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Off My Mind: Parallel Worlds in the "New 52"

Are there still 52 different worlds and is it a good idea to use them now?

Things are finally settling down in the DC Universe. Since September, we've been reading about the familiar and new versions of the heroes in the DCU. There has been a lot of focus on allowing each character to be developed individually but now we're starting to see more crossovers between the different characters.

The idea of the "New 52" was to have a fresh start without completely rewriting everything that was already established in the last few decades. New readers are now getting used to who these characters are and the same can be said, in some cases, for long time readers as we're seeing the new interactions unfold.

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In May we'll be seeing EARTH TWO, a series focusing on familiar heroes from a parallel world. These won't necessarily be the same version of heroes that has been established. Heroes from parallel worlds are popping up in other titles as well. This leads to the questions of will this make sense for new readers and do we have 52 parallel worlds or are we back to an infinite number?

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EARTH TWO was first announced as a title for the Justice Society of America. Heroes such as Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Wildcat and others have been absent from the "New 52" Universe. Somewhere along the way to the release date of the title being announced, the name was changed to focus on the fact that this is a different "Earth.'

Power Girl hasn't been seen but Karen Star was in the pages of MISTER TERRIFIC. There hasn't been any mention of Donna Troy but it appears she could be on the cover to EARTH TWO #1 (along with Superboy dressed as Superman and Dick Grayson dressed as Batman).

There has been debate over whether or not the HUNTRESS mini-series by Paul Levitz and Marcus To took place in the "New 52" universe or on Earth Two. We've been told there would be a connection between that book, JSA and BIRDS OF PREY.

Another title announced for May, WORLD'S FINEST, will include Power Girl and Huntress, from Earth Two, on the "New 52" Earth, trying to find their way back home. That won't be confusing for new and old readers, right?

Earth Two isn't the only parallel worlds we'll be hearing from. In ACTION COMICS #9, Grant Morrison will be showing us some other parallel worlds as well.

Featuring characters from parallel Earths, including PRESIDENT SUPERMAN! Guest artist GENE HA joins GRANT MORRISON for this tale of not one, not two, but THREE Earths! And in the backup story, President Superman must stop a nuclear attack – but he can’t leave the White House!
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President Superman was seen in FINAL CRISIS #7 (also by Grant Morrison). We didn't get to see a lot of President Superman in FINAL CRISIS. It's always fun to visit parallel worlds to see the different variations of familiar characters but putting them in actual ongoing issues could be a problem.

This is why DC created the Elseworlds concept, telling "What If" stories on separate, parallel worlds. But having parallel worlds and the characters mix with the core characters can cause confusion.

Crisis on Infinite Earths was created to clean up the multiverse in DC Comics. We were left with just one universe. Then years later, this started to unwind. After other "crises" came and then we were left with 52 different "Earths."

With "The New 52," not only do we not know full details on the histories of the characters in the current books. We also don't know details on the entire universe. We don't know what the status is anymore.

Back in October, co-publisher Dan DiDio suggested that Crisis on Infinite Earths might not have happened now.

Yes, there have been “crisis” in our characters lives, but they aren’t exactly the Crisis you read before, they can’t be. Now, what this means for characters seen and unseen……

With Flashpoint, there was mention of three timelines becoming one again.

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We know the Wildstorm (Earth-50) and Vertigo (Earth-13) worlds have been combined. Does that mean there are now only fifty "Earths" or has two other variations taken their place? Then again, we could be back to an infinite number in the Multiverse.

Now imagine trying to explain all of that to new readers. They might be familiar with the idea from shows like Star Trek, Sliders, Fringe and even Lost but when it comes to superhero characters with loads of history, introducing variations of those might be too much. We're still waiting to see a reappearance from Pandora, the mysterious pink lady (seen above) in FLASHPOINT and all the #1s in the "New 52" issues. Most likely when she does show up again, it's going to be even messier than it already is.

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Gordo789

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Edited By Gordo789

If having multiple universes is the only way we can get more Power Girl and JSA, then yes, by all means do it.

