Figuring out the new Multiverse

[carabas]

I'd like for all the different Earths to exist somehow.

I do appreciate your point of view, MajorHoy, but as I've said 52 Earths just isn't the multiverse to me. Particularly since after Infinite Crisis the '52 Earths' were populated extremely quickly and many of them (for me) were real dead-end, silly alternate realities. Hopefully they are putting a bit more thought into it this time. Especially if they are going to stick with just the 52.

Again, technically the old pre-Crisis multoverse was infinite, practically it had only 3-4 extra Earths in it. The current Multiverse is massively larger.

[Mulett]

I have to disagree. I think the pre-Crisis multiverse was used very effectively many times. The idea that it was infinite made sense.

The '52 earths' is rather arbitrary and makes no real sense. As I've mentioned, although post-Infinite Crisis DC's writers did attempt to 'populate' each of the 52 Earths, they really rushed it and came up with some really silly ideas. If they are sticking with just the 52, I hope they spend a bit more time thinking about how to make the most out of it.

[carabas]

I'm pretty sure the 52 limit on number of earths went bye bye with Final Crisis and the departure of the Monitors.

[Bill Lange]

I'm pretty sure the 52 limit on number of earths went bye bye with Final Crisis and the departure of the Monitors.

If we are to believe Grant Morrison, there are 52 Universes, but with the Monitors go, they can now expand beyond that number. Hopefully he'll address that in Multiversity next year.

We are at 52 now. I suggest we explore that before we expand back to Infinite Earths.

[Bill Lange]

I have to disagree. I think the pre-Crisis multiverse was used very effectively many times. The idea that it was infinite made sense.

The '52 earths' is rather arbitrary and makes no real sense. As I've mentioned, although post-Infinite Crisis DC's writers did attempt to 'populate' each of the 52 Earths, they really rushed it and came up with some really silly ideas. If they are sticking with just the 52, I hope they spend a bit more time thinking about how to make the most out of it.

A serious problem that has to be addressed this time around. The Post-52 Multiverse got cluttered by every third rate Elseworlds book that they could fit in so that DC would have more cannon fodder for Countdown To Final Crisis and Countdown: Arena.

That's why I think an old school approach to the New 52 Multiverse is best. Only a few main Earths that we follow (Prime Earth, Earth One, and Earth 2), and a small group of Earths we visit on occasions (Earth 4, Earth 5, Earth 10, Earth 23). The rest of the Multiverse can build up from there over the years, with room to expand beyond the 52 if needed.

In the end, Infinite would be better. This would eliminate the need to re-boot the Multiverse every 5 years because of poorly thought out Earths being squeezed into it.

[Bill Lange]

Keyword: possibly infinite. Just like they left it in Final Crisis.

ETA: not that at any one point in time has it ever really been infinite. They called it infinite, but it was always the same 3-4 universes that popped up time and again.

The Wildstorm Universe, Ellis subsection, now that was a proper infinite multiverse.

I would say Potentially infinite is more accurate after Final Crisis.

As for Wildstorm's Multiverse, I agree with you. Ellis had a brilliant concept for a Multiverse with the Snowflake structure. It is a shame DC didn't bring it over from Wildstorm.

[Reginleif]

The only Earth anyone cares for is Earth 42, where Ame-Comi book takes place. Instead of having a watchtower, here, there is a mansion with only one bed and no heating. The girls must only use each other's body heat to keep warm. btw its always winter there.

[Bill Lange]

The only Earth anyone cares for is Earth 42, where Ame-Comi book takes place. Instead of having a watchtower, here, there is a mansion with only one bed and no heating. The girls must only use each other's body heat to keep warm. btw its always winter there.

I have to say, that sounds like a wonderful Universe. When can I go there?

[[Trigger]]

I find the number 52 big as it is already. With infinite Earths I don't see how they would be able to build up any stories, unless people just want one story on an Earth and move on forever.

Also not sure if this has been touched upon already, but I'd love if the arkham city game/comic was an established Earth. I'd like to see the arkham treatment style of other characters.

[esc0]

Never understood the difficulty people seem to have in the concept of infinite universes. Its kind of an actual scientific thought mentioned. Also it allows stories to be more flexible from canon over time

[MajorHoy]

Never understood the difficulty people seem to have in the concept of infinite universes. Its kind of an actual scientific thought mentioned. Also it allows stories to be more flexible from canon over time

Infinite universes is one thing . . . saying 52 is too limiting when the DCnU isn't even fully a year old yet is my problem.

When theyve shown and used a significant number of the 52 Earths (not just ten or less), then maybe it's time to debate whether 52 is too small, too big, or just right.

[Lexrules]

If they were smart they would have a Earth for all times and generations. 52 earths is plenty to have Classic JSA Earth 2, Silver/Bronze Age Earth 1 and post Crisis 85 Earth. You don't need to show them very often but have crossovers like the old days with the current DCnU meeting up with one at at time or have a big crossover once a year.

[Buried Alien]

If they were smart they would have a Earth for all times and generations. 52 earths is plenty to have Classic JSA Earth 2, Silver/Bronze Age Earth 1 and post Crisis 85 Earth. You don't need to show them very often but have crossovers like the old days with the current DCnU meeting up with one at at time or have a big crossover once a year.

One thing I've noticed about flashback stories to earlier periods of DC history is that modern writers and artists tend to get it wrong. They tend to create a stereotypical send-up of previous eras rather than an accurate re-creation of the earlier period. For example, during the late 1990s/early 2000s, there was some sort of ELSEWORLDS tale that told the story of an allegedly "Bronze Age" era Superman and Batman from the 1970s. The problem was that neither Superman nor Batman during that story seemed anything like the authentic Maggin/Swan Superman of the 1970s or the O'Neill/Adams Batman of the 1970s. Instead, they just put stereotypical 1970s-era haircuts on Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne (which looked NOTHING like the styles the characters actually wore during the 1970s, but more like a revisionist 1990s/2000s stereotype of the 1970s) and let them stand in for the Bronze Age characters.

I enjoy stories that hark back to earlier eras of the characters' histories, but only when the artists and writers earnestly attempt to accurately re-create the historical depictions of those characters.

Buried Alien (The Fastest Post Alive!)

[Flashpoint]

Sorry, but this is a pet peeve of mine. There is no "Earth Prime" anymore. And there is no Earth Zero or "Earth 0" either.

Here's the Earths and their respective names that I'm aware of (so far):

Prime Earth
This the Earth which we know as the main DC Universe or DCnU, if you prefer.

Earth 1
The home of continuity for DC's line of graphic novels by the same name.

Earth 2
The home of the Justice Society.

Earth 23
The home of Calvin Ellis, AKA President Superman.

Well, that's all the ones I'm aware of. If anyone can add to the list, feel free.

But it was just really bugging me with people calling it "Earth Zero" or "Earth Prime." Because it's not called that--it's called Prime Earth. (Yes, I'm a grammar Nazi; so sue me )

[Reginleif]

.................we have a multiversity thread............