10 Best Modern DC Multiverse Comics, Ranked

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The idea of a multiverse—multiple parallel universes—first appeared in superhero comics with DC’s The Flash #123 in 1961. This issue revealed that DC’s original, Golden Age heroes existed on a separate Earth called Earth-Two. This opened the door for DC to create large-scale crossover events, beginning with “Crisis on Earth-One” in Justice League of America. Each year, the Justice League would team up with the Justice Society, and heroes from companies DC had bought would get their own unique Earths. These stories are fondly remembered as a highlight of classic DC comics, but the original multiverse didn’t last forever. Although the multiverse was eventually ended, stories about alternate universes continued until it was brought back in 2007.

For me, the modern era of comic books began in 1985. That’s when things really shifted from the older, classic multiverse storylines to what we have today. Over the past 41 years, fans have enjoyed incredible stories exploring different universes – whether they were standalone ‘Elseworlds’ tales or adventures set within the broader, new multiverse. Here are ten of the best DC stories from this modern era, stories that will likely be discussed and remembered for years to come.

10) JSA: The Liberty File

The Justice Society is DC’s oldest and most famous team, but surprisingly, they haven’t been featured in many stories involving the multiverse since becoming popular again in the late 1990s. However, in 2000, they starred in one of the best alternate-reality stories ever created. JSA: The Liberty File, written by Dan Jolley and illustrated by Tony Harris, transported readers back to World War II, following OSS agents known as the Bat, the Clock, and the Owl as they investigated a secret German superweapon while also confronting a double agent named Jack the Grin. This excellent two-part story was followed by two strong sequels, but it never quite received the recognition it deserved. (I didn’t discover it until 2005, while visiting a comic shop in Indianapolis during Star Wars Celebration III – I was there to pick up The OMAC Project #1 on its release day.)

9) A Tale of the Batman: Gotham by Gaslight

DC’s Elseworlds stories are amazing, taking the place of the infinite Earths of the past. The first Elseworlds was the fantastic A Tale of the Batman: Gotham by Gaslight, by Bryan Augustyn, Mike Mignola, and P. Craig Russell. This story took place on an Earth where Batman was from Victorian England and dealt with him hunting down Jack the Ripper. This book is one of the most important alternate universe stories in DC history, with it recently getting a series of sequels. This story is an all-timer, kicking off new DC mutliverse stories after we thought we’d never get anymore.

8) 52

Published in the 2000s, 52 is widely considered the most creatively daring series from DC or Marvel. This weekly comic, crafted by a team of writers including Geoff Johns, Mark Waid, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Keith Giffen – with Giffen handling breakdowns and a large team of artists completing the artwork – followed lesser-known heroes after the events of Infinite Crisis (which, while important, isn’t included here because it didn’t heavily focus on alternate universes). The story ultimately reintroduced the multiverse and culminated in a final battle against an unexpected villain. It remains a captivating and impressive story that stands out from most others.

7) JLA: The Nail

Alan Davis’s JLA: The Nail is widely considered the best alternate reality story featuring the Justice League. It imagines a world where a flat tire prevents the Kents from finding baby Kal-El. Years later, the Justice League must contend with Lex Luthor’s election as mayor of Metropolis and a mysterious, incredibly powerful enemy operating in secret. The story feels wonderfully classic, with Davis delivering fantastic portrayals of beloved DC characters on every page. The identity of the true villain is shocking, and the final surprise is something you’ll have to discover for yourself – it’s well worth reading!

6) JLA: Earth-2

Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s one-shot comic, JLA: Earth-2, reintroduced the Crime Syndicate, a team of evil counterparts from an alternate Earth where villains always triumph. After investigating a strange plane crash, the Justice League discovers this parallel world ruled by their nefarious doppelgängers. Driven to help, the League intervenes, but their efforts backfire when the Crime Syndicate decides to target their Earth. This book showcases the incredible talent of Morrison and Quitely, and delivers a fresh take on the Crime Syndicate, considered one of the Justice League’s greatest villainous groups. It’s a truly impressive read.

5) Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come is a legendary ’90s book and the best Elseworlds comic of the decade of extreme. Mark Waid and Alex Ross wanted to tell a story about classic heroism and how it was still cool despite years of grim and gritty comics. Taking place in a future where Superman had retired after the death of Lois Lane, a disaster caused by the violent legacy heroes who took over for Kal-El’s generation see him come out of retirement, bringing his generation with him. However, shadowy forces array against him and his friends, endangering everything. This story is perfect in just about every way and if you haven’t read it, you definitely need to. I’ll wait.

4) Dark Crisis: World Without a Justice League – Superman

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths has a bad reputation, but I’ve always felt it was way better than it gets credit for, mostly because I read every tie-in. However, the best of them is easily Dark Crisis: World Without a Justice League – Superman #1, by Tom King and Chris Burnham, with an Aquaman backup from Brandon Peterson and Fico Ossio. This book takes place on an Earth created to drain Superman’s power for Pariah’s dark scheme, dealing with him raising Jon. This story is beautiful and poignant, all about a father doing his best for his son, with an ending that will surprise you. The Aquaman backup is merely good, but the main story is sensational.

3) Final Crisis

Grant Morrison, J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco, and Doug Mahnke’s Final Crisis isn’t necessarily the greatest comic event of all time, but it’s my personal favorite. While many readers dislike it, the story of the Monitors’ final crisis is truly captivating. It centers on Earth’s heroes facing Darkseid’s ultimate assault on reality, made even more perilous by the Anti-Life Equation. Simultaneously, the Monitors are battling their own issues, which could spell doom for the heroes even if they defeat Darkseid. This comic is incredibly complex, but the payoff is well worth the effort. I highly recommend picking up the collected edition – it has everything you need to appreciate this amazing story. You’ll find new layers and details with every re-read, making it endlessly fascinating.

2) The Multiversity

Another entry, another Grant Morrison multiverse story. Morrison is the greatest DC writer of the modern age and the publisher trusted them to define its new multiverse for them. The Multiversity, by Morrison and Ivan Reis, Chris Sprouse, Ben Olivier, Frank Quitely, Jim Lee, Doug Mahnke, Karl Story, and Cameron Stewart, was announced after Final Crisis, but wouldn’t hit until 2014. The book is two bookend issues, with seven one-shots set on different Earths. The Multiversity: Pax Romana and The Multiversity: Thunderworld Adventures are two of the greatest single issue stories you’ll ever read, and the rest of the book is almost as amazing.

1) Crisis on Infinite Earths

Crisis on Infinite Earths is the best event comic ever. I don’t make the rules, but I enforce them. This 12-issue classic from Marv Wolfman, George Perez, Dick Giordano, and Jerry Ordway told the story of the end of multiverse, paying homage to the length and breadth of DC history up to that point. The battle against the Anti-Monitor has become legendary, a tale that the publisher has kept coming back to over and over again. There’s a reason for that: it truly is an amazing work. Every event comic after this one has tried to be it and all of them have failed.

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2026-06-11 20:12