DC basically invented the Multiverse concept in comics. By incorporating alternate Earths and “imaginary stories” into the Silver Age DC Universe, the publisher changed comic storytelling forever. Multiverses are becoming all the rage again thanks to the MCU, but DC is the granddaddy of Multiverses and has created some of the best alternate universes of all time.
Whether it be in Elseworlds stories, alternate future tales, or just exploring the massive DC Multiverse, there are some amazing DC worlds out there. They’ve proven fertile grounds for some amazing stories, ones that have captured the imaginations of readers for years and proven to be quite revolutionary.
10 Superman: Red Son Presented A Very Different Superman
Superman: Red Son, by writer Mark Millar and artists Dave Stewart and Killian Plunkett, presented a fascinating alternate world. The basic premise is Superman landed in Soviet Russia and became Stalin’s tool, eventually taking over the USSR after the dictator’s death. From there, he waged a war against the US, personified by Lex Luthor.
The story sketched a very different DC world and a very different Superman. He still wanted to protect everyone but he embraced a Stalinistic way of doing things. It was revolutionary and remains one of the coolest DC Earths ever.
9 Earth-8 Is Basically The Marvel Universe
One of the coolest things about the DC Multiverse is that it has always felt expansive, with even the real world getting its own Earth. Grant Morrison’s The Multiversity introduced a very interesting world, Earth-8, to the Multiverse. Earth-8 was a Marvel pastiche and has been referenced several times since, the home of Major Comics’ heroes.
It’s such a DC idea to have a world that is basically the Marvel Universe. While readers haven’t gotten to spend a lot of time there, it’s still an intriguing world whose existence opens up all kinds of story potential for future creators and readers.
8 Thunderworld Brings Back The Old-School Shazam
There once was a time when Shazam was Captain Marvel and his cohorts were the Marvel Family. Back in the Golden Age, Captain Marvel beat Superman in sales and the only way DC could compete was by legal action. The character was given his own Earth in the old Multiverse, folded into the DCU after Crisis On Infinite Earths, has his name changed to Shazam because of Marvel’s legal action, and given his own Earth in The Multiversity.
On this Earth, he’s still called Captain Marvel, not Shazam, and has delightful, colorful adventures with the Marvel Family against his most dangerous villains. It’s a wonderful throwback to a simpler time and fans wish for a return there in some form one day.
7 DCeased Brought Readers A DC Zombie Apocalypse
Writer Tom Taylor has proven to be an alternate universe maven and DCeased is a perfect example of that. Joined by multiple artists over several series, DCeased saw an amalgamation of Cyborg and the Anti-Life Equation start a zombie apocalypse that pitted hero versus infected hero. It’s one of the best superhero zombie stories of recent years.
It’s proven to be a fertile ground for stories, as seeing how the heroes and villains of the DC Universe deal with a zombie apocalypse. Fans love the world of DCeased and always want a return there.
6 Injustice Told A Story Of Heroes Fighting Heroes
Based on the video game, Injustice: Gods Among Us, the titular series of comics written by Tom Tayler with art by various artists fleshed out the world of a DC Universe gone mad. After being forced to kill Lois Lane by the Joker and killing the clown, Superman becomes a brutal dictator. Heroes and villains choose sides and battle lines are drawn.
Over multiple series, Taylor introduced many ups and downs into the narrative. It became one of DC’s premier alternate universes for years and it still holds a special place in many fans’ hearts.
5 Earth-3 Introduced Readers To The Crime Syndicate Of America
Some of the best alternate worlds are ones that are the complete opposites of the main world. That’s Earth-3 in a nutshell. It’s the Earth where evil always wins. In lieu of the Justice League, there’s the Crime Syndicate, a powerful team that has gone through as many permutations as the DC Universe.
Earth-3 takes the familiar heroes and iconography of the DC Universe and sets them on their ears. It’s always fun to play in a completely opposite sandbox and the Crime Syndicate has become one of the greatest groups of villains the Justice League battles.
4 Kingdom Come Introduced Readers To What Would Become A Fan Favorite Setting
Kingdom Come, by writer Mark Waid and artist Alex Ross, is a highlight of mid-’90s DC. Taking place in a future where all of the villains have been defeated and a new, violent breed of hero runs the streets while the older generation had mostly gone away, the story saw Superman’s return set off a series of events that brings the Earth to the brink of destruction.
An amazing piece of comic storytelling that has stood the test of time, Kingdom Come created an alternate DC Earth that captured fans’ imagination at a time when the Multiverse was gone. It remains a fan favorite.
3 All-Star Superman Presented A Perfect Superman Setting
All-Star Superman, by writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely, is an undisputed masterpiece. Focusing exclusively on Superman, it combined the best of the Silver Age and modern DC Earths to tell the perfect Superman story. While it lacks any appearances by other heroes, they are mentioned and it takes a classic approach to the DC Universe that pays dividends.
All-Star Superman presents an alternate DC Universe that is basically the best of all worlds. It takes everything great about DC continuity and melds it together, using Superman as its linchpin, which makes perfect sense.
2 Earth-23 Introduced Fans To Calvin Ellis
Earth-23 first appeared in Final Crisis #8, by writer Grant Morrison and artist Doug Mahnke. A version of the DC Universe where the heroes were African-American, implying an Earth that was Afro-centric, introduced readers to Calvin Ellis, the Superman of that Earth and President of the United States. Showcased in the New 52 Action Comics, The Multiversity, and Justice League Incarnate, Ellis has become one of the best modern Superman analogs.
Earth-23 is a great setting that needs more time spent on it. Ellis is a perfect Superman and fans love him. Getting to see more of him in his home setting and exploring what makes it unique would be appreciated by readers.
1 Earth-2 Is The First DC Alternate Earth
The Justice Society is the OG superteam. Instead of making them a part of the history of the Silver Age DC Universe, the publisher introduced Earth-2, a way for the Justice League and the Justice Society to crossover without making heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman seem old, while also letting their Golden Age versions continue to exist.
Earth-2 began the alternate Earth idea in the comic industry, presenting a new type of storytelling tool. Consisting of some of DC’s greatest characters, it’s made a huge mark on the publisher and is still the DC fan’s alternate Earth of choice.
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