20 Years Ago, DC Comics Set a New Course with This Blockbuster Event

DC Comics has evolved significantly over the years, often reacting to shifts in the comic book industry. Originally, DC thrived by creating a bright and imaginative universe geared towards younger audiences. However, the success of Marvel, with its more grounded and realistic approach, forced DC to adapt. This culminated in Crisis on Infinite Earths, a pivotal storyline that dramatically reshaped the DC Multiverse into a single, more relatable universe, ultimately boosting the publisher’s popularity.

At the start of the 2000s, DC Comics was in a stronger position than Marvel, having successfully navigated the challenges of the 1990s. With the 20th anniversary of the Crisis event approaching, a new team of writers and editors wanted to honor the past. This led to the planning of Infinite Crisis, which launched in October 2005. Like its predecessor, Infinite Crisis would dramatically alter DC’s established history, but with a different goal in mind. It was a bold move that delighted fans and ushered in a new era of storytelling.

Infinite Crisis Was Everything Fans Could Want

It’s difficult to explain the excitement leading up to Infinite Crisis beyond just listing what happened and how much buzz there was. I was completely caught up, buying more and more DC comics each month – my subscription list grew bigger than ever, especially now that I was paying for them with my own money. DC really had something special going on, and you could tell a lot of thought and effort was going into the story. We had no idea what would happen, but we all felt it was building towards something incredible.

After the ‘Crisis’ event, the DC Universe offered a blend of classic heroes with a modern feel, prioritizing strong storytelling and long-term planning. The first issue of ‘Infinite Crisis’ perfectly captures this. From the very beginning, the comic throws you into a world of turmoil, with intriguing narration highlighting the heroes’ struggles. Writer Geoff Johns took readers on an intense journey, showing the breakdown of iconic teams like the Trinity and the tragic fate of the Freedom Fighters. The story immediately established high stakes, and it was incredibly captivating. I vividly remember the excitement of turning each page, mesmerized by Phil Jimenez’s stunning artwork. But the real impact came at the very end.

Many first issues of comics have strong endings, but nothing compared to Infinite Crisis #1. Seeing Earth-Two’s Superman and Lois Lane, Earth-Three’s Alexander Luthor, and Superboy-Prime on that final page was a genuinely surprising and impactful moment that resonated throughout the comic book world. It was thrilling and unexpected, and it remains a perfect ending even today.

Infinite Crisis was a truly exceptional comic book experience. Today, it’s easy to be skeptical of big event comics, but back then they were making a comeback, and Infinite Crisis delivered everything fans wanted. It was far more engaging and impactful than House of M, which had recently been released and was already losing steam. The story constantly surprised readers with huge reveals and moments, and it ultimately reshaped the DC Universe in ways that are still felt today.

Infinite Crisis Started a Road DC Is Still on Today

As a long-time comic book fan, I always saw Infinite Crisis as DC essentially hitting the reset button after the original Crisis on Infinite Earths. Whether you agree with how they undid that massive event or not, it was a really important moment. It felt like DC was reconnecting with its classic roots, but thankfully, they didn’t lose all the grit and maturity they’d gained over the years. That’s what superhero comics do best, right? Taking familiar concepts and giving them a fresh spin – and DC’s still exploring that path today. The return of the classic, sprawling multiverse was huge, and it ultimately led to some fantastic storylines…and a few that didn’t quite land (I’m looking at the New 52!).

I’ll always remember the period when Infinite Crisis was coming out as my peak time as a comic book fan. As an adult, I was completely devoted to DC Comics, and I loved going to the comic shop each week to pick up the new issues—I even bought two copies of each to collect the covers by George Perez and Jim Lee! It was a really thrilling time, and nothing has quite matched it since. The collected edition was even more amazing, including extra artwork, a fully colored double-page spread from Infinite Crisis #7, and insights from the story’s creators explaining their choices. That series fundamentally changed the landscape of comics and pointed the way forward.

It’s debatable whether DC made the right choices after Infinite Crisis, but the series itself remains incredibly important. It’s a high point in comic book history – a clear attempt by the publisher to honor what many consider the greatest comic story ever told, and to create something equally impressive. It was a tough act to follow, and in my opinion, Infinite Crisis succeeded.

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2025-10-31 20:12