Infinite Crisis

Infinite Crisis Infinite Crisis is a 2005–2006 comic book limited series published by DC Comics, written primarily by Geoff Johns with art by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, and others. The series served as a major crossover event involving characters and settings from Earth-Two, Earth-One, Krypton, Metropolis, Gotham City, Smallville, Themyscira, and the Teen Titans milieu. It reconfigured continuity established in earlier publications such as Crisis on Infinite Earths, Zero Hour: Crisis in Time!, and 52.

Publication history

Infinite Crisis was plotted and scripted during a period when DC Comics editorial leadership included Dan DiDio and Eddie Berganza, with cover art marketed through solicitations in Wizard and promotional tie-ins in titles like Action Comics, Detective Comics, and Superman. The series followed spin-offs and miniseries such as Identity Crisis and led into company-wide initiatives culminating in 52 and the later One Year Later publishing jump. Johns collaborated with veteran artists including George Pérez—noted for work on Crisis on Infinite Earths—and newer contributors like Andy Kubert; the limited series was released across seven issues with interstitial tie-ins in titles such as Teen Titans (vol. 3), Wonder Woman (vol. 2), and Green Lantern.

Plot

The narrative connects disparate threads: a conspiracy that uses artifacts from Kryponian heritage, political machinations involving Lex Luthor, and a secret war between factions centered in Metropolis and Gotham City. The plot begins when events in Identity Crisis catalyze a chain reaction involving the deaths of characters linked to Earth-Two survivors and legacy heroes returning from locations like Oa and Themyscira. Central set pieces include battles at Coast City and a climactic confrontation on a spaceborne installation above Earth, with cameo engagements from groups such as Justice League of America, Teen Titans, the Outsiders, and the Legion of Super-Heroes. The story explores the re-emergence of pre-Crisis personalities from the Multiverse and an antagonist's campaign to recreate lost worlds, resulting in collisions between legacy identities like those traced to Kal-L and Superboy-Prime.

Characters and major players

The cast is expansive and includes icons from Superman continuity, key figures from Batman lore, and members of ensemble teams. Major players include Kal-L-associated legacy figures, the rogue former hero Superboy-Prime as an antagonist, strategic operatives such as Lex Luthor, and leaders from Justice League of America and Teen Titans. Supporting roles feature veterans like Donna Troy, Nightwing, Booster Gold, and Ted Kord—the latter’s arc connects to plots in Formerly Known as the Justice League. Cosmic institutions such as Oa’s protectors—the Green Lantern Corps—and mythic societies like Themyscira’s Amazonian hierarchy appear, alongside political figures from Metropolis governance and military assets tied to S.T.A.R. Labs operations.

Themes and impact

Thematically, the series interrogates legacy, identity, and the ethics of heroism by juxtaposing Golden Age archetypes with postmodern deconstructions seen in works like Watchmen and earlier Crisis on Infinite Earths. It foregrounds questions about continuity stewardship previously adjudicated in events such as Zero Hour: Crisis in Time! and influences editorial policy leading into 52 and One Year Later. The crossover prompted commercial effects across DC Comics publishing lines, affected character trajectories for properties like Superman and Booster Gold, and generated debate among readerships and critics represented in outlets such as Comic Book Resources and Wizard. Its outcomes influenced subsequent reboots and relaunches including editorial decisions connected to The New 52 and continuity reconciliations involving the Multiverse.

Collected editions

Collected editions compile the seven-issue limited series alongside tie-ins; notable releases include a hardcover omnibus and paperback trade collections distributed by DC Comics under imprints associated with DC Collectibles and specialty retailers. Collections often bundle related one-shots and annuals from titles like Teen Titans (vol. 3), Booster Gold, and Green Arrow to provide contextual reading across continuity shifts. Special editions have featured cover galleries, script excerpts by Geoff Johns, and forewords referencing creators such as George Pérez and Phil Jimenez.

Category:DC Comics limited series