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AskaniSon295

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Edited By AskaniSon295

There is an unending amount of realities, some are more interesting than others it does matter what DC Says or doesn't says. You can give them numbers like Marvel does or just give them names or a character refference like "the Dark Night Rises universe". It really doesn't matter what matters is that the stories being told are interesting and as anyone who has a written a fanfic knows their doesn't take place in a certain universe but after a certain point in a different universe. What I don't get is why the people who hate the New52 so much don't just create a world where Flashpint didn't happen and just continue on the old DCU Like what Claremont did with X-Men Forever. It doesn't matter what universe you enjoy reading about watching playing in. It just matters that you enjoy the stories and art. New52 Warblade looks so freakin' sick/awesome.

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Shimmy

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Edited By Shimmy

I'm sorry, but has it been confirmed that that's Donna and Conner on the cover of Earth-2?

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Ganthetsward20

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Edited By Ganthetsward20

Everyone needs to calm down, in my opinion DC hasn't taken this relaunch as far as I had hoped and has made some mistakes. I'm not the most avid reader but I know enough. When I started reading the parallel worlds was something that attracted me to more reading of comics. Its just something people may find to be 'too much' but if they put good writers on the titles that cover these Else Worlds who are known for having wrote good books that got new readers to actually read them, then DC should be fine. Considering this is the New 52 maybe we'll start to see even more weird thing (to us who are familiar to the DC universe) that will make it understandable for newbies.

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BloodTalon

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Edited By BloodTalon

I forgot to mention before that I am all for a multivers and I hope it's infinite

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cadaver

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Edited By cadaver

I was collecting titles from DC before the new 52. They were cancelled of course. I read some of the new ones and didn't like them. Now I collect no titles from DC. Is this is permanent, the new 52? Or are they going back to the 'old' 52 after a year? What's this about Superman as president? Thought you had to be born in the USA to be president.

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Video_Martian

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Edited By Video_Martian

BRAIN FART!!!

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Michiel76

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Edited By Michiel76

I'm a new reader, haven't read any DC comics before the new 52, never ever. (and i have read comics for over 20 years)

As i see it they have a brand new "regular" new 52 universe, why the rush of adding yet a new earth 2 universe? Can't they flesh out this universe some more? It hasn't even been a whole year yet.

I'm still in the fase of figuring out who everybody is and what their relation is to one another. e.g. i still need to look up Karen Starr on comicvine and find out that she is powergirl.

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IronHerc

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Edited By IronHerc

If used well, there is no problem. There is nothing wrong with that and it isn't confusing at all. What? that there are an infinite amount of different earths with alternative versions of yourself? what is there to be confused about?

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TheElusiveNewReader

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@Decept-O: This is it exactly. As much as I loved the Justice league cartoon I grew up with I just couldn't get into comics because there was just too much and it was so confusing when I'd read the overviews on this site. With the new 52 I thought I could finally tap into this universe that so interested me and make sense of it. I can understand wanting to have a world where you can use characters without consequences, and I think if they take it slow and not have worlds where the only thing that has changed is Batman's eye color i should be able to keep up.

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texasdeathmatch

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Edited By texasdeathmatch

Wow DC writers did not waste any time letting that sh*tstorm loose.

Wasn't that the reason they wanted to start over to begin with?

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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@TheElusiveNewReader: It is hard for me to even offer up a concrete opinion regarding any of it because there is so much going on. I like a lot of things going on but not in this way. OK, well you make a point that I feared is happening even though I am just a reader myself. I really like DC but it is getting harder and harder to continue with their titles and defend them when things are so chaotic.

I keep thinking I am being too harsh. Yet I don't think I am, because DC has so much potential with so many great characters and ideas yet all that ever happens are these "Crises" and what is true isn't true but happened yet didn't happen stories. Trying to keep an open mind to it all and maybe I am wrong with my opinion.

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frogjitsu

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Edited By frogjitsu

Why the concern for the new readers? They have no context. All they know is the new 52, which taken by itself, isn't confusing at all. Problems and confusion only occur when you try to link the New 52 with the old continuity. So really, its the old readers you should be concerned about, since they are the only ones who know the old continuity, and are upset with the change.

