7 DC Events You Should Read Again

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DC Comics pioneered the large-scale event comic back in the 1960s with their ambitious “Crisis” stories. Marvel quickly followed suit in the early 1980s with titles like Marvel Super Heroes Contest of Champions and Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars. But DC truly raised the bar with Crisis on Infinite Earths, demonstrating the incredible potential of these kinds of comics. In my opinion, DC’s event stories have consistently been better than Marvel’s ever since – even though not every one is a hit, they often feature hidden gems and are far more exciting than Marvel’s generally predictable events.

We all have those stories we start reading but don’t quite finish, sometimes even returning them for store credit. But occasionally, one of those overlooked events is actually really good! Here are seven DC storylines worth revisiting – they might be better than you remember.

7) Lazarus Planet

Mark Waid is a fantastic storyteller with a deep understanding of DC Comics, and his return in 2022 has brought fans some truly compelling narratives. He kicked things off with Batman vs. Robin, which then led into the Lazarus Planet event. That story began when a massive volcanic eruption released a fluid capable of bringing people back to life. Suddenly, individuals worldwide were gaining powers, and DC’s heroes had to find a way to manage the chaos and stop the demon Nezhu. Lazarus Planet largely unfolded through interconnected stories focusing on lesser-known heroes and villains working to save the world – and these short tales are exceptional, ranking among the best anthologies of recent years. It was a truly impressive event comic that unfortunately didn’t receive the recognition it deserved.

6) Armageddon 2001

DC Comics has told many compelling time travel stories, and one often overlooked gem is Armageddon 2001. Published in 1991, this story features Waverider, a traveler from a bleak future controlled by the enigmatic Monarch. He journeys to the past to reveal potential futures to DC’s heroes, hoping they can discover who the Monarch is. While it began with a two-part miniseries, most of the narrative unfolded across various annual issues. Armageddon 2001 is famously remembered for a behind-the-scenes crisis: the identity of the Monarch was accidentally revealed, forcing DC to hastily rewrite the ending. Although the revised conclusion feels rushed and illogical, the individual stories leading up to it are genuinely strong and worth seeking out – if you can find them all!

5) DC One Million

I’ve consistently recommended Grant Morrison and Val Semeiks’ DC One Million, and with good reason! This four-part series features a team of heroes from the 853rd century – the Justice Legion A – visiting the present day, allowing the Justice League to travel to the future. There, they encounter the powerful Prime Superman emerging from his fortress. But a present-day attack by Vandal Savage is actually part of a larger scheme with Solaris, hatched in the future, that threatens to erase the Justice League’s entire history. It’s a fantastic story, and the related tie-in comics are equally impressive. I highly recommend picking up the omnibus edition, which collects everything, for an incredible experience.

4) Titans: Beast World

The Titans, DC’s iconic heroes, rose to prominence after the Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths when they stepped up to fill the void left by the Justice League. This led into the exciting event Titans: Beast World, created by Tom Taylor, Ivan Reis, and Lucas Meyer. In this story, Earth is invaded by Necrostar, a giant monster similar to Starro. While attempting to stop it, Beast Boy himself becomes infected with Starro, and Amanda Waller exploits this, unleashing swarms of smaller Starros that transform people into animals. The Titans must then find a way to save the world from this bizarre crisis. Beast World was an underrated gem when it first came out, and it’s truly fantastic! To get the full experience, be sure to read the Beast World Tour one-shots and the Titans tie-in issues – they add incredible depth and make the story even more compelling.

3) The Final Night

Karl Kesel and Stuart Immonen’s The Final Night isn’t a typical superhero epic. It’s not about a huge fight or changing the entire DC universe. Instead, it’s a story about heroes facing overwhelming, seemingly unbeatable odds. When a Sun-Eater destroys the sun, they must find a way to restore it and save all life on Earth. Though a simple and quiet story, Kesel and Immonen create something truly special – a unique event book that stands out from the rest. It’s a fantastic read, and if you’ve only experienced it once, it’s worth revisiting soon.

2) Forever Evil

The “New 52” era wasn’t a high point for DC Comics, and one reason was the lack of truly great storylines. However, there’s one event from that time that really stands out: Forever Evil, written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by David Finch. The story kicks off after the Crime Syndicate – evil versions of the Justice League from another Earth – conquer the world. With the heroes defeated, it falls to Lex Luthor and a team of villains to save everyone. While it didn’t receive much praise initially, Forever Evil is actually a very enjoyable read. If you haven’t checked it out in a while, it’s definitely worth revisiting; it’s packed with memorable moments and exciting action.

1) Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths

I don’t think Dark Crisis ever truly got the recognition it deserved. While this series by Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere draws on familiar themes from past DC events, reading both the main story and its tie-ins creates a really engaging experience that adds significant depth. If you enjoy classic ‘Crisis’ storylines, you’ll likely enjoy this one too. It played a key role in setting up DC’s current successes, and revisiting the entire event proves just how enjoyable it is.

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2026-06-17 18:18