While writing a recent article about the mecha standard, Gundam, for our sister site, Anime Vice, I found it a might tricky to keep track of the many alternate series and timelines that all fall under the big Gundam umbrella. I believe I got a taste of the vexation new readers must experience when they’re getting into comics from the big Two. Think about it. There’s at least 52 versions of Superman from different Earth’s spotted over different universes. Which Spider-Man origin is the real one? Does that story where Batman’s old and angry and Gotham is a crumbling warzone count? You can imagine how tough a nut this must be to crack.

From that outside perspective, you’d think of alternate realities and interdimensional doubles as being as much a part of the American superhero comic as a colorful outfit.  And, coincidentally, what are most of the big storyarcs fans remember? KINGDOM COME. DAYS OF FUTURE PAST. NEW FRONTIER. THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS. EARTH X. AGE OF APOCALYPSE. You’ll notice that none of them are set in the main continuities.

Sadly, this year I was too busy to do any foolin’ but, normally, I relish in April Fool’s Day.  There’s something so deeply appealing about breaking the rules of the norm. Stepping, if only for a moment, outside of reality. I think the appeal of these alternate-reality stories flows from the same wellspring. Obviously, if a title’s been running for decades, you really need these conceits to cover ground you haven’t covered before, but I think the other appeal is that continuity can sometimes accumulate such that the amount of stories you “can’t see” outnumber the ones you “can see.” And I think that these alternate reality stories are an avenue out of that.   They can let you break “the rules”, if only for a finite time, and that's a big part of their appeal.

Anyway, that’s my opinion on the matter. One of my favorite storylines - - in terms of just unbridled fun - - was the Marvel/ DC fusing Amalgam event from the 90s and it’s one that “doesn’t count” in either universe. What are your favorite parallel dimensions, oh reality-hopping Comic Vine community? What alternate futures, divergent pasts and warped presents do you hold in the highest regard?

-- Tom Pinchuk is the writer of UNIMAGINABLE for Arcana Comics and HYBRID BASTARDS! for Archaia. Watch out for the HYBRID BASTARDS! hardcover collection this April - - available for pre-order now on Amazon.com .

your in one right now, didnt you know that?
your actually an alternate reality Tom Pinchuk,
while the Prime Pinchuk exists in a different reality.

because they're awesome! i love alternate realities!

Infinite Earths, Infinite Possibilities.
See Earth-2 where you fought in world war 2
marvel at Earth-9 where you're a terrifying creature of the night
Oogle at yourself as the opposite sex on Earth-12
and bop over to Earth-(0-*) where life is Broadway musical
all before lunch

I agree with Mbecks
 
Also as a huge gundam fan, alternate realities are great to do different things and try new techniques.
 
 Favorite alterante reality? Probably Marvel Noir, would be Earth 15, where Spider is from(Exiles Weapon X) but I know nothing about it. Gundam wise I would say Seed ((Hear me out! I like the Astray series and Stargazer only))
And I don't care what people think of me, i am GODLY TIRED OF UC

" your in one right now, didnt you know that? your actually an alternate reality Tom Pinchuk, while the Prime Pinchuk exists in a different reality. "

This is why I really miss the Exiles book. It was always fun to see all the alternate realities and "What If's" in a semi-logical way without it having much, if any, real effect in the "real" reality. And I agree that the Marvel/DC Amalgam would have been a great series that could do alot of cool stuff with both companies creations (especially the Batman/Wolverine and JLA/Avenger books)

"I love alternate realities. It is really cool to see what little differences can have on the world "

Alternate realities (apart from big ones like the Ultimate Universe at Marvel) give writers a chance to go balls to the wall and just tell a great story without having it restricted by a more convoluted continuity, or have their work undone (as poignant as Civil War was, everything fresh about it has been reversed in order for Marvel to reinstate the status quo. Pretty much the only thing that still stands is the death of Bill Foster-- Cap's alive, Tony erased the files and is no longer director of SHIELD, the Initiative is kaput, Aunt May's un-shot, Spidey's identity is secret again, etc. etc. So why did any of it matter in the long run?)
 
Part of the appeal is a fresh start, a simple jumping on point, but for me it's larger than that. Anything can happen. Wolverine is tricked into killing all the heroes and is living out his old age in exile as the villains divide America? Great. Superman is a communist? Brilliant. Nick Fury is Sam Jackson? Bad*ss Motherf*cker.

PS. Tom, when in April does Hybrid Bastards officially get released? Amazon doesn't have a date.

" Gundam wise I would say Seed (Hear me out! I like the Astray series and Stargazer only) "

   
No matter how I try to write it, I both hate and love alternate realities.  Just wish some concepts and stories were narrowed down in "regular" continuity concerning the respective Big 2 comic companies.   
 
We've already seen the Disney/Marvel mash-ups.  Will Punisher MIckey come along and riddle the Marvel U with mouse ear shaped bullets?   
 
That would be cool.........

Best alternate realities would have to be Ultimate Universe, although I also like the Squadron Supreme's universe.

I'm not a fan of alternate universes, especially when incorporated into the "regular universe" comic books.

I personally HATE! alternate universes

I love elseworlds and What ifs? But the one that I like the Most is Earth X

I love alternate realities that way they only wreck Julie Power in that stupid Loners book, but there is always the Power Pack book were she is more accurate.

Alternative realities... Hate them

I'm a fan of Alternate Realities,  they give us a different side to our favourite characters, it stops them from being boring. 
 

I bet my bottom dollar that there's an alternate reality where real people have super-powers... and I effin' killed you all!

Because they answer fanmail asking you to do it their way. 
 
Because it involves an actual mention of existing science to add explanation to comic physical reality, while getting away with anything which would generate more fanmail. 
 
Because it puts your fave heroes into your fave hero settings you otherwise wouldn't get to read, including this one.
 
Because it's cool. 
 
Because it can answer the question what it would be like if YOU became ... Spider-Man...
 

@CATMANEXE

" @Tom Pinchuk: 
I'm the slightly peevish counterpart of CATMANEXE from Earth-256732.
that, as you already know is the one just like ours but instead of internet we
use a much more advanced means of social networking and communication.

"

"

Fly My Fellow Fanboys, Fly!!! "

I've been trying to get into comics as of late, and I'm finding the whole multiple reality thing to be extremely confusing. I've got no clue where to start reading! I think the sheer quantity of back story, realities, and characters in super hero comic books makes the medium very intimidating to potential consumers.

" I've been trying to get into comics as of late, and I'm finding the whole multiple reality thing to be extremely confusing. I've got no clue where to start reading! I think the sheer quantity of back story, realities, and characters in super hero comic books makes the medium very intimidating to potential consumers. "

i LOVE the Ultimate universe
 
its awesome

Almagam too

Best alternate reality story has to be Age of Apocalypse. I mean it actually tied in with the main X-Men timeline. Plus everyone's powers were at their max.

Season 2 is currently in production. 26 new episodes will be aired and it will focus on the Age of Apocalypse storyline of the comics. At the end of Season 1, we see Apocalypse entering a platform with Sinister and Scott Summers (Cyclops) beside him. During Comic Con 2009, Images of Season 2 were shown, consisting of Colossus, Magik, Deadpool, Jubilee,and Havok. It was announced that these characters will appear in Season 2. Colossus will get a reintroductory storyline and will be a regular character in season 2     
 
oh its coming just wait dude