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JonesDeini

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Edited By JonesDeini

@doordoor123 said:

As someone who isn't a new reader, I don't think you have the right to talk about what new readers will and won't understand. They didn't understand the New 52 before picking the books up. I'm sure they'll be fine. It'll be explained in the books and it'll be fine.

Everyone was a new reader once in their lives. How did you figure out who the Justice Society was? DId someone explain Crisis on Infinite Earths to you?

You see what I mean?

Well said, folk. With the internet diving back in and doing the leg work to catch up is just a few key strokes and clicks away.

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The Impersonator

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Edited By The Impersonator

I liked the concept of the multiple universe stories being told from DC. But re-introducing this idea to the new 52 would cause a massive headache. We already have an altered timeline in our hands, the new 52.

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badaboop

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Edited By badaboop

I like the idea of exploring different concepts via alternate universes, like the rumor that the Batman on the cover of Earth 2 might be Dick Grayson. That'd be awesome to see again, I loved him as Batman before the reboot. But I think it's still too early to introduce alternate realities into the New 52. I feel like they should have waited at least a year or two, letting the characters naturally develop with their new histories before introducing alternate realities. If done correctly, it'll be interesting, allowing the writers to use characters and ideas that may have been erased since the start of the New 52. I'd love to see a world with Wally West, for example, I feel like he's a character that has a big enough fanbase, it was a shame to see him go. Then again, writers can sometimes go a little overboard with alternate universes because of how much enthusiasm they have with plotting new stories they wouldn't normally be able to. Soon the entire thing blows up out of proportion and becomes a massive headache. So, they just need to tread lightly. The new Earth 2 definitely has potential, I'm interested to see where it goes, I just hope it doesn't lead to overly complex storylines that compromise on the accessibility that the New 52 is meant to offer to new DC fans like me.

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Kim-so

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Edited By Kim-so

PLEASE DC! RETURN THE PRÉ-CRISIS, THE HEROES PRÉ-CRISIS NEED BACK.

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onyxwave

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Edited By onyxwave

@Wowlock said:

@Grim:

Have to agree with you there...

This kind of transition really mess many things up. I mean sure you can show what has changed with each issue but it still won't cover up the big Plot-holes that stand like a Black Hole...sucking every meaningful story of the past into oblivion.

It is a good thing that you wanna start fresh and get new readers but not at the expense of the past stories and current fans.

I spoke my mind before the New 52 released and said '' If they wanna go fresh, just create a new universe like Ultimate or M2 , might seem like copiying Marvel but it will be a lot smoother then messing up with the current stories. ''

These new series suppose to keep current fans happy with the characters they KNOW and LOVE while helping new readers to understand characters easier...but with soo many changes and event going on , I think it fell short on the both parts...

I have to agree with you here. It would have made WAY MORE sense to leave the DC Universe as it was and create a completely new DC parallel universe similar to Marvel Ultimate Universe. It doesn't have to be the same in concept, but it could have easily been the same in execution. Now they've combined the Vertigo and Wildstorm universes? What was the point of that? Whomever is running DC right now obviously has no respect for history, and seemingly little understanding of how to simplify a fictional world. This may all work out and make sense in the end after a year or two of this new group of universes. However, I must say that it would have made WAY MORE SENSE to fully establish each new parallel universe one by one, with each new universe being introduced one or two years apart. This would have much easier for new readers to follow along. Plus this would have allowed both new and pre-existing readers to get familiarized with the new and how it affects the old and relates to the old. The way they make it seem they are doing things currently is just throwing everything into a grab bag, shaking it up, and then blindly grabbing things out of it and giving that to the readers. It just doesn't feel like THEY EVEN KNOW where this is all going! The fact that they cancelled so many "New 52" titles already just lets me know that those books didn't fit into the overall picture of what they were trying to establish here with this "All New 52" concept, and makes me now wonder if there even is an OVERALL PICTURE. I'll just end with the hope that all will make perfect sense a couple years down the road.

