Most Pivotal Moments in DC Comics

DC Comics has been on the top of the superhero food chain in comics for decades, ever since Superman first burst onto the scene in Action Comics #1 on April 18, 1938. Superman essentially birthed the comic book hero movement, and with almost 90 years of history, DC Comics have managed to accomplish some pivotal events and moments in the DC Universe that should never be forgotten, for better or worse.

Across the DC continuity, there are some moments that are pivotal to remember when it comes to respecting what has come before and what could come again. DC Comics is no stranger to grand-scale events and moments throughout its history that forever changed its characters and their paths, and here are some of those top moments.

7 The Flashpoint Reboot

Barry Allen Scrambles the Timeline, Resulting in a New Continuity

Featured Comic: Flashpoint #1-5 Creators: Geoff Johns, Andy Kubert, Sandra Hope Release Date: July, 2011 – October, 2011

Barry Allen caused the unthinkable when he used the Speed Force to try and stop his mother’s murder. This event, and the speed at which Barry ran, caused fractures in the timeline, shattering history to create ripples that forever altered the world. Barry Allen changed the timeline, forcing everyone on a broken path that would only end in destruction, lest Barry Allen put it all together again.

The Flashpoint resulted in DC birthing a new continuity in 2011, beginning anew with the New 52, where all the popular characters had new origins to start from scratch for new readers. This event also caused Barry Allen’s powers to forever be known as not just the fastest man alive, but the man who can change time with the Speed Force.

6 Dr. Manhattan Forever Alters the DC Universe

Dr. Manhattan Uses His Cosmic Powers to Recreate What Barry Allen Destroyed

Featured Comic: Doomsday Clock #1-12 Creators: Geoff Johns, Gary Frank Release Date: January, 2018 – February, 2020

Following directly after the events of Flashpoint was the crossover between Watchmen and the DC Universe, providing readers with the first time ever that the two sets of characters interacted on the pages of comics. What’s important here is just how vital Dr. Manhattan was to the DC Universe, whereas for years it was a complete mystery, and just expected that Barry Allen had mishandled the timeline like an amateur, when in fact, it was Dr. Manhattan’s godly meddling that created the New 52 and Rebirth as its known today.

Dr. Manhattan’s curiosity about the Multiverse caused him to directly interfere with the DC Universe and erase a decade of the timeline’s history, allowing for this Earth Prime to begin with Superman. The Comedian’s button had been long teased in the New 52 universe, and Dr. Manhattan’s place within it all shows that not all is what it seems among the spanning of the Multiverse.

5 Wonder Woman Kills Maxwell Lord

Wonder Woman’s Actions Break the Trinity and Cause Future Ripples

Featured Comic: Wonder Woman #219 Creators: Greg Rucka, Rags Morales Release Date: September, 2005

One of the most controversial moments in DC Comics comes from when Wonder Woman killed Maxwell Lord by snapping his neck. Her actions are somewhat justified due to Maxwell Lord’s mind control of Superman, and if left untouched, he would’ve killed millions with Superman’s uncontrolled rage. As such, Wonder Woman justified her actions in killing Lord.

Yet, with witnesses, and Superman and Batman’s strict no-killing rule, Wonder Woman’s actions would break up the Trinity, and questions on ethics and morality would arise in her decision, and Batman and Superman’s reaction to it. In showcasing Wonder Woman as a justified killer, modern writers would allow Wonder Woman to kill her rogues gallery with little repercussion due to her Amazon ways.

4 The Fans Decide Jason Todd’s Fate

Batman’s Second Robin is Murdered by Joker

Featured Comic: Batman: A Death in the Family Creators: Jim Starlin, Jim Aparo Release Date: August, 1988 – November, 1988

Batman and Robin are the essential Dynamic Duo across DC Comics, but it seemed that in the late 80s, fans were a tad sick of the second Robin, Jason Todd. As such, DC set up a voting system for fans to decide the fate of Jason Todd, and the Boy Wonder’s fate was sealed by just 72 votes since 5,343 voted to have him killed, and 5,271 voted that he survive. As such, DC got to work in killing off Batman’s young ward.

Robin was killed by the Joker, Batman’s nemesis, and this death would showcase that nobody, no matter their age, was safe from death. It was a gritty aspect of Batman’s story that continues to this day, and Jason Todd often returns as the forgotten son of Bruce Wayne, in his more edgy Red Hood arc where he becomes a sometimes-villain and most-times anti-hero.

3 Batman’s Contingency Plans Force Him Out of the Justice League

Batman’s Mistrust in the Justice League Showcases His Darkness

Featured Comic: JLA: Tower of Babel Creators: Mark Waid, Howard Porter Release Date: July, 2000 – October, 2000

It’s revealed that the Justice League isn’t just Earth’s greatest defense with the most iconic superheroes in the world, as it’s also an excuse for Batman to keep tabs on his friends and allies to ensure that they can be dealt with if the situation arises. Batman creates contingency plans for each and every hero, just in case they decide to turn against him and humanity one day.

Batman’s contingency plans are later stolen by Ra’s al Ghul, and used against him and the Justice League in an attempt to not just subdue Earth’s greatest heroes, but kill them. This leads to the entire team distrusting Batman, and that betrayal would force Batman to leave the JLA, and forever altered how trusting his character would be in future stories.

2 The Death of Superman

The Most Iconic Hero Dies, Sending Shockwaves Through the Comic Book World

Featured Comic: Superman Vol. 2 #75 Creators: Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding Release Date: January, 1993

Superman had long been fighting for truth, justice, and the American way. Yet, within this fight, it seemed that other comic icons like Batman and Spider-Man were leading the charge. This was the most important superhero of all time, so how does DC get readers back? Kill him off to showcase how important Superman is to the status quo.

By killing Superman, DC Comics dared to do the unthinkable. They had taken away the greatest hero – the strongest hero. The Death of Superman is an emotional time for fans of the character, and everyone within DC was mourning his loss and remembering what he meant. Superman’s sacrifice to save Earth was the noblest it could be, and it opened the gateway for other characters to die and resurrect in the future.

1 The Crisis on Infinite Earths

A Multiverse Event That Destroyed and Recreated Countless Universes

Featured Comic: Crisis on Infinite Earths #1-12 Creators: Marv Wolfman, George Perez, Dick Giordano Release Date: April, 1985 – March, 1986

Crisis on Infinite Earths presented long-time DC readers with a definitive ending to some of their favorite worlds, while also bringing forth a new beginning. Crisis on Infinite Earths was vital to the overarching continuity of the DC Multiverse, and characters who had never met before, but had been known to readers for years, were able to interact and work together in order to save as many worlds as they could from the universe-devouring Anti-Monitor.

Crisis on Infinite Earths spanned twelve issues and existed so that new readers could find an entry point into the DC Universe’s continuity that was often seen as overwhelming due to the abundance of stories and branching continuities. The story itself followed hundreds of worlds being erased from time itself, and even characters like Barry Allen were not safe from the death that swept the multiverse.