Once, twice - how many times a Crisis?

[A.C.R.O.N.Y.M.]

Another DC-newbie question:

What exactly constitutes a DC Crisis? Does it necessarily entail some form of retconning og continuity-fixing? And if so, what was the continuity benefit of Identity Crisis? Is that even an "official" Crisis?

And oh, I recently read the four last TPBs of Morrisons JLA-run. What surprised me the most was how bland it was and how quickly DC art (more specifically colouring) ages. But a lot of what's happening and being alluded to in FC either happened or was narrowly averted in JLA. And there is also a lot of talk about the Fifth World, something which rumor (well, LITG) had it was going to come about as a result of FC some time ago. So, any idea of what the Fifth World is going to be like?

[Dark Master]

Well if you want to know what constitutes a Crisis in the DCU then examine the ones that have come before.
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time
Identity Crisis
Infinite Crisis

I think the fifth world will simply be a retconning of the fourth world. I really think DC is not commited to this and will reverse it in short order.

[Kelson]

Well if you want to know what constitutes a Crisis in the DCU then examine the ones that have come before.
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Zero Hour: Crisis in Time
Identity Crisis
Infinite Crisis

Well, there's also...

Crisis on Earth-1
Crisis on Earth-2
Crisis on Earth-3
etc.

These were the original stories that had the Justice League and Justice Society teaming up across dimensions. No retconning, just heroes jumping from one dimension to another to team up. They've since been collected in the "Crisis on Multiple Earths" trades.

The title "Crisis on Infinite Earths" was a reference to these stories from the 60s.

[atomicturtle]

I vaguely recall reading in C!N awhile back that Final Crisis was supposed to be the end to "two sets" of Crises. The overall Crisis (COIE > Infinite), and the subtle Crisis (Identity > Crisis of Conscience).

Can anyone confirm that?

[Captain Smith]

Mortgage Crisis !

Countdown to Foreclosure Crisis

Crisis of the Final Notice!

Wait - that's our U.