The 10 Greatest Heroes of Crisis on Infinite Earths

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While not the very first big crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths fundamentally reshaped the comic book industry like nothing before or since. Created over 41 years ago by Marv Wolfman, George Perez, and Jerry Ordway, it depicted an epic clash between good and evil, with the terrifying Anti-Monitor threatening to obliterate the entire multiverse. The story’s promise – “Worlds will live, worlds will die, and nothing will ever be the same” – proved entirely accurate. It was a massive crossover that drew on decades of DC history, delivering truly memorable moments. Notably, even the villains were well-developed and remembered, a rarity for these kinds of events. It really had everything a comic fan could want.

Almost every DC character made an appearance in the book, but some played much bigger roles than others. A select group of heroes were truly responsible for saving the universe, facing incredibly dangerous threats. These ten heroes stood out during Crisis on Infinite Earths, ultimately ensuring victory.

10) Darkseid

In the game DC K.O., Darkseid is a major threat to the heroes, but he actually helped out during the Crisis event. His world, the Fourth World, wasn’t in danger from the Anti-Monitor, but Darkseid knew he would be targeted eventually. That’s why, during the final battle, he fired a powerful blast at the Anti-Monitor, weakening him enough for heroes like Earth-Two Superman, Alexander Luthor, and Superboy-Prime to gain the upper hand. Ultimately, Darkseid unknowingly played a key role in saving the entire multiverse.

9) Superboy-Prime

I remember when Superboy-Prime first showed up during the Crisis! He was basically Superman from another Earth – Earth-Prime, which was like our world. It was amazing – he discovered he had powers when Superman from Earth-One found his planet. He didn’t hesitate to leave everything behind and jump into the fight to save everything! He was just a kid, a teenager who loved comics, and suddenly had powers, then was thrown right into this huge battle. Even though he was still learning, his help was vital, truly turning the tide. I always believed he was a good guy, and his early actions definitely made a difference.

8) Pariah

Pariah, like many heroes involved in the Crisis, was ultimately corrupted by the events. Originally from a destroyed Earth, he mistakenly believed his experiments were responsible for releasing the Anti-Monitor, a being who threatened the entire multiverse. He was tragically forced to witness the destruction of countless worlds, endlessly jumping from Earth to Earth as they were consumed by antimatter. Eventually, he reached the central worlds of the DC Multiverse and warned the heroes about the coming danger. He joined forces with the Monitor, becoming a key strategist in the fight against the Anti-Monitor. However, the sheer horror of what he witnessed deeply scarred him, and years later, he would become a source of crisis himself.

7) Earth-One Superman

Superman from Earth-One is DC Comics’ most iconic hero and a central figure for superheroes in the Silver and Bronze Ages. While Earth-Two’s Superman was the first to battle the Anti-Monitor, Earth-One’s Superman was crucial in uniting the heroes of his world against the threat. He bravely fought the powerful being of antimatter, nearly losing his life, and remained steadfast even after Supergirl’s death. Although his leadership skills were arguably more important than his strength, he was undoubtedly one of the biggest heroes in the Crisis event.

6) Supergirl

Supergirl is regaining her popularity, reminiscent of her prominence before her initial death during the Crisis event. Kara Zor-El bravely fought alongside other heroes to protect multiple Earths – Earth-One, Earth-Two, Earth-S, and Earth-X – and was crucial in the battle against the Anti-Monitor in Crisis on Infinite Earths #7. When the Anti-Monitor’s fortress came to life and attacked, only the most powerful heroes, like Supergirl and Superman, could reach him. Superman was defeated, but Supergirl saved him. She dealt significant damage to the villain, but he ultimately killed her. Without her sacrifice, Superman and many other heroes would likely have fallen in that battle.

5) Barry Allen

The Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline happened at a pivotal moment for the Flash, Barry Allen. Having recently defeated his arch-enemy Reverse Flash and traveled to the future to find his wife, Iris, Barry became a key target for the Anti-Monitor. The Anti-Monitor recognized Barry’s ability to travel between universes and unite heroes, so he imprisoned Barry on Qward in the Antimatter Universe. After enduring torture from the Psycho-Pirate, Barry escaped and caused significant damage to Qward’s forces. He discovered a powerful antimatter cannon designed to destroy all Earths and, in a desperate act of heroism, ran around it at top speed, shattering the weapon but sacrificing his own life. Barry’s death had a huge impact across the multiverse, but without his sacrifice, all would have been lost.

4) Harbinger

Harbinger grew up as an orphan and was raised by the powerful being known as the Monitor. He granted her incredible abilities and used her to observe the entire multiverse during his conflict with the Anti-Monitor. As the Anti-Monitor gained the upper hand, Harbinger was tasked with gathering heroes and led the initial battles against the massive devices the villain used to begin his attacks. Tragically, she was possessed by a Shadow Demon and forced to kill the Monitor, but this only strengthened her resolve to save the universe. She became a key leader in the resistance, playing a vital role in developing the strategies that ultimately led to victory.

3) The Monitor

The Monitor and the Anti-Monitor were brothers, locked in an ancient rivalry that played out like a game of chess, culminating in the Crisis on Infinite Earths. The Monitor kept watch over the four main Earths, anticipating his brother’s destructive arrival. When the conflict finally began, he put his long-prepared plan into action. Knowing he wouldn’t survive the coming battles, he relied on a single hope: Alexander Luthor. He trained the child, setting in motion the events that would ultimately defeat the Anti-Monitor. In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Monitor was killed by Harbinger, the only person he loved and who loved him in return – a tragic end for a selfless hero.

2) Alexander Luthor Jr.

Alexander Luthor was a solitary hero on his Earth, fighting against the evil Crime Syndicate. When his world began to be destroyed by antimatter, he and his wife, Lois Lane, sent their son, Alexander Jr., through the multiverse, where he was discovered by the Monitor. Exposure to the void granted him antimatter-based powers and accelerated his growth. After the Monitor died, Alexander took over, utilizing his intelligence, the Monitor’s resources, and his abilities to defeat the Anti-Monitor. Although he later became a villain, he once saved all of reality.

1) Earth-Two Superman

The Superman of Earth-Two was the original superhero, a legendary figure who had been battling villains for decades. He enjoyed a peaceful life with Lois Lane and his cousin, Power Girl, working as editor-in-chief at The Daily Star and assisting the Justice Society. When the Crisis struck, he immediately joined the fight, playing a key role in nearly every important moment and delivering some of the story’s most memorable scenes. He ultimately defeated the Anti-Monitor, saving the multiverse he helped create. This story was intended as a fitting end to the character’s long history, and he went out on a high note.

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2026-02-08 23:20