DC Just Made Multiple Controversial Changes to Their Timeline

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As a lifelong fan, it’s amazing to see DC Comics thriving again! Things like the “Dawn of DC” and “DC All-In” initiatives are really bringing in readers, and shows like *Superman*, *Creature Commandos*, and *Peacemaker* are getting more people interested in the DC universe than ever before. But honestly, diving into the comics can be super confusing. With all the reboots over the last 40 years, it’s hard to figure out what stories are officially part of the main timeline – what’s ‘canon,’ as we fans say. DC seems to realize this, which is why they’ve released *New History of the DC Universe* – a book that’s basically laying down the new rules for what’s considered official DC history.

Issue #3 of *New History of the DC Universe* updates readers on the main storyline from the end of *Crisis on Infinite Earths* through *Flashpoint*. DC’s history has been inconsistent lately, but this issue clearly explains what officially happened and what didn’t. It includes some unexpected twists to the timeline, demonstrating DC’s commitment to creating a cohesive and understandable universe.

Modern DC History Has Changed a Lot

The most significant development in *New History of the DC Universe* #3 is the official inclusion of DC’s Milestone imprint into the main DC story timeline. While issue #1 hinted at this by establishing Icon, a Milestone character similar to Superman, as part of the official canon, this new issue confirms that the entire Milestone universe is now considered canon. Milestone was created by a team of African-American creators including Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, and Christopher Priest, and was known for its more realistic, urban setting. Although it wasn’t a mainstream success during its original run, integrating it into the core DC Universe is a major event.

And that’s not the only change. The events of *Infinite Crisis* are now officially part of DC’s established history, including the dramatic scene of Superboy-Prime breaking through reality. Similarly, *Identity Crisis* is also considered canon again. This story is well-known for being controversial due to how it portrays female characters like Sue Dibney and Jean Loring. *Identity Crisis* has been removed from and restored to canon several times, and its current inclusion suggests DC is acknowledging – rather than avoiding – the controversy surrounding it, which has significantly impacted how fans perceive the story.

As a big DC fan, I was thrilled to hear that *Final Crisis* is officially part of the main timeline now – it’s always been a favorite of mine, even though it’s notoriously confusing! I’ve always thought its complexity kept some people from really getting into it, so I’m glad Mark Waid is helping to clarify everything in *New History of the DC Universe*. One interesting detail he revealed is that Jon Kent’s birth happened way back during the *52* storyline, when Superman was powerless. That means there’s at least an eight-year gap between that and when Jon aged up in the recent Superman comics, though it’s still up in the air whether that later part is fully canon.

A recent development for DC Comics continuity is the official inclusion of the *DC One Million* storyline. This establishes the entire 853rd century and the Prime Superman as part of the established universe. Interestingly, the Prime Superman also appeared in *All-Star Superman*, which leads to the question of whether that story is now considered canon as well. While there’s no definitive answer yet, Mark Waid’s efforts to solidify the Grant Morrison *JLA* run as canon suggest *All-Star Superman* might be too, or perhaps exists on its own separate Earth.

DC Canon Has Gotten More Interesting

DC Comics’ history has often been quite distinct from Marvel’s, and this has created challenges for DC. Since 2005, DC has repeatedly refreshed its continuity, leading to confusion-even among dedicated fans-about what stories are officially part of its established universe. *New History of the DC Universe* aims to clarify this, revealing a richer and more compelling history than many realized. This new book solidifies much of modern DC lore, which will have a significant impact on future stories.

The inclusion of the Dakotaverse from Milestone Comics is exciting – those titles are often overlooked but really shine. It’s great to see the potential for new characters like Hardware, Blood Syndicate, and Xombi to join the DC Universe. Plus, officially recognizing all three major ‘Crisis’ events from the 21st century is a welcome move, as their place in continuity has long been unclear. These additions are making DC stronger, and it will be fascinating to see how everything develops.

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

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2025-09-26 02:10