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davidgrantlloyd

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Edited By davidgrantlloyd

This doesn't seem too bad an idea. I got no problem with it.

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zackattack529

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Edited By zackattack529

im guessing that the pandora chick is gonna lead to the first new 52 crisis....if there even is gonna be a crisis in the new 52 after the FINAL CRISIS back pre-52

in any event im just going to enjoy reading about the paralell versions of the superheros that the new 52 can bring..that is the point of the new 52, to cater to newer readers but still to give older readers the same pleasure, so if the history of the other crisis have been erased to make a new paralell worlds conecept by all means DC go ahed and give it your best shot. but just dont make it a huge crossover even in which id have to be spedning all my money to figure it out lol

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monarch2016

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Edited By monarch2016

bring back earth prime and superboy prime

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HULKTEAMUP

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Edited By HULKTEAMUP

since I'm a new reader to D.C. I wouldn't use the paralles just yet becuase I would get totally confused. I hope when D.C. decided to do this again I hope they have a good plan and do so in bringing it about gradually for us newbies.

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jnocomski

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Edited By jnocomski

Are "new readers" that dumb?! I don't think so.

The New 52 Wave 1 comics took place on DC Main Earth.

Some of the New 52 Wave 2 titles will take place on Earth 2.

Action Comics #9 will feature a story of Superman from another Earth.

Buy what you like!

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fmiller

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Edited By fmiller

I'm personally interested in the Earth 2 book and World's finest. It remains to be seen if new readers will be able to pick up on the stories.

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LeonardEugenius

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Edited By LeonardEugenius

I've never been a fan of the way DC handles their parallel universes. To me, everything ends up getting really convoluted.

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deadpool25mm

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Edited By deadpool25mm

Sounds cool, think ill try it.

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DesertHunter24

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Edited By DesertHunter24

Well, I think, they will present us the new universes sooner or later...To be honest, first I thought that Wildstorm Universe and Vertigo Universe were now to become part of the DC Main Universe...I would appreciate that even more! I'd like to see the Watchmen get their a$$es kicked by JL, JLA, Teen Titans or the WildC.A.T.S. ...especially if Dr. Mahatten would get his a$$ kicked by Captain Atom or Void! But if it's like you say, then I hope he'll get his a$$ kicked by Void anyway...

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MonkeyToe

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Edited By MonkeyToe

I am a new reader and I don't have any problem grasping the concept of Earth-2 so far. From what I see, the only characters they are mentioning from Earth-2 are Power Girl and Huntress. If these two characters only exist on Earth-2 and not Earth-1, where is the confusion? 2 out of 52 titles dealing with an alternate universe seems plenty gradual to me, it's not like we have this entire new group of heroes to keep track of. And even if we do get that in April, we'll at least have the handy label "EARTH 2" written right on the comic book.

Not confused at all.

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xScorchedx

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Edited By xScorchedx

@jnocomski: Thanks for pointing that out! I'm a new reader and all of this stuff makes perfect sense to me, why do they assume new readers can't process alternate earths? I find the concept extremely entertaining, I say bring em on!

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jumpstart55

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Edited By jumpstart55

Something tells me the original DC Universe will return, and this new 52 universe will be temporary or distanced as a separate universe like the ultimate marvel universe and the regular marvel universe earth 616.

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krspaceT

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Edited By krspaceT

The alternate earths would allow for more Elseworld stories to pop up.

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COBRAMORPH

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Edited By COBRAMORPH

@jumpstart55 said:

Something tells me the original DC Universe will return, and this new 52 universe will be temporary or distanced as a separate universe like the ultimate marvel universe and the regular marvel universe earth 616.

If I recall, Earth-13 was "sorta" Vertigo. But Vertigo itself was still seperate. If Twilight of the New Gods still counts, one of the earths, 49 I think, was destroyed, but a new one grew in its place, right? So, if Vertigo, or E-13 merged with Wildstorm & the main earth into the New-52, hopefully the new-52 is in what was wildstorm & the pre-Flashpoint is still around & it'll get focused on again soon

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Is the new 52 Multiverse Infinite?

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