The DC Multiverse was not created as an idea across the publishing line at the office of DC Comics, rather the ideas pop and simmer as time moves on until we get a theory espoused by a few DC Characters which becomes the foundation of DC Comics Cosmology for years to come.

We need to examine a few key cases here as we examine the lead into the revelation that there is a DC MULTIVERSE, as opposed to a UNIVERSE.

Case # 1 – The Martian Manhunter – first appearance:  September 1955

Say what you want about J’onn J’onzz, his appearance in the DCUniverse is a strictly Earth One affair.  He has no significant dopplegangers on any of the other established Earths, though there are other characters in the Earth-One universe that appear to mirror him to one extent or another like Jemm, Son of Saturn.  J’onn’s appearance and his strict identification with Earth-One, calls into question retroactively as to whether or not the Martian Manhunter’s first appearance should be the first appearance of the multiverse.

Case #2 – Wonder Woman of Dimension X – first appearance – August 1958

A quick story that appears in Wonder Woman #100, the main Wonder Woman travels through a portal into another universe where she joins with a doppleganger of herself and fight the good fight.  All’s well that ends well, the villain defeated and one Diana goes back to her home dimension, but its too late now, the cat is out of the bag.

Case #3 – Flash of Earth-1 and Flash of Earth-2 Meet – Flash of Two Worlds – September 1961

The beginning of the establishment of the DC MULTIVERSE.

These two Flashes meet and it is clear that they are not from the same Earth, in fact Barry Allen (Flash of Earth-One) read the comics in which Jay Garrick (Flash of Earth-Two) appeared in.

 

You would think that would be complicated enough, but really, that only helps identify the fact we have a MULTIVERSE on our hands.  We also have an issue with various future timelines in the DCMULTIVERSE.

Case #1 – The Legion of Super-Heroes – April 1958

The bright and shiny future of the super-teens in Superboy’s supporting cast exist in the 30th century and help give Superboy some super-powered peers to hang out with while in Smallville he deals with being the mild mannered Clark Kent.  The Legion houses its headquarters on Earth among shiny metallic buildings and a rather pleasant atmosphere.

Case #2 – Tommy Tomorrow – November/December 1962

The youngest starship captain ever, Tommy Tomorrow is exploring deep space and is kicking some tail.  We do not really see a lot of Earth with Tommy Tomorrow so its impossible to say for sure if Tommy and the Legion can exist in the same timeline.

While the Legion and Tommy Tomorrow could conceivably manage to co-exist in harmony, the monkey wrench is in our third character.

Case #3 – Kamandi – October/November 1972

This young man exists in a post-apocalyptic future Earth where nuclear fallout has mutated animals into bestial humanoids and Kamandi is the only human boy remaining.

So, now we not only have at least two distinct worlds with the two Flashes we have at least two distinct time lines with completely different future.

A sticky mess we have gotten ourselves into, isn’t it?

Next Up:  We examine the groundbreaking Flash of Two Worlds!