New History of the DC Universe #3 Canonizes DC’s Most Important Period (Review)

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DC Comics is currently enjoying a surge in popularity, attracting more readers than ever before. Known for its complex history, DC is releasing *New History of the DC Universe* as a guide to help newcomers understand its world. The first two issues were excellent, covering the earliest days of the DC Multiverse and the Silver and Bronze Ages. Now, *New History of the DC Universe* #3 dives into the modern era following the *Crisis* event. This issue continues the series’ success, offering a great experience for both longtime fans and those just discovering DC, and includes some exciting surprises.

Mark Waid continues to demonstrate his deep understanding of DC Comics with this issue, much like he did with his groundbreaking *New History of the DC Universe*. He presents the postCrisis* DC era – a particularly fascinating time for the universe – with a respectful adherence to its established continuity. Considering *Crisis on Infinite Earths* aimed to simplify the DC Universe, Waid effectively utilizes that streamlined foundation. As someone who grew up reading these comics, this issue felt like a wonderful trip down memory lane. This era is where Waid built his strong reputation, so it’s fitting that he stays true to its core elements.

Despite what we already knew, there were a few unexpected reveals, most notably the official inclusion of the Milestone universe into DC’s main story. Milestone was a groundbreaking line of comics created in the early ’90s by a group of talented African-American writers and artists, including the late Dwayne McDuffie. The story also firmly establishes classic tales like *The Killing Joke* and the divisive *Identity Crisis* as official parts of DC’s history. Additionally, Supergirl’s return, previously seen in the *Superman/Batman* comics, is acknowledged, though the details of her resurrection remain unexplained, considering her death in *Crisis* is still considered canon. Overall, writer Mark Waid does an excellent job of clearly outlining DC’s continuity from 1986 to 2011, highlighting key moments and giving them the emotional weight they deserve.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Some surprising events are canon Jurgens’s art is a bit too shiny and happy for some of its imagery
Waid is able to give readers a great narrative for a history book
The art is fantastic, especially Mahnke’s pages

New History of the DC Universe #3 Uses Two of DC’s Most Underrated Artists

The artwork is a standout feature of *New Universe of the DC Universe* so far. Each page is filled with dynamic, large-scale panels, and this issue features two incredibly talented but often overlooked artists from the ’90s and ’00s DC era. Dan Jurgens, known for famously killing Superman, has a remarkably clean and polished art style. He’s drawn nearly every DC character over the years and does a great job showcasing their modern appearances. The only minor criticism is that his bright and cheerful style sometimes feels a little out of place with the darker storylines, but overall, the art is stunning.

Doug Mahnke, who helped create the comic *The Mask*, first gained recognition at DC with *Major Bummer*. Since then, he’s consistently produced beautiful artwork for many DC characters. His work on *New History of the DC Universe* is noticeably darker and more realistic than Jurgens’s, which suits the story perfectly. His later pages, covering the aftermath of *Infinite Crisis* and events like *Final Crisis*, “The Sinestro Corps War”, “Batman and Son”, “Last Son of Krypton”, and *Blackest Night*, are among the most striking images in the entire collection. I’ve always been a fan of Mahnke’s artistic style, and I consider his work in this particular issue to be his best.

New History of the DC Universe #3 Is Everything You Could Want

While technically a guidebook, *New History of the DC Universe* reads like a compelling story thanks to Mark Waid’s skillful writing. Issue #3 continues the trend, showcasing Waid’s deep knowledge of DC Comics and his ability to weave it into an engaging narrative. The artwork by Jurgens and Mahnke is also exceptional, making this a standout title and another fantastic installment in the series. It truly represents DC Comics at its finest.

New History of the DC Universe #3 is on sale now

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2025-09-24 16:20