Why the DCU Must Steer Clear of Crisis on Infinite Earths for Future Success!

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Summary

  • The DCU should avoid using Crisis on Infinite Earths due to its numerous recent adaptations and should focus on new crossover events.
  • Other stories like Infinite Crisis and Final Crisis offer endless opportunities for adaptation and can elevate the DCU to rival the MCU.
  • Adapting elements of previous crossover events in a unique way, like Infinity War and Endgame, can help the DCU grow into the cinematic universe it was meant to be.

Anticipation builds as we approach the debut of the inaugural DC Universe film, “Superman,” this year. Fans are eager to discover the vision that James Gunn and Peter Safron, at the helm of the DCU, have for the world of DC Comics in their live-action interpretations. Although the upcoming “Superman” movie will integrate established DC Comics characters within its narrative, details about the initial chapter of the DCU, titled “Gods and Monsters,” remain scarce. However, one significant storyline from DC Comics that should be avoided for the near future is “Crisis on Infinite Earths.

This extensive narrative traversed multiple comic series, delving into the vast expanse of the DC multiverse. A mighty entity called The Anti-Monitor, capable of destroying entire universes, was the main antagonist. As he systematically wiped out universes, heroes from all corners of the multiverse joined forces to combat this threat and rescue whom they could. Over the past ten years, this tale has been reimagined in both animated and live-action formats, appearing as a series of movies and an ongoing, multi-show, multi-season saga known as the “Arrowverse”. To ensure continued growth and success for the DC Universe, it would be beneficial to concentrate on another grand crossover event from their rich history of such events.

The Original Crisis on Infinite Earths, Explained

It Really Did Change (Almost) Everything

In 1985-1986, a narrative unfolded about the Anti-Monitor, a tremendously powerful entity hailing from the Anti-Matter universe. He sets out to destroy various realities within the expansive DC multiverse. After a scientist named Pariah conducted an experiment with antimatter, the Anti-Monitor was inadvertently released into our primary universe, subsequently launching an antimatter wave of destruction.

As a cinephile, I find myself drawn to the captivating narrative of “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” hailing from an alternate reality known as Earth-3. In this tale, Alexander Luthor Jr finds himself displaced following the annihilation of his home planet by an anti-matter wave. This cataclysmic event has caught the attention of a formidable entity, the Monitor, who governs the current multiverse.

In response to this impending threat, the Monitor assembles a motley crew consisting of heroes and villains, plucked from various realities across the cosmos. Their mission? To construct towers capable of withstanding the anti-matter wave by merging the remaining universes into a more robust, consolidated existence.

Throughout this multiversal odyssey, our characters are dispatched on a variety of missions, each with their own unique challenges and obstacles to overcome. However, it is Pariah who is unwillingly relegated to the role of an observer, forced to bear witness as each universe succumbs to the destructive forces of the Anti-Monitor.

This gripping tale weaves together themes of hope, sacrifice, and unity, as our heroes strive to save not only their own worlds but also those of countless other realities. “Crisis on Infinite Earths” is a must-watch for any comic book enthusiast seeking an epic, action-packed adventure that transcends the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

Following the Anti-Monitor’s seizure of the Flash (Barry Allen) and the transformation of Kimiyo Hoshi into the new Dr. Light at the hands of the Monitor, the Monitor is slain by his comrade Harbinger, who subsequently becomes possessed by one of the Anti-Monitor’s shadowy spirits. Subsequently, the remaining Earths are transported to a limbo dimension, prompting Alexander Luthor Jr. to gather heroes and villains for a fight against the Anti-Monitor in the anti-matter universe. This confrontation results in the Anti-Monitor sustaining injuries, yet Supergirl and The Flash ultimately give their lives during this conflict.

In a primordial conflict, time’s first skirmish results in the remnants of Earth being restructured into a unified multiverse. The champions from the dawn now stand as the only ones with memories of the multiverse. Later, the Anti-Monitor resurfaces on this new Earth, claiming several heroic lives and instigating a fight against a combined force consisting of Alexander Luthor Jr., Kal-L, Superboy Prime, and even aid from Darkseid. Their united efforts manage to vanquish the Anti-Monitor, but Kal-L, Superboy Prime, and Earth-2’s Lois Lane are transported by Alexander Luthor Jr. to a blissful pocket dimension. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman of Earth-2 is whisked away to Mount Olympus under Zeus’s guidance.

The DCU Needs New Stories And/Or Adaptations

There Are So Many Other Crises To Cover!

For several years now, Crisis on Infinite Earths has been reimagined numerous times following its initial publication, with a major narrative arc unfolding across TV shows like Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, and Black Lightning. Moreover, it’s been depicted in three animated films over the past year, reviving almost every animated incarnation of the DC universe before their final chapter. Given all these adaptations within the last ten years, the upcoming narrative in the DC Universe should deviate from this continuous crossover storyline.

After this story, more crossover tales followed, such as “Infinite Crisis,” where characters from the initial crisis reappeared and Superboy Prime became a significant antagonist. Conversely, “Final Crisis” featured Darkseid’s bid for the anti-life equation and his plan to conquer the universe. More recently, “Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths” delved into The Great Darkness, an evil force that has influenced events in DC Comics for a long time and controlled some of the most powerful DC villains. While there’s no limit to new stories, one thing could make the DC Universe as formidable as the MCU – a consistent, unified approach across all storylines.

A more fitting course of action might involve reimagining some of these narratives in a fresh and distinctive manner, similar to how Marvel’s “Infinity War” and “Endgame” reinvented aspects of “The Infinity Saga” while still presenting an innovative story with significant alterations. By incorporating elements from one of these crossover events and crafting a unique cinematic journey for viewers, the DCU could reach its intended potential as a captivating universe. Furthermore, expanding upon Zack Snyder’s previous work by establishing a new multiverse following those films would offer a compelling connection for fans, and choosing “Crisis on Infinite Earths” as anything other than the direction for the DCU would be wise.

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2025-03-30 16:24