History of the DC Universe
From Hey Kids Comics
| History of the DC Universe | |
|---|---|
|
250x450px The cover to the History of the DC Universe trade paperback. Art by Alex Ross. | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | 1986 |
| Number of issues | 2 |
| Main character(s) | Harbinger |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Marv Wolfman |
| Penciller(s) | George Pérez |
| Inker(s) | Karl Kesel |
| Colorist(s) | Tom Ziuko |
| Creator(s) |
Marv Wolfman George Pérez |
| Editor(s) | Mike Gold |
| Collected editions | |
| History of the DC Universe | ISBN 1-56389-798-9 |
History of the DC Universe is a two-issue comic book limited series created by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, and published by DC Comics following the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Publication history[edit | edit source]
History of the DC Universe was an attempt to summarize the new history of the DC Universe to establish what was canonical after Crisis reformed the multiverse into a single universe.[1] In the original planning of Crisis on Infinite Earths, the History would have formed the final two issues, following the destruction of the Multiverse at the Beginning of Time, but this was changed. History of the DC Universe had been one of the working titles for Crisis on Infinite Earths.[2]
The loose plotline of the series involves the character Harbinger chronicling the past, present, and future of the post-Crisis DC Universe. The history is mostly told through one- and two-page splash pages, accompanied by brief prose. At the end of the series, Harbinger places the history in a capsule and launches it into space. In the subsequent series Millennium, this history is intercepted by the Manhunters and used against Earth's superheroes.
Collected edition[edit | edit source]
The series was reprinted in hardcover by Graphitti Designs in 1988 with a painted cover by Bill Sienkiewicz. It featured additional material not included in the original series including an introduction by Wolfman and the following:
- essay and Superman illustration by Neal Adams
- essay by Julius Schwartz
- essay by Jerry Siegel with Superman illustration by Joe Shuster
- essay by Bob Kane with Batman illustration by Dick Sprang
- essay and Sgt. Rock illustration by Joe Kubert
- essay by Roy Thomas with Marvel Family illustration by Kurt Schaffenberger
- essay by Paul Levitz with Legion of Super-Heroes illustration by Steve Lightle
- essay by Len Wein with Swamp Thing illustration by Stephen R. Bissette and John Totleben
- essay by Jack Kirby with New Gods illustration by Kirby and Steve Rude
- essay and Aquaman illustration by Ramona Fradon
- essay by George Pérez with Wonder Woman illustration by Trina Robbins and Pérez
- an afterword by Frank Miller
- a gatefold poster[3][4]
The series was reprinted as a trade paperback in 2002. It had a new cover painting by Alex Ross but did not include the bonus material from the 1988 hardcover edition.[5]
History of the DCU[edit | edit source]
After the events of Infinite Crisis, DC included a backup story titled "History of the DCU" in 52, running in issues #2–11 and written by Dan Jurgens.
In this version, Donna Troy, now in possession of Harbinger's orb, tells the story of the history of the DCU, up to Infinite Crisis.
History of the Multiverse[edit | edit source]
The backup story, History of the Multiverse, appears in issues 49-38 of Countdown, as told from the perspective of the Monitors. It was written by Dan Jurgens as well.
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Manning, Matthew K.; Dolan, Hannah, ed. (2010). "1980s". DC Comics Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. Dorling Kindersley. p. 220. ISBN 978-0-7566-6742-9.
In an effort to organize the status quo of the DC Universe after the events of the Crisis on Infinite Earths maxiseries, artist George Pérez and writer Marv Wolfman collaborated on a two-part prestige-format history of the DCU.
- ↑ Crisis on Infinite Earths Compendium, pg. 4, Crisis on Infinite Earths: The Absolute Edition.
- ↑ Wolfman, Marv; Pérez, George (1988). History of the DC Universe. Graphitti Designs. ISBN 0-930289-26-9.
- ↑ History of the DC Universe (1988) at the Grand Comics Database
- ↑ History of the DC Universe (2002) at the Grand Comics Database
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