found baby Kal-El. In this version of events, a flat tire caused by a nail prevents them from discovering his spaceship, leading to a drastically different future. Lex Luthor becomes a distrusting mayor of Metropolis, a strange force field surrounds Earth, and the Justice League is viewed with suspicion.

As a huge Superman fan, I was really captivated by The Nail. It takes some unexpected turns while still feeling true to the characters – Lex Luthor is always trouble, right? – but the biggest surprise was learning what really happened to baby Kal-El. It’s a really well-constructed story, and honestly, a great read. Plus, there’s a sequel called Another Nail if you’re looking for more!

1) Superman: Red Son

Let me be direct: even if I included Kingdom Come, it wouldn’t be my top pick – I’d likely place it second. That’s because Superman: Red Son is an incredibly strong story. It expertly explores the ‘what if?’ premise of an alternate universe tale and cleverly uses American history to offer insightful commentary on Superman, America, and broader themes.

Superman: Red Son presents a fascinating ‘what if’ scenario: what if Superman’s rocket landed in the Soviet Union instead of America? This dramatically changes everything, turning him into a symbol of Soviet power and leading to their dominance over Europe and the rest of the world. Familiar DC heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman are reimagined in surprising and often darker ways. The story is both a complex social commentary and a surprisingly realistic portrayal of its alternate world, making it a truly serious and impactful read. Many consider it the best of DC’s ‘Elseworlds’ tales and one of their all-time greatest stories.

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2025-12-28 00:18